Carrying cash to and from Las Vegas or a casino.

[Alan Mendelson]

I don't carry cash -- anything more than $200 -- with me to a casino. I have a credit line set up, or I go to a casino where I can cash a check. At certain casinos, I can use my ATM card without any fees -- either from the casino or from my own bank.

If I am fortunate enough to win any kind of significant money -- I ask for a check. I am not going to gamble with cash in my pocket either walking around Vegas or driving home. There are too many stories about pickpockets, crooks following winners home and robbing them, assaulting them on the road, etc. And we all just heard about the "winner" who dropped $10K in envelopes at the LV airport.

If I have a big winner during my trip (unfortunately this happens much too rarely), I put the winnings either into a safe deposit box at the casino cage (never my room safe, as I don't trust them) or I put it on deposit with the cage.

What do you do?

[redietz]

Well, I hate to be a spoilsport, but no matter what I do, I'd never detail it on a public forum. That's just a bad idea.

[Alan Mendelson]

Thanks redietz, but I have no problem saying on a public Forum that I am not carrying any cash. So to everyone out there: I am not carrying any cash!!!

[redietz]

LOL -- well, I agree. I'm never carrying any cash!!! Alan's carrying it for me!! Everybody got that?

[Rob.Singer]

Well, I've always written in Gaming Today as well as on my site that during my 11 or so years as a professional vp player, I carried anywhere from $17,200 to over a hundred thousand in cash with me at all times except the few that I lost. A pro can't be burdened with worry. I also carried protection but never even had to think about using it. Instead, I used my head at all times.

I also strongly disagree with the concept of cashing checks at the cage, using casino ATM's, and especially having a line of credit to draw upon. Those are ALL casino tools used to drain players' accounts, and they do it so well. Again, doing exactly the opposite of what the casino wants and expects you to do. That is the absolute key to learning how to win consistently.

[Alan Mendelson]

Rob, I'm sorry, but I cannot for a moment imagine why you would put yourself at risk carrying large amounts of cash just to "get back at the casinos" or to do "exactly the opposite of what the casino wants".

In fact, having cash in your pocket, instead of a check, puts you at risk not only for theft, but for going to a machine to play "one more time" and then losing it. A check actually gives you a reason to think twice about playing again.

If anything, using the free credit supplied by the casino's "marker system" and using check cashing privileges, and having the casino write you a check transfers costs to the casino. And any player wanting an advantage would want to shift costs from their own account to the casino's account.

Regarding ATMs: there are casinos that waive all ATM charges for some customers, and in my case I have a fee-free ATM account, so that when I show up at certain casinos I can use my ATM card for a zero-cost transaction.

Why would you object to any of that Rob?

[Rob.Singer]

To me carrying large amounts of cash isn't a risk. Again, can YOU tell how much a person is carrying on them? Casinos are safe, and if you use valet you have very low to no risk period. And casinos really want to give out cash so you can be tempted to pour it all back in anyway. But they EXPECT you to take a check.

ATM fees have nothing to do with why you shouldn't use them. They're casino tools as I said--just as markers and check cashing are. Shifting fees and costs incurred by either side is irrelevant. Being able to get your hands on resources you didn't plan on using is the only issue, and it is a big one as I'm sure you can attest to.

[Alan Mendelson]

So again Rob, I don't understand your point? I think it comes down to this: why take on the risk of carrying large amounts of cash?

[redietz]

I kept a line of credit at the Imperial Palace because it was where I'd watch NFL in their showroom Sundays. if I didn't have time or energy to cash college tickets (representing 80% of my wagering) Sunday morning, I knew I'd have enough cash on hand to handle the NFL wagers.

I don't have a problem with having lines of credit or such. My behavior has never been influenced by such things. In 35 years, I don't think I've ever done anything impulsive in terms of wagering. As to whether other people should or shouldn't -- I have no idea. I would not want to work with anyone with whom such things are an issue.

[Rob.Singer]

So again Rob, I don't understand your point? I think it comes down to this: why take on the risk of carrying large amounts of cash?

As I said, to me there's virtually no risk. If you're referring to that I might lose it somehow, it's my gambling money not my living money and if I lost it then I'm a dufus for taking my mind off of it. If you're referring to having it stolen, almost impossible. I see more of a risk that the casino's check will bounce than the cash disappearing somehow.

The cash I'm carrying--whether by bringing it or winning it--is just one part of the overall strategy I developed to consistently do well against the casinos. You're calling having cash on my person a risk. I don't.

[Rob.Singer]

I kept a line of credit at the Imperial Palace because it was where I'd watch NFL in their showroom Sundays. if I didn't have time or energy to cash college tickets (representing 80% of my wagering) Sunday morning, I knew I'd have enough cash on hand to handle the NFL wagers.

I don't have a problem with having lines of credit or such. My behavior has never been influenced by such things. In 35 years, I don't think I've ever done anything impulsive in terms of wagering. As to whether other people should or shouldn't -- I have no idea. I would not want to work with anyone with whom such things are an issue.

Then you have good gambling discipline. Most don't, especially if they're video poker players.