Possibilities of using "legitimate cover".

[aslan]

When I was a kid, my grandfather used to go to the horse races with his best friend who was a priest almost daily. So while there may not be anything wrong with a priest gambling, it is a bit unusual in the fact that it isn't something you see everyday, and in that respect may drawl more attention than provide cover. Especially if the preist is the 'big bettor'. By my way of thinking anything out of the ordinary is bad, as I try to blend in.

As for Jack Black's "gay cover". You might be surprised. I have used this tactic effectively a many of times. It would look extra bad if a casino were to throw out a feminine 'gay acting' player. Right or wrong, that's the politically correct climate we live in, and I beleive it will buy you a little extra slack. There is a pretty well known pro, who recently came out with a book, that I have spoken to about just this topic. He used 'the gay act' in the past and also believes it to buy cover. Since, our discussion was private, I won't go any further than that. If he wants to chime in, he can. lol

Well, it looks like the 'gay cover comments' I referenced, were removed either by the poster or mods.

Wonders never cease. They have reappeared. It's a miracle! :laugh:

 

[Jack_Black]

Why was mine the only post that got deleted?

Fer chrissakes! look at the discussion that came about from it! how come no one else is getting their posts deleted? Here is my post verbatim:

Yes, and why not a gay convention!!

Was the post really that bad to warrant a deletion? First of all, it was an inside joke between me and homeschool. second, what of all things was wrong with that post? You can't make any sort of connotation from it, derogatory, matter of fact, tongue in cheek, or postitive!

 

[AnIrishmannot2brite]

Don't forget to tell the Pastor you are tithing ten percent of your winnings to the Church. Heck, he might even donate a Church meeting room for training your Church "outreach." :grin:

Heh heh. There's already been some discussion about that! Our associate Priest's late husband used to put all his blackjack winnings into the church till. He was wealthy from his accounting business anyway. Had what his wife called a "photographic memory" and did quite well at 21. Of course back then in the 1990's the casinos hadn't pulled as many countermeasures against counters.

Which kind of make me wonder if perhaps I'm picking up where the old man left off.

 

[Sucker]

In case anyone's interested, the International Gay Rodeo Assn. will be holding the World Gay Rodeo finals in Laughlin this October. The following month the IGRA will be having its' annual convention at Harrah's in Reno. :grin:

 

[Automatic Monkey]

In case anyone's interested, the International Gay Rodeo Assn. will be holding the World Gay Rodeo finals in Laughlin this October. The following month the IGRA will be having its' annual convention at Harrah's in Reno. :grin:

Not practicable. Is anyone capable of saying "gay rodeo" without laughing uproariously? :laugh:

I really don't think gaystuff is that good for cover anyway, except in very specialized circumstances. I've been tapped out of a game by a definite Q-unit, and there are enough people working in casinos who actually are that they will figure it out if you're not, and now you've really got heat. No cover is better than suspicion-arousing cover.

 

[aslan]

there are enough people working in casinos who actually are that they will figure it out if you're not, and now you've really got heat. No cover is better than suspicion-arousing cover.

Even if they do not figure it out, you still may have to contend with unwanted heat and arousal from casino staff. :laugh: :whip:

 

[Adm. Buckles]

The Gay cover seems a little iffy...

In our modern open times I question a straight guy acting gay. How are you pulling off a gay cover? Like any other group of people there is no defining characteristic of gay people, unless you count being attracted to the opposite sex. I know many gay people and only some of them fit the typical gay guy persona. One of them listens to country music, drives a truck and wears boots. I would think that pretending to be gay and hitting on a pc of the same sex would only be effective in making him uncomfortable and delaying heat for a short while and only if you arent making enough money for them to care about.

Also, I don't think a casino would think twice about throwing a gay person out because of advantage play. Unless that gay person happened to black. Political correctness hasn't gone that far yet. How would they know if you were gay or not, unless you told them? and even then why would they care? How far do you take a gay cover? If I was a Pit Boss I certainly would scrutinize a guy I suspected of AP more if he is limping his wrist, talking loudly in a high voice, and commenting on what people are wearing. Unless I saw him holding hands or hanging on another guy.

 

[kewljason]

In our modern open times I question a straight guy acting gay. How are you pulling off a gay cover? Like any other group of people there is no defining characteristic of gay people, unless you count being attracted to the opposite sex. I know many gay people and only some of them fit the typical gay guy persona. One of them listens to country music, drives a truck and wears boots. I would think that pretending to be gay and hitting on a pc of the same sex would only be effective in making him uncomfortable and delaying heat for a short while and only if you arent making enough money for them to care about.

Also, I don't think a casino would think twice about throwing a gay person out because of advantage play. Unless that gay person happened to black. Political correctness hasn't gone that far yet. How would they know if you were gay or not, unless you told them? and even then why would they care? How far do you take a gay cover? If I was a Pit Boss I certainly would scrutinize a guy I suspected of AP more if he is limping his wrist, talking loudly in a high voice, and commenting on what people are wearing. Unless I saw him holding hands or hanging on another guy.

