# People Who Are Ignorant About Casino Life (RANT) **URL:** \ **Category:** The BBQ Pit\ **Created:** [July 31, 2015, 8:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670 "2015-07-31T20:01:20Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 2
**Author:** ![Tibby](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/tibby/32/17030_2.png) [@Tibby](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Tibby)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/21 "2015-08-01T00:18:37Z")
> [@Helena330](#): > > Sort of related in that it involves my local casino, but I just got an email from them that they’re offering **picnics** to go. 😕 bolding mine That doesn’t make much sense. Are you sure it didn’t say “pickaninnies?” Some of those casinos are pretty racist, you know. ---
**Author:** ![Robert163](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/r/4af34b/32.png) [@Robert163](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robert163)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:20am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/22 "2015-08-01T00:20:07Z")
hats your favorite movie about poker players? ---
**Author:** ![Maserschmidt](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/maserschmidt/32/18829_2.png) [@Maserschmidt](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Maserschmidt)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/23 "2015-08-01T00:22:32Z")
The thread that was its own pitting. ---
**Author:** ![TroutMan](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/troutman/32/6721_2.png) [@TroutMan](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/TroutMan)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/24 "2015-08-01T00:29:56Z")
His woman thread in IMHO really needs to be moved here. That’s a thread begging to be a self pitting. ---
**Author:** ![DinoR](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dinor/32/2821_2.png) [@DinoR](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DinoR)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/25 "2015-08-01T00:40:04Z")
> [@Giles](#): > > Bud Laught Lame? :smack: I really should have made sure to pre-plan a smartass answer when I picked which letters to remove. > [@Little\_Nemo](#): > > I was thinking about changing my username to [Jenny Cream](http://www.geneseecreamale.com/home.php) but I was worried some people might misinterpret it. If you pour her right Jenny Cream always gives good head. I think. Curse you for making me want to try and find some where I live now. ---
**Author:** ![Smeghead](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/f1d935/32.png) [@Smeghead](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smeghead)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 12:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/26 "2015-08-01T00:42:53Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > I originally had him pegged as a doofus 20-something hipster-wannabe from some small town where drinking a common craft beer and knowing someone gay makes you edgy. But his “woman” thread in IMHO swung me to your way of thinking. Even hipsters couldn’t be so fucking clueless. I think it’s more meta than that. He’s painting himself as a stereotypical hipster to prompt anti-hipster outrage for…some reason. “LOOK AT ME! I’M A HIPSTER! AREN’T WE HIPSTERS ANNOYING?! WHO WANTS TO MAKE FUN OF HIPSTERS, BECAUSE HERE I AM!! GO AHEAD!!” ---
**Author:** ![Emiliana](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/f0a364/32.png) [@Emiliana](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Emiliana)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 1:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/27 "2015-08-01T01:50:49Z")
I think he’s auditioning for Buzzfeed: 20 ways to totally win women! 10 things you’d never guess about poker! ---
**Author:** ![dropzone](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/dropzone/32/7515_2.png) [@dropzone](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/dropzone)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 2:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/28 "2015-08-01T02:22:13Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > I play poker. I don’t think I have mentioned it that often. I wouldn’t know, since I have no idea who you are and you just joined last month and only an obsessive person would have “mentioned it that often” in the time you’ve been here. But I’ll play along. > [@](#): > > …the worst thing about playing poker is dealing with people’s perception about the game. I would think it’s losing money, but carry on. > [@](#): > > It tends to be at one extreme or the other. That either it’s a pathetic degenerate activity or it’s a glamorous game requiring genius and clairvoyance. People think the same about casinos in general. That they’re super nice places or just one stop away from hell. Some people enjoy gambling. Some enjoy it to excess, like my buddy who lives in his truck because all his money is lost on the ponies. I find it pathetic and sad for too many people to think of it as anything like glamorous, especially since it’s done in those ghastly temples to Mammon, which are far too tacky to not