Anything and everything

[EDC1977]

There's also a fine line between gambling and advantage play. Gamblers take risks at everything they do including playing less than positive return paytables to reap an RF reward. Professionals (many deny that term) will only play with set criteria and be in complete control of their actions. Many of us here on the forum are however, recreational. How can you tell? Is it important to enjoy your play or do you simply play to get a profit?

[cddenver]

Professionals (many deny that term) will only play with set criteria and be in complete control of their actions. Many of us here on the forum are however, recreational. How can you tell? Is it important to enjoy your play or do you simply play to get a profit?
 
You didn't really ask what it would take to be considered a professional player, but here's my take - someone whose income is derived totally or mainly from their play, including things like books, as in a Bob Dancer.
 
Someone who can make real folding money year after year but doesn't do it for primary income I would class as semi-professional.
 
This is quite subjective, but I'd say a recreational player plays for enjoyment and is happy to hit a Big One now and again, and isn't overly concerned with ER or play strategies.  A serious recreational player I'd class as someone like me - always looking for ways to improve my play.  I'd agree with your definition of gambler.
 
Looking over your definitions and mine of professional/recreational, yours are more about attitude, and mine would relate more to $ results.  That's interesting, isn't it?  Just my own view of things.
 
da Cat, if you know a way to "simply play to get a profit" let me know what it is, and I'll throw away my books and software, and stop reading the posts from SM, New2vp, etc.   
 
P.S.  I'm still waiting for the prize from the green-and-beige place that you promised.   The UPS truck has passed by several times since then, but hasn't stopped. 

[shadowman]

I like your definitions CD. I think they cover most situations. Naturally, there will always be a few that cross categories. I like to think of myself as a recreational player who just happens to apply the same techniques as a professional player.
 
I guess that makes me a semi-serious recreational professional.

[royal flush]

me too although i play 100% + games and play them correctly even fpdw 25c games would average 7.00 per hour plus comps the worst game i would play would be 9/6 job at harrahs laughlin with comps make it 100%+ as diamond card value

[EDC1977]

My definition was always about mental/entertainment value. Anyone who plays regardless of paytables and little or no knowledge of strategy is gambling IMO. (thanks CD) Folks like shadowman who do play often and do reap a benefit despite not having VP as a prime source of income are seriously just recreational players with more means and strategy than most of us. It's kinda silly to "classify" the VP player by category but some bean counter somewhere is happier now that they know what a recreational player is.
  To that fella in Denver, I can't imagine UPS jerking you like that! I sent the diamond mine and you got the shaft!

[scorpio2]

one time in ac i was riding an elevator up in tropicana.a man got on then put his key in,i said how come i don't need a key.he said because i'm in the penthouse.back then i didn't even know the difference between a suite,and the penthouse.we got a suite because i complained about housekeeping slamming doors at 8 am.

[EDC1977]

Didn't they used to be competition for Playboy? (the Penthouse, not the suite!)

[scorpio2]

one thing i don't see much of is,how we gamblers can help the casinos,so they don't go belly up,as bob dancer seems to be doing?

[redleg]

I think Bob Dancer is now working for a casino.  Write more books Bob!

[shadowman]

Bob is consulting for Eastside Cannery. Still waiting to see if any player friendly changes show up. The only game I considered playing there was downgraded the week after I went there.