Dealer Interaction (smoking)

[DiceDealer]

It's always appreciated when a player asks if dealers mind when they smoke. Usually with people that ask I never have a problem with it because they are considerate of the others at the table and blow the smoke up or away. But that might be a good cover for wonging out of a bad shoe. Step away from the table and light up. It's the people who are already inconsiderate that are going to blow smoke in your face whilst telling you to "**** yourself you ****ing jinx." It happens.

[Frostbyte]

It's always appreciated when a player asks if dealers mind when they smoke. Usually with people that ask I never have a problem with it because they are considerate of the others at the table and blow the smoke up or away. But that might be a good cover for wonging out of a bad shoe. Step away from the table and light up. It's the people who are already inconsiderate that are going to blow smoke in your face whilst telling you to "**** yourself you ****ing jinx." It happens.

Excellent to hear stuff like this from a casino employee!

And yeah, the "you took the bust card" types are not popular with anybody.

[21forme]

Reminds me of the George Carlin line:

Smoker in a restaurant to guy at next table (in the old days): "Mind if I smoke?"

Response: "Mind if I fart? That's one of my bad habits."

[Aslan]

I get a severe hay fever like reaction to second hand smoke that could last for days to weeks.

Peanuts cause allergic reaction for some people, too. You should stay away from secondhand smoke. For me, other than irritating my eyes and stinking up my clothes, I don't have any objection. Between a smoke free table and a smoking table, I generally opt for the smoke free table for the reasons stated, not because of health concerns. That's just me.

[Norm]

There are a lot of reasons to avoid smoke besides that minor thingy about shortening your life. People react differently to second-hand smoke. My bout with scarlet fever has left me with a sensitive throat. I start coughing when I breathe smoke, even on the street. I hold my breath when walking past a smoker. Even visiting a no smoking section in a casino, the carpet can be so saturated from smoke I start coughing. Past exposure to other versions of strep or bronchitis can cause the same. The Silver Fox had to avoid casinos for over a decade as his emphysema didn’t allow exposure to smoke. Many people experience allergic reactions like sneezing and teary eyes. Far more people are likely to not notice any specific symptoms; not realizing that the smoke’s effect on their immune system tires them. If something tires you, your performance and time at the tables can be reduced. And, I’m all about getting in as many hands as you can.

The concept of showing a dealer a courtesy is interesting. But, as TThree says, they have little choice in the matter. I think it may actually backfire. Even if a dealer doesn’t believe she is physically sensitive to smoke and doesn’t mind being with friends that smoke; workers in a smoky environment (casino, bar, restaurant) know the problems of high dry-cleaning bills and stinking hair. The tar in smoke causes it to stick to carpets, clothing, hair and even skin. I can remember the morning after a long day in a smoke-filled environment, recoiling from the stench in my clothing.

So, if you ask the dealer if it’s OK for you to smoke; it may sound polite, and she may smile and say no problem. But, she may be muttering incantations against you under her breath. Remember, she doesn’t have the choice of moving to another table any time she wishes.

[Aslan]

The concept of showing a dealer a courtesy is interesting. But, as TThree says, they have little choice in the matter.

Yes, if people would show a little courtesy, it would go a long way to solving the problem. Still, there would be people who can't go half an hour without smoking, so addicted are they, but I think most should be able to abstain for a couple of hours even at a smoking table, and take a break away from the table if they feel the need to light up. All I'm saying is that smoking generally does not dissuade me from entering a game, unless it is to the extreme. As always, YMMV, and does as I see from the various remarks.

[Renzey]

I play primarily in Illinois where smoking is not allowed anywhere in the casinos. You also cannot smoke in the casinos in Canada or Puerto Rico. This is such a big thing for me that I almost never play anywhere else anymore. On a few very brief visits to smoking casinos in the last five years, I wondered how and why I ever endured it in the past.

[DiceDealer]

One thing that I would like to note, there is something about the casino that creates compulsions in people. Some of you say you recoil from the smoke, which is understandable. I, however, have taken friends to a neighboring casino to teach them how to play craps, bac or blackjack and for some reason some when they are in the casino they have the urge to fire one up. I don't know what it is. Norm said some people can't go half an hour without one. I don't think that is the general rule but the casino is the exception. Just a fleeting thought that I had.