This article is part of a syndication deal with the 888 casino group. Part of the agreement allows Anthony Curtis to comment on the information presented in each submission.
A.C. says: The title of this article is reasonable. It doesn’t purport to provide a way to beat roulette; it talks about ways that players “try” to win. No, the methods described here won’t provide you with an advantage—and that point is made clear within—but they’re reasonable ways to play when the emphasis is on entertainment. Mixed in is good advice on playing games with better rules, e.g., a single-zero game (-2.70%) is better than a double-zero (-5.26%). Not mentioned here is the trend toward triple-zero wheels (-7.69%). No bueno!
This article is for you even if you have played roulette for a long time or are just picking it up now or in a few hours.
I have gathered some roulette players, each with his or her own ideas of how to play and how to manage their finances.
But just a few words from me as we begin.
These are players who know themselves and understand the game. I have avoided the wild players who just throw their money around with no sense or concept of what the game they are playing is all about. The big drinkers I have not bothered with because with a little booze comes too much of a lack of inhibition. Some inhibition is good for players.
Click to continue reading…
This post was written by Frank Scoblete in association with 888Casino.
Our guest this week is a sports bettor names Scott, aka VegasHorsePools.
We welcome your questions – send them to us at [email protected], or you can find me at @RWM21 on Twitter or https://www.facebook.com/GamblingWithAnEdge.
The Chase Southwest Priority card is now offering a 75,000 Rapid Rewards points sign up bonus. The card has an annual fee of $149 but you get a $75 travel credit and 4 upgraded boarding passed. Also, you get 6,000 RR points on your anniversary.
I value Southwest Rapid Rewards points at 1.5 cents. So, the sign up bonus is worth $1125. Ignoring the upgraded boarding passes, the travel credit and the anniversary points and subtracting the annual fee, it is still a $975 bonus.
It also gets you 60% of the way towards companion fare, which to me is the best perk in the air travel market. Companion fare now requires 135,000 points but you get a 10,000 bonus if you have a Southwest credit card on Jan 1st, 2023. You will get 10,000 companion points when you open your card but these companion fare points don’t carry over year to year. This 10,000 points plus the 75,000 point bonus gets you 85,000 of the 135,000 points you need.
To get the remaining points, you can open a Southwest business card ( if that is an option for you). You can also refer people. Chase is now giving 20,000 points for referrals, which counts towards companion fare. You can spent at their shopping portal to earn points as well.
Timing here is important. You will 10,000 points towards companion fare when you open your card. You also get 10,000 points at the start of each calendar year. Your best play ( for several reasons) is to complete your spend toward companion in January of 2023, vs in 2022. Companion fare is good for the current year you earn it plus the next year. So, getting companion fare in February 2023 would get you companion fare until December 31st, 2024. So, if you open a card this year, but complete the spend next year ( highly recommended) the 10,000 companion points for 2022 don’t do you any good ( unless you are very close to companion currently).
As usual, I will offer a split of the referral bonus. It is currently listed as 20,000 points and I will confirm once I get my card. This is a great opportunity to get companion fare on Southwest. The 75,000 point offer is good until 12/2/22.
It would be more beneficial to me if I got the referral in 2023, since it would count towards my companion fare. You should still get the 10,000 point bonus towards companion fare when you open the card. And even though the offer for the 75,000 points expires on 12/2/22, they have run this offer periodically the last several years. So, completing spend on your credit card in early 2023 is the best play for most people.
Even if you don’t get companion fare, this is still a great credit card promotion. Of course, there is the Chase 5/24 rule ( if you have opened 5 cards in the last 2 years, they will decline your application). Also, you can’t have received this bonus in the last 2 years.
You can reach me at [email protected] if you have questions or need a referral. It’s a little complicated ( what aspect of travel these days isn’t complicated?) but well worth it.
The story from last week continues. If you didn’t catch last week’s blog, you need to read that one first for context. Last week was more about my decision process. This week is more about the actual results when I went to play at my local Dotty’s for $150 a hand.
My first $3,000 was lost in about five minutes. It took a full eight minutes to lose the next $3,000. A half-hour later, still with no W-2Gs, I was down $15,000. This was not the way I envisioned the game!
A few hands after inserting another $3,000 (for a current total of $18,000), the first W-2G I received was for a $120,000 royal flush! This was more like it! This was exactly why I was playing this game, although I certainly did not expect the royal to come around so quickly.
