Some people should not be in a casino

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=matginlv]For me, this is more of a hobby that, currently, I have the disposable
cash to enjoy. Once I don't, then I'll have to find something else to do
on the weekend in Vegas.[/quote]

[DaBurglar]

Just to be clear, I have never or would ever take a loss out on a machine or, more importantly, a person. Seen that before. The only person to blame for bad luck, blowing too much money, etc. is myself. No one put a gun to my head and said play until you're broke. My comment was more tongue in cheek.

As far as lying like some gamblers do about losses, what's the point? Sometimes, the losing stories with the ups and downs are as fun to tell and share as the ones that end in a hand pay.

For me, this is more of a hobby that, currently, I have the disposable cash to enjoy. Once I don't, then I'll have to find something else to do on the weekend in Vegas.Well said and good for you!   I'm sure you know I was speaking MORE to the general public out there and not directly AT you even though it was your post and I was hypothetically ruminating based on it....I'm very close to eliminating ALL gambling from my life (almost all, I still may participate in Poker TOURNAMENTS, since this specific activity is not really "gambling";  if you know how actual Poker Tournaments work and process, then you'll understand what I mean) .... but in General, as far as casinos go and games like Video Poker, the fun/entertainment that used to be there is just NOT there any longer (even on the infrequent times when I actually, Truly WIN something significant);  but more importantly I've really been questioning its propriety in MY OWN PERSONAL life given my own personal beliefs and values, especially the OPPORTUNITY cost of lost gambling money.     This is JUST ME though, and I am neither judging nor have any PROBLEM whatsoever with other peoples' choices or views on what they choose to do or not do  vis-a-vis gambling and casinos..But from where I sit, these  HUGE or, more emphatically <Trump> "YuuuGE!"<Trump> Casino corporations are giant black holes into which large chunks of local economies get sucked.....Las Vegas and Nevada in general is an exception since the entire state and its operations/economy is structured with and around GAMBLING, but when it comes to the MANY MANY smaller local economies in which one or a few casinos set up shop, it has been demonstrated that the much ballyhooed, so-called "ECONOMIC BENEFIT" or impact is either non-existent or is actually a detriment/drain.  Just look at the various examples, and then look at the states themselves that allowed casinos to set up with the goal of gaining revenue to solve all manner of problems/issues.As to examples of the downside of gambling on a state, a city and its economy(ies), AC & the state of NJ stick out like a zit on the Mona Lisa.Examples so that readers know my OPINION expressed above is based upon actual evidence and other more sophisticated, and wiser/smarter people than myself (there are many many more, I just cited & linked a few):https://www.cnn.com/2013/09/24/opinion/ ... the-issues

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=DaBurglar]I'm very close to eliminating ALL gambling from my life....the fun is
just NOT there, but more importantly I've really been questioning its
propriety in MY OWN PERSONAL life given my own personal beliefs and
values.[/quote]I struggle with this myself.  I deal with these issues by advising people to play as small as possible.  Promoting gambling as a career choice is so distastefully wrong to me, I can hardly deal with it.   If that's your choice, keep it to yourself.    Recruiting others is where I draw the line.   Adding disclaimers telling players they will fail because they aren't intelligent, skilled or disciplined enough doesn't  reverse the potential harm you may cause. I worry that someone will read my posts and conclude that I know how to make money playing VP.  That is totally false.  I think casino gambling is a loser.  You may make money, but you will pay in other ways.    If the enjoyment you get out of recreational gambling is worth the cost, no problem.   If you think the life of a professional video poker gambler is a "nice lifestyle", I think you are a fool.This gets me in trouble with some people.  I'm sure others have their own opinions.  Some of them will be contrary to mine.  It won't change mine.If the fun is gone for you, it's time to go.

[DaBurglar]

I struggle with this myself.  I deal with these issues by playing as small as possible.  Promoting gambling as a career choice is so distastefully wrong, I can hardly deal with it.   If that's your choice, keep it to yourself.    Recruiting others is where I draw the line.   This gets me in trouble with some people, but it doesn't change my opinion.  If the fun is gone for you, it's time to go.

