1. Welcome to VegasMessageBoard
    It appears you are visiting our community as a guest.
    In order to view full-size images, participate in discussions, vote in polls, etc, you will need to Log in or Register.

What kind of Gambler are you?

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by Electroguy563, Jun 1, 2013.

Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.
  1. DMSCR

    DMSCR High-Roller

    Joined:
    Oct 31, 2011
    Messages:
    547
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    22
    Hit N' Run "gambler"

    I like playing either at $50 or $100 tables in baccarat. Don't like staying too long. Playing for 40 minutes at the same table is a long time for me. 10 to 15 minutes is ideal per shoe. If within 15 hands played, I find reasons to leave. On a three day trip I probably just log about 2 to 3 hours of play. Like to keep each bet 5% or below of my bankroll in play. Don't like over betting or over extend myself. More focused on risk management and playing correctly than about the money. This whole thing is more about the journey than the destination. Once I realized and learned this, I became a much more profitable and better player.
     
  2. Criminole

    Criminole Low-Roller

    Joined:
    May 21, 2012
    Messages:
    245
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    7
    I am a low roller who only likes to play when given an advantage. I don't want to play somewhere that doesn't offer me anything. Luckily with acg and LVA books there are plenty of places to play. I will do the win cards and slot play deals too. Playing a lot on MyVegas to stretch the budget further. Looking forward to upcoming trip staying downtown for first time as these casinos fit my gambling style perfectly. Hoping to hit something good on the slots with some of my freeplay.
     
  3. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

    Joined:
    Aug 8, 2012
    Messages:
    7,883
    Location:
    Fort Worth
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    100
    I am - and always have been - primarily a two-deck blackjack player. I like to spread $10 to $50 at a $5 table (whenever a $5 table is available/possible), but I must admit that it's very rare for me to bet my max...my average bet is probably in the $15 to $20 range. I count, but I'm not the most disciplined counter around. Alcohol and attractive women can make 'discipline' difficult at times.

    I will play any table - even an empty one - if the rules/conditions are favorable to me. I do enjoy the social aspects of casino gambling, but also resist playing at nearly-full tables. 2 or 3 other players is, for me, ideal.

    For me, it's more about "not losing" than it is about "winning". I love to win, just like everyone else, but I gamble for entertainment - so leaving Vegas with my initial bankroll intact is a "great trip" as far as I'm concerned.

    My objective is to have a great time, for little-to-no cost, and come home with the money I arrived with...or most of it, anyway.

    I'm not sure what kind of gambler that makes me, but there it is.
    :beer:
     
    Annual Spring Trip!
  4. bardolator

    bardolator Lifelong Low Roller

    Joined:
    Mar 30, 2005
    Messages:
    3,055
    Location:
    Gig Harbor, WA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    999
    My rules for gambling are as follows:

    1. Have fun. If you aren't having fun, it's time to quit the session. For me, gambling all day is not fun.

    2. Stick to your win limits and loss limits. A loss limit can be uncomfortable but not painful.

    3. Look for opportunities. Jump in when you see them. Jump out when they're gone.

    4. Play games with a positive overall expectation. In figuring this, don't overvalue comps.

    5. Play only games you understand thoroughly. Do your homework and you'll have more fun.

    6. Keep sharp. For me, that means a strict limit on alcohol consumption, and extra caffeine.

    Aside from winning, nothing pleases me more than seeing other gamblers play the hard 8, talk more when they're bluffing, or stand with 12 or 13 against a ten. Yet it is not at all enjoyable to see others who are clearly violating my rule 1 or rule 2.

    I am whatever type of gambler those rules make me.
     
  5. Buddha

    Buddha VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Apr 3, 2012
    Messages:
    1,470
    Location:
    Chicago 'burbs
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    60

    That is always our philosophy, as well ... break even on the gambling, and everything else is gravy. Everyone always wants to come home a "big winner", but not losing in the casino IS a winner, when the free rooms & meals & player points are all factored in.
     
  6. Ronoh

    Ronoh Tourist

    Joined:
    Apr 15, 2013
    Messages:
    172
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    25
    Gaming starts early in my family... I was playing poker for cash at family functions by the time I was 9 and my dad ran weekly football pools that I started in on at age 7 (I continued the tradition when my kids were born, my 13 year old son plays family function poker with us and my daughter has scores of $1250 and $750 in our March Madness pools).

    Always looking for a reason to gamble, will gamble on pretty much anything within reason... I coach my sons baseball team, on Thursday I had a bet with my AC that our runner on 3rd base would score within the following two pitches (winner!).

