Page 8 - Jackpot Magazine South ~ May, 2026

PLAY TO WIN
Minding manners is best way to win big
“Better good manners than good callforsecurity.
keep your advice to yourself. This applies for slots, video poker, table games, really every game in the
casino.
• Don’t be a bully at the blackjack
table.
If someone makes a move that defies
logic because they “feel it” and it affects your hand, keep in mind that it is part of the game. Don’t berate them and complain. Bad behavior creates a hostile environment and makes for an unpleasant experience for everyone at the table. Who knows, their bad decisions may actually help you at times. It’s the luck of the draw.
• Speaking of bad behavior....
You should be nice to dealers and waitresses. Should you bust a few hands and find yourself in a bit of a losing streak, it is not the dealer’s fault. Don’t take it out on the cocktail server either. They’re bringing you drinks and don’t need the abuse. It’s not smart to run them off anyway. Talk about bad strategy. Dealers and servers are working to create a fun experience for all. Be sure to compliment them when they impress you and remember to tip them.
• If someone sits down at the machine you just left and they get a jackpot, don’t tell them it is yours. The jackpot wasn’t reserved for you. It is their jackpot. They hit it. It is perfectly fine to feel pain knowing that a machine you were on, one that you might even play a lot, paid off for someone else the minute you got up. It is not okay to tell the jackpot winner that it was your jackpot. It is a machine, not a girlfriend.
Casino trips should be fun. The best advice is to keep this top of mind and enjoy the sights, sounds and excitement on the casino floor.
Play To Win Again
The Best of... Series
looks.”
~ Irish Proverb
We have a few
more bits of advice
for those who fancy
themselves casino
know-it-alls when really they are don’t- know-much.
• Don’t touch anyone else’s machine.
You may be playing next to another video poker player and see that person hold cards you wouldn’t hold. The temptation may be there to reach over and physically help them with their decision. Don’t. You’re invading the person’s space by reaching over into their area. They won’t appreciate your choosing for them what to keep. Should they end up losing the hand, you’re to blame.
This advice also applies when playing slots. If the person next to you wins a nice jackpot, you might be inclined to reach over and touch the machine making a cute remark like, “I need some of that luck!” Consider that this person may be just as superstitious as you are pretending to be. They may see you as transferring your “bad luck” to them. If they suddenly go on a losing
streak, you’ll be seen as the cooler.
Also, what if you accidentally hit the spin button when reaching over to rub the machine, or even worse, hit the max bet button. This could create a big problem. Sure, congratulate them on their good fortune, but don’t touch their
buttons!
• Don’t give unsolicited advice.
First of all, the person you are
trying to help may know more than you. Secondly, few people like getting unsolicited advice. If someone asks, be helpful, of course. But if they don’t ask,
A few years ago, we were emailed a question about etiquette. The letter writer wanted to know how to handle someone who was being disrespectful while she and her husband were playing video poker. The letter came from Don’t Mess With My Buttons and went as follows:
My husband and I were playing video poker—hewasintheseatandIwas standing over him. I was explaining to him what cards to hold and why. He was also pressing the buttons. He dealt a new hand and decided what to hold when I was just about to tell him another scenario that might be better. I didn’t get the chance because some dude walked by and
told us we were wrong.
[The dude] pointed to the
cards he thought we should hold and practically pressed the buttons. He didn’t, but he was very intrusive.
I’ve always thought you
should not interfere in how
anyone plays or bets, whether
video poker, blackjack or roulette (unless they were asked). We were so stunned; we didn’t really say anything and the guy left. What should we have done — especially if he had touched our machine?
We told Don’t Mess that we definitely understood her frustration. If that looky- loo had made a move, Don’t Mess and her husband could have been out real money. And we’re sure Mr. Looky-Loo would not have paid them back. If he had stuck around, it is certainly OK to thank him for his advice, but make sure he was, under no circumstances, to touch your machine. And if he persisted, Don’t Mess was well within her rights to
8 JACKPOT! MAGAZINE • May 2026
THE SOUTH’S LARGEST GUIDE TO GAMING & FUN • www.jackpotmagazine.com