3) Be wary of people who take a sudden interest in you. This situation can take form of person who creeps up on you out of left field as you buy in to a table or cash out from a slot machine. It can be person who approaches you with a sob story on how much money he or she has lost, or spectator over your shoulder who looks and acts happier that you're winning than you are. Or - this one is for you, guys! - it can even be beautiful lady who struts over to you, getting very friendly with you in record time.

Chances are, all of these people are after your money. Sure, every so often you'll encounter an honest stranger out there just happy to see someone win - and yes, guys, you might just be genuinely lucky like that - but sadly these people are few and far between. Instead, more often than not, they're conmen, thieves or call girls. Don't be afraid to ask anyone to leave you alone, especially if they start soliciting you for money. Go to another machine or table if you feel uncomfortable, or go straight to casino security to report problem. Security's there to ensure you have a good time. Ridding casinos of these people is part of their job.

If you follow these simple tips, you will be even safer in one of safest places around.

Until next time, take care and good luck in casino!

Next hand, I got an 11 against a 6. Again, I had a 100 bet so I was more focused on others losing. I didn't double down hand. I didn't even hit hand. I decided to stay on 11. The ensuing Jack that was meant for me helped dealer make a tidy 21. Everyone lost again, and all of a sudden I had a 9,000 point chip lead. Everyone is now furious!

I had such a large chip lead at that point, I practically cruised through rest of session. I won session by 11,000 points and made it to final table, but not before getting a tongue lashing from one of my opponents.

"I've never seen anyone play way you did."

"What? Are you talking about that 'sixteen versus six' hand?"

"Yeah. That was really, really nasty. Really nasty! You don't play much, do you?"

"Oh, I play all time."

"You'd get beaten up [at regular tables] if you played like that."

"Of course I would. I would never play like that regularly."

From there she went into this whole sob story about "doing these tournaments to have a good time" and that I "ruined fun for her."

"Look, this is a tournament. A tournament that's paying five grand in cash money to winner! So, I did what I had to do to win, and now I'm off to finals. Trust me, it was nothing personal."

In all fairness, let me stress that 'sabotage' tactic doesn't really work, at least not in long run. Any reputable blackjack player knows a 'saboteur' is just as likely to hurt table than he is to help it. A sad fact of matter is that average blackjack player is bogged down in superstition - 'taking dealer's bust card' is just one of dozens of them - so whole idea of sabotaging hands is merely a psychological trick.

If you play low and try to rattle 'the flow of cards' (I'll go into 'card flow' and all other blackjack superstitions at another time) more often than not one of two things will happen. You 'save' table with your bad play, and your opponents will think "OK, he's an idiot, but I'm not mad at him because he made me win." Or, if you kill table, you're right where you want to be - inside your opponents' heads.

An observation I've made through several years at tables is that anger and frustration can rattle even most disciplined player. Many times - as was case with my opponents this particular day - this causes them to bet more aggressively than they probably should, and make riskier double down plays and splits to offset your earlier 'mistake,' which usually paves way to self-destruction. On last hand that sealed fate of my nearest rival in semis, She doubled down a 7 against a dealer's 7 and lost it all.

If a down-and-dirty approach to gambling is your cup of tea, perhaps you should give this strategy a shot.

In case you were wondering, I went on to finish in 5th place for tournament.

Until next time, best of luck to you in casinos, and in life.