A few observations on most recent gambling experience

After getting clobbered again during my recent stay in A/C, I have come to the conclusion that I should probably stop worrying about losing, and just expect to lose, and play what I enjoy i/o what I think I might have a better chance to win at. Specifically those video BJ machines. There is no question in my mind that they are rigged. I have talked about these in other threads, my recent experience confirms this to me. OTOH, I really enjoyed playing the various reel slots that were recommended by various folks here. I also lost, but at least I had fun doing so, With BJ I just kept getting more and more angry with each implausible result. From now on I'll just take my bankroll and play VP(which was also fun) and some of the slots- Cashman was very entertaining even though many $2 pulls returned 20 cents! I also need to work up the nerve to go to a BJ table and see what the results there look like! In fact, the first time I played two of the slots, I actually doubled my money- which actually was a bad thing because it had me thinking how easy one could win at these games! Boy, did I learn!

 

We all have been there before. If the BJ machine is paying 6/5 it makes no sense to play it. Same for the live tables. Pick another game that has a low house edge like the Pass/Don't pass (with odds) at Craps.

 

Even if the BJ table is fully legit, there are other ways for it to take your money.

Like paying out at 6:5 or even worse - even money on BJ. Not being able to split, or double down hits you again.

 

It wasn't until 4 or 5 years ago that I fully embraced the "gambling is a losing proposition game", and 1) started treating gambling money as a "spend" (not expecting any return), and 2)maximizing what I received for my "spend" (i.e. comps) that I really started having more "fun" on my trips.

This is why I focus more on things like HGS and GGWU, which give me something to "spend" at the end of the year. It takes a little of the "sting" out of my year long spending.

 

I had an argument with my father about this very topic. He likes Vegas but does not gamble and would rather spend $3,000 on a nice resort on a beach with $300 spending money rather than $300 for a resort in Vegas with $3,000 gambling. I told him that to me, it is the thrill of the hunt and that I go knowing that I will blow the $3,000 with a chance to bring some of it back. I see his point but once you spend $3,000 on a beach resort, that money is gone. With my point, I at least have a chance.

At the beginning of a Vegas trip, you have to know that what you are gambling is entertainment. Those casinos were not built on winners, as the old adage goes.

 

I agree completely. To each their own. A friend of mine was giving me a bad time for putting money into a slot machine asking what I get out of that. I told him entertainment. The same as he gets spending hundreds on concerts all over the United States.

 

I have found that the "It's entertainment money" mindset helps with the realization that all of us gamblers are, more often than not, going to wind up losers at some point. I work my fat ass off and save a shit ton of money, spend thousands of hours pricing, planning, booking the trip - all knowing that the end result could be me coming home with empty pockets. I've never gambled money that we needed for living expenses, and am certainly not going to get into that habit at 43 years old. Fortunately my wife and I have mastered the "It's Entertainment" mindset so well that post trip depression is almost non existent for us.

 

I agree with you completely. I don't sped a lot of money on other entertainment.

 

if you are going to play video BJ, you may as well just play regular slots, they are a lot more fun. and understand up front that it IS a losing proposition. have fun and hope for a jackpot and don't stress about it.

 

" IF IT AIN'T FUN SON. DON'T DO IT. "

 

The IGT video blackjack that is on the same machine as videopoker (commonly at bar tops) is HORRIBLE...even money on bj!
You're better of playing a slot machine or even better video poker.

 

I've never found that losing money was entertaining. In fact, every time I come home a loser, I always think about what good I could have done with that cash.

 

...yet you still gamble, right?

 

The other key, IMHO, is to find the right bankroll amount that you don't mind losing. Obviously we all know you shouldn't gamble money that you need for expenses, etc., but the psychological effect of losing a lot, even if it's "fun money" can be bad as well. To this point, a few years ago I had gotten a new job and had lots of extra cash, and I was super excited that I could play some $50-$100 BJ or $5 VP, etc with my new bankroll, but when I got to Vegas and lost ~$4k in one trip it was just too much for me. [For some people on the board that's one hand at Baccarat!] Even though it was money I could spare, it just didn't feel good. Now I limit my bankroll to $1.5k-$3k per trip and I play lower stakes so I now always come home with some of my bankroll and have a lot more fun!

 

Expecting to lose and then being pleasantly surprised if you don't is another way of saying that your gambling money in Vegas should be viewed as paying for entertainment. I'd agree with the notion, I think Nick the Greek is responsible for the quotation, that the next best thing to playing and winning is playing and losing. Both bring huge shots of adrenalin just before the card is turned. On the other hand, I spend a lot more time moaning to myself about a hand or a roll that killed me than I do about the ones that worked out. I'm a card counter who doesn't visit Vegas often enough to keep my skills perfectly honed, so I suspect I meet the casinos' love of players who think they can count but aren't always on their game. By about the second day, I'm getting good at it. But my point is that unless I thought that I might have an advantage at the 21 table, I probably wouldn't pay Southwest to get me there. And I don't view the bankroll as entertainment money (though it might be aside from my illusions).

 

Tim, I think this is the machine that hotreds was playing on. What are the odds on this compared to an 8 deck shoe?

 

Above is the one I have now forsworn! Did not realize there were so many- I reckon they are rigged equally maliciously!

 

Where is the electronic game with a $25 min bet? Holy cow

If they are in LV, Nevada law requires them to deal a fair game. "fair" meaning the cards can't be rigged, not that they can't offer horrendous rules.

 

No kidding! In Vegas and A/C they were $5 min. This looks to be a bar. In truth, my especially bad experiences with this game were in A/C. not Vegas.

 

Does she ever take her virtual dress off?