Casinos and gambling stories.
Discussion
good friend of mine won £40k drunk with £500 coming in on Green zero a few times in a session. He could barely remember in the morning but had an inkling he went to sleep very happy, checked his account and boom! I've also seen him lose a grand here and there too. I think he's quit gambling now so that probably tells you he wasn't actually UP
Used to go to the odd poker night in a Cardiff casino a few years ago. Play against others rather than the house and was a good night out for £30ish. Played with Mark Williams and Steven Hendry one evening.
On another evening you play until 10 and then no further buyin. Tables got reduced at 11 and I ended up on a table I didn't really like so I went all in on a half decent hand hoping to lose. Chinese women also goes all in thinking I'm one of those silly amateurs who go all in every hand. I won and she went mental shouting at me in Chinese. I would have said something back but it's hard to argue back when you have no idea what they are saying. I just sat there and kept smiling.
On another evening you play until 10 and then no further buyin. Tables got reduced at 11 and I ended up on a table I didn't really like so I went all in on a half decent hand hoping to lose. Chinese women also goes all in thinking I'm one of those silly amateurs who go all in every hand. I won and she went mental shouting at me in Chinese. I would have said something back but it's hard to argue back when you have no idea what they are saying. I just sat there and kept smiling.
When in Vegas, my mate, who's a bit of a cocky 
, put a single $20 chip on black 17 on roulette, no other bets, and it came out!
I was quite lucky at first. First morning there my mates were still in bed so I went for a wander round the casino. Had a go on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine that was tucked away and came out $1200 up. Found a Superman themed machine later; I played high bets and it just kept throwing money at me, can't remember how much I came out with, but my luck eventually ran out throughout the week.
, put a single $20 chip on black 17 on roulette, no other bets, and it came out!I was quite lucky at first. First morning there my mates were still in bed so I went for a wander round the casino. Had a go on a Wheel of Fortune slot machine that was tucked away and came out $1200 up. Found a Superman themed machine later; I played high bets and it just kept throwing money at me, can't remember how much I came out with, but my luck eventually ran out throughout the week.
technodup said:
think it's good advice regardless. Staying within your means is fine but it doesn't take much to start pushing the limits, more income, illness, bereavement or whatever. Same as drinking, or drugs.
I was at a funeral a month or so back of a guy who'd lost a house. A load of his GA pals there with similar stories who at one time all 'kept it within their means'.
I think it's basically for mugs.
You don't drink then?I was at a funeral a month or so back of a guy who'd lost a house. A load of his GA pals there with similar stories who at one time all 'kept it within their means'.
I think it's basically for mugs.
That's grand, though I do, and again that's entirely in check. Don't do drugs at all, so no issue there. I can imagine a group of GA friends will have all kept it within their means at one stage, but statistically they're not representative of the average person.
There is just zero 'muggish' about me putting £15 on horses and football over the course of a weekend. There just isn't.
It's paying for entertainment in the same way as I'd pay for a show, or for dinner, or for anything I derive fun from. It's me filling the car to the brim on Super with the express intention of literally blowing it out the other end on a B road.
Edited by iphonedyou on Tuesday 6th September 12:24
iphonedyou said:
It's paying for entertainment in the same way as I'd pay for a show, or for dinner, or for anything I derive fun from.
You see that is my take on it too. But clearly that is not the viewpoint of some others - hence my post below seeking to understand it a little more as to how it becomes habit forming.Shnozz said:
You see that is my take on it too. But clearly that is not the viewpoint of some others - hence my post below seeking to understand it a little more as to how it becomes habit forming.
I think I understand the basics behind it becoming habit forming - for some.What I don't understand are the people - not necessarily on this thread - who climb aboard their high horse and get all condescending on those that do partake.
I wouldn't dream of calling them out on going to watch The Lion King at the Lyceum for £100. Or for taking a beer. Or for having that second takeaway that week. Or for going on a ski holiday.
