I balked at that, and found a 10-spot in my wallet. To my surprise, they wouldn’t sell chips using a credit card, but directed me to an ATM charging $7 to give you your money. Most tables were $15 or even $50 a chip, but one was $5 a chip, which seemed more my speed. A long gaming table and several poker tables. So as I talked, I removed a $5 - I carry a little cash in my wallet, to give to indigents - slid that in, and received a few more taps, none of which unlocked the $10,204.81 that could be mine if it were my lucky day. But my $10 evaporated in what seemed like 30 seconds. At that point I got a phone call, and so my attention was distracted. I parked myself in front of an Ultra Rush Gold machine and plugged in my card. The place wasn’t empty - there were people here and there.

I’d point out the echo of drug dealers - your first hit is free - but don’t traffic in the obvious. I’m surprised there isn’t access to a VIP pawn shop. Perks include free check cashing to cover your losses. If I’m a pro, I’d hate to see what an amateur looks like.Ī quick glance at the cover of the brochure I was given revealed the truth. When I told the security guard this was my first visit, he directed me to a desk where I was issued a card - a Bally’s Rewards card, with “Pro” emblazoned in the corner. That plan lasted until I walked in the door. I initially thought: $100 but then dialed it back to $50. Besides, a gambler should never bet anything he isn’t prepared to lose. While I have in the past stuck the newspaper with a variety of vices in the name of research, from a $200 bottle of champagne at the Ritz-Carlton bar, to table dances and tips to strippers at Thee Doll House on Kingsbury, something told me that Chicago Public Media might look askance at financing my casino spree. I’d pondered how much to gamble and, more importantly, whether I could expense my losses. Stepping into the Medinah Temple had none of the existential sorrow of Vegas casinos. Now that one’s actually open, a visit seemed in order. Despite lack of interest in gambling, personally, I closely followed the opening of Bally’s temporary casino at the Medinah Temple, having tracked the decadeslong chase after the will-o-the-wisp of a Chicago gambling den.

How to always win at casino roulette