    Lived in Vegas for a number of years in the late 90s/early 2000s and quickly lost all taste for table games and most slots. I will play some video slots or video poker to waste some time but the vast majority of my time in casinos is spent in the poker rooms.
     
  7. AlwaysVegas

    AlwaysVegas Now it's mostly Reno.

    Joined:
    Apr 7, 2011
    Messages:
    313
    Location:
    Dallas, TX
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    65
    My parents brought me to Vegas year after year since I was a wee tot in the 70s. In my teen years, I started to read up on how gambling odds worked, probability, the math behind gambling, strategies, and the like.

    When I hit the golden age of 21, I was mainly a slot player (which is funny considering I knew the odds were most often lower than other games), but eventually became a lover of video poker and utilizing strategy. I would mix slot and video poker play, but as slots became tighter and hugely more volatile, I gave up on slots almost entirely and now only play video poker.

    I rarely, if ever play table games because I find them too slow and rather boring, though I will play with friends. Everyone has their favorites.

    I am a low-roller, rarely get any notable comps, but I also gamble all over (yet off the Strip) and bounce from casino to casino all day on a whim. I don't play for comps and don't dedicate the majority of my play to any one casino, although I generally restrict my play to video poker machines with 99% and up return. Playing the high-return video poker is the main reason I don't get many comp offers. My expected losses just aren't that high. But I'd rather pay $40-50 for a room rather than lose a couple thousand to get a free night or two.

    I'm the type of player who has always gambled much less than I can afford simply because I enjoy gambling and the casino atmosphere and not so much playing for freebies or the larger jackpots. Getting a royal flush playing dimes is just as exciting for me as a royal flush playing quarters. It's the thrill of getting the royal.

    I am also a VERY early gambler. I get up around 2-3am, and end up gambling until around 2-3pm, then head back to the room for nighty-night. Rinse and repeat. I love casinos in the middle of the night...some casinos I feel like I have all to myself, especially the locals' joints.

    I also have a pretty low 'off' switch when I'm on a losing streak and I simply stop playing as soon as I'm feeling frustrated. I don't keep track of long-term wins/losses, but always have a budget and I've never lost the entire budget or gone over. I also take whatever money I have left over from my budget and buy myself something when I get home.
     
  8. kdor78

    kdor78 Tourist

    Joined:
    May 15, 2013
    Messages:
    30
    Location:
    Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    0
    I'm a low rolling cautious gambler. I only take cash with me and leave all cards at home. This way once its gone, its gone and there are no regrets later. I buget for a little fun and some drinks and keep my fingers crossed! :thumbsup:
     
  9. Snotick

    Snotick Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Aug 14, 2009
    Messages:
    102
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    17
    I've made a lot of transitions over the years. In the beginning, I had little money and even less knowledge. Budget was less than $100 a day. It was strictly nickel or penny machines. A big gamble for me was to put $20 in the original Wheel of Fortune slot. The only table game I wasn't scared to death of was Roulette. My first couple trips, this was the only table game I played.

    As I started learning about odds and games, I spent most of my time at the $2-4 or $3-6 poker tables at Stardust (RIP :cry:) Occasionally, I played at a $5 Blackjack table. My payroll was up around $200 a day at this time. Still only played a few penny slots.

    When the Poker Rooms started to become over crowded, I began to limit my time playing poker. I moved to No Limit Tournaments, where I could manage my bank roll better and still enjoy playing poker. I found myself branching out to Let It Ride and 3 Card Poker. Bankroll only went up to about $250 per day.

    One day, I finally looked the Beast in the eye and learned how to play Craps. With the exception of Poker, I don't think I have spent more than 2 minutes at any other table game since then. (just the odd coupon, or a passing $10 on Red/Black Roulette) I was running my own business that was cash based. So my bankroll climbed to about $700 a day. I still stuck to $5/$10 tables but it didn't take much to have $100 spread out on any given roll. My days consisted of highs and lows.

    At my present state, I still prefer betting on football, playing poker. Either No Limit Tournament or Cash. I never play any slot over a penny and my craps remains at $5 only. I also enjoy a cigar and betting on a few horse races, but never more than $5 at a time.

    As an amateur photographer, I find myself wanting to move around a lot more. I like the Poker Tournament, because it falls during a set time. Otherwise, I will move up and down the strip, taking pictures and playing the odd slot that catches my eye. My Bankroll is down to about $300 per day. But rarely do I burn through it for the day, or the trip. The only exception is Saturdays and Sundays during the football season, I budget an extra $200 for those days.

    Have been thinking about trying something new. Pai Gow, or Baccarat, or Video Poker.
     