Well here's the thing. Do you think being a female, especially a younger petite type would buy you any cover? I shouldn't. But I suspect it could. If a pit critter, accompanied by a couple security personel were to come up on a young, small female and evict and escort her from the premises, it would be perceived as bullying. Not that this couldn't or hasn't happened, but it would not be great public relations. How about an older person, male or female in their eighties using a wheelchair or walker? It shouldn't matter should it, but it would be perceived as bullying and I suspect these situations could and in most case would buy you a bit or cover and/or longevity. A slightly build, feminine type young gay guy, while this is a stereotype, would similarly be perceived as weak and this would look like bullying. Now, I am not saying any of this is right or wrong, but it's just the way it is. So if one can take advantage of it, well then it's no different than one playing the drunk act or any other act for cover.

 

[aslan]

Well here's the thing. Do you think being a female, especially a younger petite type would buy you any cover? I shouldn't. But I suspect it could. If a pit critter, accompanied by a couple security personel were to come up on a young, small female and evict and escort her from the premises, it would be perceived as bullying. Not that this couldn't or hasn't happened, but it would not be great public relations. How about an older person, male or female in their eighties using a wheelchair or walker? It shouldn't matter should it, but it would be perceived as bullying and I suspect these situations could and in most case would buy you a bit or cover and/or longevity. A slightly build, feminine type young gay guy, while this is a stereotype, would similarly be perceived as weak and this would look like bullying. Now, I am not saying any of this is right or wrong, but it's just the way it is. So if one can take advantage of it, well then it's no different than one playing the drunk act or any other act for cover.

Ever consider a career in politics, or maybe working as a technical expert for defusing minefields in Afghanistan? :laugh: Well said.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

Well here's the thing. Do you think being a female, especially a younger petite type would buy you any cover? I shouldn't. But I suspect it could. If a pit critter, accompanied by a couple security personel were to come up on a young, small female and evict and escort her from the premises, it would be perceived as bullying. Not that this couldn't or hasn't happened, but it would not be great public relations. How about an older person, male or female in their eighties using a wheelchair or walker? It shouldn't matter should it, but it would be perceived as bullying and I suspect these situations could and in most case would buy you a bit or cover and/or longevity. A slightly build, feminine type young gay guy, while this is a stereotype, would similarly be perceived as weak and this would look like bullying. Now, I am not saying any of this is right or wrong, but it's just the way it is. So if one can take advantage of it, well then it's no different than one playing the drunk act or any other act for cover.

There is a difference in these scenarios, in that being a homosexual (especially an overt one) is considered undesirable by a majority of people. No one objects to being called a small female, or an old person with a disability, but you call someone homosexual and that's still considered an insult among most men. Thus security getting rid of one is less likely to be seen as bullying someone and more likely to be seen as removing an undesirable who was doing God-knows-what in the casino.

And it's just one more reason why this does not sound like good cover.

 

[kewljason]

There is a difference in these scenarios, in that being a homosexual (especially an overt one) is considered undesirable by a majority of people. No one objects to being called a small female, or an old person with a disability, but you call someone homosexual and that's still considered an insult among most men. Thus security getting rid of one is less likely to be seen as bullying someone and more likely to be seen as removing an undesirable who was doing God-knows-what in the casino.

And it's just one more reason why this does not sound like good cover.

See now you have injected your personal feelings, which is a dislike towards homosexuals into the discussion, with such phrases a 'doing god knows-what'. This pushes this discussion away from the context of 'cover' which was being discussed and towards something that is more appropriate for the departed "zen zone". This probably was the reason Jack Black's original reference was deleted by the mods.

 

[MAZ]

See now you have injected your personal feelings, which is a dislike towards homosexuals into the discussion, with such phrases a 'doing god knows-what'. This pushes this discussion away from the context of 'cover' which was being discussed and towards something that is more appropriate for the departed "zen zone". This probably was the reason Jack Black's original reference was deleted by the mods.

Oh please, can everyone be just a little less sensitive. Stop worrying about if being gay is good cover is a social arguing point. You know what works for you kj. If flaming on at the table gets it done then I say work it girl! If not then pretend to be masculine, whatever the situation calls for to get the job done.

 

[kewljason]

Oh please, can everyone be just a little less sensitive. Stop worrying about if being gay is good cover is a social arguing point. You know what works for you kj. If flaming on at the table gets it done then I say work it girl! If not then pretend to be masculine, whatever the situation calls for to get the job done.

Flaming isn't my normal act, Maz, although I have used it. I don't really have a normal act. My main MO is very short sessions which usually eliminates the need for an 'act'. As for pretending to be masculine....no need for me to pretend. :laugh: "Whatever the situation calls for to get the job done." ---sounds like a good motto.

