Less obvious consequences

**bluegreen** · 07-03-2014, 02:43 PM

Most people posting here engage in some form of advantage play. It seems that advantage players are capable of profits over the long-term.

But what about some of the personal consequences of engaging in this activity? It is said that gambling is "theft by mutual consent." Yes, you are winning, but there is something about gambling that stimulates aggression in an individual. Card counters would carry tension and other effects of trying to "grab something from someone else." Didn't the blackjack king Ken Uston die young? Then there is the mind-numbing, unproductive nature of most of this "advantage play." Is this really how you want to spend the hours of your life?

Of course, each person has to make his/her own decisions. The one card counter I know personally is not a healthy individual.

Casinos are parasitic on people with problems. There are so many negative externalities that accompany this increasingly-acceptable form of government revenue. The advantage player can benefit from the addictions of others, but aren't there spiritual consequences?

**Three** · 07-03-2014, 02:49 PM

So God didn't play dice with the universe.

Or did he.

**FalseCount** · 07-03-2014, 03:05 PM

Entertaining first post.

Unsure of the motivation behind it.

**Ouchez** · 07-03-2014, 03:17 PM

AP's take from the casino, not other players. I will say that next to sex, AP play is the biggest rush I have ever gotten, and neither rot your teeth.

O

**Jabberwocky** · 07-03-2014, 03:32 PM

In no other environment is this pathos more rampant than the stock market.

**bjarg** · 07-03-2014, 03:44 PM

Originally Posted by FalseCount

Entertaining first post.

Unsure of the motivation behind it.

Funny. I was going to write the exact same thing.
I like the post and I think it might motivate some really interesting responses.

KJ · 07-03-2014, 04:01 PM

Originally Posted by Ouchez

AP's take from the casino, not other players. I will say that next to sex, AP play is the biggest rush I have ever gotten, and neither rot your teeth.

O

I can't say that I agree with all of this, Ouchez. You are a poker player are you not? Who are you taking from?

Now the sex/AP statement, you just have the order wrong. I could live without AP. I have no idea what I would be doing to support myself, but I would find something. But, I am not sure I can live without my 2 orgasms a day.....or maybe I just can't imagine doing so.

Now to the OP: I support myself 100% from AP play for 11 years now. And I have struggled with some of what you say. It is one of the reasons that I never really gravitated towards poker, where you are playing against other patrons. There are also other aspects of blackjack AP that I will refrain from, because I don't like taking advantage of other players, things like certain scavenger player. But in the end, I am not responsible for the decisions and consequences of decisions that other folks make. I am only responsible for myself, and I am quite comfortable with everything that I do.

Another related spin-off to your statements is that AP's don't make anything, nor contribute to society. So, I'll answer that one (which you didn't bring up) as well. That is hog wash. First, I do make something....I make money.

There are many professions that don't actually make anything tangible. I contribute to society in many ways, and I would put my contributions up against most people.

**ahjooma** · 07-03-2014, 04:10 PM

I think of the good APs here as clever animals stealing cheese from mouse traps.
they are not the ones who set up the traps nor do they perpetuate the setting up of the traps.

**moses** · 07-03-2014, 04:27 PM

Originally Posted by bluegreen

Then there is the mind-numbing, unproductive nature of most of this "advantage play." Is this really how you want to spend the hours of your life?

Of course, each person has to make his/her own decisions. The one card counter I know personally is not a healthy individual.

Casinos are parasitic on people with problems. There are so many negative externalities that accompany this increasingly-acceptable form of government revenue. The advantage player can benefit from the addictions of others, but aren't there spiritual consequences?

O man. How does one attempt to answer your questions and stay within Norm's guidelines on religion? Playing without advantage play is likely a waste of time...and a heckuva lot of money. However, a balanced plan and eliminating some of the volatility allows a person to profit without having to sit at a blackjack table all day...and night. I've known golfers, swimmers, and cyclers that are not pictures of health. It not unusual to read/hear about a top-notch runner dropping dead in a race or training. Ever watch a cross-country meet? Now that is crazy. I would agree that anything should control ones life but nothing wrong with making blackjack a part of it.

Spiritual consequences? Casinos are a parasitic on people with problems. Hmmm, I guess come to think of it, churches are as well. Yes, cheating and deception can be part of the obstacles one must overcome in order achieve success. And how is that different from real life? Too many "Christians" seem to lack a belief that God can do His job. So their manipulation of others can make cornerstones like trust and honesty very confused issues. It really comes down to not allowing the idolatry of money to control ones life. These self-righteous who sit in judgement are a joke. Oh, they think they don't love money but wait until the next stock market crash or real estate plunge. True colors come out. So, please don't imply that you are somehow better.

**Bodarc** · 07-03-2014, 04:42 PM

I won't even answer such a stupid post

**Ouchez** · 07-03-2014, 05:08 PM

KJ, WHOA!!,,for a second there I thought you were gonna say sex does rot your teeth. Two a day huh,,hmmm, my doctor has always told me that having many orgasms is very healthy for the prostate, sort of an exercise, housekeeping type thing, and I have always very much been into exercise and healthy living!

As to Poker, yes, I do play some NL, and I employ a contrarian strategy, and I derive great pleasure in trapping the wize guyz on the table, and taking their money, but sometimes they take mine too, so it can be a two way street.

KJ, I know you like to help society, maybe after a good win try a random act of kindness, be creative, it can be very rewarding, for you and the ones you help.

At the Poker table there was always a very old woman that came around and emptied the ashtrays and other trash from the table, I started tipping her rather big, (before this no one tipped her), and before long, I must have shamed the other players, she was getting more tips than she ever thought possible

That made me feel better than any pot I have won.

O

**bluegreen** · 07-03-2014, 05:44 PM

Originally Posted by moses

So, please don't imply that you are somehow better.

I never said that. However, there are ramifications to choices and some choices have more positive ramifications. Yes, if it were up to me, there would be no casinos, and this is not coming from religious perspective but a public policy one. Recommended "Gambling in America: Cost and Benefits" by economist Earl Grinnols.

**moses** · 07-03-2014, 05:57 PM

Originally Posted by bluegreen

I never said that. However, there are ramifications to choices and some choices have more positive ramifications. Yes, if it were up to me, there would be no casinos, and this is not coming from religious perspective but a public policy one. Recommended "Gambling in America: Cost and Benefits" by economist Earl Grinnols.

Perhaps it was your words "spiritual consequences" that indicated a religious perspective...which is a perfect example of deception to which I referred.