Casinos and gambling stories.
Discussion
I very rarely gamble, however just the other day I put £50.00 down on a horse based on a tip from a mate.
It came 4th.
s
t happens.About a month ago I went to Chester Races and lost a bit more.
s
t happens.I've just placed my free welcome £30 bonus money on the bottom 3 donkeys racing later. If it comes in, then woop. If not...
s
t happens.I'm s
t at betting.That's my fill for another 5 years.
br d said:
craigjm said:
Gambling is for fools and those that play online are even more fools
You know I'm born to lose, and gambling's for fools,But that's the way I like it baby,
I don't wanna live forever,
And don't forget the joker!
Know when to fold 'em,
Know when to walk away,
And know when to run.
Good story
First outing playing in a casino poker tournament after 'learning' the game with friends and online. £20 buy-in with bounties paid when you knock others out. Played well, but more importantly I got the run of the cards in a couple of big hands. 4 hours later I made it to the final table and the 8 of us split the winnings. Came home £250 better off.
Bad story
Online blackjack, played a silly double up strategy, lost a ridiculous amount of hands in a row and in the space of an hour lost £300. Never again.
I enjoy poker, but within limits.
First outing playing in a casino poker tournament after 'learning' the game with friends and online. £20 buy-in with bounties paid when you knock others out. Played well, but more importantly I got the run of the cards in a couple of big hands. 4 hours later I made it to the final table and the 8 of us split the winnings. Came home £250 better off.
Bad story
Online blackjack, played a silly double up strategy, lost a ridiculous amount of hands in a row and in the space of an hour lost £300. Never again.
I enjoy poker, but within limits.
Work mate of mine won £100k on a scratchcard a few years back, his parents run a little village shop where he was helping out one day and said he was eating lunch and just decided to buy a scratchcard, and up came a £100k win!
He's cricket mad and spent a decent amount going all over the world watching England play, spent a fair amount on a nice wedding, new car and banked the rest.
He's cricket mad and spent a decent amount going all over the world watching England play, spent a fair amount on a nice wedding, new car and banked the rest.
Adenauer said:
LaurasOtherHalf said:
Yet my favourite pastime is driving as fast as I can around the nürburgring with practically no insurance and one accident away from financial ruin for my family. Takes all sorts I guess.
That's just another addiction. 
Although doing it without proper cover is pretty mental, but then you obviously know that.
Unfortunately the fact that I sometimes worry abut the implications of any errors I make seem to add to the attraction. Bet that doesn't make much sense
TartanPaint said:
I've gambled in a casino exactly once in my life. I've been to casinos with friends many times at the end of a pub night, but I usually just get some food and have a few drinks and wait for them all to run out of money so we can go home. By secondary school I could do basic probability in my head (I only mention this because I'm constantly amazed by how many people don't seem to be able to. See the National Lottery for details), so I know the house always wins, so I don't "get it". You're not going to win. No, you're not. Don't give me your anecdote about that time you won, because you're statistically insignificant. Anyway, so, I don't even really get why other people do it. "I'm paying for the entertainment!". Really? You look pretty miserable about your losses to me...
But, this one time, atband camp a casino, my friends were playing blackjack and seemed to be having a good time and winning a few quid, and I thought what the heck, so I sat down too, thinking I could at least learn how to play and pass the time a bit and be sociable. I had £80 in my pocket which was disposable, so not exactly high stakes. A bit of fun. Why not?
There was no fun. There was no sociable. I learned nothing. The other players were playing faster than I could think. The dealer had no time for my inexperience and just barked at me. I lost £80 in about 45 seconds, and have absolutely no idea how or why or how to not do that again next time. I have no idea what happened. I failed to see the entertainment side of it. In fact, it was sad. These people were battering through hand after hand, and the dealer was clearly paying out less than she was hoovering up. They were not having fun by any definition of the word I'm familiar with.
I'm glad casinos exist though, because when the pubs close it's either that or a strip club, and I lose a lot less money when we go to a casino.