BTW, this thread started out using a priest for cover and then went to gay cover without any of the obvious jokes. (until now) lol

 

[aslan]

Flaming isn't my normal act, Maz, although I have used it. I don't really have a normal act. My main MO is very short sessions which usually eliminates the need for an 'act'. As for pretending to be masculine....no need for me to pretend. :laugh: "Whatever the situation calls for to get the job done." ---sounds like a good motto.

BTW, this thread started out using a priest for cover and then went to gay cover without any of the obvious jokes. (until now) lol

So if I am to understand what you are saying, pretending to be a gay priest is the best cover :whip:

 

[aslan]

Flaming isn't my normal act, Maz, although I have used it. I don't really have a normal act. My main MO is very short sessions which usually eliminates the need for an 'act'. As for pretending to be masculine....no need for me to pretend. :laugh: "Whatever the situation calls for to get the job done." ---sounds like a good motto.

BTW, this thread started out using a priest for cover and then went to gay cover without any of the obvious jokes. (until now) lol

Actually, very short sessions is the best advice I've heard in this thread. But the rest was entertaining.

 

[Automatic Monkey]

See now you have injected your personal feelings, which is a dislike towards homosexuals into the discussion, with such phrases a 'doing god knows-what'. This pushes this discussion away from the context of 'cover' which was being discussed and towards something that is more appropriate for the departed "zen zone". This probably was the reason Jack Black's original reference was deleted by the mods.

Oh come on, it has nothing to do with my personal feelings. Walk up to a guy you don't know and call him homosexual and if he's not, he'll probably punch you in the face. That's a fact. I did not create this. In the context of advantage play, I could not care less what somebody's personal habits are. Sitting at the BJ table doing my thing, I have probably bumped fists with every possible variation and deviation.

This does remain a discussion of cover because I don't think an act of a lifestyle that is a turn-off to many people is the best form of cover. It might work as cover, but it might also draw the wrong kind of attention, or it might piss somebody off. We are talking about low-level casino management and security personnel here, not social workers and fashion designers, and you can't predict what kinds of attitudes you are going to encounter, so I would pick a less potentially provocative cover act. But everyone has to use their own judgment.

To use a personal example, yeah I could go to the table in drag, and they might be afraid to back me off. Or they might throw me out just because I disgust them. Is the benefit worth the risk? I think it would be a lot safer to just go in as a drunk salesman at a convention, no?

 

[JulieCA]

I don't suggest the gay cover act in Palm Springs. You're just as likely to get hit on by half the other men at the table.

I was playing at a table with an old queen and someone's young boy toy. When I was dealt two queens, the old queen laughed and said "that's what we call the Palm Springs hand!"

 

[aslan]

Oh come on, it has nothing to do with my personal feelings. Walk up to a guy you don't know and call him homosexual and if he's not, he'll probably punch you in the face. That's a fact. I did not create this. In the context of advantage play, I could not care less what somebody's personal habits are. Sitting at the BJ table doing my thing, I have probably bumped fists with every possible variation and deviation.

This does remain a discussion of cover because I don't think an act of a lifestyle that is a turn-off to many people is the best form of cover. It might work as cover, but it might also draw the wrong kind of attention, or it might piss somebody off. We are talking about low-level casino management and security personnel here, not social workers and fashion designers, and you can't predict what kinds of attitudes you are going to encounter, so I would pick a less potentially provocative cover act. But everyone has to use their own judgment.

To use a personal example, yeah I could go to the table in drag, and they might be afraid to back me off. Or they might throw me out just because I disgust them. Is the benefit worth the risk? I think it would be a lot safer to just go in as a drunk salesman at a convention, no?

Good point. It is relevant to choice of cover, which is what this thread is about.

Personally, I always just try to play either under the radar or in and out real quick. Either way, cover is never an issue for me, except where I have been backed off.

 

[Nynefingers]

I once sat at a table with two guys who I soon realized were APs, and who were playing together. I learned a bit by listening to them chat with the dealers and others at the table. They were pretty good at giving answers that seemed open and conversational, but that really gave up zero information, and I've since used some of their canned responses myself. But the one that is relevant to this thread came when they were asked how they knew each other. Without missing a beat, one of them responded "E-harmony.com". It successfully steered the conversation back to general topics and away from personal questions. It put the asker on the defensive since they didn't want to offend by asking if they were serious, but it could easily be played either way (serious or a joke). Either way, it got the conversation away from personal topics and back under the control of the APs. While I haven't (yet?) used that response, I have thought a lot about it and it has influenced my answers about other things. I've realized that it is quite possible to talk at length with people and say nothing at all, and by giving some thought to what you say, you can carefully steer the conversation towards safe discussion. This concept is probably even more useful when combined with an act, as controlling the conversation will allow you to stay in your comfort zone and not venture into a topic relevant to the act but that you know nothing about. I guess what I'm saying is to give some thought to how you say things so as to control the direction of the conversation.

 

[muppet]

any suggestions on a canned response for 'what do you do for a living?'