The next time someone complains to you that.....

[DaBurglar]

....You are "watching them play" or that you are staring at them, here is what you need to remember (and thus, SAY to them....):Actually, let me first elaborate a little more;  I have heard a few specific players on this forum gripe (more like b*tch) about how they get upset, or annoyed when people stop and watch them play video poker;  some people here ahve even said they demand that onlookers or "gawkers" walk away or avert their eyes and look somewhere else.....I find this laughable, absurd and totally wrong, and here is what those of us who sometimes make it a point to watch other players (for legit reasons such as tracking results or performance in a casino or on specific machines) need to remember when confronted by these arrogant antisocial twits:Casino floors are considered "OPEN public spaces" (although the casino facility itself, taken as a WHOLE entity is almost always PRIVATE property), and a person who is playing on the general floor (i.e. NOT the high rollers lounge) has NO right or expectation of any privacy..... now, IF....IF a person actually reserved a specific machine to play at a specific time, they can ask the casino to keep other "gawkers" out of a personal space that extends about six feet in any direction, with the exception being a person who wants to actually PLAY a machine next to the one that was reserved by the player with inflated sensibilities about being watched.with regards, High roller lounges or playing areas, a player has the right to ask another player to NOT be present in the lounge if....IF that player is himself/herself/itself  ALSO not a "high roller" (i.e.  "NOT A DIAMOND level, or Not Black Label, or Not Chairman, etc etc)   Othwerwise, if the onlooker is himself/herself/itself a cardholder of proper level or status, they have every right to be there and every right to look where they want.What's the bottom line here?  The next time a person in a casino nastily yells at you for "watching them" and demands you "go away", tell them to go pound sand......MAKE them call casino management (security itself will not be enough if you press the issue) and MAKE casino management tell you to "go away" or "look somewhere else"....and if, and when casino management actually DOES this (they probably will not if you are prepared and IF you are also a steady customer), make sure you get all the casino employee/management names so you can then file your complaint with the casino gaming commish  and/or gaming enforcement.   Another, really good, effective strategy, is this:   When a miserable player demands you to go away or look away, plop some money in the machine NEXT to them, or one seat down, and then play REALLY slowly all the while still watching them play......on this tactic, you are INVULNERABLE because now there is NOTHING anyone can say or do to you......the antisocial, self conscious player will be forced to either LIVE with it (which is what they should do), or cash out and move somewhere else.       Do not follow them right away......be subtle about it!The more you know.......

[FAA]

I've done my share of performance tracking at AC CETs. Futility Tracking, more accurately. I have never had a problem. As for the present, there is apparently a much higher sanity level among marina patrons. I haven't even felt the need to track, since I have emerged a winner. Hopefully I will never have to return to the bad old days of tracking and scouting.  

[FloridaPhil]

I totally agree as long as they don't start asking a bunch of questions.  My strategy causes me to switch back and forth between single and max coins and that causes a lot of people to watch me play.  I love it because when I hit a single coin quad deuce or royal they always say something like "too bad you didn't play max coins".  I smile and put another ticket in my wallet.  Funny how they never say "You sure did play a long time with that $20" or they never notice that I switched to max coins just before I hit a big jackpot.  I have no problem with anyone watching me play and recording my results.  You buy lunch.... 

[FAA]

LOL. The Hollywood Hard Rock Hustler! Kill 'em with kindness. I've been playing to exhaustion with a mere $20 lately, even marveling at my own luck. When something great hits, cash out, insert a fresh $20. It sure feels great. If I ever get that critical switch to max pre jackpot step down, I will be invincible.

[notes1]

what is the difference between a casual observer and someone stalking a bank of machines, with more nefarious ideas. these days, one has to be fully aware of their surroundings.  also, just another example of common courtesy going in the wrong direction. people like having their 'own' space. and, what is anyone going to learn by watching someone else for a limited time period, it tells you nothing.    those who argue that because it is public space, i can do what i want, are surely the same folks who drive in the left lane, because that is their right.

[FAA]

what is anyone going to learn by watching someone else for a limited time period, it tells you nothing.   -------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------I think it can provide some general clues and tendencies of a machine. I do keep a very respectful distance. They usually don't notice my presence. I like to leave and check back in an hour to check out a plus/minus amount sometimes too. Nothing conclusive of course, but food for thought.

[KingofAmerica]

Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. If someone seems obviously uncomfortable with you watching them play, have some manners and walk away.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=KingofAmerica]If someone seems obviously uncomfortable with you watching them play, have some manners and walk away.[/quote]Sure.  No one has the right to interfere with another players experience.  If I was watching someone (highly unlikely) and they ask me not to, I would do the right thing and stop.  A little courtesy never hurt anyone.

[Galeygoo]

Reminds me of another annoyance that I just recently encountered. When you sit to play; are lucky enough to get a couple or three good (not great) hits and the person who, sitting next to you who was playing non stop, decides to stop playing all together and continue to watch the mediocre hits.   Geesh; are you jealous of THAT? lol

[Tedlark]

Just because you CAN do something doesn't mean you SHOULD. If someone seems obviously uncomfortable with you watching them play, have some manners and walk away.

Yep...

For those who don't know it; the original poster sent this out with me in mind. Ouch...