Gambling Habit or Entertainment?

**1andonlyamanda** · 09-13-2011, 11:17 AM

I enjoy playing poker, wether for fun or money, but there are many that would say gambling is wrong. Or a SIN. I attend church and was confronted with this comment a while back. I debated, (the great debater i am) which didnt help anything. The way I look at it is - it's something I enjoy doing in my free time. I only play w/ little $ when i do, no more than $20 a month. I dont see where that is any different than those who decide to use their free time and money working on a hobby, going to movies, dining out etc. So I ask you, my fellow poker players, what are your thoughts on this matter?

**Niccivan** · 09-13-2011, 12:01 PM

I go to church, too. You are the only one that can decide what is right and wrong. I'll tell you that I feel it's ok to play poker

**Nynus** · 09-13-2011, 12:15 PM

"I don't gamble, I play poker" <-------- I've said this so many times. Technically it's not true, but there is a distinction to be made.

I consider gambling as going up against the house in a game where the odds are tilted away from you.

Here's some of the percentages that the house has over the player. Most of these are BEST case scenarios. Rules change from place to place and even game to game. It's sometimes rare to find games that are this liberal with the payouts.

Baccarat 1.06% (playing banker, it's 1.24% taking the player side)
Blackjack 0.28% (that's will VERY liberal rules and not counting)
Craps 1.41% (betting just the pass line or come line)
Keno 25% to 29%
Pai Gow 1.50%
Pai Gow Poker 1.46%
Roulette 2.70% (5.26% if it's a double zero wheel)
Slot Machines 2% to 15% (or more depending on the settings)
Video Poker 0.46% (That's a full pay Jacks or Better, rarely found nowadays)

Playing poker however, the odds are dictated by my hand selection, my playing style, my reads on opponents, my betting strategy, and the strength of my opponents. One word shows up frequently in that sentence, "MY". In other words, I'm in control of a lot of the factors that affect whether I make money or not.

Even though there is an element of gambling involved in poker, I don't consider it PRIMARILY as gambling.

Putting a bet down on black or red in roulette is gambling. Splitting eights against a dealer's ten in blackjack, is gambling. Holding three to a royal vs four to a flush in Video poker is gambling. Raising a bet with a set of Aces and three to a flush on a flop, because you've read your opponent as on a bluff because he slammed the chips down and is trying to stare you off the pot, is using a LOT more skill, knowledge, and ability, than most of the other games.

Just my 2¢

**HanginAround** · 09-13-2011, 01:04 PM

I do like my Pai Gow Poker

Amanda,next time you're debating the church crowd,ask how many buy lottery tix.

OK,Nynus,so far Ive got Johnny Carson,Bela Lugosi,Johnny Depp,Clint Eastwood,John Belushi,Harrison Ford,Mister Rogers,Gene Wilder(at least i think that Willy Wonka)& Jack Nicholson(B&W pic)...the dude w/the pistol & the one w/the pointing sword are baffling the hell outta me..Oh,& Bogey

**Nynus** · 09-13-2011, 01:21 PM

Originally Posted by HanginAround

OK,Nynus,so far Ive got Johnny Carson,Bela Lugosi,Johnny Depp,Clint Eastwood,John Belushi,Harrison Ford,Mister Rogers,Gene Wilder(at least i think that Willy Wonka)& Jack Nicholson(B&W pic)...the dude w/the pistol & the one w/the pointing sword are baffling the hell outta me..Oh,& Bogey

LOL -Right now, it goes Johnny Carson as Carnac; John Travolta as Vincent Vega from Pulp Fiction; Peter Sellers as Dr. Strangelove; Clint Eastwood as Blondie from the Good the Bad and the Ugly; Johnny Depp as Jack Sparrow from Pirates 4; Mandy Patikin as Inigo Montoya from The Princess Bride; Mr Rogers; Harrison Ford as Han Solo in Star Wars; Johnny Depp again from Sweeney Todd; Harrison Ford again as Indiana Jones; Gene Wilder from Willy Wonka; Daniel Craig as James Bond in Casino Royale; John Belushi as John Blutarsky from Animal House; and Humphry Bogart as Rick from Casablanca

**1andonlyamanda** · 09-13-2011, 01:21 PM

very good point.....

**barbie4** · 09-13-2011, 01:39 PM

Where I go to church, sometimes, they play alot of Bingo . If you believe as i do, that God said he did not come to condemn us why would i condemn myself or allow anyone else to condemn me for doing anything that i enjoy, as long as it does not harm my body or anyone else. Enjoy yourself Amanda, and good luck !

**1andonlyamanda** · 09-13-2011, 02:34 PM

Thank you....i am enjoying myself...just another one of those things some people take and try to make a big issue out of....i dont feel like im doing wrong so thats all good just bugs me that some actually think that it is such a horrible thing for me to do....like im jeopordizing my life or something. Like $20 a month is gonna make or break me lol. I could understand if I actually took n gambled away money i need for my family that would be wrong n thats how they make it seem.