It takes awhile to be paid this amount. The Dotty’s venues don’t keep that kind of cash on hand, so they have to call a manager to come in and handle it. I’ve received $8,000 jackpots on other games without having a manager called in to handle it, but every jackpot $25,000 or higher required a manager. Exactly where the cutoff is, I don’t know. But I asked for $20,000 in cash and a check for $100,000.
I snapped a picture and sent it off to Bonnie and a few gambling friends with smug comments to the effect that my mailers at Dotty’s were now screwed for another four months!
About a half-hour later, I was paid. They wanted me to play off the $120,000 hand still on the machine, and my first hand turned out to be five aces for $12,000! The manager was still on the premises, so receiving another check only took a few minutes.
I was down to $1,800 in credits. I decided to continue to play until it went down to zero. Anybody who had seen me receive two sizeable checks along with $20,000 in cash could possibly have designs of relieving me of my booty. If I settled in to continue to play, perhaps they wouldn’t want to stick around for the duration of an indeterminate length. I don’t know if anybody had such plans, but I figured playing a little more and then slipping out quietly when my machine went to zero would be safer.
Before I got down to zero, I hit a $1,350 straight flush. This was a normal-sized jackpot there and I was paid in cash. I finally ran out of credits and quietly left.
I knew I would not be receiving big mailers in the near future, but still, there was a drawing coming up. I had a 10% chance of receiving a $12,000 bonus for the royal flush, a 10% chance of receiving a $1,200 bonus for the five aces, and a 10% chance of receiving a $135 bonus for the straight flush.
This is not a must-be-present-to-win drawing. It takes place behind the scenes on a Tuesday, for the previous weekend ending Sunday, and the results are posted Tuesday midnight at all Dotty’s system-wide. The following Wednesday I went in to check at the shop where I had hit the jackpots.
I was an underdog to receive any of these bonuses, of course. Still, they were sizeable enough that it was definitely worth it to go in and check. On this particular week, I didn’t get any of the three bonuses. Disappointing, but the bottom line was that I was up $115,000 or so for the less-than-two-hours of play at Dotty’s that month and have nothing to complain about. Including figuring out how much to play and practicing until I was 99.99% competent at this game that I hadn’t played in a few years had taken several additional hours, and a career’s worth of experience, but still, it was a nice result.
I never know when my welcome will be withdrawn at a casino. It’s usually after “one too many” big jackpots. Possibly that time has come. Possibly not. I haven’t received any notifications one way or another. If I continue to get mailers (miniscule as they might be), that’ll be a sign that I’m still welcome.
After waiting for four months before I play again, I think I’ll probably go back to 9/6 Jacks or Better for $50 a hand, assuming they still have the game and that I’m welcome to play. Although the return is slightly lower than playing $150-a-hand Bonus Deuces, there are fewer chances for getting kicked out. There is just the $40,000 royal flush while playing Jacks or Better. In Bonus Deuces, although the royal flush cycle is longer than it is in Jacks or Better, if you include the chances of getting five aces for $12,000, and even $6,000 for five twos, threes, or fours, there is a bigger chance of getting some hand that can kill my mailers for four months.
My results were pretty spectacular to be sure. But I’m happy with my decision-making process independent of the results. Had I lost $24,000 in my first play there, which could have happened, it would still have been a good decision — albeit with a lousy result.
“Land of the free, home of the brave.” — this long-standing sentiment was further supported on October 31, 2019, when President Trump signed a proclamation designating November as National Veterans and Military Families Month. In the U.S., there are roughly 18 million veterans and about 57% of adults ages 30-49 who say they have an immediate family member who served — meaning most of us know someone who is currently serving or who has served in the military in the past. [1]
While this month is a chance to celebrate the brave men and women who’ve fought for our freedom, it should also serve as an important reminder that the battle doesn’t always end with a return home, and it doesn’t solely affect the service member.
According to published reports, both active and retired military members and their families are susceptible to gambling problems. The armed forces are comprised of many men and women who are accustomed to taking risks and pushing themselves to the limit. Many are young, athletic, and highly competitive. Florida houses a large number of veterans, who must manage the transition out of active military duty due to service completion or retirement, a change in life conditions, or other circumstances. Similarly, military family members face numerous pressures, such as relocations and separations from loved ones. A gambling problem can surface for military personnel, veterans and their families when the need for a distraction or an escape becomes an unhealthy coping mechanism, routine or addiction. In times of war, military personnel and family members are particularly vulnerable for developing gambling related difficulties, in light of heightened stress and anxiety levels.
