Therefore, Greek actors wore masks particular to the parts. We have to create our own mask in the casino.

If you have been in the Blackjack field for a while, you have heard of the need for an “act” — who you are in the casino. This is more of a requirement if you are young or are playing for high stakes, and in particular if both are true. I have little advice on the subject as everyone handles this differently. I will say that you should keep it simple. You don’t need to play anything exotic like a Russian gun dealer — unless you are one. Leave acting to professional actors. It isn’t easy and requires mental energy that can be used in other ways.

Try to stick to areas about which you have knowledge. Don’t pretend you are a guitarist in a band if you don’t know guitars. Someone will say he has a Gibson Les Paul fitted with Lace Sensor pick-ups and you’ll end up looking like an idiot — or a fake, which is much worse. If you use a different name, keep your first name. People have a reaction to hearing their name, which is difficult to control. Don’t push it. Most people don’t announce who they are at every chance. If you lie about your place of residence, don’t make up a place you know nothing about. It’s a small world and someone else at the table will have a grandmother in Tallinn, Estonia. If you play at the same casino again and again, have different moods.

 Basically, take from your own life experiences. Don’t pretend to be something about which your knowledge springs from movies. And know how you will answer questions before they are asked.

Your Emotions

D. H. Lawrence wrote, “I never saw a wild thing sorry for itself.” When you start out, your emotions may run strong. Walking down the Strip after a large win, you can feel as though the game is easy and you are unbeatable. You will quickly be disabused of this feeling. On the other hand, losses can affect your mood just as dramatically. This will stop after a while, as you realize that it is a business and there are ups and downs along the way. Two warnings. In the early days, do not let your emotions control you. You have a job to do, and decisions cannot be based on emotions. In later days, when your emotions have been somewhat burned out, be careful that you don’t act as though winning and losing don’t matter — unless it fits your act. This can be taken as a sign you are counting.

 © 2009 Norman Wattenberger