GAMBLING AS A GAME OF CHANCE

By five in the morning, a mother had already dressed her two daughters for school. After which, she will be heading next to a casino for an early dose of gambling activity.

Seemed like a "too absurd to be true" situation? Guess again.

Nowadays, gambling seems to be an ordinary activity that most people tend to overlook. By doing so, they do not see the potential harm gambling can do with their lives.

Generally, gambling, more commonly know as betting, is a kind of behavior that involves money valuables being put out to risk as a product of a certain game. So to speak, the money or valuables are at risk because the probability of winning is too low or is totally dependent upon chance. Unless otherwise one will do something about his winning through evil ways, one could never be sure of winning a gambling game.

Gambling comes in many forms: one that can be beatable and the other type is not.

Beatable games of gambling refer to games that can be trampled thereby creating a positive numerical probability through proper strategy. These includes poker, though this is better classified as a game of skill; blackjack, video poker, Pai Gow Poker and Tiles, sports betting, horse racing, and slot machines.

On the other hand, unbeatable games makes a player eventually lose a game no matter what strategy they use. More common examples of these games are slot machines, baccarat, craps, roulette, keno, casino war, faro, pachinko, 3-card and 4-card poker, red dog, pyramid poker, Caribbean stud poker, and Spanish 21.

Both beatable and unbeatable gambling games can be found in the casinos. Though, there are other gambling games that are not played inside the casinos such as lottery, mahjong, backgammon, coin-tossing games such as head and tail, and carnival games like The Razzle and Hanky Pank.

There are also the so-called fixed-odds gambling that can be seen on events like horse racing, football, golf, tennis, baseball, and other sports that entice people to bet on the winner of the event.

All the same, they are all forms of gambling that never stand a chance of winning continuously.

In gambling, people usually tries to gain back whatever they have lost in the game. Some continues to play for the belief that they should not break the monotony of luck. By doing so, they continue to bet and eventually place their selves at the risk of losing more instead.

Most people who are involved in gambling contend that they only play for pleasure or as a form of recreation. While others say they just have to earn money and that gambling is an easy way to do so.

However, because gambling involves a variety of mental activity, coupled with stress and the mentality of a winner, it can be a possible source of psychological addiction. In the long run, this can be very harmful to people who are affected by gambling.

With so much psychedelic effects of gambling, there are even those who engage in betting with another person on premises that a certain statement is true or false, or that a particular event will or will not happen at a given specific time. This occurs commonly on situations wherein two people with strong opposing views debate with each other. Normally, they place bets for fun or for money reason but often to establish their stand on a certain issue.

Consequently, because of the negative effect of gambling, most legal jurisdictions opt to not legalize any gambling activity. With this, any contracts that led to debts brought about by a certain gambling activity are deemed unenforceable by any legal process.

That is why gambling is such a risky activity. Those who gamble merely does not realize what harm gambling can give them.

As they say, never put your good money after bad money. If ever you get to be involved in gambling, discontinue doing bet so as to steer clear of an evident loss.


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Temptation at Your Doorstep: Internet Gambling.

Can you imagine being able to place a bet with just a press of a button? Can you imagine playing and betting as long as you want? 

Can you imagine gambling from the comfort of your own home?

We know for a fact that gambling is risky business, and unrestrained gambling is just asking for trouble. Compulsive gamblers already have a hard time restraining themselves from the call of casinos and bookies, and now Internet gambling just takes the ante a step further. 

With Internet gambling, you don’t need hard cash. Everything that is online is so easy to access. Play Baccarat, Blackjack, Craps, Keno, Roulette or Slots. Play all day, all night.  
 
Before the 1990s, gamblers who wanted to place a casino or sports type bet in the United States basically had two choices: they could travel to a legitimate brick-and-mortar gaming establishment or place an illegal wager through a bookie. However, with the emergence of the Internet in the mid-1990s, a new form of gambling appeared; Internet gambling through gaming casinos and sports wagering. Internet gambling can take place on any electronic device that offers Internet access anywhere on the globe.

Internet gambling makes payment options for gambling individuals easy. They can just choose from several types of payment options other than credit cards. These include:

VISA and MasterCard cards: These cards are tied directly to the cardholder’s bank account. Funds for all transactions are deducted directly from the cardholder’s bank account, but cardholders can make credit card-type transactions that do not require a personal identification number.

Private-label debit cards: These cards are similar to check cards above but are issued by private companies rather than credit card associations.