The Impact of Problem Gambling on Veterans & Military Families
The issue of problem gambling can begin long before enlistment ends, priming service members to continue this behavior when they return home. On overseas bases, there are an estimated 3,000 slot machines solely regulated by the Department of Defense and available to soldiers as young as 18. [2] With little else to entertain them, those who may have not participated in gambling activities otherwise, may develop a gambling problem and have limited access to resources for help or adequate supports.
Research shows that 75% of servicemen who exit the military, typically around ages 40-45 after serving for 20 years, develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). [3] This disorder typically makes individuals more vulnerable to addiction, with 34% of all problem gamblers reporting being diagnosed with PTSD. [4] As soldiers struggle to adjust to the vastly different lifestyle of retirement, especially at such a young age, gambling can seem like a welcome escape from the stress. However, we know that this relief does not last, and they will continue to push the bounds of their gambling frequency and stakes to keep feeling the adrenaline rush problem gamblers crave. Unfortunately, problem gambling and PTSD can both lead to an increased likelihood of other mental health issues and substance abuse problems.
Another major issue facing military personnel who suffer from gambling disorder, is the fear of seeking help. While, as a society, we’ve made great strides to emphasize the importance of mental health, there is still a stigma attached to problem gambling that prevents many people from reaching out for help. This is even more common among soldiers, who often pride themselves on toughness and self-reliance. [5]
How You Can Help
This National Veterans and Military Families Month, let’s help serve those who have served our country and their loved ones by increasing awareness of problem gambling and providing access to confidential supports. If you or someone you know is experiencing difficulties due to gambling, start the journey of recovery today by contacting the confidential, multilingual, free, 24/7 Problem Gambling HelpLine at 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848), texting (321-978-0555), emailing ([email protected]), chatting (gamblinghelp.org), or visiting us on our mobile app or on social media.
“The Military-Civilian Gap: Fewer Family Connections.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project, Pew Research Center, 30 May 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2011/11/23/the-military-civilian-gap-fewer-family-connections/.
Means, Gabby. “U.S. Military-Run Slot Machines Earn $100 Million a Year from Service Members Overseas.” NPR, NPR, 31 July 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/07/31/1110882487/dod-slot-machines-overseas-bases#:~:text=Wayne%20Parry%2FAP-,The%20U.S.%20military%20runs%20more%20than%203%2C000%20slot%20machines%20on,organization%20that%20advocates%20for%20services.
Elflein, John. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder during Service after 9/11 among Veterans U.S. 2021.” Statista, 10 Mar. 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1202701/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-during-service-after-911-by-problem-veterans/.
Tull , Matthew. “You Can Get Help If You Have PTSD and Cannot Stop Gambling.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 30 Apr. 2021, https://www.verywellmind.com/ptsd-and-gambling-2797144.
Brown, Amy. “Military Stigma: Substance Abuse and Mental Health.” American Addiction Centers, 15 Sept. 2022, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/veterans/stigma-impacts.
“Tierra de libres, hogar de valientes”. — Este sentimiento de larga data recibió más apoyo el 31 de octubre de 2019, cuando el presidente Trump firmó una proclamación que designaba noviembre como el mes nacional de los veteranos y las familias de militares. En los Estados Unidos, hay aproximadamente 18 millones de veteranos y alrededor del 57 % de los adultos de entre 30 y 49 años dicen tener un familiar inmediato que ha prestado servicio, lo que significa que la mayoría de nosotros conocemos a alguien que actualmente está prestando servicio o que ha prestado servicio en el ejército en el pasado. [1]
Si bien este mes es una oportunidad para celebrar a los valientes hombres y mujeres que lucharon por nuestra libertad, también debería servir como un importante recordatorio de que la batalla no siempre termina con el regreso a casa, y no sólo afecta al miembro en servicio.
