Helping Others

[Burtwithau]

As I play my DDB machine I can't help but see those on either side of me playing various games, their hold cards, draws etc. If they're playing DDB, DB, or Bonus I am quite aware of the play strategies accordingly. If they are playing with terrible holds I sometimes ask them where they learned how to play the game they're on.
Many times they say that they taught themselves or learned from a book (doubtful). I try to direct them to a certain website that teaches the holds while you play the game on that website.

Their responses run the gamut from curt (I know what I'm doing) to grateful/gracious thanks for my offered info.

One story, I was playing at the Hollywood (Maryland Heights/St. Louis) and a lady about my age (50's) was holding a ten (not a pair of tens) when it was obviously a hand to throw all 5 cards into the muck. I asked her the thought process behind that strategy and she said that she goes for a royal in those cases. I asked her how long she had been playing? She said about 7-8 years. I asked her how many royals she had made in total in her life. She said she had never gotten one. We talked more and I directed her to the afore mentioned website and she said she was adamant about trying it out. As luck would have it I hit a spade royal (been at least 6 months since the last royal for me) while we were playing. Since it was a $2k payout I sat in front of the machine waiting for the workers to get there and thought, sometimes karma works out great.

What do you do while playing? Do you try to help the obviously ignorant (not stupid but ignorant? I understand completely if you don't as some people take offense because they see potential help as a slight.

I have read some other topics about the take rate for the house and I understand the 8% to 36% take rate for the casino based upon those that are clearly not VP strategy savvy.

[Jstark]

If someone sits next to me, I move. I don't like others around me as they cause distractions.

[Waiting4RF]

I put in ear plugs when playing. I have seen people playing DDB hold a 2, 3, or 4 when they should have discarded all 5 cards. I only offer help when asked. I tell them the math play but it is their decision, not mine.

[onemoretry]

I never offer comments nor advice unless I'm asked. If I'm asked (very rarely), I do not advise how to play the hand, rather, I state how I would play it.

[DaBurglar]

Burt-with-a-u:I always help others and have no problem pointing out when someone is making an error on a game I KNOW the correct hold.....right now there really are only three or four games that I know well enough to confidently volunteer advice ALL THE TIME:   Job (obviously), BP, and then DB & DDB....after that I'm cautious because there are a few games that I THINK I've mastered but as it turns out I still make an occasional error, mostly due to my own speed of play or simple tiredness (playing too long for peak physical alertness).  Quick QUads comes to mind, whereby if you gave me written quiz on QQ holds I'd pass with flying colors but during play I still miss a rare but occasional QQ hold (it might even be eyesight sometimes due to glare or the particular machines SPades too closely resembling clubs.....?!?!?)Almost always, people are grateful or at least outwardly friendly when I offer tips, because it is all about HOW you approach people (your tone, demeanor, body language, etc.)   For the rare few who do not want my advice or who I can tell are miserable ornery people who do not want anyone telling them ANYTHING (even if it helps them) I just subsequently ignore.    But if you have a pleasant personality and are a people person, they will listen to you more often than not.I applaud your concern to help others avoid losses due to ignorance.  I do not particularly agree with your philosophy about KARMA (some sort of force or being controlling peoples' results) because I am certain you received your royal because of your SKILL!   Besides, I have seen good, nice, humble, genuinely kind-hearted individuals get slaughtered in casinos and I have seen the most arrogant, obnoxious, mean-spirited jerks win huge jackpots......and vice versa!    It's all random chance, or as Ecclesiastes Chapter 9, verse 11 tells us:  " Time and unforeseen events befall everyone!"   Such unforeseen things can be good or bad or neutral.

[DaBurglar]

If someone sits next to me, I move. I don't like others around me as they cause distractions.Seriously?!?!?    DO you at least wait a few minutes before doing so, so as to not offend or make the other person feel bad?   Do you put on a show, by making believe to answer or check your cell phone and then make it seem like your moving has to do with that???   Do you say anything to the person who sat down next to you, like "No offense, don't take it personal but I just have this NEED to play alone!"Here's why I ask:  I have had a few people do what you do to me. and almost all of them do it in an obvious HUFF or with obvious annoyance, as if I (me) oersonally was deliberately trying to screw THEM up or cause them problems by merely sitting next to them.   They are ridiculous in HOW they go about getting up to move.....if I am in a really mischievous mood, and you did that to me in the manner I described, I'd follow you around (not right away as to be THAT obvious).   If you do not like playing with others around you then always sit on an end seat which cuts your chances in half, and try to play at 3:30 am

[FloridaPhil]

I will help others if they ask.  I try not to get involved with complete beginners as it can occupy an entire day.  Most of the questions are "Where do I put my money in?" or "How do I retrieve my free play?" or "Why is my machine not working?"Sometimes when I am playing Deuces Wild someone will watch me play and ask a few questions which I am happy to provide.  Video poker is a personal escape.  I don't find most people overly chatty when playing.  We get a lot of out of town visitors.  Every now and then I sit next to someone who is an experienced player.  We usually talk about casinos, not strategy.   I enjoy talking with people like that.  I found Black Hawk Colorado from another player.

[Jstark]

[QUOTE=Jstark]If someone sits next to me, I move. I don't like others around me as they cause distractions.Seriously?!?!?    DO you at least wait a few minutes before doing so, so as to not offend or make the other person feel bad?   Do you put on a show, by making believe to answer or check your cell phone and then make it seem like your moving has to do with that???   Do you say anything to the person who sat down next to you, like "No offense, don't take it personal but I just have this NEED to play alone!"Here's why I ask:  I have had a few people do what you do to me. and almost all of them do it in an obvious HUFF or with obvious annoyance, as if I (me) oersonally was deliberately trying to screw THEM up or cause them problems by merely sitting next to them.   They are ridiculous in HOW they go about getting up to move.....if I am in a really mischievous mood, and you did that to me in the manner I described, I'd follow you around (not right away as to be THAT obvious).   If you do not like playing with others around you then always sit on an end seat which cuts your chances in half, and try to play at 3:30 am [/QUOTE]
I don't wait at all. I just cash out and leave. And if anyone were to follow me around, I'd get security.

[FAA]

Ecc 9:11. Pretty damn prophetic verse citation. Talk about hitting it right on the head. That is chilling to consider.

[FAA]

I always strive to play alone. I love peace and quiet. Hard to find in casinos, but better odds mornings. I usually grab an end seat and get mad if I get company. Bag placement strategy helps. If someone sits next to me in an empty theater, just as frustrating. Let's all spread out and enjoy our space.