Walking into a casino for the first time can be an overwhelming experience.
From the outlandish carpet designs to sound effects ringing from slot machines to the virtual sea of people, it is a lot to take in. It may seem like a road map is required just to get around. All casinos, though, are basically laid out the same way. From the Las Vegas strip to the boardwalk in Atlantic City, casinos share a similar floor plan when it comes to the positioning of slot machines and table games. Once the layout becomes more familiar a player can navigate the casino with ease and focus on which games suit them best.
Slot Machines
The first thing that is typically noticed upon entering a casino are the slot machines. They’re everywhere. They’re next to every entrance and exit, at the bar and by the bathrooms and cashier cage. This is because slot machines and video poker account for well over half of a casino’s revenue, and as high as 70% in some areas. Many people new to the casino experience will choose to start by playing slots because it is completely self-explanatory and allows them to play at their own pace.
Moving further into the casino floor the table games are laid out. Here is where Blackjack, Roulette, Craps, and other card game variations such as Caribbean Stud Poker and Let It Ride are found. The best way to learn about these games is to watch them being played before taking a seat to join in. This will allow a player to get a sense of pace and rhythm of the game and will also allow them to gauge their own comfort level before playing.
Casino Comp Cards
Before playing slots, video poker, or any table game it is highly recommended to sign up for a casino ‘comp’ card, or complimentary card. These are the casino’s version of frequent flier miles and are rewards based. Comp cards track everything that is spent at the casino, from the number of nights at the hotel to the amount of time and money spent gambling. A comp card can be put into a slot machine being played and will automatically record the amount of time and money taken up by that machine. At table games, the player hands their card to the dealer before they start playing. The dealer will alert the pit boss and they will record such information as what game is being played, the limits of the table and how many chips a player is buying.
Each casino will advertise the rewards that are tied to comp cards.
These usually include free meals, tickets to shows, and even room upgrades at the hotel. Since a comp card is tied to a player’s hotel room, a great way to maximize the use of the card is to make sure all purchases are charged to their room. Having dinner in a restaurant in the casino? Charge it to the room. The same idea applies to gift shops or a trip to the spa.
When it comes to casino gambling for the first time, it’s important to take time getting to know the casino and different games. All players will have one game or area that suits them best. And don’t forget the comp card.
