Personal safety near B&M's

[Hoss1193]

One topic I haven't seen much commentary on. Those of us who play frequently (whether pro or amateur) lead a lifestyle where we tend to carry around a little more cash and stay out a little later than most non-gamblers. And a fact of life is that in many areas, your typical cardroom is not exactly in the Beverly Hills type parts of town. (For those familiar with San Diego, think places like Lucky Lady, the Village, or even Sycuan/Viejas if you're parked in the outer reaches of their huge parking lots).

I'm not talking about IN the cardroom; I don't think I've ever played in a room where I was the least bit uncomfortable actually in the building. But you've got to get to and leave the cardroom. And since I've started playing poker, there have been a number of occasions where I've found myself walking in a relatively deserted parking lot at 3am with a pretty big wad of cash...and it would not have been too difficult for someone to figure out I had a lot of cash, since I just had several Benjamins pushed at me at a cashier window.

I don't think of cardroom vicinities as crime-infested or anything...but I do think I've been in a couple of potentially higher-risk situations than would have been typical for me in my "before-poker" days.

I'm at a point in my poker journey where stepping up to higher limits is in my near future...limits where carrying 1K+ in cash will be fairly routine, particularly if I have a good night (which won't exactly be invisible to folks looking for such things).

So...those of you who play higher limits in live games with similar concerns, how have you dealt with this? Valet parking only? Will smaller rooms let a garden-variety lower-middle-limit player keep chips/cash in an account? Have any of you gone so far as to take self-defense classes or get a concealed-carry permit primarily because of the poker money you carry around?

I'm not trembling with fear over this or anything...but just the fact that we often carry around a relatively large amount of cash in sometimes less-than-wholly-secure environments indicates that this is worth at least some thought....

[Yaboosh]

Just go for the valet parking. I imagine the few bucks is worth the peace of mind.

[Banks2334]

1) Valet park
2) Get security to escort you
3) Get a deposit box at the casino
4) Several Benjamins( or 1k) is not a lot of money. If you feel it is, see #1-3.

[Hoss1193]

I agree 1K not a lot of money. And I'm not terribly concerned with losing that amount as long as I'm not hurt. Just occurred to me that it's more money than most people typically carry in cash...in a place where it's not hard for a punk to figure out you've got that much. And it IS a lot of money to many people; low-lifes rob convenience stores all the time for far less.

That said, I'll probably start using valet parking more, and make it a habit not to stop anywhere near the room afterward (e.g., for gas, drive-thru burger, whatever). Those measures seem reasonable. Asking for a personal security escort seems mildly overkill...probably a good idea, but I'd feel a little silly doing it. I'll also see if I can keep a box at my regular rooms.

[smoore]

Only a drug addict is going to rip you off for $1k coming out of a cardroom.

$5k? Sure, some actual tough guys (bangers, whatever) might come after you.

Either situation... just give it up. Give it up right away. If you're asking you're not in a position to defend it. Don't take a CCA class and think you're ready for combat. Deal with combat and decide if you want to carry in public... IMO, of course.

[runout_mick]

It's never offended my sense of masculinity to ask for an escort.

Nevermind the fact that the security dork is usually 1/2 my size, it's still reassuring to not be alone (plus I could grab him and use him as a shield if needed....).

[Curtrosity]

[Dastone]

[ QUOTE ]
It's never offended my sense of masculinity to ask for an escort.

Nevermind the fact that the security dork is usually 1/2 my size, it's still reassuring to not be alone (plus I could grab him and use him as a shield if needed....).

[/ QUOTE ]

That's what they're there for.

[jfk]

If you play at the same place(s) regularly, it makes a lot of sense to open an account. Why walk around with a lot of cash when you can keep it in the place you play.

Beyond that, use common sense to diminish your risk. It is sensible to leave through different doors, park in different spots and the like. I frequently drive home different routes. I consider the risks of getting ripped off to be small but it doesn't hurt to lessen them with minor effort.

Keep in mind that your safety is not always in jeopardy because of your roll. I can think of three instances of patrons being having great bodily harm visited upon them due to their behavior in a card room.

Many newer players, especially those who learned decorum through an internet chat box, get the sense that a public cardroom is a benign place and that certain objectionable behavior is "+EV". Having someone go upside your head with a balpeen hammer is -EV.

Lastly, do whatever you can do not to look like a mark. In the rare instance that someone is scouting the room, your chance of being the victim diminish if it looks like you could be a challenge. That's not to say that you should resist, but try to look like you could. Oh, and park in the club's lot. It probably has video surveillance and they'll make your loss up to you if you do get stung.

[SirFelixCat]

Whenever I go to a casino, I use valet parking. It's only a couple of bucks and I never have to worry about carrying my 'roll out to the car. Definitely worth it to me.