Battling the heat

[FloridaPhil]

I think what I said was pretty clear.  I'll try to make it simpler so you can understand. As far as I am concerned, the purpose of playing video poker is purely entertainment.  That form of entertainment comes with a cost.  The business part of video poker is the casino's investment in machines and floor space.   I pay to play video poker, the casino is happy and so am I.  If I play bigger, I am sure the casino will be happier.  They will shower me with free drinks, food and luxury hotel rooms so I can lose more money.  I will be given chances at drawings that never call my name.  They may even give me a cruise that I will pay for ten times over with my losses.I don't believe just anyone can turn the tables on the casino and profit from video poker.    I can see how a player could make it work if he/she was being paid by players and casinos at the same time.   That is a solid business plan that makes a lot of sense.   I doubt playing VP with an edge alone will ever produce a long term profit.  Without LUCK you will be a long term loser just like the rest of us mortals.   I know others on this forum disagree.  They are free to believe whatever they want.I don't have anything against professional gamblers, per se.  I do not like people who publicly legitimize gambling as a career choice because I believe they are potentially leading people down a dangerous path.  When you make a hero out of someone who claims to live a "nice lifestyle" by risking huge sums of money in a casino, I believe you are responsible for the damage you cause to someone when they try and fail to follow in your footsteps.  If you make your living that way, keep it to yourself.This is a "Forum", so I freely state my personal opinions and play the way I like.   I don't try to convert anyone to my strategies.   I tell others what I do, but I don't expect them to play my way.    I don't sell anything vaguely related to video poker.  I don't care if someone else does.   What someone does with their own money is their business.  That's about it.

[onemoretry]

I think what I said was pretty clear. 
Really? Perhaps you should read your posts again.

First, you referred to video poker as "a game created to entertain people", and then you stated that "video poker machines are created to make money for the casinos"

So, which is it?

[FloridaPhil]

Both.  The casinos put the machines on the floor to make money.  The players play them to be entertained. This relationship works as long as both benefit equally.  When one side or the other fails to benefit,  the players quit playing or the casino pulls the machines.

[Tedlark]

SOME players play them to be entertained and they are very much in the minority. Phil, you are delusional if you think otherwise.

[Eduardo]

Huh? Have to say I'm in agreement with Phil on this one. These games are clearly both entertainment and part of a business.  I don't see how that's even in question. Everyone I know who has gone to a casino did it because they found it entertaining.

[billryan]

Huh? Have to say I'm in agreement with Phil on this one. These games are clearly both entertainment and part of a business.  I don't see how that's even in question. Everyone I know who has gone to a casino did it because they found it entertaining.

That the casinos have somehow convinced seemingly normal people that gambling is somehow entertainment is ,by far, their greatest achievement. It ranks right up there with convincing businesses that doing deals in topless joints is kool.
Can you imagine anyone going to Vegas fifty years ago to be entertained by the gambling?
It's as if a sheep farmer could get his flock to line up to be sheared every few weeks.

[FAA]

Phil, that's a solid reply. Your two statements were not in the least mutually exclusive. Regarding your more recent post, also solid. Alas, the damn casinos shall indeed take our money regardless. Why lose it at four times the quarter rate? Park your butt at the quarter bank. Over tip the CW. You can feel good about spreading your newfound solvency. In casinos, solvency equals wealth.

[FAA]

Bill, PT Barnum would have been an excellent casino executive. He was simply ahead of his time and perfected the best legal hustle available to him.

[case]

I find slots more entertaining, yet I choose to play VP.

Phil it sounds like you have lost a lot of money playing VP. Hope you are entertained!

[Galeygoo]

i/m/o, once you "clear the smoke" and "clean the windows", FP's replies cry out jealousy toward Dancer's successes. Those are my "final words" toward this matter...