| Hall of Fame |
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| Gayle Mitchell
Author and Gambling Expert |
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FairestCasinos.com is proud to present Gayle Mitchell, the leading
female expert on casino gambling in America. In this exclusive
interview, Gayle Mitchell deals out her best advice on betting
in the casino. Mitchell has written numerous gaming articles
for newspapers and magazines, and is a contributing editor
for seven publications. She has spoken on gaming topics on
more than 500 television and radio stations across the United
States and Canada (see Easy
Casino Gambling.) Gayle's third book, "Video Poker Made
Easier--Winning Strategies for Serious Players" is currently
#1 on Amazon.com in the Video Poker category. To become a
better gambler, start by reading this interview!
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| Can you tell us a bit about your
background? |
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"It reminds me of when
female students had to work twice as hard to gain
professional credibility."
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From the time my Dad taught me
poker and craps, I loved the competition-- especially
winning! My first trip to Vegas was in 1990, and I was
overwhelmed. The only thing I could do was pull a slot
handle. I decided to go home and study--there had to be
a better way. I found that of the 80 million gamblers
in the U.S., less than 2% actually knew what they were
doing! Once educated, I taught at the college level: "Intelligent
Gambling & Wager Management" seminars (first time classes
of this type were offered). With that success, I proceeded
to writing and publishing "Casino Gambling Made Easier"
books & strategy cards, continuing to educate and prepare
casino gamblers. |
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| Tell us about your books: "Casino
Gambling Made Easier," "More Casino Gambling Made Easier,"
and "Video Poker Made Easier." |
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After the success of the first book, I felt I had found
my niche. "Casino Gambling Made Easier" offers 5 best
bets: slots, video poker, blackjack, craps, and mini-baccarat.
"More Casino Gambling Made Easier" is dedicated to many
readers' requests and praise for more. The book provides
all new information, expanding to 10 best bets: lots
on slots, video poker; adding Pai Gow poker, live poker,
roulette systems, www betting, and a worldwide casino
wwwogue for gamblin' wwwin' players. Because both
books complement each other, they are now marketed as
a two-book set at a special price. "Video Poker Made
Easier" was a labor of love--my favorite casino game.
Doing the research, rating the newest VP versions, and
explaining strategies for all the versions--Jacks+,
Deuces Wild, Bonus VP and Jokers Wild--was a "super-high"
publishing and casino experience. My fourth book due
this summer, "All Slots Made Easier," targets 70%+ of
casino gamblers who play machines, eager to learn correct
strategies, wager management, and newest slot versions.
Casino Players Workshop & Seminars' future publishing
goals are to offer more "single games" titles with special
pricing and bonuses as before. My writing rules are
to present an easy, educational read (no complicated
math or endless charts and percentages) and offer accurate,
specific strategies for those casino games with less
than a 3% house advantage when played correctly.
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| You have been called "the only recognized
female expert of casino gambling." |
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| And proud of it! I worked hard for
that mantle, breaking through the "felt-covered" ceiling.
Firsts are always challenging. It reminds me of when female
students had to work twice as hard to gain professional
credibility. In the books, I write extensively about slots
and video poker, also offering a "Hot Slots" seminar,
and I know I was ridiculed by the male writers. However,
notice how many of those same recognized male authors
now produce books on both games. |
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| Have you experienced any advantages
or disadvantages as a female in the gaming industry? |
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| There is a huge bookstore in Vegas,
which shall remain nameless, that returned a review copy
of my first book with a note: "Female gambling authors
do not sell. Their books gather dust on the shelves."
Not exactly politically correct, but I now use that letter
for wallpaper. On the plus side, I find great interest
and acceptance of "first and only female" for radio/TV
interviews and print publications. The media prefers to
present "firsts." "Casino Gambling Made Easier" was targeted
towards 40+ women who felt lost in any casino. However,
I was pleasantly surprised at 60% female/ 40% men purchasing
books and strategy cards. Sales are now 50/50 and it's
very gratifying. |
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| What are the three most common mistakes
made by inexperienced casinogoers? |
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"Lack of education and
preparation leaves you at the casinos' mercy--and
casinos have no mercy."
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1)Lack of education and preparation leaves you at the
casinos' mercy--and casinos have no mercy. Not only
should you know the best and worst bets to avoid, but
specific strategies for "da best." For instance, blackjack
is one of the best bets, but if you don't know hit/stand
strategies or act on instinct, you have just upped the
house advantage to over 5%. We offer a FREE report of
the Ten Best Casino Gambling Bets/Games on our web site.
2)Lack of wager management. Your plan should include
progressive betting at the tables. Up or press your
bet after every win. Flat-betting the minimum or the
same each time won't lead to a profitable end. A larger
bankroll is required for craps, live poker and table
games in general (machines--a smaller bankroll, except
when players decide to start with the $5 machines).
Hey, quarters/nickels are just as much fun plus can
bankroll your move up to the higher denomination. Making
your money last longer results in a winning casino experience.
3)Lack of discipline. Most recreational gamblers also
coupon and comparison shop, yet will not set a stop-loss
limit on machines or games. Move on to another game
or table when a continuous losing streak rears its ugly
head. I teach the four D's of Intelligent Gambling:
Development = education, Dexterity = practice at home
the skills of the games, Discipline, and best of all-Diversity,
since intelligent gamblers master most or all of the
best games/strategies.
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| What's your best advice to the inexperienced
casino visitor? |
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| Walk around the casino first. Observe.
What are the table limits? Within your budget? Look for
"slot placement" and full-pay VP's. You see, sliding that
bill into the first machine is not going to help your
pocketbook. Take meal, shopping or walking breaks every
4 hours, and then continue renewed. An intelligent player
not only has good luck, but is making their luck with
"fun" as a side benefit. |
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| Is it possible to beat the house
every time? |
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| Certainly not. However in the short-term,
an intelligent gambler should pocket some nice winnings
by playing games correctly with the lowest casino edge.
And remember, even money is a win in my book. I write
and speak to recreational gamblers--those players who
want to stretch their gambling dollars, and enjoy their
occasional casino visits. |
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| What is your opinion of online casinos? |
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| I miss the casino "action" online:
the lights, dropping coins, laughter, adrenaline rush
when entering the casino world, the "roar" of a craps
table... However, in "More Casino Gambling Made Easier,"
I do give both sides of the Internet gambling story with
a suggested list of sites and "what to look for." |
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| What are your favorite places to
play? |
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| Anywhere in Nevada! Ok, specifically:
Main Street Station and El Cortez in downtown Las Vegas,
SantaFe and Fiesta in North Las Vegas, and on your way
out of town, stop at The Reserve. Golden Nugget and Pioneer
in Laughlin. If the casino doesn't provide full pay VP
versions, I am out of there (which means you won't find
me on the Strip--nice places to look at, but not to play
to win). |
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| Do you have any comments you'd like
to add? |
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"Become able and profit
will follow."
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While I have been rewarded knowing that I have assisted
in leading uneducated gamblers "out of the woods" (writing
and marketing as an independent publisher, now that's
challenging!), a casino "experience" allows this business
owner a welcome relief. My favorite expression now is
"become able and profit will follow." This theory works
in casinos and the business world.
"May Lady Luck smile on you--she usually gives me a
wink and a big grin!"
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| Do you have a question you'd like
to ask the next guest in FairestCasinos.com's Hall of Fame, professional
poker player Phil Hellmuth, Jr., the youngest player ever
to win the World Series of Poker? |
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Yes: "How do you do it--the grind, the lows and highs,
bankroll fluctuations?"
(Stay tuned for Mr. Helmuth's answer
in the next Hall of Fame interview.)
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