Comments on: A Vegas Love Story – How It All Began

By: djatc

djatc — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 20:08:17 +0000

Janis

Of course those people made money. Does that mean they are smart, or just lucky? I can’t think of those slot games being +EV no matter what, unless the progressive was high enough to overcome the drop. Even then on such a big jackpot you’re losing tons of money during the big one. You’re not taking the expected value into consideration.

Although people who think this way keep the casinos going so I thank you for your logic.

[Jean: It is NOT the question of being smart or lucky. Did you read my last blog? It is having different goals – some people are not concerned with EV. I WILL stop the judging here. This is the last comment I will approve where some one says or even implies that someone else is “dumb” for doing what they do in a casino.]

By: ken orgera

ken orgera — Sat, 22 Mar 2014 01:11:30 +0000

I learned from all the comments. This was a wonderful story about a wonderful couple. Thanks for sharing Jean.

By: Janis

Janis — Fri, 21 Mar 2014 14:33:28 +0000

I would like for Kevin Lewis to give us a math lesson on the following event. Last Saturday at Four Winds Casino in New Buffalo, Michigan, a gentleman won $176,629.00 on a “Tarzan” penny slot machine. The maximum bet on that machine is $2. Let’s assume for the sake of argument that he put less than $5000 in that machine. Do you think he came out on the plus side seeing as how you think people who play slots are dumb??? Show me any VP machine where you can win that kind of money for $2.00. I have never seen any VP penny machine with that kind of return. On New Year’s eve of 2012, I was there when a man won over $450,000 on a “Wizard of Oz” penny machine. Too bad someone didn’t tell him before he started to play how dumb he was!

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Thu, 20 Mar 2014 00:30:25 +0000

How about we accept that everyone has the right to their opinion and to express it, EVEN IF…GASP…Mr. Skallis and others like him don’t approve of it?
(BTW, if you thought my last post was “negative,” you grossly misunderstood it. Maybe it takes the fun out of gambling to view it rationally, but heck–you don’t have to view it in that way if you don’t want to! Ignorance can indeed be bliss!)
BTW, I promise never to start a campaign to ban Mr. Skallis–or anyone else–from this discussion board or any other. He has the right to free speech.

By: G.D. Anderson

G.D. Anderson — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:44:34 +0000

Mr. Lewis is the other side of the coin. (Tails)
His postings are fun to read. Jean is more informative.
We read them both.
The new no dealer Roulette was kind to me in February.
I picked up about $600.00 at the Palms. Just luck! I bet the 0,00, and eight numbers down the middle.
Back to back 00’s. VP, not so good, small wins on deuces wild bonus.
Jean, Mr. Lewis stay well.

By: skallis

skallis — Wed, 19 Mar 2014 20:09:50 +0000

How about we all vote to stop posting “Mr I am Negative About Everything Lewis” from your wonderful website. Enough is enough.

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 23:59:47 +0000

I only wish it had been meant in jest 🙁 I’ve found that gambling couples are only successful when both are on the same page regarding the purpose of their gambling. If one cares about getting the best value–or even, God forfend–WINNING(shh! who said that?)–but the other doesn’t, conflict is inevitable. It could also be a matter of differing magnitude of similar approaches: both spouses could enjoy slots as mindless fun but one will blanch at a $100 loss while the other considers $1000 to be reasonable. Or both could be winning players (VP or other +EV games), but one’s risk tolerance is considerably greater or lesser than the other’s. And of course, as with my marriage, if one person is a result merchant, any chance at harmony is doomed; she of the tiny brain couldn’t fathom how a winning VP player nonetheless loses 60% of the time.
What I really meant about understanding math is that the only way to rationally regard a wager is in terms of EV. The spinning of the roulette wheel or the slot reels is all meaningless foofaraw. When you put a dollar bill into a slot machine, it becomes ninety cents, REGARDLESS OF THE ACTUAL RESULT. When you put $100 on Red, it becomes a little less than $95 AS SOON AS THE WHEEL SPINS. Looking at it this way–the only proper way IMHO–takes all of the completely artificial “thrill” out of gambling. I play $1000 through a slot machine, I’ve just turned it into $900. I play the remainder through again, I’ve turned it into $810. Repeat until broke. That my short-term results may differ from expectation is an illusory effect, but it DOES keep people pulling that handle over and over and over. If people truly understood math, therefore, they would never buy something worth $95 (that wager on Red) and pay $100 for it.

By: Gerda Sisson

Gerda Sisson — Tue, 18 Mar 2014 04:49:05 +0000

Kevin , you write if people would understand the math behind casino games , the casinos would be empty . We all know that the casinos have the edge on all games , even VP with the best of schedules and perfect play , the right cards still have to come your way . For most of us a casino trip is primarily for entertainment . Been to Las Vegas many times , but with resort fees , cheap flights gone and Vegas being so much more expensive than it used to be , we play a bit closer to home now . Yes , we play to win , sometimes we do , other times we don’t , and as long as you stick with your bankroll for a given trip it’s not a big deal . As someone once said ” I went to Disney World and spent $1000.- and left miserable , hot , tired and broke . I went to a casino , spent $1000.- and left happy , comfortable , rested and broke . My next trip will be back to a casino .” Most of us are not professional players and only play with money we would spend if we took any other type of vacation . It’s a fun activity we enjoy about once a month as we live 5 hours away from the closest casino and I think that’s true for a lot of folks . Your comment about your ex wife , “she of the tiny brain”, was hilarious . I hope you meant that to be funny .

By: Theresa L

Theresa L — Mon, 17 Mar 2014 17:39:02 +0000

Your story reminded my that my now-deceased husband and I stayed at Landmark on our first visit to LV. Like you mentioned, a very cheap hotel and one that fit our budget. Thanks for the memory and looking forward to Part 2.

By: stpetetim1

stpetetim1 — Sun, 16 Mar 2014 21:35:16 +0000

great story. we loved the westward ho also. thanks for reminding us of our early trips. we have been going to
vegas since 1977 and we still get excited the week before
we go. can’t wait for part 2.