Do You Play Betting Games and Come Out Ahead?

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Discussion Overview

The discussion revolves around personal experiences with betting games, particularly in casinos and online platforms. Participants share their outcomes, strategies, and feelings about gambling, exploring both the thrill and the risks involved.

Discussion Character

  • Exploratory
  • Debate/contested
  • Personal anecdotes

Main Points Raised

  • One participant recounts a successful experience at an online casino, winning £500 but later losing their remaining balance, leading to a decision to stop gambling.
  • Another participant mentions a strategy of only betting a fixed amount and not re-betting winnings to ensure they leave with some profit.
  • A participant expresses skepticism about the odds in casinos, suggesting that the environment is psychologically manipulative.
  • Some participants share their long-term experiences with gambling, including card counting and betting on horse races, indicating varying levels of success.
  • There is a discussion about the nature of online casinos and how they have changed over time, with one participant noting that the odds are generally against players.
  • Another participant shares a positive experience with video poker, suggesting that small bets can be rewarding in certain contexts.
  • Disagreement arises over the interpretation of losses and wins, with some participants challenging the notion that one can consistently come out ahead in gambling.

Areas of Agreement / Disagreement

Participants express a range of views on the likelihood of coming out ahead in betting games, with some sharing positive experiences while others caution against the risks and odds. There is no consensus on whether gambling can be a profitable endeavor in the long run.

Contextual Notes

Participants reference various strategies and personal experiences, highlighting the psychological aspects of gambling and the changing nature of betting environments. Some statements reflect assumptions about the nature of luck and skill in gambling.

Who May Find This Useful

Individuals interested in personal gambling experiences, strategies for managing bets, and the psychological aspects of casino environments may find this discussion relevant.

wolram
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Do any of you play a betting game and come out on average better of?
 
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I tried out an online casino once and played roulette and blackjack.

I had my own £10 deposit and the casino doubled it.

From my initial £20 I managed to win over £500 (and withdrew it - awesome night that was).

However, after that withdrawl I noticed I hardly ever won again (I left £20 in there to continue with). I started by winning a little bit, but then lost it all. I ended up noting I lost just a bit more than I won. So I gave up.

Still, walked away with a profit of £500 so I was happy!

Haven't tried it since. I know I beat the odds the first time around and I damn sure ain't going to risk it again. Would be a fool to try an "reinvest" that money in the casino.
 
I go to a casino in Windsor Canada, I only take 40 dollars, and any money I win, I do not re-bet. That way I never come home empty handed. A few times I won slightly over 1,000.00.
I don't enjoy betting very much, I think because I work to hard for my money. I do however like the musical shows, free drinks and snacks.
 
wolram said:
Do any of you play a betting game and come out on average better of?
We all do. It's called life.
 
I got a friend that likes to play in just about any free poker game around town that bars host. Some times they have small cash prizes he generally does pretty good in them. However I would advise against going into a casino in hopes of coming out ahead as the mind shattering bells/flashing lights just isn't worth it. If someone came up to you in a mall and asked you if you wanted to take part in this experiment. Where you would sit in a room with constant bells going off, loud cheering and flashing red lights and that they would pay you 25 dollars if you spent an hour in that hell would you do it?
 
I'll play a few hands of blackjack. It's really 50/50 for me. But the longer I stay I almost always lose everything. If I'm up $50 I am out the door!
 
I have made my living entirely from gambling since 1978. Counting cards at blackjack, and betting horses in Hong Kong and the US.
 
dilletante said:
I have made my living entirely from gambling since 1978. Counting cards at blackjack, and betting horses in Hong Kong and the US.

What do you mean by counting cards?
 
Card counting is just a method of taking advantage of the effects of removal of cards from a deck in blackjack games. There is a lot of information on the internet if you wish to learn more. Basically, once a card is dealt it cannot appear again until after the shuffle, and you can take advantage of that both in betting and playing strategy. The simplest example is: if all of the aces have been dealt, the player cannot get a blackjack, so you would bet less. There are several reasons why blackjack games were more beatable in the 1970's and 1980's than they are today.
 
  • #10
at age 17, i and a few friends doubled our money at a florida dogtrack. it paid for the meal, and it was great fun watching the dogs occasionally wipe out. and I've bought maybe 10 or so lottery tickets over the years, which yielded zilch. but i never got the gambling bug. and, now, knowing what i do about the math and the psychological manipulation employed by the industry, i have no respect for it.
 
  • #11
I went to a Tae Kwon Do tournament once in Las Vegas and played video poker. I would put in $20 bucks and no more. I always cashed out ahead. It even paid for the trip there.

I think small time bets in Vegas pays off since it's like a drop in the bucket for them IMO.
 
  • #12
jarednjames said:
I tried out an online casino once and played roulette and blackjack.

However, after that withdrawl I noticed I hardly ever won again (I left £20 in there to continue with). I started by winning a little bit, but then lost it all. I ended up noting I lost just a bit more than I won. So I gave up.

You noted you lost a bit more than you won on a game where the house has the edge. Not really a surprise.
 
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  • #13
It's like you blanked everything above that phrase.

The total i lost to the casino - of my own money - was £20 i left in of the winnings, i withdrew over 500.

Hence it being a good day.
 
  • #14
jarednjames said:
It's like you blanked everything above that phrase.

The total i lost to the casino - of my own money - was £20 i left in of the winnings, i withdrew over 500.

Hence it being a good day.

The fact you went on a heater and cashed out is largely irrelevant.

What amuses me is the statement I ended up noting I lost just a bit more than I won. So I gave up. That's what is supposed to happen.

Online casinos are not like they used to be. I remember 100% match bonuses to $200. I think the wager rate was 15 dollars for $1 released in bonus. Back in the days of party poker bonuses... god they were good times.

EDIT: And christ you reply to messages quickly.
 
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  • #15
xxChrisxx said:
The fact you went on a heater and cashed out is largely irrelevant.

What amuses me is the statement I ended up noting I lost just a bit more than I won. So I gave up. That's what is supposed to happen.

I'm not getting it.

I won a lot. After that I didn't win any more so I gave up. Hence the above statement.

I didn't go into it with some "I can beat it" attitude. I knew the odds were against me and I actually expected to lose from the start. If anything, I did exactly what I should do in a casino, quit while I'm ahead.
EDIT: And christ you reply to messages quickly.

My Friday nights are boring to say the least.
 
  • #16
jarednjames said:
I'm not getting it.

There's nothing to get. It's just an amusing comment.
 
  • #17
You play by the House rules, so, the House rules.
 
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