To all patrons of all casinos everywhere

[Taurus52]

He11, my Grampa taught me this one. I went to the track with him a couple times. Gambling $ in RIGHT pocket. Play out of RIGHT pocket. Winnings , if and when, went in LEFT pocket. when RIGHT pocket was empty, we left. Then we counted LEFT pocket and partied appropriately.

[Teefies2]

Quoth ADeMartino

h

I used to work at a convenicen store near a casino, and there were several incidents where people would show up, DEAD BROKE because they shot their whole wad at the casino, wanting me to 'help them out' with gas to get home, etc, etc. 'Home' occasionally being hundreds of miles away.

One incident that stands out was a fellow, very apparently well-to-do, driving a nice shiny new BMW, dressed well, etc. He drove into the convenience store, went immediately inside, and told his sob story about how he'd had an 'incredibly bad run of luck' at the casino up the road, had blown thousands, maxed his credit card, didn't have a dime on him, home was like four hours away, and his precious little Beemer only had about a quarter tank. He was desperate for some help to get home.

And, of course, *I* was the asshole when I told him no.

"Aw, c'mon! You've never had a run of bad luck at the tables?"

I answered him very bluntly. "No. Because I work too damned hard for my money to throw it away at a (expletive deleted) casino."

Now, truth be told, I was actually considering helping him a LITTLE. Maybe $20 or so. We've all been in a desperate situation, right? Even if it was our own fault?

But his next words floored me, and closed my mind forever to his plight.

"Well, you can't win if you don't play."

I remember thinking, "Yeah, you also can't LOSE if you don't play, Chumley. And which do you think happens more at a casino?"

I might have said it out loud. Either that, or the expression on my face warned him it was time to leave. Because that's what he did - with a quickness.

I felt bad for him, really I did. I know I'd be pretty darned upset if I was stuck in a strange town with no money. But I didn't create his situation - HE did. And, judging by his 'you can't win' remark, he hadn't figured out HOW he got into that situation yet.

As dumb as the original Chumley is, I don't think even HE would be this stupid!

[TopEndDave]

Quoth veniteangeli

Casino policy is not determined in house. It is determined by a subset of government call the Gaming Commission. (Actually, that may only be in this country. I apologize if this does not hold true elsewhere.)
<snip>
In a casino, there is no such person. We can't bend the rules to suit you because you don't like how that spin played out. We can't give you back your money because you "changed your mind" about going all in on that hand. The rules is the rules, fool, and if you don't like them, then DON'T PLAY.

A friend of mine used to work for the local Racing and Gaming Commission here as a gaming inspector. He has a good story of players trying to get the rules bent. The legislation had been set to limit the number of hands that a person can play at once to 3. This was at the request of the casino. Kerry Packer is sitting at the high rollers tables and wants to play 4 hands at a time. Casino management had to deny the request because of the laws. Packer then rings the Government Minister in charge of Racing & Gaming at home to complain. The minister then calls my friend and he has to tell the minister that it would be illegal for the minister to authorize casino to allow Packer to play 4 hands at a time. The only way that the limit could be changed is by adjusting the legislation at a sitting of Parliament.

He got to see all of your SC's behavior from the other side of the security cameras. Apparently the worst was little old ladies fighting over poker machine pay outs.

[downforit2008]

Quoth ADeMartino

h

I used to work at a convenicen store near a casino, and there were several incidents where people would show up, DEAD BROKE because they shot their whole wad at the casino, wanting me to 'help them out' with gas to get home, etc, etc. 'Home' occasionally being hundreds of miles away.

One incident that stands out was a fellow, very apparently well-to-do, driving a nice shiny new BMW, dressed well, etc. He drove into the convenience store, went immediately inside, and told his sob story about how he'd had an 'incredibly bad run of luck' at the casino up the road, had blown thousands, maxed his credit card, didn't have a dime on him, home was like four hours away, and his precious little Beemer only had about a quarter tank. He was desperate for some help to get home.

And, of course, *I* was the asshole when I told him no.

"Aw, c'mon! You've never had a run of bad luck at the tables?"

I answered him very bluntly. "No. Because I work too damned hard for my money to throw it away at a (expletive deleted) casino."

Now, truth be told, I was actually considering helping him a LITTLE. Maybe $20 or so. We've all been in a desperate situation, right? Even if it was our own fault?

But his next words floored me, and closed my mind forever to his plight.

"Well, you can't win if you don't play."

I remember thinking, "Yeah, you also can't LOSE if you don't play, Chumley. And which do you think happens more at a casino?"

I might have said it out loud. Either that, or the expression on my face warned him it was time to leave. Because that's what he did - with a quickness.

I felt bad for him, really I did. I know I'd be pretty darned upset if I was stuck in a strange town with no money. But I didn't create his situation - HE did. And, judging by his 'you can't win' remark, he hadn't figured out HOW he got into that situation yet.