Edited by iphonedyou on Tuesday 6th September 12:47
iphonedyou said:
I think I understand the basics behind it becoming habit forming - for some.
What I don't understand are the people - not necessarily on this thread - who climb aboard their high horse and get all condescending on those that do partake.
I wouldn't dream of calling them out on going to watch The Lion King at the Lyceum for £100. Or for taking a beer. Or for having that second takeaway that week. Or for going on a ski holiday.
I think it's worth remembering that no high horses appear to have arrived in this thread so far, and that the original post with the sentiment that a decade's worth of gambling debt probably isn't good is nothing but accurate. I agree with it completely and I still buy a lotto scratchcard every time I pop round the corner shop - as often as four or five times a monthWhat I don't understand are the people - not necessarily on this thread - who climb aboard their high horse and get all condescending on those that do partake.
I wouldn't dream of calling them out on going to watch The Lion King at the Lyceum for £100. Or for taking a beer. Or for having that second takeaway that week. Or for going on a ski holiday.
Edited by iphonedyou on Tuesday 6th September 12:47
amancalledrob said:
I think it's worth remembering that no high horses appear to have arrived in this thread so far, and that the original post with the sentiment that a decade's worth of gambling debt probably isn't good is nothing but accurate. I agree with it completely and I still buy a lotto scratchcard every time I pop round the corner shop - as often as four or five times a month
Acehood's statement referred to gambling itself. It is axiomatic that accumulating ten years of debt via any means is Not A Good Thing. Suggesting the debt is what he was referring to, and not the gambling, is about as sensible as suggesting he was saying don't pay off the debt itself.On your first point; true, though the 'mug' comment somewhere above certainly comes close.
Different strokes for different folks, is all.
Being only 22 i've dabbled into gambling but have stopped currently. I started betting on the football a few seasons ago and managed to make a few hundred quid the first season, last season made a minor profit thanks to the euros, this season ive put £30 in and had 0 winners. I'm stopping, before delusion sets in and I pile cash into it.
A friend I went to college with had a heavy gambling addiction, spent 100% of his wages on gambling each week. Did this for 3/4 years before he realised what he was doing.
As for casinos, i've been into one and lost a chunk of money only to win it back and walk away. Dangerous places, you can spend a few hours before you realise what you've done.
It really is just luck, and for the majority of us, we dont have any!
A friend I went to college with had a heavy gambling addiction, spent 100% of his wages on gambling each week. Did this for 3/4 years before he realised what he was doing.
As for casinos, i've been into one and lost a chunk of money only to win it back and walk away. Dangerous places, you can spend a few hours before you realise what you've done.
It really is just luck, and for the majority of us, we dont have any!
Edited by SirSquidalot on Tuesday 6th September 13:10
bazza white said:
Used to go to the odd poker night in a Cardiff casino a few years ago. Play against others rather than the house and was a good night out for £30ish. Played with Mark Williams and Steven Hendry one evening.
On another evening you play until 10 and then no further buyin. Tables got reduced at 11 and I ended up on a table I didn't really like so I went all in on a half decent hand hoping to lose. Chinese women also goes all in thinking I'm one of those silly amateurs who go all in every hand. I won and she went mental shouting at me in Chinese. I would have said something back but it's hard to argue back when you have no idea what they are saying. I just sat there and kept smiling.
She'd be berating you for "not playing properly"...common shout when people who think they know how to play lose to someone playing a bit loose. Silly really if you're happy with your decision.On another evening you play until 10 and then no further buyin. Tables got reduced at 11 and I ended up on a table I didn't really like so I went all in on a half decent hand hoping to lose. Chinese women also goes all in thinking I'm one of those silly amateurs who go all in every hand. I won and she went mental shouting at me in Chinese. I would have said something back but it's hard to argue back when you have no idea what they are saying. I just sat there and kept smiling.
