I’m under the weather, fighting an upper respiratory infection that is stubbornly resisting a couple rounds of antibiotics. Recovering from too much fun on vacation, I guess! 🙂
So until I feel like writing the promised Alaskan cruise report, I will continue with the “Losing at VP” series I am taking from the two-parter I wrote for Strictly Slots in 2001. Here is the closing from Part 1:
Okay, you say you aren’t doing any these wrong things, but you’re still having long VP losing streaks. Tune in next month when I talk about how to decrease your chances of losing so often and how to handle losing when it does happen. Oh, and I will tell you the surprising conclusion of our video poker play in 2000.
Then here is the beginning of Part 2:
Last month, I discussed some of the things VP players might be doing that would explain their losses: choosing negative-expectation games, playing without knowing proper strategy, neglecting to study enough to play accurately, and switching games too often. I promised you then that this month I would be more positive in tone and give you some suggestions to help you win more and/or lose less.
Let me make one thing very clear here. I am not trying to put a guilt trip on everyone who does not passionately embrace and put into practice every frugal idea about which I write. I have been accused of that by some in the past.
However, I think they misunderstand the purpose of my writings. I am NOT trying to make every gambler into a video poker pro. I realize that there are many and widely varied reasons why a person goes into a casino, and most of them are for the main purpose of being entertained. Most people do not want to “work” when they are on vacation.
However, you really don’t need articles about how to waste money on things that don’t give you good value. Most people can do that quite easily on their own! My purpose is to give so many money-saving and value-increasing ideas you can use in a casino that, hopefully, everyone can find at least a few that fit their goals and will be helpful. If you are really serious about becoming a smart gambler, then you may want to use many of them. It is your choice. I am happy if people use only one hint and it saves them money or makes their casino vacation a better one.
Having spent several years spending far too much time in casinos that were full of smokers and unhealthy people, and which generally had inadequate ventilation, I got a LOT of colds, sinus and lung infections, etc. etc. Other than enduring and letting them run their course, I would resort to antibiotics, but half the time, they didn’t work. However, there was one thing that DID work. Don’t laugh: jalapeno peppers. I would simply prepare myself some extremely spicy food, and/or eat some chili peppers raw (the jalapeno was my pepper of choice for this). The effect was not only to clear my sinuses, but to make my nose and throat an inhospitable place for the germs/viruses that were camping out there. The cool thing was that this therapy both provided symptomatic relief AND helped kill the infection. I supposed it works for the same reason that zinc lozenges work–it makes the environment (your head) hostile to the bugs.
This is such a great resource that you are providing and you give it away for free. I enjoy seeing websites that understand the value of providing a prime resource for free. I truly loved reading your post. Thanks!
An upper respiratory infection means you need to be very aware of “bad” casino air and avoid it. I recommend doing a little research of the best playable games and opportunities in NON-SMOKING areas or in locations that have excellent filtration.
Please get well soon.
George and Eva