Comments on: Gambling Goals

By: geoff boston

geoff boston — Tue, 27 Apr 2010 15:49:51 +0000

As a recreational gambler who liked to turn $20 into $200 while enjoying a long weekend for free with great free food, I am sadden by the change in casinos. The good old days are gone. For the last few years I have enjoyed myself. I have lost almost all interest in casinos. The comps are gone, the pay outs are so bad it is not worth the effort to play, and the dealers are so miserable it is depressing to play and be around them. If I lost $100 it was not a big deal because I had a free room and free food. Not anymore. The comps are gone.

By: David Spaulding

David Spaulding — Mon, 26 Apr 2010 13:22:45 +0000

I find your observation and comment spot on. Over the course of the past 10 years, my wife’s and my gambling has significantly increased, particularly after we retired. In the early years, we were content with losing the equivalent of recreation money as that to us was recreation. As our visits increased, we became much more diligent about types of games we played, switching from slots to craps to blackjack to video poker. As our knowledge further increased, we improved our skill using your Frugal Video Poker software, and then sought out the better pay schedule, cash back and bounceback combination. Our results have considerably improved, with positive results in 5 of the past 6 years. However, the real goal for us is the overall experience, not “making money”. We live in the Dallas metroplex where a trip to a casino is a trip of a minimum of and hour and a half (for a casino at a reservation) to 3 hours for a gambling jurisdiction (Shreveport). Therefore, the rooms, the food, entertainment, decor and hospitality have as much or more significance than just the gambling. We currently are finding plays that are break even on a cash gambling basis, so the extras are a great benefit and the primary reason we gamble so much.

By: Mikey

Mikey — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 20:55:52 +0000

A good indication of the character of a “serious” gambler is how often they discuss and admit their losses as well as wins. Those who only boast about the “good” days are only fooling themselves, not others. The wisest and most balanced approach to gaming in my opinion is one that recognizes the fluctuations we all must endure.

By: Kathy Broom

Kathy Broom — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:44:55 +0000

Boy, you sure get more than your share of criticism in your writing!! I can only think these overly critical folks need an infusion of positive thoughts and actions. How sad to be so negative about everything your read.

By: jim mason

jim mason — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:30:37 +0000

You hit the nail on the head. It can’t
be a profitable hobby for me unless
the VP is 100+%.

By: jim mason

jim mason — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 14:26:09 +0000

You hit the nail on the head. I subscribe to:
“if VP it is not 100+% I won’t play.”

By: Bob M

Bob M — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 11:56:37 +0000

I liked the pyramid. I thought it was spot on. If you fit one of the levels, you just fit one of the levels. You, on your on without government assistance, have to opportunity change levels. It is that simple.

To be offended by the truth, is a personal problem.

By: Kevin Lewis

Kevin Lewis — Sun, 25 Apr 2010 09:45:37 +0000

I have always made a distinction between the +EV gambler and the recreational gambler. The advantage player is not primarily focused on fun; the recreational player is not primarily focused on winning. This does not mean, however, that the recreational player needs to be a loser. It’s just as much fun to play FPDW as it is to play Airport Deuces, for example.
The recreational player who can’t be bothered to learn the strategies, can’t be bothered to seek out the best games, can’t be bothered to know which casinos to frequent and which to avoid, will lose. If gathering and using that knowledge seems too much like “work”, well then, so be it. Many people, in all walks and aspects of life, spend more money than they have to, not to mention get swindled, cheated and fleeced, because they’re too stupid or lazy to put out the effort to get the best deals. To me, playing -EV VP when a positive game is available is like the person paying $3/gallon when gas is $2.65 just across the street.
Everyone has the right to do what they want to with their own money. But I’m never going to lend a friend $20 because he just flushed his paycheck down a 7/5 Bonus Poker machine. I would lend him the money if he played FPDW with perfect strategy, though.