“Money Plays,” or at Least it Should

Author: Mark Pilarski

Dear Mark: I walked up to a blackjack game, put $100 in the betting circle, and said “money plays.” The dealer said I had to change it into chips. I chose not to proceed with the wager. Have you ever heard of such a thing? D. P.

Wow, Donald, that would come as a big surprise to me, too. In the seven casinos where I worked, money could play. Typically, the dealer shouts out, “money plays,” and that’s that.

I can’t speak for some casino in eastern Iowa, or a Native American casino in California whose regulations tell dealers to change cash into chips, but I believe what you experienced was out of the ordinary.

The reason behind the cash to chip switch is that the casino wants to create a fantasyland experience for their customers. By doing so, Donald, it devalues your money by having you bet chips instead. Think of the illusory nicknames a casino chip has. A $5 chip is a "nickel" and a $25 chip a "quarter." Betting with your own hard-earned cash makes you realize its genuine value.

When forced to turn your bankroll into chips, you must always spend an extra moment to cautiously think about the exchange. You should always treat chips as hard-earned cash.

Dear Mark: Do you Twitter, and if so, anything regarding gambling? T.M.

Tim emailed me this question last April, and my dismissive reply was that whoever subscribed to my tweet stream would soon notice that my contributions to the twitosphere would be mostly provision related. However, after an impelling commencement speech from Twitter CEO Dick Costolo at my son’s graduation from the University of Michigan (@umich), I have decided to reassess opting in to this social messaging movement and start microblogging.

So, fellow Tweeples, I will keep my tweets strictly about casino gaming, and steer clear from showing off a mortifying pic of my buffet plate at the Mirage in LV. Then, hopefully, my tweets can be your provenance for gambling news/views/tips and some occasional industry sarcasm. Follow me @markpilarski.

Dear Mark: Sports betting is not allowed here in MS. Can I legally call a friend of mine in NV, and have him place an occasional wager for me, with him getting a little piece of the action if I win? S. F.

I have, well actually, you should have two concerns. First, with legalized internet gambling in its earliest, murkiest stage, wiring money or placing sports bets outside the State of Nevada still violates the Interstate Wire Act (18 U.S.C. 1084). This code renders criminal penalties to anyone engaging in the business of betting when using a wire intercommunication facility for the transmission of interstate or foreign commerce of bets on any sporting event or game.

Correspondingly, called “messenger betting,” under existing NV law, it is illegal to pay another to place a bet for you, even if it’s a little kick-back from winning action.

Gambling Wisdom of the Week:
“The house doesn't beat the player. It just gives him the opportunity to beat himself.” – Nick “the Greek” Dandalos

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“Money Plays,” or at Least it Should

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