Although if left to my own devices I could spend all day, if not all year, in a casino, there are a handful of signs I look for that let me know it’s time to pack it in. Those signs can be grouped into three general buckets: casino vibe, my mood, and the status of the group I’m with.
Casino Vibe
The vibe of the casino might be the most important thing! I am always looking for casinos that have wide open areas, a variety of games, manageable minimums, and hopefully some natural light. The design and set up of a specific casino can absolutely influence my duration of play.
Slot Title Location
I’ve talked about it before. I am a creature of habit, especially when it comes to how I attack a casino visit on any given day. When I’m looking for a game to play on the floor, there are a few things that I look for. First, I want to find a cabinet that has a little wiggle room. I head to the casino to relax, in addition to hunting those big wins, and there is nothing relaxing about an annoying slot neighbor.
There have been far too many times that someone has gotten a little too aggressive with the machines, either flanking me or directly opposite. I’ll never forget the time I was playing a game that butted up against another and all of a sudden, my game started bouncing like crazy. While earthquakes do happen from time to time in Las Vegas, I quickly deduced it was a rather agitated gambler taking their frustrations out on the screen. If someone is throwing fisticuffs with a machine, it’s time for me to call it a day.
Table Games
In addition to checking out the selection of slots, I am also interested in seeing what table games are available and at what minimums. This is especially true when I head to the casino with my husband. While I am taking the slots for a spin, he will settle in for hopefully a very long run on a lower minimum bet craps table. If craps isn’t available or the minimum is too high, this will often keep our visit to the shorter side.
My Mood
Most of the time that I choose to head out to a casino and try my luck, either with friends or by myself, I am in a relaxed and generally pleasant mood. When my favorite activity starts to feel more like a chore than a reward, it is high time to leave, especially before I go “full tilt.”
Full Tilt
You’ve probably heard of the dangers of chasing your losses, but have you heard of going “full tilt?” Full tilt is the term many use to describe when things are really starting to go off the rails. Off the rails can mean I’ve been indulging in too many gin and sodas, ready to fire off dozens of bets in a minute, or it can look the opposite, starting to get a little sleepy.
Boredom
This one is going to come as a shock – sometimes boredom can strike even the most enthusiastic of gamblers. Sometimes instead of deciding to save my budget for a future visit, I will start playing a lot more aggressively than I should. Instead of spinning within my normal range of $1 to $5, I will start lobbing giant bets hoping for one of two possible outcomes.
Of course, the most desired outcome would be a sizable win to reinvigorate me. If a win isn’t in the cards, my bigger bets often mean the budget is taking a hit and fast. Instead of leaning into the boredom, when I start getting that feeling I will call it a day and head on out.
Gambling as a Group
On one of the occasions where I head to the casino with a group, I try to slow my roll to match the pace of everyone else. Nothing is worse than blowing through your budget and having to watch everyone else keep the fun going.
Friends Are Out
It shouldn’t come as a surprise that is easier to keep a budget under control when there are witnesses. In all seriousness, if you are anything like me, you find it easier to make a budget last if you are gambling in a group. While I often like to gamble by myself in the mornings, when it is time to gamble with friends at night, I try to mirror their play style. This often looks like smaller bets and playing more obscure titles – of course, it also means heading home when the group is ready.