  10. MikeOPensacola

    MikeOPensacola El Jefe

    Joined:
    Sep 26, 2012
    Messages:
    10,686
    Location:
    USA
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    180
    I stick to Blackjack. I've been playing it for over 30 years now. And while the games are not as good as they used to be I still enjoy playing it very much.

    If I have a big win at the BJ tables I'll take about half my win and play a session of craps, line bet and come bet or two with odds.

    I never play the slots or VP, it's too easy to spend too much money too quickly.

    I never play for comps and never, ever play with money that I can not comfortably afford to lose.

    In short, I guess I am conservative, but I always have a great time and when I am in my gamble mode I always go to LV solo.:peace::beer:
     
    Annual CCA (Casino Collectibles Association) Show at South Point
    Long Overdue Stay At The Golden Nugget
  11. waverunner

    waverunner ------VEGA$------

    Joined:
    Jul 27, 2012
    Messages:
    2,810
    Location:
    SoCal
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    124
    That's exactly my feeling. In May i brought a bankroll of $1800 just for gambling, about $300 per 5 nights. I came back with $1760. My hotels are free. I used separate money for dining, shopping, etc.
    In the old days, from the early 80's-2010, i would gamble day and night, would go back to the safe to fill my wallet back up, etc.
    I soon realized that Vegas wasn't as fun as i thought it was. I was never an addicted gambler, just stupid.
    Now, i just gamble in the evening for about 5 or 6 hours and NEVER have to go back to the safe. If i'm losing, i just take a walk on the Strip, sit and people watch, window shop, stare at the Margaritaville Casino waitresses and get drunk on Sprite's, etc.
    When i go back in August...........it will be Deja Vu all over again.
     
  12. sco5123

    sco5123 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jul 29, 2011
    Messages:
    2,711
    Location:
    East
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    11
    What an awesome topic!

    I am all over the place when it comes to gambling but mostly I am an ultra low roller. I have pulled $100, $25 and $10 slots for like one or five spins just to see what it was like. But I have also played 1 cent per spin on a video keno game for hours (I came up with a profit of a few cents). I regularly play red chip but I have my rare moments when I want to just play $25 (I usually lose then).

    I seek to decrease my bankroll over time yet maximize my fun. I learn how to do this by learning all the ins and outs of Vegas that I can, "distracting" myself with all the free stuff and inexpensive things to do that I can find, learning where gambling conditions are best, knowing which casinos give me the best vibe and best winning-feeling, etc. It took an investment to experiment and explore to find these things. Now, the idea is that I can pull back on the bankroll now that I know where and how my money is best spent.

    I keep my bankroll in $5 and $1 bills mostly to remind myself psychologically when I am losing money. Putting in a hundred for me makes me almost guaranteed to lose that hundred quickly...but holding onto a $5 makes me feel itchy when I lose $4.50. In this way, I usually stop when I have lost $20 bucks too quickly instead of plowing through a hundred and feeling some sort of way. Strangely enough, when I psyche my brain out to play $10 slots I do not feel as bad to lose $300 in 15 minutes as I do when I purposefully choose to play slow at 30cents per spin and lose $20 in 15 minutes. When I am betting small, I will put $5 into a machine just to "test" it to see if it's hot. The same is true for a table. I will buy in for like $15 just to see if the table is hot. All it takes is a couple spins or a couple hands to get a feel of the "magic" surrounding it.

    I do not play too long in a casino if I get a losing vibe. If I play a little and I am mostly losing, I stop playing. Last trip, this was a continual experience! I find that I win more and feel much happier when I am playing with a dealer who is smiling and who agrees to help me win. lol I adore empty tables so I can play by myself (love the exclusive feeling to it) but 9.5 times out of 10, once I sit down, I attract gamblers to the table like flies. My favorite times at tables were when I was alone. I love it for people when they are having a good time at the table but I am usually concentrating, calculating how much I need to win/lose to walk away finally based on my current mood, hoarding chips I have won into my bag so I do not play them again, etc. I never use my entire bankroll. It makes me feel like I've won somehow.
     
  13. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Nov 17, 2010
    Messages:
    9,409
    Location:
    Florida
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    32
    Its all about having fun.

    My play 50 cents, $1, $2.50, $5 or more a spin. Depends on if up/down and how the budget is doing. If making a bet and you get that uncomfortable feeling its time to lower it. At the same time if you feel the urge then time to increase the bet.

    Same with the table games.
     
