By Rainbow
I hate to point out the obvious but maybe there’s a lesson or two to be learned from the blatant sexual terminology in the casino game of craps.
Can you think of any other game in the world that has so many sexual innuendos? Why do you think that is? Do you think there’s any connection between gambling and sex?
Can you “beat” a negative expectation* casino game, such as baccarat, blackjack or craps? I would like your feedback on this. I”m Leonard Benson and my viewpoint is a definite “yes.” In fact, it’s not only my viewpoint . . . it’s a fact according to my personal experience.
The reason I want to put this up for discussion is that some people believe it cannot be done. One of the answers may lie in the definition of the word “beat.” To me, it means being able to make a living — and a good one at that — at one or more of these games.
The dictionary defines a recession as an economic setback in commercial and industrial activity. The question that concerns the Benson client is whether a recession affects the world of gambling. As you would expect, the answer is yes, but even more interesting, the answer is also no.
The answer is yes because a recession affects the supply side of the gambling business . That is, the hotel and casino. As prices rise in every area for the casino, the overhead increases. In order to attract more business the casinos must give away more comps and bonuses, which also increases their overhead.
“When things get tough, the tough get going!” Well, if that’s the attitude the marines use to win a war, then that’s the attitude Benson players should use in gambling : MENTAL TOUGHNESS. Being mentally tough is the only psychology that will withstand the ups and downs of your daily sessions. It is the only psychology that will force you to follow the departure rules, playing strategies and betting progressions when things aren’t going your way. Furthermore, it is the only psychology that will preserve our systems !
Okay, enough of the drill sergeant routine. Now that I have your attention, let’s calmly analyze the importance of the psychology of gambling . To me, it is the number one pitfall in casino gambling. That’s right. The wrong psychology can cause ten times more losses than any one bad table, missed bet or improper strategy .
Gambling and sex (or sex and gambling, always in the same breath) have been around for centuries. I’m sure many of you remember the old West movies and even the early days of Las Vegas. Men went to bars to drink and play poker, then later sought the companionship of women waiting around to take them upstairs to relax. Nothing illegal back then.
So it is today, especially in Vegas where the casinos are not only working the gambling and sex angle, they’re flaunting it. Geared to attract the lucrative, upscale 21-to-34-year-old market, all major casinos have elaborate nightclubs where young men and women can party, drink, dance or just hang out until three, four or five a.m. No actual sex goes on in those clubs, but there are plenty of opportunities for serious hookups.
There’s something about gambling that brings out the superstitions in people. Want a good example? The next time you’re walking through a casino and you hear loud, jubilant cheers from a crowded craps table, walk over there and plop down a couple of chips on the “don’t pass.” About the least thing that can happen is a sudden hush may fall over the table. The worst is that the guy next to you may punch your lights out.
If he did, it wouldn’t be anything personal. That would just be his way of showing that he doesn’t appreciate your “jinxing” the table by betting against the dice now that they’re finally hot.
I’d like to deviate for a moment from the theme of this issue — that is, WINNING BIG — and touch on a departure rule that has served me well in every game I play. Namely: THE THREE STRIKES … YOU’RE OUT RULE!
So, what exactly is this THREE STRIKES … YOU’RE OUT RULE and why is it so valuable? Well, the three-strike rule is both a table and daily departure rule which I apply to craps, blackjack and baccarat. I have not found a way of applying it to roulette yet. Simply stated it says that after you have played a total of three tables — no matter what the game — if you are behind any amount of money. you are done with that game for the day.
Over the years I have studied the habits of successful players in all games. From these studies Twelve Basic Laws of Success materialized. If you can unfailingly and conscientiously apply the 12 Success Laws, you can count on winning consistently while playing baccarat, blackjack, craps, poker or roulette.
In this article three of the Laws are briefly discussed:
SUCCESS LAW #1 — THE LAW OF ADHERENCE TO STRATEGY
Thou shall not second guess the strategy. All of Leonard’s strategies and systems are well proven. In their zeal to win, many new players forget why they purchased a strategy in the first place. It’s easy to get sidetracked, to think you can improve on the system. Wait! Why tamper with what you know works?
Don’t let the excitement of the moment carry you away. No matter what others around you are doing, even if they’re winning at a particular time … stay with the system. Yes, sometimes crazy bets do work. But it’s the long run you’re interested in. You want long-term, consistent results.
To players who like action, the words “money management”(MM) just hamper their style. After all, “real” gamblers don’t manage their money, they just play and play and play — or that’s what some people think.
It’s time to give back to “money management” its good name and reputation. You should understand that proper MM doesn’t mean conservative play or less action at the tables. It really means allowing you the opportunity to find more action and the opportunity not to lose. The simple truth is this: You can’t play if you have no money left. Therefore, don’t knock MM until you’ve given it a good college try.
To win consistently in the casino you have to understand what it is to be a professional gambler. Whether you play full time or part time, whether you play every day or once a week, professional gambling involves the complete understanding of departure rules, of money management, of making profits and protecting your bankroll. You definitely need to have a complete knowledge of the game you are playing. You must use a systematic approach based on a winning strategy. Winning also requires a certain psychology — what we like to call “aggressive patience.” It is this professional attitude that can make all the difference in achieving a consistent profit after 10 or 20 or 100 sessions at the casino.
What exactly is “aggressive patience”? The answer lies in the very nature of casino gambling itself. We know that gambling can be very fickle. At times, the craps and blackjack tables can be loaded with action and then, without warning, they can turn cold as ice. It takes tremendous patience and discipline to find the winning roll or favorable shoe under those adverse conditions.