be Hell to a person of breeding. If to you Donald Trump is an arbiter of good taste, then have fun without me. > [@](#): > > Poker tends to attract nerds and businessmen. You’ll see a degenerate here and there, but they are not that common in poker. Example, Stu Ungar, a nerd and, not a degenerate, but obnoxious and an addict. But he was a FOAF, so I can’t say too much against him. > [@](#): > > Well. I’m sick and tired of hearing people’s uninformed opinions about poker and casinos. People either think of me as a gambling addicted loser or some gamer genius. You would think the latter would be a cool thing, but it really intimidates people. I know I’m scared. And have total respekt for your mad skillz. > [@](#): > > My goal is to get to “well off”, but I’m not suffering right now. Part of my friend’s problem is that he drives/lives in a pickup, not a van. A tip for you to plan ahead. > [@](#): > > You know what another thing that drives me crazy? Is that poker is gambling! WTF? If it’s gambling you’re doing it wrong. I only play poker with drunken salesmen. > [@](#): > > I have about 7 books on my kindle. Two of those books I paid $50. _How to Read Hands at No-Limit Hold’em_… Hold 'Em is a girl game, with all the silliness that comes from that. More specifically, it’s a children’s game. I base that on a remaindered kid’s book on it I saw, including cards and chips, but not the feathered cowboy hat. > [@](#): > > It annoys me when people think poker can lead them to instant riches. > … > It also sucks when people don’t understand swings in poker. There are upswings and downswings. Just because you are on a downswing doesn’t me you are going to go broke, and just because you are on an upswing doesn’t mean that you’re a good player. All swings mean that while you can make money at poker, you cannot predict when you’ll lose and win. If you’re good your mountains will make up for your valleys, but you cannot predict those mountains and valleys. No argument. > [@Slash1972](#): > > You complain about people calling poker a “degenerate activity” and then go on to call people playing craps degenerates? Well, it is, isn’t it? No skill whatsoever. Just the fantasy that you can make the dice land your way. It would be faster if you swiped your credit card and let a random number generator play for you. ---
**Author:** ![Monty](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/monty/32/47_2.png) [@Monty](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Monty)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 2:43am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/29 "2015-08-01T02:43:16Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > You know what another thing that drives me crazy? Is that poker is gambling! WTF? Well, there’s an element of gambling in poker, but most of it is skill. I’d say 70% skill and 30% luck. You compete with people, and not against the house. If you are good at poker you will come out ahead, it is not the same thing as dumping your money at the slots or crap tables. So, according to you, poker is gambling. For your sake, I hope you’re better/luckier at poker than you are at communicating. ---
**Author:** ![watchwolf49](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/e9c0ed/32.png) [@watchwolf49](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/watchwolf49)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:31am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/30 "2015-08-01T04:31:56Z")
Seven come eleven baby … So the fool-proof sure-to-come-out-a-winner system I use is minimum bet on the pass line in craps and suck down as much free booze as I can. I’ll be a bit down on money but I sure will be drunk. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/31 "2015-08-01T04:45:28Z")
I’m just glad all the mockery the OP is getting has been comped. ---
**Author:** ![Bryan\_Ekers](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/bryan_ekers/32/183_2.png) [@Bryan\_Ekers](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bryan_Ekers)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 4:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/32 "2015-08-01T04:46:49Z")
> [@TroutMan](#): > > His woman thread in IMHO really needs to be moved here. That’s a thread begging to be a self pitting. Hey, who made YOU the Pit boss?! ---
**Author:** ![Trinopus](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/2bfe46/32.png) [@Trinopus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Trinopus)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 5:06am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/33 "2015-08-01T05:06:32Z")
> [@Arrogant\_B\_st\_rd](#): > > . . . It also sucks when people don’t understand swings in poker. There are upswings and downswings. . . . How is this, exactly? Isn’t every hand independent of every other hand? This sounds a lot like the gambler’s fallacy. I am going to take on faith that this is not the gambler’s fallacy, and the OP actually knows what he’s talking about. But I’d really like to know what “swings” mean in real terms. ---
