Orwellian video poker
5 April 2004
By Mark Pilarski
Dear Mark, Here is the scenario: I am in a strip
casino, losing some money at video poker. I have
pure tunnel vision looking at the machine. A
fight broke out at a table behind me. Security
was there in a flash, broke it up and separated
everybody. They then asked everybody in the area
what they saw. I told them I saw 4 out of 5
cards for a flush on the machine in front of me
and that was about it. I thought it ended there.
Now, I'm back home and I get a call from the
casino asking if they could send me a copy of my
statement, and if I would sign and notarize it
(at their expense), then FedEx it back to them.
I say, "sure, no sweat." They told me it's for
the insurance company and if I had a problem
with it, talk to a lawyer. So, I spoke to one,
who told me it was no big deal and it was
somebody probably threatening to sue, if they
have not already.
Here is the scary question. How did they find
me? At no time did I give them my telephone
number (it's unlisted), nor did I give them my
home address. Just my first name. Can they go
back and see whose slot club card was in what
machine at what time? Is big brother watching?
Mitch
Two things probably happened, Mitch, for you to
get that call: First, some security guard wrote
up a detailed report that probably stated that
some dude named Mitch, was playing video poker
on machine N-4536 directly across from blackjack
table T-17. It would have ended there had you
not been using a slot club card.
Most casinos have some form of computerized
tracking system that records your detailed
playing history. With the insertion of your slot
club card, onboard software knows your name,
address, interests, denomination of play, when
you play your favorite machines, how much you
have invested, your winnings at any given hour,
and even if you like pizza with anchovies.
Tell a slot host any relevant information about
yourself, and it's fair game for the casino's
computer database.
On the plus side, your information helps them
with direct-mail campaigns informing you of
promotions, upcoming slot tournaments, parties,
reduced room rates, casino events and most
importantly, comps. Of course, there is always
the possibility you might be a material witness
to a jury trial. If so, don't forget to ask Big
Brother for a RFB (room, food and beverage)
comp.
Shades of 1984? No doubt, but player gratuities
far outweigh the casino's knowing that your
portly frame probably doesn't need the pizza.
"Ah, hi Mitch. Last time you were in, you told
slot hostess Suzie you were on the Atkin's diet
and to remind you if you started making moon
eyes at the carb-ladden buffet."
Dear Mark, Once a hand is dead, or cards mucked,
are players ever allowed seeing what the next
card would have been? Max B.
In gamlino nomenclature, playing woulda, coulda
poker is called rabbit hunting, where you ask to
see the next card after you mucked your hand, or
look through the discards to see what cards have
been dealt. You seldom, if ever, see this done
in a professional card game, but at home on the
kitchen table, it is common practice.
Dear Mark, In your column in the Reno Gazette
Journal, you mentioned your laminated blackjack
strategy card. How can I go about getting one?
Don S.
Those interested in dropping the casino edge to
less than one percent, send one dollar and a
self-addressed stamped envelope to: Winners
Publishing, ATTN: BJ Strategy Card, P.O. Box
1234, Traverse City, MI 49685.
Gambling quote of the week: "Gamblers, with but
few exceptions, are the most honest men in the
world." Nick "the Greek" Dandalos, Nick the
Greek: King of Gamblers (1969)
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