  14. carolineno

    carolineno VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jan 29, 2013
    Messages:
    4,834
    Location:
    Boston
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    777
    I am pretty much all business low roller. I like my money too much to lose it, and so losing isn't fun for me. At home I play poker games that I generally win at, and use the freeplays for pai gow poker and slots. If I win a fair amount at poker I'll throw some money in a slot, just so the casino knows I'm still alive. And I don't drink when I play at all. :nono: Well, maybe during pai gow :eek:

    I haven't been to Vegas for a while, and my last visit was more social than gaming. I'm going to have fun chasing the Cosmo & Tropicana loss rebate offers this trip, and that will be the most I've ever committed to a slot machine. Hopefully I will win big and be able to enter a poker tournament without guilt.

    ...boy do I sound like a wet blanket!
     
    Ladies getaway, somewhere on the strip with a pool :)
  15. pebbles

    pebbles Micro Roller.

    Joined:
    Oct 15, 2004
    Messages:
    4,848
    Location:
    Cumbria, UK and Alicante region, Spain
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    34
    That probably describes me too. I play penny VP (I know, crap play tables) and a few of my old favourite slots that are 9/13/15/20 lines per spin.
    I gamble for cheap drinks, I'll never win a fortune.

    Each to their own.
     
  16. Julie888

    Julie888 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Oct 7, 2008
    Messages:
    1,166
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    50
    Tired. It's a lot of work having fun. Play VP almost exclusively so have to keep the thinking cap on. Tired but loving it.
     
  17. earth-3

    earth-3 VIP Whale

    Joined:
    Jun 6, 2003
    Messages:
    1,000
    Location:
    Lisle
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    18
    I bet one or two green at the BJ tables and $10-$25 on craps with 2x on odds. I play mostly at the casino where I stay but get around to most to see the sights. I don't see much in the way of shows and eat at the moderately priced restaurants. I may choose one or possibly two better restaurants for a more relaxing dinner. I appreciate a cocktail over beer or wine at a nice lounge. I don't do clubs. I spend very little time on slot play and maybe a hour or so during my stay at roulette. I'll make one bet just, as I leave, on each sports team from my city. I travel alone and therefor at my leisure and at the time that fits my schedule.
     
  18. Dancemom

    Dancemom Low-Roller

    Joined:
    Jul 10, 2011
    Messages:
    127
    Location:
    BC, Canada.
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    Not too many exclusively slot players here, so I'll chime in.

    Gambling in general, and especially in Vegas, is all about escape for me. I'm a Mom of 3 and a high energy teacher and Vegas is the only time I am not responsible for another human being other than myself. Most trips have been solo, so that has most definitely been good for me.

    I go with what I'm comfortable to lose (I see it as entertainment money) strictly divided into envelopes for each day and I never deviate from that by "borrowing" from the next day's envelope. I'm probably considered a pretty low roller with a daily gambling budget ranging from $300-500. I'm also fairly new to Vegas with an annual trip every year for the past 3 years (and one upcoming in August) so the idea of comps is still pretty exciting to me. While I'm not playing FOR comps, I'm tickled pink that for last year's trip plus this year's, I was assigned a host and I'm getting a suite for free plus some free play and most of my meals comped. My thinking is that I'd gamble it anyway so the comps are a bonus.

    Yes, I know that the slots aren't the best return as far as likelihood of winning, but they are fun to me. I roam the casino and when one catches my eye I play for a bit. The signal to move on to find another is when I get a bonus or it gets boring to me. And I love the free (with tip of course) drinks while gambling. Adds to the "escape" factor.
     
  19. mlsoregonhills

    mlsoregonhills Tourist

    Joined:
    Jun 10, 2013
    Messages:
    57
    Location:
    Northwest Oregon
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    3
    I have never considered myself a gambler, but three or so times a year, husband and I go to the local casino and I spend $50. :)

    I like roulette, and will make small $6-$8 bets on their one video roulette machine. I'm not comfortable playing table games just yet.

    Basically, I'm going to Vegas to experience Vegas itself, and to enjoy eating and drinking, a ladies getaway. I'm limiting my gambling budget to $50/day, I hope.

    I'm assuming that if I start to hit the ATMs too often, husband will just cut me off. lol
     
  20. fadetheseven

    fadetheseven High-Roller

    Joined:
    Sep 19, 2011
    Messages:
    732
    Trips to Las Vegas:
    5
    Another low roller checking in. I'm mostly a red chip dice/BJ player. I admit that I went through a comp chasing phase when my cash flow was a bit higher. I didn't enjoy sweating the average bet and play time.

    I'm milking my hosted comps at my regional casino for all I can before I get cut off. I just got my first warning yesterday. My avg dropped 5-fold :nono:

    I am a fiscally responsible degenerate. I will go to bed around 1am and wake up around 5am. I like the action and will gamble around 6-10 hours a day.
     
Tags:
Thread Status:
Not open for further replies.