Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/6065
What comes to mind when you hear the words casino or gambling? Most people think Vegas. Yet, the better informed have always known about the best kept secrets in L.A. No, it is not the "Pie N Burger" in Pasadena. Wrong, it is not Roscoe's on Pico. It's California's rich history of all things gaming. Heck, California card rooms were around decades before Vegas. Long before Vegas blossomed in the desert, savvy Californians knew they could play close to home. An "oasis without the desert! And without the 4 ½ hour drive each way! So why isn't everyone playing in L.A.? And what is the real difference between Las Vegas casinos and our Los Angeles casinos? They may have taken different paths but they both became great places to play. The history of California casinos dates back to 1880 when all forms of gambling except poker games were outlawed. Sharp operators used the law to open licensed organized card clubs where customers could play poker against each other. The first one was founded in 1936 by Ernie Primm. California showed the country that casinos could be operated in a legal environment providing safe entertainment for its guests. Nevada was the first state to take advantage of the benefits of organized gaming, and allowed casino operators to play all types of games. So for most of the 20th century, while nearly 100 California cardrooms were still playing poker, Las Vegas was dominating the gaming scene. Everything changed in the late 1980's and 1990's when the state of California allowed card club operators to play the same types of games played in Las Vegas with a couple of exceptions - no machines, dice, or balls. If it rings, dings, whistles or flashes, you can't play it in California. If you are relying on the spin of the wheel or the throw of the dice, that is out too. In other words, no slots, craps or roulette wheels. Sounds like California is crazy right? After all, why wouldn't they want the public to play these games? The reason may surprise you. The state is looking after the best interests of the public. The California legislature only allows games of skill. Games of chance are strictly prohibited. While slots, craps and roulette may be fun, they are based entirely on luck or chance. The player's fortune is determined by a spin of the wheel, toss of the dice, or flick of the wrist, and not by the player's knowledge of the game, strategy, or bravado. Every game has some degree of luck, but when the luck outweighs the skill, the player is taken out of the equation. You might as well bet on the stock market! Consequently, both California and Las Vegas casinos play poker, blackjack, three card poker, video poker, baccarat, pai gow poker, and other table games. The only real difference is that the game rules are more player-friendly in California. For example, in California NO BUST Blackjack games, when you go over 21, you do not automatically lose like you do in Las Vegas. Where would you rather play? On Three Card Poker tables in California, the dealer will show you one of 14 THE HISTORY OF GAMBLING IN Los Angeles her cards before you have to decide on your "play" bet. In Las Vegas, they show you nothing. Not surprisingly, your chances of winning at Three Card Poker in California are significantly better. While Las Vegas plays video poker on a machine, in California, video poker is played on a table and called Triple Draw Poker. Same game – without the machine. Pai Gow Poker is exactly the same in both California and Las Vegas. In fact, most games in California have bonus bets that give the player more chances to win in every type of game. Some blackjack games offer odds up to 500 to 1 and Triple Draw Poker has a bonus bet that pays up to 1,200 to 1! So is there any difference between the two? Just one really. In Las Vegas, the casino is trying to win the player's money. If the player wins, the casino pays, and when the player loses, the casino takes the money. In California, the casino is not involved in the action. The casino operator merely provides a lawful place for players to play against each other and takes a small fee for doing so. Instead of the house playing against the player, each player gets a chance to bank the action (be the house) and play against the other players. If the player/banker wins, he takes the other players' money, if the player/banker loses, he pays the other players. At the end of the day it is clear that California is the place to play. Better games with more chances to win is an unbeatable combination. It is the only bet worth making! Hopefully this brief history lesson proves helpful to readers who have always wanted to play close to home! For more information, please visit any of the four fabulous Los Angeles casinos.