**Author:** ![Green\_Bean](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/green_bean/32/1760_2.png) [@Green\_Bean](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Green_Bean)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 5:37am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/34 "2015-08-01T05:37:14Z")
Mods, please change my username to **Blue M** n with Extra _range_\*. (I only drink it ironically. Really!) ---
**Author:** ![zweisamkeit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/zweisamkeit/32/4360_2.png) [@zweisamkeit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zweisamkeit)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 5:58am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/35 "2015-08-01T05:58:06Z")
> [@DinoR](#): > > Ooooh I have a good idea… _forwards request to change my account name to BudL_ghtL\*me Oooh, we got a normcore hipster, here! ---
**Author:** ![Grumman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/43a26b/32.png) [@Grumman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Grumman)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 6:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/36 "2015-08-01T06:18:31Z")
> [@Trinopus](#): > > How is this, exactly? Isn’t every hand independent of every other hand? This sounds a lot like the gambler’s fallacy. > > I am going to take on faith that this is not the gambler’s fallacy, and the OP actually knows what he’s talking about. But I’d really like to know what “swings” mean in real terms. It means that even a perfectly random series will have seemingly nonrandom stretches in it, and that you cannot automatically put a string of wins or losses down to good play or bad play. Personally, I tend towards the “pathetic degenerate activity” end of the spectrum. As a form of employment poker is crap, it’s got more in common with a pyramid scheme than gainful employment, since it’s all about the players passing a finite amount of money among themselves as it is slowly whittled away by the rake. And as a form of entertainment, even among card games there are better games which are not reliant on ante to be interesting. ---
**Author:** ![GrumpyBunny](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bc8723/32.png) [@GrumpyBunny](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GrumpyBunny)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 1:18pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/37 "2015-08-01T13:18:47Z")
> [@dropzone](#): > > I find it pathetic and sad for too many people to think of it as anything like glamorous, especially since it’s done in those ghastly temples to Mammon, which are far too tacky to not be Hell to a person of breeding. If to you Donald Trump is an arbiter of good taste, then have fun without me. Thank you, I came to say something similar, though not nearly as well. Also, I love you for the phrase, “ghastly temples to Mammon” and the reference to Donald Trump. IMO, the only time a person of breeding finds gambling acceptable is a) during Casino Night at the club, or b) during a game of rummy, bridge, or euchre, when it’s raining like mad and you’re stuck inside the cottage with the family during summah. Then you play for pennies. And possibly a friendly wager with a good chum on a race\*, but that’s a $20-$100 thing, depending on your definition of “mad money”. (\*“Racing” is and always will be, horse racing. Dog and car racing are beyond the pale.) ---
**Author:** ![GreenElf](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/9de053/32.png) [@GreenElf](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GreenElf)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 1:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/38 "2015-08-01T13:39:04Z")
As a professional poker player, I’d think you’d want people to have as uninformed an opinion as they can possibly have about poker, so you can rake it in against casual players. You have no reason to be angry if they think it’s gambling like craps or don’t understand the various aspects of profitable play such as tells. ---
**Author:** ![The\_Hamster\_King](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/t/8edcca/32.png) [@The\_Hamster\_King](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/The_Hamster_King)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 2:16pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/39 "2015-08-01T14:16:02Z")
Casinos exist to exploit fools. Different casino games appeal to different people in the hierarchy of fools. If you’re really foolish you play slots. If you’re less foolish you play poker. Blackjack is somewhere in the middle. But you’re still a mark, regardless. ---
**Author:** ![Darth\_Panda](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/ee7513/32.png) [@Darth\_Panda](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Darth_Panda)\ **Post date:** [August 1, 2015, 2:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670/40 "2015-08-01T14:27:43Z")
> [@Robert163](#): > > hats your favorite movie about poker players? FTFY: [INDENT]Hats! [/INDENT]Your favorite movie about poker players [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670.md?page=1) [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/people-who-are-ignorant-about-casino-life-rant/726670.md?page=3)