how is that same odds? at least if you buy a ticket you stand a one and million/billion? of winning.


I don't play poker or any card games. I do buy lotto tickets for our large jackpot draws. I figure it is a fun way of dreaming of winning plus i know the money goes to support good causes (some of it).

I watch Star Choice from Canada. From the TV ads I get the impression all medical research in Canada is funded by the lotto(s), is this true?

This is a concept called "beating the rake". If you are a winning poker player you have an average win rate. If your win rate is greater than your share of the rake (house fee for each hand played) you show a profit. Pros tend to prefer a rake over a seat fee where you rent your seat every half hour.

This is why you can't even eek out a meager living in the 2-5 spread limit games here in Colorado (limited betting, $5 max). The rake+jackpot drop simply eats you up. It's for entertainment only.

It's my personal opinion that one could make a small profit in a game as small as 5/10 limit or 2/5 NL. I wouldn't want to live on the win rate but at least you wouldn't be showing a net loss. Any serious pro plays 25/50 or higher or 5/10NL or higher. There are scores of people out there making a living from poker that you will never see on TV.

| do believe that a good chunk is fueled by that and beer/smoke sales taxes.

I like to play a game called life...it's a helluva gamble.

(and no, I don't mean the board game)

ahhhh... gambling....

texas hold 'em is the way to go, here. i love vegas and love the fact that i can typically make money off of the tourists. definitely my favorite game, one that i'd play all the time.

others that are just as fun, but i only play for pure entertainment since it's -EV: pai gow, craps, blackjack.

slot machines are a complete waste of time.

actually, sometimes i think it's more entertaining to just watch people gamble. i'm always amazed to see people bet more on one hand of blackjack than what i get on a paycheck when i walk past them at the bellagio. i'd stop and be a spectator if i could, but i don't want to get escorted out. i really wish sometimes i had that kind of disposable income. :-)

Watching people in a casino, or any where, I find fascinating. I know exactly what you mean about watching a guy drop several K on one hand. It's like- "I think that guy just lost/won half my house. Where's the $5 table?"

But I disagree, if I had that kind of disposable income I don't think I'd be handing it over to the Bellagio.

Well, I'd probably do it once just to say that I did, at least.

I really think there should be a cable TV show devoted to this. I know that there's "High Stakes Poker" on GSN, but that's just pros showing off their skill. It's fun to watch, but I'd love to watch people test their luck and bet large sums of money. The casinos could even play this to their advantage by editing the footage and only showing people winning big.

:sigh: I didn't get to play craps this trip out....

too many other things happening. maybe next trip.

Horse racing. It feels more like an eventful day out rather than gambling one's money away until you check your bank balance the next day. doh

When in Vegas I like to start out the day on a cheap slot and play slowly and down a few free drinks. Then throughout the day repeat that as needed. This strategy always puts you ahead as long as you can control yourself when drunk and not go throw your money away (easy for me because i'm a cheap bastard with a BS in CS and Math and working on my PHD in CS).

I run a small business, and thats about the biggest gamble there is for me- I have dropped a few bucks on slot machines, and such, in a few casinos, but I cant justify the lack of a return to myself.......

I read somewhere that (in New Jersey/Atlantic City at least) casinos are required to give back 97% of the money they take in...meaning that the rules of the games are such that the casinos' take is only 3% of all the $$ wagered.

I tried to verify by checking out the NJ Casino Commisions rules and regulations...but I dont have 3 months to wade through that document.

Can anyone verify this?

Assuming, for the moment, that this is true...imagine how much must be getting bet in order for them to make millions on a 3% cut.

Gaming commissions typically require that slot machines have a minimum payout. The table games are regulated by the odds spread (only for perfect play, mistakes cost the player more money). Here in CO I believe it's 94%.

NLHE on Pokerstars...

Been getting into live poker as well. PL Omaha 8 or better has been a nice loose game to earn some cash at...

I played craps once, I didn't understand a fucking thing that was taking place, but I came out with $500 over my bet :D

I like blackjack.