How do you protect your money when playing in a casino?

[Alan Mendelson]

How do you protect your money when playing in a casino? Here are ten things I do:

1. When keeping chips in the rail at a craps game, I do what the "bank" does. I have larger denominations in the center of the rail position, smaller denomination chips on the sides. It's harder for someone to reach into the center of the rail.

2. If I am stick right or stick left at craps, my highest denomination chips are next to the stickman.

3. All big chips go into my pocket. There is no need to display big chips on the table -- you're not impressing anybody and you certainly don't want to attract attention.

4. My hand immediately goes over the cashout button if someone speaks to me while sitting at a machine. I am always wary of someone talking to me from one side while an accomplice presses the cash out button from the other side.

5. I try not to get into conversations while playing at a machine and I am always alert.

6. I am aware of anyone watching any cash transaction. I never walk to my room alone if carrying a large cashout.

7. I will avoid taking an elevator with a single person during the middle of the night. I actually prefer taking an elevator with a family with kids and always best with someone I know.

8. I always valet my car. Valet is free, and the tip is a worthwhile expense.

9. Markers are better than going to an ATM. I don't even travel to a casino with much money -- I'd rather use a marker at the table than carry cash. And if I have the chips or cash to pay off the marker at the table, I will do that rather than walk around the casino with chips or cash.

10. I am careful not to keep valuables including my watch or wallet in open view in the hotel room, especially when there is a room service delivery.

[Vegas Vic]

1. A small amount of money is always carried in front pocket in a somewhat over-sized money clip. The rest of my money for that session (or for that day if I'm away from my hotel) is in a money belt.
2. I don't chit chat with other VP players and don't acknowledge strangers who are standing near me. If I get a feeling that I'm being watched, I stop playing and, as you do, protect my machine.
3. When I hit a jackpot on a machine that has a high volume, I never let the credits roll up, so I stop the action. All that ringing and dinging is a sure-fire signal that's best kept a secret to only me.
4. I watch those around me when making a cash transaction, and I never flash the money. When I first take it, the bills are folded into my hand which is immediately stuffed into a front pocket. I hold the money until I can secure it in the money belt in privacy.
5. I use my hotel room safe for all valuables.