Great post. I don't understand it either. You speak to youngsters nowadays and just about every single one of them bets. I play in a pool team and they don't watch the action on the table, it's all of them on their phones all night, finding out whether Fenebache have had three corners this half cos they've got a bet on, ridiculous.But, this one time, at
There was no fun. There was no sociable. I learned nothing. The other players were playing faster than I could think. The dealer had no time for my inexperience and just barked at me. I lost £80 in about 45 seconds, and have absolutely no idea how or why or how to not do that again next time. I have no idea what happened. I failed to see the entertainment side of it. In fact, it was sad. These people were battering through hand after hand, and the dealer was clearly paying out less than she was hoovering up. They were not having fun by any definition of the word I'm familiar with.
I'm glad casinos exist though, because when the pubs close it's either that or a strip club, and I lose a lot less money when we go to a casino.
There are guys there who've dropped £500 on a result and lose large amounts regularly. Whoever deregulated it or whatever and allowed all the advertising wants shooting.
You ask them how much they've lost though and they always sat they're about even ... Which is frankly b
ks. The odds ARE stacked. Bet365 makes millions, go figure ffs!But, Ladbrokes Life innit.
My two brothers-in-law have always betted. One lost his business more or less through it. Five grand in a week down the swanny and his wife putting the Windows through at his shop in disgust ended that. Now he drinks though instead. The other one hasn't the money of the first one but still gambles every weekend. And never has any money. Maybe the two are connected?
Edited by uk66fastback on Thursday 8th September 05:10
Couple of years back I went to Donny races with work and managed to come away with exactly the same as I went in with so basically my winnings paid for the gallon of ale I had.
Other than that I might put the odd £10/£20 on the Grand National and that's it..I'm genuinely not fussed for it and I think that stems from a lack of understanding, I really don't get odd's etc and I've not got a clue how to fill in a betting slip!
Other than that I might put the odd £10/£20 on the Grand National and that's it..I'm genuinely not fussed for it and I think that stems from a lack of understanding, I really don't get odd's etc and I've not got a clue how to fill in a betting slip!
uk66fastback said:
You ask them how much they've lost though and they always sat they're about even ... Which is frankly bks. The odds ARE stacked. Bet365 makes millions, go figure ffs!
It is funny how unless they've had a decent win they're 'about even'.ks. The odds ARE stacked. Bet365 makes millions, go figure ffs!Not sure if they're kidding us or themselves.
What's the problem with it? Are you not an adult (as you need to be 18+), if that's what people want to spend their money on so be it.
My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
Trexthedinosaur said:
What's the problem with it? Are you not an adult (as you need to be 18+), if that's what people want to spend their money on so be it.
My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
I don't disagree, could easily be drinking it or smoking it etc. I think the problem comes when it takes over and people end up borrowing to try and achieve that "one big win"My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
Most people I know that bet regularly allocate an amount of money each month to it or say something like whatever they earn overtime is their gambling money. If you do something like that and walk away when its gone then its all good.
Trexthedinosaur said:
What's the problem with it? Are you not an adult (as you need to be 18+), if that's what people want to spend their money on so be it.
My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
I don't have a problem with it, people are free to do what they want, however stupid, as long as it doesn't adversely affect anyone else.My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
The thing I struggle with (as per my earlier post, which no one has answered), is where the pleasure comes from? Restoring a classic car, to use your example (Lion King was an earlier one, bizarrely), I get. I wouldn't want to do it personally, but I understand the challenges, and the rewards, seeing the fruits of your labour, creating something good.
But regularly and systematically handing over your cash for the dubious benefit of getting some of it it back occasionally?
QuartzDad said:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fedor_Holz
23 year old German who has won several million playing online poker - and around $20m playing live.
Completely different to playing games against a house. Luck is involved at times, but it's no coincidence that the same players end up in the latter stages of big tournaments every year. 23 year old German who has won several million playing online poker - and around $20m playing live.