The problem with idiots like these begging for a handout at your store is that they never PLANNED AHEAD. They never planned on losing, so why would they stick that thought into their mind and not put aside some emergency money for a means to support yourself for a drive home in case of bad luck arising?

I was a first-time gambler when I hit the slots at a casino in Nevada last year. "Gambling is wrong." was a saying I heard all my life, but not unless you planned right and stayed smart. I had a budget set aside--over $100 just for gambling alone, and should God forbid that I get a little greedy and overspend my budget??? Well, who wouldn't want another chance at winning some money, right? Let's see...I had over $800 more in a savings account should I accidentally go over what I planned to spend. Far more than enough money to see my way home. So what was the end result?
I never had to touch that $800 in the first place. I spent $60 on a $130 gambling budget, and won over $400. I didn't break the bank, but I had $70 left over from when I called it quits and a whole ton of fresh greenbacks because I played it smart and didn't risk all. And sad enough to say, that makes me smarter than that idiot with the BMW and I only make $1100 a month at my job!!!
I wouldn't feel sorry for the BMW owner either. He dug himself a hole that he should get out of on his own.

[fireheart]

Quoth TopEndDave

A friend of mine used to work for the local Racing and Gaming Commission here as a gaming inspector. He has a good story of players trying to get the rules bent. The legislation had been set to limit the number of hands that a person can play at once to 3. This was at the request of the casino. Kerry Packer is sitting at the high rollers tables and wants to play 4 hands at a time. Casino management had to deny the request because of the laws. Packer then rings the Government Minister in charge of Racing & Gaming at home to complain. The minister then calls my friend and he has to tell the minister that it would be illegal for the minister to authorize casino to allow Packer to play 4 hands at a time. The only way that the limit could be changed is by adjusting the legislation at a sitting of Parliament.

He got to see all of your SC's behavior from the other side of the security cameras. Apparently the worst was little old ladies fighting over poker machine pay outs.

Proof that even the wealthy aren't above the law!

Years ago, when Channel 9 aired this show called Australia's Naughtiest Home Videos, he was watching it at the time, rang the network (he owned it) and went "Get that shit off the air!" to whoever happened to be on the phone. They complied and pulled it mid-airing, showing either a rerun of Cheers or some other TV series.
A couple of years back, they finally showed the one-hour special, including cutting it mid-airing as a joke.

For the record, it wasn't 1 hour of porn, it was more things like a kid reaching for a kangaroo's genitals.

[SmivMoc]

I would have offered the guy with the BMW $200 if he'd sign the car over to me on the spot.

[ADeMartino]

Quoth Teefies2

As dumb as the original Chumley is, I don't think even HE would be this stupid!

I was wondering if anyone would get the reference! That's an old, OLD cartoon.

[ADeMartino]

Quoth SmivMoc

I would have offered the guy with the BMW $200 if he'd sign the car over to me on the spot.

Heck, I'd even give him a ride home in it.b

[ADeMartino]

Quoth downforit2008

The problem with idiots like these begging for a handout at your store is that they never PLANNED AHEAD. They never planned on losing, so why would they stick that thought into their mind and not put aside some emergency money for a means to support yourself for a drive home in case of bad luck arising?

(some snippage)

I wouldn't feel sorry for the BMW owner either. He dug himself a hole that he should get out of on his own.

Well, in all fairness, looking back on the incident, I think this individual might have had a gambling problem. And just like a chemical addiction, you lose the ability to make yourself stop - even if you are aware of the problem.

I'm pretty sure if I'd have given him any money as I actually had considered doing, he'd have driven right back to that damned casino. His 'you can't win...'
remark, though, thoroughly pissed me off and was the red flag to not do anything for him.

[ADeMartino]

Quoth Merriweather

No sympathy whatsoever. Anyone who hasn't got the intelligence or will power to leave enough money in their wallet or space on their credit card for gas to get home shouldn't venture into a casino in the first place, and deserve what they get. Yep, I've done stupid things in my life - but the difference is, I never expected a stranger to get me out of it when I did.

I've been a few 'dumbass' scrapes myself, and on a couple of occasions, even though I didn't ask for help and knew deep down I didn't deserve any, strangers have helped me.

One time while traveling, I made the mistake of carrying cash, which I was forcibly relieved of in Philadelphia (along with all my other things), stranding me there. I couldn't get hold of anyone at home, and resorted to panhandling to try to raise the $60 or so for a bus ticket. I'd been bumming change for nearly two hours (and hatin' it, by the way) when a woman asked me where I was going. I told her, and she walked away. I didn't think any more of it until about ten minutes later, she returns and hands me a bus ticket. I wanted to give her the $8 or so in change I'd collected, but she insisted I keep it for food.

Few things in life will make you feel more humble than a complete stranger coming to your aid like that.