Según los informes publicados, tanto los militares activos como los retirados y sus familias son susceptibles a los problemas con los juegos de azar. Las fuerzas armadas están compuestas por muchos hombres y mujeres que están acostumbrados a correr riesgos y esforzarse al máximo. Muchos son jóvenes, atléticos y altamente competitivos. Florida alberga una gran cantidad de veteranos, que deben manejar la transición del servicio militar activo debido a la finalización del servicio o la jubilación, un cambio en las condiciones de vida u otras circunstancias. De manera similar, los miembros de la familia de militares enfrentan numerosas presiones, como reubicaciones y separaciones de sus seres queridos. Un problema con los juegos de azar puede surgir para el personal militar, los veteranos y sus familias cuando la necesidad de una distracción o un escape se convierte en un mecanismo, una rutina o una adicción poco saludable para enfrentarla. En tiempos de guerra, el personal militar y los miembros de la familia son particularmente vulnerables a desarrollar dificultades relacionadas con los juegos de azar, al exponerse a niveles elevados de estrés y ansiedad.
El impacto del problema con los juegos de azar en veteranos y familias de militares
El asunto del problema con los juegos de azar puede comenzar mucho antes de que finalice el alistamiento, lo que lleva a los miembros del servicio a continuar con este comportamiento cuando regresan a casa. En las bases en el extranjero, hay un estimado de 3,000 máquinas tragamonedas, reguladas únicamente por el Departamento de Defensa y disponibles para los soldados desde los 18 años. [2] Con poco para entretenerse, aquellos que de otro modo no habrían participado en actividades de juegos de azar, pueden desarrollar un problema con estos juegos y tener acceso limitado a los recursos de ayuda o los apoyos adecuados.
Las investigaciones muestran que el 75 % de los militares que abandonan las fuerzas armadas, por lo general entre los 40 y los 45 años, después de servir durante 20 años, desarrollan un desorden de estrés postraumático (PTSD, por sus siglas en inglés). [3] Por lo general, este desorden hace que las personas sean más vulnerables a la adicción, y el 34 % de todos las personas con problemas con los juegos de azar informa haber sido diagnosticado con PTSD. [4] Mientras los soldados luchan por adaptarse al estilo de vida muy diferente de la jubilación, especialmente a una edad tan temprana, los juegos de azar pueden parecer un escape bienvenido contra el estrés. Sin embargo, sabemos que este alivio no durará, y continuarán superando los límites de su frecuencia de juego y sus apuestas para seguir sintiendo la subida de adrenalina que anhelan las personas con problemas con los juegos de azar. Desafortunadamente, el problema con los juegos de azar y el PTSD pueden conducir a una mayor probabilidad de tener otros padecimientos de salud mental y problemas de abuso de sustancias.
Otro problema importante que enfrenta el personal militar que sufre el desorden con los juegos de azar es el miedo a buscar ayuda. Si bien, como sociedad, hemos logrado grandes avances para enfatizar la importancia de la salud mental, todavía existe un estigma relacionado con el problema con los juegos de azar que impide que muchas personas busquen ayuda. Esto es aún más común entre los soldados, que a menudo se enorgullecen de su rudeza y confianza en sí mismos. [5]
Cómo usted puede ayudar
Este mes nacional de los veteranos y las familias de militares, ayudemos a aquellos que han servido a nuestro país y a sus seres queridos aumentando la conciencia sobre el problema con los juegos de azar y proporcionando acceso confidencial a los apoyos. Si usted o alguien que conoce está enfrentando dificultades por problemas con los juegos de azar, hoy pueden comenzar el viaje de recuperación comunicándose con la línea de ayuda confidencial, multilingüe, gratuita y disponible las 24 horas, los 7 días de la semana, para el problema con los juegos de azar en el 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848), por mensajes de texto (321-978-0555), por correo electrónico ([email protected]), por chat (gamblinghelp.org) o visitándonos en nuestra aplicación móvil o en las redes sociales.
“The Military-Civilian Gap: Fewer Family Connections.” Pew Research Center’s Social & Demographic Trends Project, Pew Research Center, 30 de mayo de 2020, https://www.pewresearch.org/social-trends/2011/11/23/the-military-civilian-gap-fewer-family-connections/.
Means, Gabby. “U.S. Military-Run Slot Machines Earn $100 Million a Year from Service Members Overseas.” NPR, NPR, 31 de julio de 2022, https://www.npr.org/2022/07/31/1110882487/dod-slot-machines-overseas-bases#:~:text=Wayne%20Parry%2FAP-,The%20U.S.%20military%20runs%20more%20than%203%2C000%20slot%20machines%20on,organization%20that%20advocates%20for%20services.
Elflein, John. “Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder during Service after 9/11 among Veterans U.S. 2021.” Statista, 10 de marzo de 2022, https://www.statista.com/statistics/1202701/post-traumatic-stress-disorder-during-service-after-911-by-problem-veterans/.
