Learning to gamble
 

(Just thought of another question.) We'd like to take a lesson on gaming. We're staying at the Bellagio in October but they don't offer any classes. My gambling is limited to $10 worth of quarters in slot machines at Atlantic City years ago. Again, thanks.

A suggestion--after you've taken your lesson and are starting out at the tables, go during a slow time, whenever that might be. A friend and I went straight from a lesson to a black jack table and the serious gamblers made it clear that they did NOT appreciate us "breaking their rhythm!

Please be sure you watch any game carefully and understand all the rules and implications before joining any game. If you're unsure what you're doing you can aversely affect the play of others - and losing money will not make them happy

You could try online before you go. If you want to learn blackjack, try:
http://www.blackjackinfo.com/blackjack-rules.php

Blackjack is a game of rules and odds. The "serious gamblers" won't mind new players joining as long as they play "right". This means not letting your emotions get in the way and sticking to the rules - not taking cards when the odds say you shouldn't.

It's not hard to learn the game. Now, craps is something I watch but don't play, because I can never understand all those different bets!

Have fun,
Karen

We just got back last week and noticed dealers giving lessons at both the Palms and the Aladdin. One of them was Blackjack and the other was craps I think, but there should be others as well. I would suggest googling "gambling lessons Las vegas" to see what else might be out there. Good luck (we left planty of money there for you to win!)

At least in blackjack, it is a myth that one player's bad moves can adversely effect other players. It is just not true. That being said, other players will get annoyed if the table is losing and you are making the wrong moves. One piece of advice - if you are not comfortable enough with your play, do not sit at the last seat (the "anchor") at the table as wrong moves are magnified in that spot.

You may also want to purchase a blackjack card, which is a chart that maps out exactly when you are supposed to hit, stay, etc, depending on what you have and what the dealer is showing. These can be purchased at most of the sundries stores at each casino. Don't feel stupid using the card at the table - it is not against the rules and you will certainly look more foolish if you don't use it and hit on 16 when the dealer has a 5 showing or you split tens.

What games do you want to play? Blackjack, roulette,...?

There must be one of the Vegas websites that lists the casinos and the free lessons they give (I can't think of one right now). I know the Luxor had Craps lessons when I was there. I must confess to not being a whole lot the wiser by the end of the lesson (but it was 10am and I'd not had much sleep!).

I generally just play Blackjack and I agree with tom42 but I would say that you don't want to hold up a game if you are trying to use the Strategy card as you go along. I tried to learn the card and practised a little bit online before I went and I was up to speed when I was there. You should find the tables with the lower minimum bets are probably the most relaxed towards beginners on the whole.

My husband and I actually learned how to play craps from a guidebook! The Unofficial Guide to Las Vegas has some pretty good basic instructions for most games. And it is a great guidebook as well- we've found it to be right on for many restaurants and shows. While craps can be fast-paced and has many different bets, it's very easy to do a basic bet on the pass line if you want to just enjoy the atmosphere of the table. Then you'll slowly catch on to the other types of bets. I know the Monte Carlo offers poker lessons in the mornings as well. You may just want to call some of the casinos close to bellagio and see what lessons they offer.

Follow all the advice above. We were anxious about table games for years and finally went down early in the morning (7:00), found an empty table and told the dealer we never actually played before. (We played on the computer.) They were more than happy to go slow & help us out. The pit boss also came over and made us comfortable. They know that the friendlier & more accommodating they are, the more you are willing to stay & gamble.

Good advice so far just a couple of thoughts...

While it is true that a poor play at a blackjack table will not effect the outcome for other players, remember that gamblers are a superstitous lot. Gamblers believe in streaks and hot shoes.

Read up, read up and practice at home, on the plane, etc.

If you are interested in craps, go early AM (6-8), find a low limit table and tell them you are new and want to learn. They will work with you..and lastly....


If you do get a dealer(s) to work with you early or 1 on 1 it is proper to tip them regardless of the outcome of your betting. A couple bucks at the end of your session or a dollar bet for the dealer while playing especially if winning. If you do this early in your "lesson", your lesson will improve magically.

All great tips, but I'll add my thoughts:
1. Excalibur, Ballys, Caesars Palace and Tropicana all offered free lessons at one time. The free guide books you get in your room should have the information.

2. Travel down the strip to Westward Ho or Casino Royale during the day when you can gamble low wages.I have played .50 roulette.
3. Try "Let It Ride". Great table game that can be explained in 5 minutes if you know anything about poker hands. House edge is about the same as roulette. I think it is between 5.2 and 5.5%. The books will tell you not to play the $1.00 bonus, but hell your on vacation and if you hit a good hand it will pay for the trip.

Just don't forget that it is real money.

3.

Sorry - I disagree that poor play will not affect others - in BlackJack if you take a card when its sily to do so you affect the cards everyone else gets.

About the Blackjack situation:

It does not affect the ODDS of the other playes. But it does affect the ACTUAL OUTCOME of the other players. So, try explain that to the guy next to you that's losing!

The Flamingo Hilton has great blackjack training sessions - midmorning, I think. Very courteous and easy to understand.

Also, head to your local discount store (Wal-Mart, Target, or whatever) and check out the electronic games - yes, the ones like the kids play that drive the rest of us crazy! They have little hand-held versions of blackjack and they are wonderful at teaching you how to actually play the game.

You can try a computer version of the games, too (just search for "blackjack" and "tutor" and you'll get a plethora of resources). I've used a Video Poker computer system for years and it really did help me to learn the game.

Good luck!

Gayle

The attached link has a list of some of the casinos with free lessons. Obviously I can't vouch for its accuracy but it may give you a starting point:
http://www.vegas.com/gaming/gamingclasses.html

Merryfish,

While it is true that many gamblers (in all games) are superstitious, it is also true that one player's moves can and do adversely effect the outcome of a hand of blackjack. I could give you twenty years of examples, however, I will present only one:

" Let's say the BJ table is full of players and there is a novice in the "home" position (last seat before dealer). After dealing the first two cards, the dealer's "up" card is a 4 and a few of the other players--including the novice at home plate--have up cards ranging from 3-6. Whether he has it or not, the more experienced player will assume that the dealer's down card is a ten and, therefore, will not take a hit him or herself in the hope that the dealer gets a ten/face card, busts and has to pay everyone (if you don't understand why this is, read a book on BJ and you will). If a novice is playing "Home" and also has a 4 "up" card (or a 3, 5 or 6) he/she may look at the dealer's card and think "I can beat that" not realizing how high his/her chances are of being dealt a face/ten card next (since there are 16 of them in a deck). So the novice takes a hit, gets a ten, goes bust (after everyone else passed on taking a hit) and the dealer has to take the next card which turns out to be a 5."

The odds may not have changed, however, the novice lost the hand for everyone at the table. Many people don't realize that, in BJ you are playing in conjunction with everyone else, to beat the dealer. You are not playing against the other players.

Al LaCarte

AL

While your example is true, it would be just as true that 3rd base takes a card that is less than or equal to a 3-7, in fact the odds are very close that they will NOT take the dealers bust card. In which case they would have "saved" the table assuming the next is the bust card.

Point being that the cards are what they are, no matter how brilliantly or dumbly someone plays them.

I have, as I am sure you have, seen this go both ways. Amazing how often the dealer can pull a small card in this situation. It is more likely to happen at a low stakes game that players hit.

merryfish: this is the very reason that you should not sit down at 3rd base (last seat before the dealer) as a novice. Some people will take it personally.