A beginner’s guide to finding the perfect match

 

You’ve played your favorite slot machine so long you feel like the two of you have a monogamous relationship. You’re feeling adventurous, ready to try something different. All day long, you’ve cast surreptitious glances at the nearest blackjack table. Should you, faithful slot player, make the switch?

 

It’s certainly worth a shot. But how do you know which table game to play? The list is rather daunting: blackjack, craps, Caribbean Stud, Let it Ride, Three Card Poker, Mini-Baccarat, roulette and pai gow.

 

Relax. It’s natural to feel a little nervous, especially if you’ve only played slots until now.

 

Before choosing which game to play, casino executives recommend doing some research. Study a gaming brochure with brief descriptions and rules. Some casinos offer free gaming lessons. The Stratosphere offers 15 minutes of gaming pointers before their afternoon ãViva Las Vegasä shows. Or, just wander around the casino, find an empty game and ask the dealer for advice.

 

Before you choose a game, Rob Puhalski, Director of Table Games at Resorts, Atlantic City, suggests studying your preferences. Do you like throwing dice? Or would you rather sit at a blackjack table and let the dealer handle all the cards? Or, as a slot player, perhaps you enjoy the excitement of flashing lights and a skyrocketing progressive meterif so, Caribbean Stud’s probably your game.

 

ãIt depends on what you feel comfortable with and what you’ve been exposed to. says Kim Sumimoto, Casino Shift Manager at Caesars Lake Tahoe. ãIf you’re playing cards at home and you’ve got a background in poker, you might like Caribbean Stud or Let it Ride.ä

 

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