Tull , Matthew. “You Can Get Help If You Have PTSD and Cannot Stop Gambling.” Verywell Mind, Verywell Mind, 30 de abril de 2021, https://www.verywellmind.com/ptsd-and-gambling-2797144.
Brown, Amy. “Military Stigma: Substance Abuse and Mental Health.” American Addiction Centers, 15 de septiembre de 2022, https://americanaddictioncenters.org/veterans/stigma-impacts.
Today I’m going to discuss a play that is of limited interest to most of my readers. It includes, however, a “how did I figure it out” discussion that could be useful to many of you.
Long-time readers of mine know I sometimes play at Dotty’s. Dotty’s has numerous (more than 100) locations in Nevada which are mostly 15-machine locations. It does have a few full-blown casinos with several hundred machines each, and at least one intermediate-sized location (at Sunset and Green Valley Parkway) with about 50 machines in it.
Unusual factors that are important to playing successfully at Dotty’s, in addition to the video poker skills you need at other places, is understanding their slot club, having a large bankroll, and being able and willing to play big enough to generate numerous W-2Gs. The reason you need to generate W-2Gs is that they receive a bonus. Every week, 10% of the W-2Gs issued in the previous seven days receive a 10% bonus. That is, if you’ve hit a $4,000 royal flush, you have a 10% chance of receiving a $400 cash bonus.
How much does this add? In the game I’m looking at today, it adds almost 0.25%. When I’m playing there, I play approximately $200,000 per week (all in one day that week) in order to generate mailers. So, this promotion is worth about $50 per week. Added to their other promotions, this makes a game that is slightly positive into one that is slightly more positive.
I’ve played a number of games there over the years. When I started, I played NSU Deuces Wild. I played $125 a hand in order to activate 50-for-1 straight flushes. This worked fine until I hit four deuces (worth $25,000) or a royal flush (worth $100,000). This had the effect of screwing up my mailers.
I’m not sure of their exact formula, but they appear to base their mailers on your score over the previous 120 days. If I hadn’t hit a big jackpot recently (which would mean I was losing $5,000 a week or so), my weekly mailers would be something like $247, $291, $376, and $439. The numbers were always strange amounts, and they would get larger as the month went on. When I hit a $25,000 jackpot, my mailers would decrease to $7, $11, $19, and $27. The following month they would be $1, $1, $1, and $2.
When I hit a big jackpot, my strategy then includes staying away from Dotty’s for four months, other than to pick up mailers if they are big enough. At that point, the 120-day rolling average would be reset to zero and I could start earning mailers again. After a number of $25,000 and $100,000 jackpots, Dotty’s removed NSU.
Subsequently I played 9/5 Super Double Bonus at $50 per hand (to activate W-2Gs for the quads in the range of 5s-Ts). When that game disappeared, I played 9/6 Bonus Poker Deluxe for $30 per hand (which was enough to activate all quads into $1,200 jackpots). Enough royals on these games over the years caused their elimination as well. (I tend to think of Dotty’s changes as being all about my jackpots. I do know I’m on their radar. But how much my jackpots were the actual impetus for these changes, I just don’t know.)
The highest-returning base game is now 9/6 Jacks or Better. This requires a $48 bet or more to activate quads into $1,200 or higher jackpots. Dotty’s has machines where you can bet up to 50 coins, for denominations between five cents and five dollars per coin, and get full odds on the royal betting five or more coins. There aren’t many 9/6 Jacks or Better machines, but I can play them at $1, $2, or $5 denominations.
After my last $40,000 royal flush in early June, while I was waiting for my 120-day hiatus to finish, I re-examined all of the games at several Dotty’s. While I was pretty sure that the 99.54% 9/6 Jacks or Better was the highest returning game, perhaps another game would start out slightly less valuable than 9/6 Jacks or Better but generate more W-2G bonuses. The best candidate for this was 9/4/4 Bonus Deuces Wild. This is a 99.45% game, but generates W-2Gs much more frequently than 9/6 Jacks or Better does.
Wild Royals pay 25-for-1, and will generate a W-2G if you bet $48 or more per hand. Four sixes through kings pay 20-for-1, and to create a W-2G with those, you need to bet $60 or more. Straight flushes pay 9-for-1, and you need to bet $134 or more per hand to create a $1,200 or higher jackpot. Since I’d be playing 50-coin machines at the $1, $2, or $5 denomination, the maximum bet on a $2 machine is $100. On a $5 game, however, I could bet 27 coins for a $135 total bet.