Nothing as manic as some of the replies to this thread, but I only take cash to a casino (no cards at all) and leave when I'm down to cab fare home 
I appreciate the attraction of chasing your losses but this is not something I have ever done and neither have I taken cash into a casino I cannot afford to lose. One evening however I was playing at a full blackjack table with a mate two chairs down from me. We were both doing OK and both noticed there had been a lack of picture cards for a while........cue some enhanced bets and a nice series of 20's, blackjacks and assorted splits we both won on to be quite a few hundred up each. As the table was busy no seats became available and there were quite a few people watching from behind those of us seated. I didn't know at the time but it is OK in some casinos to bet on a seated players hand if you can't sit down yourself. I saw a bet go down next to my stack and looked at the croupier who explained the etiquette, I acknowledged this and carried on quite happily. After a few hands where effectively I was even I was handed two 10's so split them, got another 10 and split that and then decided to buy cards as the dealer had what looked like a poor hand. I'm no expert but he had a 4 on show so felt reasonably confident. After all had finished on my hands I had 3 stacks of about £50 each and the guy betting over my shoulder had more than that down. The dealer then turned over to show a 7 with the 4 and then landed a picture card and blew me out. Cue the guy betting over my shoulder going loopy about why I should have bought more cards as the two people next to me twisted and got low value cards etc. It turns out he had lost a pot load earlier in the night and borrowed a load more off his mates which he was using to bet on my hands.
I learnt more than him that night
I appreciate the attraction of chasing your losses but this is not something I have ever done and neither have I taken cash into a casino I cannot afford to lose. One evening however I was playing at a full blackjack table with a mate two chairs down from me. We were both doing OK and both noticed there had been a lack of picture cards for a while........cue some enhanced bets and a nice series of 20's, blackjacks and assorted splits we both won on to be quite a few hundred up each. As the table was busy no seats became available and there were quite a few people watching from behind those of us seated. I didn't know at the time but it is OK in some casinos to bet on a seated players hand if you can't sit down yourself. I saw a bet go down next to my stack and looked at the croupier who explained the etiquette, I acknowledged this and carried on quite happily. After a few hands where effectively I was even I was handed two 10's so split them, got another 10 and split that and then decided to buy cards as the dealer had what looked like a poor hand. I'm no expert but he had a 4 on show so felt reasonably confident. After all had finished on my hands I had 3 stacks of about £50 each and the guy betting over my shoulder had more than that down. The dealer then turned over to show a 7 with the 4 and then landed a picture card and blew me out. Cue the guy betting over my shoulder going loopy about why I should have bought more cards as the two people next to me twisted and got low value cards etc. It turns out he had lost a pot load earlier in the night and borrowed a load more off his mates which he was using to bet on my hands.
I learnt more than him that night
Touring in Poland during the 90's. We're staying in a hotel in Katowice which had a small casino in the basement. Had a big win on the Roulette tables, however, back then it was in Polish Zlotys which had zero value anywhere else. The couldn't be exchanged in the UK.
So I bought the whole casino champagne, nasty Russian stuff like fizzy vinegar, still had loads left, instantly became very friendly with the local ladies but their boyfriends would drag them away. Took the whole team out for dinner at the best restaurant in town, the Pizza Hut, gave a huge wad to a hobo at the main station and watched him promptly get beaten up buy the rest of them who stole it (we had massive roadies who acted as security so were relatively safe. We'd also paid off the local Mafia to make sure things went smoothly), paid for everything going until we got back to Warsaw airport and then gave the rest to another homeless guy. Don't know if he got mugged.
The year before we were escorted to the airport by the secret police as the director of a video we were shooting had set fire to the hotel we were staying in and the local guys took exception to this as they'd not kept up their insurance payments.
Happy days.
So I bought the whole casino champagne, nasty Russian stuff like fizzy vinegar, still had loads left, instantly became very friendly with the local ladies but their boyfriends would drag them away. Took the whole team out for dinner at the best restaurant in town, the Pizza Hut, gave a huge wad to a hobo at the main station and watched him promptly get beaten up buy the rest of them who stole it (we had massive roadies who acted as security so were relatively safe. We'd also paid off the local Mafia to make sure things went smoothly), paid for everything going until we got back to Warsaw airport and then gave the rest to another homeless guy. Don't know if he got mugged.