I agree with most of this, but I wouldn't go quite as far to say gambling as a career choice is distastefully wrong.....I know it's wrong FOR ME, that's not a question.   I am emphatic in my belief that in all areas of life, dealing with people, with specific moral and legal issues and questions, it is vital to take them all  ONE AT A TIME.....each and every case, every person or individual must be evaluated in and of itself.   What is wrong or bad for one person or situation may in fact be exactly what the NEXT person or situation vitally needs!  and the same goes with what's right for Person X may be disastrous for person Y.Similarly, what is right and applies to the first 19 people or situations you encounter may be awful or wrong for the 20th......incidentally, even though we are talking ostensibly about Gambling & Casinos in general, my belief in the importance of taking and evaluating people, places and things "one at a time", this is why I despise racism and anything that even hints at racism or prejudice, whether it's from a Right leaning bully or a left leaning derelict....whether it's the Reverend  Al "we all have rights in the YOUnited states of Americaaaaa" Sharpton   or   Donald "Chapter 11 Genius https://www.thoughtco.com/donald-trump- ... es-4152019" Trump.   Thus if a person thrives or dies as a pro gambler pretty much is a individual issue, even though many common traits or experiences probably manifest in all the examples....Consistent with what I posted earlier, Professional POKER players are one type of "pro" that I have no problem conceding may be legitimate, simply because the game of Live poker against other humans is as much about skill, ability and management as it is about chance and luck.   It really is.....but when you look at actual professional Poker players (again doing so "one at a time") you see a variety of different situations and levels of success or levels of trouble.   In the Negative, or trouble, column, one notices that for many professional poker players, their actual problems have very little or nothing to do with actual LIVE POKER, but instead revolve around other types of casino gambling like sports betting, black jack, craps, slots etc.   Or they have problems with drugs or alcohol, or marital/relationship troubles....Poker tournaments is essence are no different than chess tournaments, bridge tournaments, and are similar to golf or bowling or any other type of tournament.....a player pays the fixed set entrance fee and therefore is not involved in potentially escalating or fluctuating financial/monetary commitments or stakes....that's a huge distinction with other forms and types of "gambling".....I honestly feel the primary reason LIVE Poker is still classified and thought of purely as just another type or form of "gambling" by the regular everyday public  is the simple fact that MOST Poker takes place in Casinos!For me though, in regards Video Poker and casino games in general, it was NEVER ever about "winning".....certainly when I would win playing VP or BJ it would enhance or increase the level of "FUN" or the value of the "entertainment", but it was never in and of itself the sole reason.   Indeed, my steadily declining perception of fun and entertainment these last few years is entirely due to the whole decline of service and quality that has happened in the Casino RESORT industry in general, which itself is a symptom of what's happening with people in general society and the world at large.

[FloridaPhil]

I didn't say professional gambling was wrong.  I said promoting it is wrong. There is a difference.When you write books and make statements stating you are a professional video poker player who made millions from the game, you are influencing people to believe they can do the same.   When you claim to have a strategy that can beat the casinos, you are responsible for what happens if someone follows it and it fails.  When you write an article that says you would be pleased if your daughter married a professional gambler, you are stomping on many people's family values.   Making a buck does not release you from responsibility.Many members of this forum know I am an active investor.  If I write a book stating how I made a million dollars trading options, what am I going to say to an elderly couple who lost their life savings trying to duplicate my results?  If I go on TV to sell this book, the government will make me state on the screen that my results may not be duplicated.   Have you ever seen that written on the cover of a Video Poker Strategy book?  If I can make millions trading options, why would I need to sell a book about it anyway?If someone lives a "great lifestyle" playing video poker, I have no problem with it.   If they write books or teach classes that tell people how to keep more of their money playing VP, earn more comps or go on great vacations, I'm all for it.   Long term winning at Video Poker takes skill and determination.  It also takes luck.  That is the part that is being left out of these books and discussions.

[DougJ]

Even though I live in Las Vegas, I seldom play VP any more. It's just a small part of my entertainment budget.

However, as you all must know, the stock market tanked this past week. As a serious investor, even though it is "paper" losses, and I'm in it for the long haul, I still didn't feel any better waking up every morning for the last week and feeling sick about the negative hits I endured the day before. Thank goodness there is no one or no thing that I ever considered taking my frustration out on (a la the gambler at M punching a lifeless machine).
Just like the so=called professional gambler, it's easier to remember the huge profits I was earning, especially in January of this year.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Douj]Just like the so=called professional gambler, it's easier to remember
the huge profits I was earning, especially in January of this year.
[/quote]I don't know any professional gamblers.   From what I read, they live "great lifestyles".  They never lose, $100,000 royals come up on time, casinos pay them to play and they live off their comps.Americans are free to pursue their dreams, whatever they are.  If your dream is to live as I have described, you may be in for a surprise. You might wake up some day in a rental apartment, your second wife ran off with your money and your bank account is empty.  Luckily, you will still be able to have your dog groomed with your comps.  Funny, but not entirely fair.   The life of a professional gambler might be great.  You will probably become president of your local Chamber of Commerce, build a wing on the Vegas Children's hospital and start a "feed the homeless" program.   Your kids and family will be proud of you.  The smoke you've been breathing for 40 years won't give you cancer and the casino food won't make you fat.   In your old age you can teach players how to be like you for free.    Sounds great....

[Tedlark]

Just to be fair; a person CAN get cancer from other things than just second hand smoke and a person can get fat from most foods if not eaten in moderation.

[FloridaPhil]

[quote=Tedlark]Just to be fair; a person CAN get cancer from other things than just
second hand smoke and a person can get fat from most foods if not eaten
in moderation.
[/quote]For sure.  I don't have figures that show playing VP in a smokey casino all night causes more cancer deaths than normal and there are lots of fat people who have never been in a casino.  I'm pretty sure the Surgeon General doesn't recommend either one.

[billryan]

Is this the thread for self loathing video poker players or is this where we brag about being Texas rich?
It's so confusing.