Using WinPoker, this is the way I calculated earning a 10% bonus on 10% of the W-2Gs:
BONUS DEUCES WILD
$60 through $130 a hand
Hand Name
Payout
Frequency
% Prob.
Occurs Every
% of Ret.
ROYAL FLUSH
404000
62.42388
0.00%
41634.06
194.07%
4 DEUCES w ACE
202000
71.97637
0.00%
36108.52
111.88%
4 DEUCES
101000
407.0393
0.02%
6385.035
316.36%
WILD ROYAL
12625
5427.092
0.21%
478.8863
527.27%
5 ACES
40400
866.6997
0.03%
2998.686
269.45%
5 3, 4, or5
20200
2028.383
0.08%
1281.297
315.31%
5 6-K
10100
5405.513
0.21%
480.7981
420.13%
STRAIGHT FLUSH
4500
10323.32
0.40%
251.7562
357.49%
FOUR OF A KIND
2000
163797
6.30%
15.86695
2520.96%
FULL HOUSE
2000
68871.95
2.65%
37.73612
1059.99%
FLUSH
1500
59168.39
2.28%
43.92481
682.99%
STRAIGHT
500
104534.5
4.02%
24.86222
402.22%
3 OF A KIND
500
724636.7
27.88%
3.58657
2788.18%
NOTHING
0
1453359
55.92%
1.788244
0.00%
Total Return
9966.30%
Variance
335075.3
BONUS DEUCES WILD
$135 or more a hand
Hand Name
Payout
Frequency
% Prob.
Occurs Every
% of Ret.
ROYAL FLUSH
404000
62.36889
0.00%
41670.77
193.90%
4 DEUCES w ACE
202000
71.97923
0.00%
36107.08
111.89%
4 DEUCES
101000
407.0738
0.02%
6384.493
316.39%
WILD ROYAL
12625
5425.246
0.21%
479.0492
527.09%
5 ACES
40400
866.7188
0.03%
2998.62
269.46%
5 3, 4, or5
20200
2028.412
0.08%
1281.278
315.31%
5 6-K
10100
5405.813
0.21%
480.7713
420.16%
STRAIGHT FLUSH
4545
10376.8
0.40%
250.4588
362.93%
FOUR OF A KIND
2000
163850.9
6.30%
15.86174
2521.79%
FULL HOUSE
2000
68889.46
2.65%
37.72653
1060.26%
FLUSH
1500
58750
2.26%
44.23762
678.16%
STRAIGHT
500
104847.8
4.03%
24.78794
403.42%
3 OF A KIND
500
724883.3
27.89%
3.585349
2789.13%
NOTHING
0
1453094
55.91%
1.78857
0.00%
Total Return
9969.89%
Variance
335007.6
So long as I’m comfortable betting that large, I could have playing 9/6 Jacks or Better and received W-2Gs for full houses, which also return nine-for-one. But very few of the Dotty’s venues have 9/6 Jacks or Better on $5 machines and most of them have 9/4/4 Bonus Deuces Wild for that denomination.
Notice that the “occurs every” amounts in the two charts have slightly different numbers for the hands. This means the correct strategy for the game is different depending on the denomination you play at Dotty’s! This game already has a number of extremely complicated strategy decisions. I decided to ignore these differences. This may surprise some of my readers (I do have a reputation of trying to master every last penalty card situation in every game, after all), but frankly, Deuces Wild variations are so complicated to play perfectly that I let some of these things slide. I do play at the 99.99% accuracy level, but 100% accuracy in these games is not worth the extra effort to me.
I decided to play $150 a hand. Since the machine will accept $3,000 at once, $150 per hand goes in evenly and makes record-keeping easier. Bonus Deuces has a higher variance than Jacks or Better, and I didn’t have a feel for how much money I could go through in one session, so I took $25,000 in cash with me on my first foray playing this game.
So, using the terminology of Annie Duke that I’ve shared with you in my two previous blogs, this column has been about my decision-making process. This was not a thought experiment. My intention was definitely to go out and play this game at Dotty’s. Next week, I’ll share what actually happened. That is, when my decisions and my luck intersected.
There’s nothing better than gathering with your family and spending some quality time together while reading a good book. During National Family Literacy Month, we want to encourage family members of all ages to brush up on their literacy skills as we tackle the growing issue of lack of education surrounding problem gambling.
