I will be on a panel at the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas (Oct. 2) in which I will have the opportunity to express my opinion to gaming executives from around the wrold on how the casino indistry can encourage more new players to play blackjack. I'd also like to hear your opinion on this, which I will share with the executives at the Expo. Please post your ideas or email to HTamburin@aol.com. Thanks.
just kidding. It wouldn't hurt to remind them that the apparent "beatability" of the game is a huge attraction to many.
No one is going to start playing their first time at a $100 min table.
A beginner is not going to learn the game putting in a several hour session at a $25 table either. Make lower limit tables available. Having one or two low limit tables (completely full) is not going to attract new players. Today's beginning low-limit player is tomorrow's big roller, so provide a place for them to learn the game cheaply.
Also, I feel CSMs hurt the game in this regard. Experienced players won't play them, and beginners feel intimidated by the machines. The pace of a CSM game is rapid-fire, without a break, not exactly what a newbie would be looking for. Part of the allure of blackjack is that the game can be beaten, and the CSM kills that idea.
I mean why not let a player drop out for a hand or two at a $5. table and then get back in. (I get this at the casino I play at.) I know this is to discourage "wongers" but come on it's only $5. Give the players a chance to maybe win a couple bucks. Stop intimidating players who happen to be winning. (Pit bosses watching your every move )
Well that's all I can think of off the top.
1. Adopt a comp schedule to low roller play. I put 2 or 3 times the money in action at the BJ table as compared to the Princess and her VP/slots, but the "slot club" comps she gets are twice what my red chip action fetches. I think the HS policy best: an hour or more of red chip play should be worth a buffet comp at least.
2. Get rid of CSMs.
3. Years ago Caesar's had a low roller pit where they had low minimums/maximums. Something like $2 to $50. Anyhow, they encouraged the players to ask the dealers questions and encouraged the dealers to answer the questions. The dealers knew basic strategy and would give you the correct plays (if you asked) and tell you why. The game was slow as hell but really fun for the novice. This is literally where I learned the game and I went out and bought my first basic strategy card the next day. I think every large casino should have 1 or 2 tables like this.
4. I probably should have made this #1: Fire without further notice or discussion all rude, unfriendly and intimidating dealers and pit critters. Nothing scares off a novice more than the rude and intimidating dealer or floorperson. Dealers (especially at low limit tables) should be their most personable and friendly dealers. The casinos should bonus their pay since the the tips will be less. I'm convinced most joints don't give word one to their dealers about appropriate customer relations.
Good Luck Henry and thanks for asking,
Buick
Easing off on advantage players, deeper pen, and eradicating CSMs are obvious first choices.
I get plenty of comp offers in the mail. Way too many of them offer cheap rooms, and if I accrue so many slot points, the room is free. Hello? I don't play slots. This is not even a counting issue. There are lots of non-advantage players out there who play solely blackjack or solely table games or craps. Their comp offers should be geared to what the player plays, or the offer is meaningless to both player and casino.
watching. helps us wongers more easily blend in.
I would suggest having some 2 and 4 deck tables offered in AC. Most places use 6 or even 8 deck shoes. I believe they would attract more players by offering low deck tables, as is done in Las Vegas.
--Thanks, Homer J.
