Most people that bet would argue that winning is the most exciting thing that can happen while they’re there.
Winning is exciting, but it’s not the sole source of pleasure when gaming.
Here are five of my favorite casino extras that you might not know about.
First, a Sense of Mastery
When gambling, you are in command of every decision. Except for the outcome, you get to decide which games to play, how much to stake, and how to play.
It’s your call if you want to leave at any time.
Many people go through life with the constant sense that nothing is in their control. We may all make a variety of decisions every day, but if we’re not careful, life can appear to pick them for us.
Though it may seem counterintuitive, some people actually do experience a sense of mastery when participating in games of chance. You are in complete command. You can avoid playing completely and still retain complete command.
- Miniature Successes
Even though big wins are exciting, the thrill of the occasional win can’t be overstated.
It’s a terrific feeling of accomplishment to learn the best Deuces Wild strategy by heart or to master all of blackjack basic strategy without referring to a strategy chart.
While gambling, try to focus on the little things that make you happy.
Interaction with Others
In today’s fast-paced society, it’s simple to get socially isolated. There are always a hundred other things that need your attention, so when you get to work, you never really have time to talk to anyone. Everyone is exhausted at the end of the day, so it’s common practice to eat quickly and settle in front of the TV for the remainder of the evening. The time for your return to work has arrived, and the alarm has already gone off.
If you need a break and have some time to kill, stopping at a casino or racetrack is a great way to meet other individuals who share your interest in gambling.
Join the rowdy group at the craps table or strike up a conversation with the neighboring slot machine player. I’ve had some of my most memorable talks while playing poker.
If you don’t want to chat to someone, they’ll eventually leave you alone. Most folks who frequent casinos are kind and friendly.
No. 4: Winning in the Casino’s Own Game
When I win by picking a game with a small house edge and using the optimal strategy, it feels good to be one up on the casino. I know that in the long run they will win, but that doesn’t stop me from enjoying the short term gains, especially if I do something to manipulate the odds in my favor, like counting cards in blackjack.
You can get lucky with even the craziest gambling strategies that don’t work in the long run. The odds of winning a wager that is close to 50/50 are high if you double your bet after a loss. In the short run, you will likely come out on top most of the time, but in the long run, you will experience a significant loss.
If you’d rather play against other people than the casino, you may always try your hand at poker. The satisfaction of defeating your opponents at their own game is unparalleled.
Number Five: Ignoring the Outside World
Despite the fact that most of us have it better than others in some parts of the world, there are still times when it seems like nothing is going as we would like it to.
I don’t need to explain this to you. You overslept, the coffee machine started leaking, the kids weren’t ready, and the car’s battery was dead. From that point on, the day only gets worse. You just want to get away from everyone for a time.
When life is like this, sometimes all you need is an hour or two to relax with some gaming.
However, you need to exercise caution because gambling while feeling down is never a good idea. Almost all forms of gambling are expensive in the long run, but so is seeing a movie. Consider the money you spend on gambling to be a form of enjoyment, and try to enjoy yourself regardless of the outcome.
Of course you want to win as much as possible, but if gambling isn’t helping you relax and you’re already having a horrible day, maybe you should try something else.
When I really need to unwind, I’ll go down at a Let It Ride table with $100 and play $5 bets until I run out of money, despite knowing that this game has a huge house edge and trying to avoid it. I enjoy Let It Ride, but I rarely play since I always seem to give the house too much of an edge. When I play for fun, however, I have no intention of winning.
I usually lose about $100 every time I go gambling, but that’s the price I’m prepared to pay to escape reality for a little. Once in a while, I’ll have a run of good fortune and end up ahead. Even better, this!
Conclusion
If you’re a gambler, you probably have a few favorite activities to do when you’re at the table. You might have some that are identical to mine, and some that are completely different.
Keep an eye out for the things that bring you happiness the next time you bet; you don’t have to write them down.