Casino Basic and Special steps

1	Basic Steps
2	Casino Clásico (Walking Basic Steps)
3	Paséala Steps (“88” pattern)
4	Exhíbela (“80” pattern)
5	Paseo Walk Steps
6	Dile Que No
7	Dile Que No Mentira
8	DQN in left turning motion
9	Diamond
10	Box Step
11	Son Clásico
12	Entrada Steps (Hook Behind on “5”)

My Casino is based on natural walking, where we move forward for the Follow by default. The Lead steps back in several important figures like DQN and in the Paseo Walk. The Follow should always walk forward. She must keep the momentum going unless the Lead blocks her way. The Lead may also explicitly lead her backward in certain figures. These include the Son “Forward and Back,” three steps forward and three steps back.

Salsa “forward and back” doesn’t exist in my Cuban Salsa but others Lead’s can use it if they like. Side steps, diagonal back-rocking, Rumba side steps, only exist as an exception to the rule in my Casino.

The basic steps of the Follow is Casino Clasico. To walk forward on all steps of the Eight Count. The Follow can change direction in the corner on “4” and on “8”. Like in Enchufla she walks “1-2-3”, twist around 180 degree on “4” and continues forward on “5-6-7”. Another example is Exhíbela. The Follow walks “1-2-3”, steps around on “3-pause-5” and walks back on the Partner Circle. Next she continues around the Lead into Rodeo or pivots inside or steps outside on “7-pause-1”.

DQN into Open Position is an exception to the Follow’s Casino Clásico. Sacala with an extra step forward on “5” is another exception (I seldom use). In addition we have the Special Steps of the Follow mentioned above.

The Leader’s steps only serve one purpose: “To make the Follow step her steps”. As long at that happens, the Lead can step however he wants but consistency is always a good thing. The Lead is best served by stepping as well-formed and optimized as possible. That makes it easier for the Follow.