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I Love Gambling

Discussion in 'Misc. Vegas Chat' started by alexb7, Mar 28, 2015.

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  1. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    After some serious thought about whether I should quit gambling I have decided to embrace my love of gambling instead of trying to get rid of it. Never mind my existing debt, I setup a plan to have it all paid off in 2 years. You may be interested in learning how I came to this conclusion. First I was in a local drug store and bought a scratch lottery ticket which I never normally do. I won $90 on it! Then took $200 to the local casino to see if I could test myself playing small. Did really well but lost 3 progressive lays on craps. So I'm down to $4. Put it all on the field, hit a 9. Let it ride on the field, hit a 10 (glad I didn't buy in more for another lay). Completely randomly I put it all on midnight. It hits! Everyone at table are giving me high fives and I cash out. Even the dealers are like weren't you down to $4? I cash out and go to celebrate my win. I've realized there are always going to be ups and downs but as long as I play within a reasonable amount and leave the cards at home I can have a lot of fun entertainment for less than the price of a nice dinner and occasionally have some very nice wins. To stay the course I'm going to stop chasing comps. Also, please don't think this is reflective of my normal play. I'm usually a DP player with full odds when the point is 4 or 10 and I place the 6 and 8 with the hard ways if I'm rolling. 5 days to Vegas! Time to get ready to get my drink and gamble on. Also gotta make sure the rhino gets some spearmint. :beer:
     
  2. playallday

    playallday Low-Roller

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    Life is to short not to enjoy....I love gambling too....you are in good company!
     
  3. Mrs. K.

    Mrs. K. Low-Roller

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    What other vice carries the possibility of a reward? Seriously, though, just like any other addictive substance or behavior don't allow it to affect your actual life. People can drink, even to excess, and not be alcoholic. Some people can gamble, even to the point of debt, and not be a gambling addict. Others can't, and only you know which kind you are.
     
  4. LV_Bound

    LV_Bound VIP Whale

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    Why do people view gambling as something bad?
    People with different hobbies or interest spend a hell of a lot more money than I do at gambling.
     
  5. Jon E Coyote

    Jon E Coyote Low-Roller

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    This!
     
  6. CJ's

    CJ's Plumbing the depths of debauchery

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    "Ive said it before but today is the day I stop gambling"

    Well tha didnt last long did it? :wink2::rolleyes2:
     
  7. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    It really didn't lol
     
  8. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    Going to the casino again tonight!
     
  9. Tellafriend

    Tellafriend MIA

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    Send Shifter a pm, I hear he's backing certain players.
     
  10. La$Vega$

    La$Vega$ Fun until cops show up, then we play Hide n' Seek!

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    I concur.
    Like Mrs. K said, it's the only habit that you can win a lot of money at!
     
  11. thefish2010

    thefish2010 Low-Roller

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    Gambling is only a problem if you don't have the money. There is one constant in gambling: no matter how much you "win," if you are playing a game with a negative expectation, (which includes all casino games except for poker) you will eventually lose every single dollar you choose to bet. Not just some of them - every single dollar. Depending on the house edge of the games you play, that may happen fast or slow, but everyone winds up in exactly the same place in the end. It is a mathematical certainty. If you understand that and plan your gambling budget accordingly, then you should be OK.
     
  12. Electroguy563

    Electroguy563 Vegas Joker

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    Even the guys who won MEGABUCKS? :woohoo:
     
  13. Aces and Eights

    Aces and Eights VIP Whale

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    A co-worker of mine tells me Vegas costs me thousands of dollars because the house always has the edge. I tell him he spends thousands of dollars going to the track racing his car. Why is his form of entertainment any better than mine?
     
  14. tringlomane

    tringlomane STP Addicted Beer Snob

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    Nice run, but am I the only one that thinks this could be the worst possible result for someone seriously considering quitting/cutting back gambling?
     
  15. topcard

    topcard Here's to $10 3:2 two-deck, $5 Craps, and $5 UTH!

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    The reality is that, once one factors in comps, a decent blackjack player who adheres to basic strategy play will come out ahead.
    A decent player who counts will come out ahead even without factoring in comps.

    One more thing - variance. If a given gambler quits gambling when he is up, and either gives it up 'forever' or for so long that he never loses his winnings, then he also does not give back every single dollar... (the 'megabucks' guy, for example).


    :beer:
     
    Last edited: Mar 30, 2015
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  16. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    There is a difference in what most on this board do and a true gambling addict does. Most of us gamble with available funds for entertainment value. I'm guilty of going a little too far at times but always have fun. I've seen and heard of too many people get addicted lose, lose, lose more, embezzle, go to jail lose family eventually lose everything. This type of behavior is not limited to gambling alone. High profile embezzlement case around here of a controller stole millions and she spent most of it on fashion and designer clothes, purses, shoes etc. and exotic trips.

    We call ourselves degens etc. But most of us aren't we are just having some fun.

    TomTWI

    Edit: Seriously get one of those "When the Fun Stops" brochures and see how many of the behaviors you exhibit. I had a couple check marks LOL. If you have most of them it's probably time to get help before it gets worse.
     
  17. natedog666

    natedog666 17 and 20 Expert

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    I think you should set aside a gambling budget based upon your income (minus debt service, actually still don't think it is a good idea to gamble when in debt). Then test yourself to see if you go over that budget every month. The problem is that gambling is usually just "one" of our hobbies, can't really maintain all of your hobbies if you are on a limited budget due to debt service.
     
  18. TomTWI

    TomTWI Custom Title

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    True, If you have credit card debt you probably shouldn't spend anything discretionary until it's paid off. We can pay off our long term debt with available liquid funds. We just chose to have some debt at low interest rate and some cash on hand for flexibility. Never carry a credit card balance unless an emergency.


    TomTWI
     
  19. alexb7

    alexb7 MIA

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    Had a great time last night. Played for 5 hours on various games. Won some money and had some drinks. Stayed in control and within the planned budget.
     
  20. breanna61

    breanna61 Super Moderator

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    No, you're not the only one. Like any addiction, one is too many and a thousand isn't enough.
     
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