The year before we were escorted to the airport by the secret police as the director of a video we were shooting had set fire to the hotel we were staying in and the local guys took exception to this as they'd not kept up their insurance payments.
Happy days.
Shnozz said:
Acehood said:
10+ years on, I'm still paying off gambling debts. Don't do it, kids.
I'm a little intrigued by gambling addiction as I cannot get my head around the attachment that links to it. Is it the buzz that comes with it? Is it the chasing on one's tail in terms of retrieving losses? Is it just a flight of fantasy that riches are in sight? Does it expand from a particular area of gambling to an array of gambling on anything to the toss of a coin? Does it start slowly and creep up?I have a friend who has recently been discovered as a gambling addict and its a sorry tale from a chap who earns good money but its lead to not only financial hardship but theft in its pursuit. I personally cannot fathom how something non-chemical can lead to such measures of desperation and it intrigues me what the addiction stems from.
For the record, I quite enjoy the odd flutter at the Races or a night in the casino but probably only a few times a year at each. Just seems "fun" to me and whatever money I take I expect to be the cost of that entertainment. If I break even I consider that a great result and if I come out up even better as I have been paid to spend a day/night of enjoyment. Presumably my wiring is different in that regard as an addict would have a greater expectation that they will somehow beat the system?
Edited by Shnozz on Tuesday 6th September 11:50
Anyway.... to try and answer your question, getting a buzz from a win and an incentive to go again is what normal people have. They then make a choice, carry on, or bugger off and do something else. People with gambling addiction tend not to make a choice at that level, its closer to someone who has to turn a light switch on and off 20 times when the leave a room. They know it doesn't make sense, but they also have a compulsion to do it, which is something they choose to fight, or not.
You will often find people with genuine gambling addictions don't really care if they win or not. Try working that one out with logic, your head will explode like something from the film scanners.
If I slip up now, I could win £500 from £5, and get no joy at all from it, only anger at myself. That actually happened to me a month or so ago, having been "clean" for a few months. I gave the money away in the end.
iphonedyou said:
technodup said:
think it's good advice regardless. Staying within your means is fine but it doesn't take much to start pushing the limits, more income, illness, bereavement or whatever. Same as drinking, or drugs.
I was at a funeral a month or so back of a guy who'd lost a house. A load of his GA pals there with similar stories who at one time all 'kept it within their means'.
I think it's basically for mugs.
You don't drink then?I was at a funeral a month or so back of a guy who'd lost a house. A load of his GA pals there with similar stories who at one time all 'kept it within their means'.
I think it's basically for mugs.
That's grand, though I do, and again that's entirely in check. Don't do drugs at all, so no issue there. I can imagine a group of GA friends will have all kept it within their means at one stage, but statistically they're not representative of the average person.
There is just zero 'muggish' about me putting £15 on horses and football over the course of a weekend. There just isn't.
It's paying for entertainment in the same way as I'd pay for a show, or for dinner, or for anything I derive fun from. It's me filling the car to the brim on Super with the express intention of literally blowing it out the other end on a B road.
Edited by iphonedyou on Tuesday 6th September 12:24
But some people just have a big red button inside that says "Kaboom", and the vice of choice is the way it normally comes out. you will know gambling addicts, but you might not know you know them... if that makes sense.
First time I went to Vegas set myself a £1000 betting limit. On the 4th (and last) night pretty much used the fund and the won it all back on a slot machine. Went to check out and as I had been gambling the room was paid for, got a load of old tat with the rest of my points and was enrolled into the high rollers club for next time.
Been back once and didn't really bet too much at all. I'd got it out of my system.
Been back once and didn't really bet too much at all. I'd got it out of my system
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