The Gambling Thread

[Crazy Canuck]

Okay as somewhat of a gambler and casino addict, I am volunteering to answer all questions regarding the art of betting.

This includes questions from experience gamblers who are looking to improve on their games or people merely gambling for some weekend fun (who the hell doesn't like pissing away money once in a while... am I right?).

My experience betting: I regularly bet on sports- preferably football, hockey, boxing and MMA. I click at over 50%, which means more often than not I win some money.

Poker- I've won quite a bit playing various poker games. Actually, I treat poker almost as a side-job. I'm "fluent" in Hold'em (both limit and no limit), Razz, Seven/Five Card Stud, Omaha (pot, no limit, hi/lo). Basically any standard games of poker I can play well (except limit Hold'em... I hate that friggin game).

Blackjack - Play fairly regularly at the Casino with moderate success. I've yet play tournament blackjack so don't bother with any inquiries.

I've also played Roulette, Craps and various Slot machines

Any questions, concerns or if you just plain don't care or don't understand what I'm talking about shoot...

[Empathy]

I used to know how to play poker but I don't anymore. Give me a run-down on the most common version.

[The Electron Zone]

lol....craps

I won $50 at a poker party last week.

[Halcyon]

There is no art. Gambling is pathetic.

[burningvegeta]

I do agree but I wouldn't class it as art at all. I have no time for gambling where you lose money, more ofter than you get it back.

[G.O.A.T.]

I sometimes play poker with my mates but not for money.

[Crazy Canuck]

Originally Posted by Empathy

I used to know how to play poker but I don't anymore. Give me a run-down on the most common version.

Texas Hold'em has surged in popularity over the last few years. I'm going to assume you know the rank of poker hands but if you don't visit this url: http://casinogambling.about.com/libr...y/aa021201.htm.

The game basically goes as follows:
The players first put in the antes, including the small and big blind. The ante is usually pretty standard at a casino while the blinds are conducted as this: to the immediate left of the designated dealer posts half the minimum bet while two to the left of the designated dealer posts the minimum bet. The person to the left of the big blind iniates the betting by either folding, raising or calling the big blind. The action repeats in a clockwise manner until the small blind.

At this point the small blind can either complete the other half of the blind, raise it or fold. The big blind then has the option to check (stay the course since they are in the hand already) or raise.

Once this is all completed three cards are dealt called "the flop". Betting action resumes on the person to the immediate left of the dealer or button. Betting continues in the same manner as before only with the three cards showing. After this betting is complete the turn is revealed or fourth street. Betting starts from the immediate left of the button and continues until all betting is over or called. Next the river is revealed. Once all the betting is complete on this card all players must reveal their hole cards (two cards they first recieved). Whoever shows the best five card hand wins the pot.

Three notes:
1) Players can use both their hole cards, just one of them or neither. In the case of neither they are said to be "playing the board".

2) Pots can be won even before the flop is dealt nevermind the turn and river. If someone raises pre-flop (before the three cards are turned over) and everyone folds then they win the pot or blinds outright

3) This is an extremely basic breakdown of the game. I suggest you read Doyle Brunson's book on Texas Holdem if you are actually serious in developing a true sense of the game

Lastly the top 30 hole cards are ranked under this url: Hold 'em Rank

Let me know if you wish to learn more

[Crazy Canuck]

Originally Posted by G.O.A.T.

I sometimes play poker with my mates but not for money.

What is used to detur stupid play? People could go all-in every hand without losing anything.

The higher the limits generally the higher quality of the game. I suggest playing for like $5 dollars because it necessitates good play to win.

Originally Posted by The Electron Zone

lol....craps

I won $50 at a poker party last week.

It used to be called crabs but I'm pretty sure the name changed. I thought you were right intially and though I mispelled it but it turns out the two names are interchangeable almost.

What was the game and buy-in?

Originally Posted by burningvegeta

I do agree but I wouldn't class it as art at all. I have no time for gambling where you lose money, more ofter than you get it back.