Next time you’re with your family, we suggest taking some time to learn together about what problem gambling is and how to recognize signs early on. Keep reading for key information that details the importance of prevention and education, what problem gambling looks like, how a lack of literacy can impact at-risk populations, and the hope that’s available for every member of the family.
Problem Gambling Literacy is in Your Family’s Best Interest
Well-developed literacy skills are the cornerstone of a well-rounded education, and at the Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG), we want to widen the horizon of general education to include problem gambling warning signs, resources, access to help, and more. As people become more aware of gambling risks , and know warning signs of compulsive gambling behaviors to look for, they can better protect themselves and their loved ones from developing gambling-related problems. .
No matter what life stage a person is in, they can experience unique risks that may make them more vulnerable to problem gambling. This is why it’s important to take this month to reflect on the whole family’s level of literacy as it relates to the quality of education on important topics, including problem gambling. Compulsive gambling is often referred to as a “hidden disorder,” but it is a condition that can potentially lead to severe personal and social consequences. It’s very difficult to detect because there are no visible outward physical symptoms. In fact, gambling problems largely go undetected by others, with even those closest to the gambler unaware that a problem even exists, despite the negative life consequences that the gambler experiences.
Problem gambling literacy is the key to understanding this disease and recognizing the warning signs of a gambling problem. These include, but are not limited to:
Needing to gamble with increasing amounts of money to get the same thrill
Feeling restless or irritable when trying to cut down on gambling
Chasing losses
Lying to hide the extent of gambling
Risking relationships or job security [1]
Additionally, if a person is dealing with these symptoms of problem gambling but can’t read proficiently, they may have a more difficult time seeking help for problem gambling. Where a simple online search or library trip may help educate someone on the resources available for problem gambling help, those who have poor literacy skills can experience an unnecessary barrier between them and the help that is available. .
As we celebrate Family Literacy Month, it is essential to remember the importance of education on issues like problem gambling; although commonly referred to as the “hidden illness”, its impacts are widespread. Through literacy efforts surrounding problem gambling this November and beyond, we can shine the light on this invisible addiction and provide families with the tools needed to recognize warning signs of a gambling problem in the home, and access appropriate supports if necessary.
Help is Here
Even if a gambler or loved one is unable to read, help and hope for problem gambling can still be accessed. When people contact the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine, they can speak with a live HelpLine Specialist for confidential, multilingual, free, 24/7 support. There are no barriers to getting help through the 888-ADMIT-IT HelpLine; available resources include the FCCG’s Peer Connect Program, the on-demand “Online Program for Problem Gamblers” (OPPG), A Chance for Change Recovery Workbooks, available in not just print but also audio format for gamblers, loved ones, and senior gamblers, as well as stories of recovery that can be found on our YouTube channel, just to name a few..
If you or someone you know are experiencing difficulties due to problem gambling, start the journey of recovery today by contacting Florida’s Problem Gambling HelpLine at 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848), texting (321-978-0555), emailing ([email protected]), chatting (gamblinghelp.org), or visiting us on our mobile app or social media.
“Compulsive Gambling.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 June 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178#:~:text=Feeling%20restless%20or%20irritable%20when,the%20extent%20of%20your%20gambling.
No hay nada mejor que reunirse con su familia y pasar un tiempo de calidad juntos mientras leen un buen libro. Durante el mes nacional del aprendizaje familiar, queremos animar a los miembros de la familia de todas las edades a repasar sus habilidades de aprendizaje a medida que abordamos el creciente problema de la falta de educación en torno al problema con los juegos de azar.
La próxima vez que esté con su familia, le sugerimos que se tomen un tiempo para aprender juntos de qué se trata el problema con los juegos de azar y cómo reconocer las señales desde el principio. Siga leyendo para obtener información clave que detalla la importancia de la prevención y la educación, cómo es el problema con los juegos de azar, cómo la falta de aprendizaje puede afectar a las poblaciones en riesgo y la esperanza que está disponible para cada miembro de la familia.
El aprendizaje sobre el problema con los juegos de azar es lo mejor para su familia
Las habilidades de aprendizaje bien desarrolladas son la piedra angular de una educación integral, y en el Florida Council on Compulsive Gambling (FCCG) queremos ampliar el horizonte de la educación general para incluir señales de advertencia del problema con los juegos de azar, recursos, acceso a ayuda y más. A medida que las personas se vuelven más conscientes de los riesgos de los juegos de azar y conocen las señales de advertencia de los comportamientos del juego compulsivo que deben buscar, pueden protegerse mejor a sí mismos y a sus seres queridos contra el desarrollo de problemas relacionados con los juegos de azar.