Edited by QuartzDad on Wednesday 7th September 08:39
I enjoy playing poker as there's an element of skill about it, and it can be sociable if you do it with friends. Playing in casinos in Vegas is dull, depressing and almost always results in a loss.
Ari said:
Trexthedinosaur said:
What's the problem with it? Are you not an adult (as you need to be 18+), if that's what people want to spend their money on so be it.
My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
I don't have a problem with it, people are free to do what they want, however stupid, as long as it doesn't adversely affect anyone else.My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
The thing I struggle with (as per my earlier post, which no one has answered), is where the pleasure comes from? Restoring a classic car, to use your example (Lion King was an earlier one, bizarrely), I get. I wouldn't want to do it personally, but I understand the challenges, and the rewards, seeing the fruits of your labour, creating something good.
But regularly and systematically handing over your cash for the dubious benefit of getting some of it it back occasionally?
As I said, I rarely gamble but when I do, it tends to be the horses or the casino. The interaction of it is fun to me and to spectate rather than to take part eliminates the fun factor of the outcome having some bearing on me. I don't play the lottery, or anything non-participant based.
People have fun in many different ways. I don't understand people spending their free time watching TV, but each to their own. I don't consider them stupid for doing so, it just doesn't float my boat. There is usually a cost to gambling, the same as there is a cost to participating in a track day. The only difference is sometimes you can participate and win in gambling, and that can be fun. Judging by how busy York races are every time I go, many people find enjoyment in it without it being a case of gambling your last fiver on a Yugoslav football match in a back street bookies.
Many people enjoy a game of cards. Many people enjoy a round of golf. Add some skin in the game in either of these and it tends to add to the excitement and thus enjoyment. It doesn't need to be life-changing, but it adds another angle. When you have paid £30 - £40 for a round of golf, for a 4 ball to throw an extra fiver in the kitty for the winner of the round is negligible but adds to the excitement in a modest way - even if the winner then usually spends most of the winnings in having to buy the drinks in the 19th..
Edited by Shnozz on Thursday 8th September 12:15
Ari said:
Trexthedinosaur said:
What's the problem with it? Are you not an adult (as you need to be 18+), if that's what people want to spend their money on so be it.
My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
I don't have a problem with it, people are free to do what they want, however stupid, as long as it doesn't adversely affect anyone else.My friends regularly bet 500-1000 on 'daft' bets, normally corners, he won £15,000 ... Banked it and started again.
Another friend won £13,000, £3,000 and £6,000 in a week on the horses and cleared all of his debt ....
Of course, they have also lost THOUSANDS achieving these wins.
But they have a house, holidays, decent car so why not, as others have said it no different to ploughing your money into restoring a classic car which makes no economical sense yet you gain enjoyment from it, just like gambling.
Yes you could lose your house / car / marriage, but no different from Alcohol, Drugs or any other 'vice', set yourself a limit and then stop.
The thing I struggle with (as per my earlier post, which no one has answered), is where the pleasure comes from? Restoring a classic car, to use your example (Lion King was an earlier one, bizarrely), I get. I wouldn't want to do it personally, but I understand the challenges, and the rewards, seeing the fruits of your labour, creating something good.
But regularly and systematically handing over your cash for the dubious benefit of getting some of it it back occasionally?
Seen as a bit socially naff once though (certainly when I was young) - and done by doleites and old men, it's now 'cool' (I hate that word) to do it. It must be. Young blokes wearing Vans with beards do it on the tele ... and what's more, never seem to lose!
Family member was addicted, spent everything even stole from his kids piggy banks.
In the end he lost everything job, wife, kids, he ended up committing suicide and leaving his 3 young kids without a dad.
I've been to Vegas 3 times and only spent/lost about £100 each time, it doesn't interest me at all.
In the end he lost everything job, wife, kids, he ended up committing suicide and leaving his 3 young kids without a dad.
I've been to Vegas 3 times and only spent/lost about £100 each time, it doesn't interest me at all.
Edited by PAULJ5555 on Thursday 8th September 12:55
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