In every game in the casino it is indeed favoured to the house. The closest to a 50% chance of winning is betting black/red at roulette. I believe that is a 46 percent chance of winning (0 and 00 are there to make it so that bet is in favour of the house). So yes burning vegeta in the true sense you are right. But it doesn't take in account the skillful blackjack and poker players earning a good deal of money every year. Elite poker and blackjack players earn millions upon millions of dollars every year. I take in about 15,000 a year playing poker. A modest sum but a good addition to the 15,000 I make during the summer at Bell (I'm in university still).

Originally Posted by Halcyon

There is no art. Gambling is pathetic.

How so? Is it because of the addiction qualities? The fact that good poker players are exploiting the hapless working man? Is it because your a moral person not into vices? Is it because that idiots ruin themselves based on gambling? Is is the cliche vegas dream of going in broke coming out rich?

It's my goal to eventually to almost be solely supporting myself through poker. Achieving the dream I've broken down in stages - conquering the 1/2 tables at the casino are my first priority - so far I have shown the consistency needed to go up a level in blinds.

[Halcyon]

Playing cards for fun is one thing, but bringing money into it is really unnecessary to me. Of course, my parents are avid gamblers and are pretty much broke as fuck because they've spent, as far as I know, my entire life gambling through poker, bingo, lottery tickets, and horse races. I see no real benefit from gambling unless you're Rain Man.

The most I've ever gambled was an item in a game I played, and I was just betting against some guy over the Super Bowl. It wasn't even an important item. I won.

[Kumikana]

I bet on sports quite often. Not for very big amounts though, but big enough for make the games more intereesting. Usually I bet on soccer and hockey, someties I try other sports like baseball for change. I rarely win big bucks (or euros in my case), but neither I lose. I just play for fun. I casually play blackjack as well. I won once 200€ after playing 20€, but I lose there more ofter than I win. And poker... It's not my thing.

Yes, I play for money quite often (mostly sports betting), but I don't see myself as gambling addict.

[Crazy Canuck]

Originally Posted by Kumikana

I bet on sports quite often. Not for very big amounts though, but big enough for make the games more intereesting. Usually I bet on soccer and hockey, someties I try other sports like baseball for change. I rarely win big bucks (or euros in my case), but neither I lose. I just play for fun. I casually play blackjack as well. I won once 200€ after playing 20€, but I lose there more ofter than I win. And poker... It's not my thing.

Yes, I play for money quite often (mostly sports betting), but I don't see myself as gambling addict.

Yeah blackjack is a hard game to consistently win at without a fairly decent bankroll. An gambling addiction in my opinion is when gambling becomes an oppressive part of everyday life or a major, major threat to a persons equity.

What soccer and hockey teams do you usually bet on?

Originally Posted by Halcyon

Playing cards for fun is one thing, but bringing money into it is really unnecessary to me. Of course, my parents are avid gamblers and are pretty much broke as fuck because they've spent, as far as I know, my entire life gambling through poker, bingo, lottery tickets, and horse races. I see no real benefit from gambling unless you're Rain Man.

The most I've ever gambled was an item in a game I played, and I was just betting against some guy over the Super Bowl. It wasn't even an important item. I won.

Parental faults usually have a pretty pronounced affect on people. For example, my good friend never used to drink because his dad was an alcoholic - he drank upwards of two-four a day. So yeah, eventually we got him to go out and have a good time once a week before he started to drink himself. Nowadays he only drinks on a weekends and never by myself - so I guess he's just enjoying it in moderation.

I'm not trying to tell you to try gambling and then do it in moderation because "all" things can be enjoyed selectively. Just trying to let you know where I think you're coming from. Gambling is not for everyone and generally not for people that have experienced the profound effects it can have on addicts.

[Crayne]

I every so often buy some lottery tickets and play slot machines. I wish I wouldn't, I could use my money on something useful, for a change.

[Vivi]

What are the chances of winning a lottery?

[Halcyon]

It's not a matter of having it ruin my life. I really just can't see the appeal in it, and having a personal experience with it just makes it that less enticing.

A lot of people in my family are alcoholics and drug addicts. I still love them (alcohol and drugs).

[Crayne]

In the Finnish national lottery, the chances for a jackpot are 1 in 15,380,937. The chances for the smallest winnings, however, are 1 in 82,251.