No importa en qué etapa de la vida se encuentre una persona, puede experimentar riesgos únicos que pueden hacerla más vulnerable al problema con los juegos de azar. Por eso, es importante aprovechar este mes para reflexionar sobre el nivel de aprendizaje de toda la familia en relación con la calidad de la educación en temas importantes, incluido el problema con los juegos de azar. A menudo, el comportamiento compulsivo con los juegos de azar se define como un “desorden oculto”, pero es una condición que potencialmente puede acarrear graves consecuencias personales y sociales. Este desorden es muy difícil de detectar porque no hay síntomas físicos visibles. De hecho, los problemas con los juegos de azar en gran medida pueden pasar desapercibidos para otras personas, e incluso las más cercanas a la persona con problemas con los juegos de azar desconocen que existe un problema, a pesar de las consecuencias negativas en la vida que el jugador experimenta.
El aprendizaje sobre el problema con los juegos de azar es la clave para comprender esta enfermedad y reconocer las señales de advertencia de este problema. Estas incluyen, pero no se limitan a:
Tener la necesidad de jugar con cantidades cada vez mayores de dinero para obtener la misma emoción
Sentirse inquieto o irritable cuando intenta reducir el juego
Buscar recuperar las pérdidas
Mentir para ocultar el alcance del juego
Poner en riesgo las relaciones o la seguridad laboral [1]
Además, si una persona está lidiando con estos síntomas del problema con los juegos de azar, pero no puede leer con fluidez, es posible que le resulte más difícil buscar ayuda para el problema con los juegos de azar. Aunque una simple búsqueda en línea o una visita a la biblioteca puede ayudar a educar a alguien sobre los recursos disponibles para ayudar con el problema con los juegos de azar, aquellos que tienen pocas habilidades de aprendizaje pueden sentir que hay un obstáculo innecesario entre ellos y la ayuda disponible.
Mientras celebramos el mes del aprendizaje familiar, es esencial recordar la importancia de la educación en temas como el problema con los juegos de azar; aunque por lo común se le conoce como la “enfermedad oculta”, sus impactos son generalizados. A través de los esfuerzos de aprendizaje en torno al problema con los juegos de azar durante este noviembre y los meses por venir, podemos arrojar luz sobre esta adicción invisible y proporcionar a las familias las herramientas necesarias para reconocer las señales de advertencia de un problema con los juegos de azar en el hogar, y acceder, si es necesario, a los apoyos adecuados.
La ayuda está aquí
Incluso si una persona con problemas con los juegos de azar o un ser querido no puede leer, aún puede acceder a la ayuda y la esperanza para el problema con los juegos de azar. Cuando las personas se comunican con la línea de ayuda 888-ADMIT-IT, pueden hablar en directo con un especialista de la línea de ayuda para obtener apoyo confidencial, multilingüe y gratuito, las 24 horas del día, los 7 días de la semana. No hay obstáculos para obtener asistencia a través de la línea de ayuda 888-ADMIT-IT; los recursos disponibles incluyen el Programa de conexión entre pares del FCCG, el “Programa en línea para personas con problemas con los juegos de azar” (OPPG, por sus siglas en inglés), según solicitud; los libros de talleres de recuperación A Chance for Change, disponibles no sólo en formato impreso, sino también en formato de audio para personas con problemas con los juegos de azar, sus seres queridos y personas mayores con problemas con los juegos de azar, así como historias de recuperación que se pueden encontrar en nuestro canal de YouTube, sólo por nombrar algunas.
Si usted o alguien que conoce está enfrentando dificultades por problemas con los juegos de azar, hoy pueden comenzar el viaje de recuperación comunicándose con la línea de ayuda para el problema con los juegos de azar de Florida en el 888-ADMIT-IT (888-236-4848), por mensajes de texto (321-978-0555), por correo electrónico ([email protected]), por chat (gamblinghelp.org) o visitándonos en nuestra aplicación móvil o redes sociales.
“Compulsive Gambling.” Mayo Clinic, Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 18 de junio de 2022, https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/compulsive-gambling/symptoms-causes/syc-20355178#:~:text=Feeling%20restless%20or%20irritable%20when,the%20extent%20of%20your%20gambling.
