"Dave Smith" > wrote in message
...
> On 2016-01-12 10:20 AM, Ed Pawlowski wrote:
>
>> When I was in the 5th grade I was at my friend Jimmy's house and we were
>> playing cards. His father came home from work and said he would teach
>> us to play better. He showed us the hands but he also inter weaved the
>> odds and how the house always wins and you don't. It was a great lesson
>> that stuck with me. I may spend $20 for the entertainment value, but I
>> never had the urge to play to think I'd win big.
>>
>> I can afford to spend $2 for the fun of it. You'll never see me buying
>> the $10 rub-offs though.
>
>
> Gambling is an interesting phenomenon. Casinos make a lot of money because
> there are a lot of people who a willing to go out and drop $20, $50, $100
> or $500 and consider it to be entertainment, with the bonus of the
> possibility of winning.

I don't really get the appeal. I do like the old timey slot machines that
you put coins in. I liked hearing and seeing the coins come out and I liked
all the bells and whistles. I actually have a couple of toy ones. One was
a gift and one belonged to my husband's grandma. They don't light up but
they do give out coins.

The current machines hold no appeal to me whatever. I might play Keno once
in a while if I am in a casino restaurant and getting bored. I used to go
with a friend and play Bingo. That was okay to do once in a while. For me
it was more of a chance to get out and meet some new people. I think I won
$52 once. Mostly I didn't win. My friend always seemed to win so I could
see the appeal for her. I also used to do Pull Tabs but I don't know of any
places offhand that sell them now. We used to go to a couple of restaurants
that had the machines near the door and I would put in a few dollars when we
went. I won $50 once. So for me, when I do gamble it is more a way to pass
the time and perhaps get rid of a few extra dollar bills. Obviously the
Bingo did cost more. Usually when I buy a scratch ticket it is because I
have a couple/three dollar bills in my hand and am standing near a machine.
Then I might buy a ticket or two instead of putting the money in my wallet.

It's no big deal if I don't win. I'm not spending much money at all on it.