Today's Adventure: Gambling

Today, I have the priviledge of living near beautiful Lake Tahoe. One of the benefits of living in this location is that half of the lake is located in California, and the other half in Nevada. While I'm lucky enough to live in the more beautiful California, the more debaucherous state of sin is just a short drive around the lake. And yes, gambling is legal in Nevada. In fact, you'd be hard pressed to find even a convenience store that didn't contain at least one slot machine.

Anyway, if you find yourself bored and living near a casino, gambling is an option for the day's entertainment. Here is what you can look forward to if you have never gambled before: Flashy lights, free live music (not necessarily good live music), free drinks, and the potential to win some money!
Now, if you have gambled before, this is what you can look forward to: Trying to win back the money you lost last time(s).

When I go to the casinos, this is my typical experience... First, I'll go to the penny slots. I tend to think slot machines offer the best chance for a free drink with the least risk of losing big money. But, after about 10 minutes I'll become frustrated with the fact that no waitress has bothered approaching me. Occasionally one will arrive, but not until after I've lost the allotted $5-$10 that I allow myself for the slot machines. So at this point I'll suggest she meet me at the roulette table .

So there I go to the roulette table. A game of pure luck. Guess the right color, double your bet. Guess the right number and you win 36:1. I never win anything with this game. Yet, based on the terrible luck I've had, a major hot streak is in store for me. And so I tell myself, and so I end up at this table again.

So as I start playing, I notice how as my bankroll keeps getting smaller, everyone's around me seems to be doubling in size. This is the point in the night where I start feeling like Charlie Brown at halloween. The only kid coming home from trick or treating with a bag full of rocks. And in the midst of my frustration, I'll go for a big bet. This never works, as I've stated, I have terrible luck. There goes my money.

"Joy! My drink has arrived!" And so I'll bitterly savor my $50 (free) bottle of bud light. Mmm, tastes like failure... Not wanting to visit the ATM and lose more money, this is where my casino adventure usually ends.

Now lets go over a few different options at the casinos:
BlackJack- Hollywood has convinced me this game is only worthwhile if you are an expert at counting cards. Which I haven't yet taught myself to do.
Craps- People have on a number of occasions tried explaining this game to me. My attention span isn't adequate enough to know what they were saying. In fact, if you understand this game you're probably smart enough to count cards, so just go play blackjack.
Poker- I actually enjoy this game, but would much prefer gambling with a group of my friends as opposed to the smokey poker room in any casino.

So finally... If you're bored and find yourself near a casino, should you gamble???

Only if you have some money you were planning on throwing away.

So no... because you'd be better off sending that money to me. Seriously.