On-line payment providers: These companies send and receive funds electronically for such uses as on-line auctions and purchases.

Wire transfers: Some Internet gambling sites promote this method of payment, which allows Internet gambling customers to wire money directly from a bank account to the site.

“E-cash” or digital cash: It is a digital representation of real money that can be placed on a computer hard drive, smart card and other devices with memory. It can be purchased from an authorized provider.

Internet gambling sites also offer money orders; traveler’s checks; bank drafts; cashier’s, certified, and personal checks; and a number of other electronic banking systems or processors as payment options. With Internet gambling’s easy payment options, even a non-gambler would be tempted to try.

Statistics also show that Internet gambling has nearly doubled every year since 1997 – in 2001 it exceeded $2 billion. It also boasts 110 sport-related Internet gambling sites.

According to the American Psychological Association, Internet gambling could be just as addictive as alcohol and drugs.

This is a confession from quoted from The Gambling Problem Talking Point website:

”... I am addicted to online poker, not to mention soccer betting and casinos whenever I am in the vicinity of one.

For the longest time I thought I had the beast under control. Thought I was smater than the pack, and shrewd enough to beat the pack. Considered my betting to be more of an investment than anything else.

How much hav I lost gambling? I am afraid to tally.

Has it ruined my life? Almost ... I guess being from a wealthy family, it helped me to cover the tracks not to mention the losses.

But enough is enough and I would like to kick the habit alltogether.

I am sorry if I sound a little cocky or arrogant ... I have a problem. And even now am half hearted to completely agree that I do have one.

Will I continue to gamble? I am not sure. I would like to stop, but it is just so easy with the Internet and all.

I guess if I was in NZ, I could join a group onj a regular basis and get some help in person. But in Malaysia, how do I do that?

From reading some of the posts here, I share all the common symptoms.

It is a disease, and can destroy the best of people, not to mention families and loved ones a like.

What can I do? How can I help myself...”

Internet gambling is a very slippery slope. It can ruin your life and the life of your loved ones. So the next time Internet gambling knocks on your door, think twice.  



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Beat that Slot Machine

Slot machines are very popular in the casinos. Everybody seems to be drawn by the look and the feel of playing it by spinning the wheel. The thrill of playing a slot machine keeps anyone coming back either they win or not. Here are a few reminders to make your game worthwhile and at the same time increase your chances on hitting the jackpot!


Make sure that you know what machine you are playing. This may sound stupid but there are a lot of players that have missed knowing that they were not able to play the exact amount of coins for the most favorable payment there is.


Be sure to go for the highest reimbursement there is. This is a gamble. There are chances that the fates are on your side. Go ahead, play and win!


Always play the maximum coins. Normally, jackpots are paid on the maximum coins played. This way, not only do you get the chance of hitting the jackpot but also you get a high payback.


Remember to see the payback percentage whether in a casino or online. Some are even offering as high as 90% or more.


Keep in mind how much you are willing to gamble. It is always wise to plan how much you are going to spend. With the thrill of playing and hopes of hitting the jackpot, your money could be gone in seconds.


There are machines that require inexpensive games. These are the single pay line machines. This way, you could still play and have the chance on hitting the jackpot but doesn’t risk of losing all your money.


Try playing on two or three-coin slot machines. This way you could maximize the playing time of your money.


If you have a small budget for playing the slots, avoid playing the progressive slots online. Their payouts are much lower than the regular slot machine does. Plus, they could max out your budget in a few playing minutes.


You hit on jackpot at the first spin. It is likely for you to hope on playing for another round. But as it is, this is a game of chance. You are not sure if you would be hitting on the jackpot the second time or the third, etc. If you win, take the money and quit, don’t fall into giving back the money to the machine.


The rules on beating the slot machine simply works the same way as spinning a regular wheel that has to stop and produce a matching pattern of numbers or pictures in some case. So go ahead, have fun, spin the wheel and hit the jackpot!


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Why Senior Gambling Exists?

In the United States, gambling is a prevalent activity. In 2002 alone, surveys show that almost 65% of the American population is hooked up with gambling.

In fact, there are professional analyzers that insist on their findings that there are more people who spend more money in gambling than they would do with the other nonsense items such video games, theme parks, and movie tickets, even if all of these things are combined all together.

Since then, there have been numerous reports about how gambling is penetrated in the society. There are still studies that lack evidence and conclusions about senior gambling.

These should pose an alarming case. This can be attributed to the recent survey done on almost 7,000 seniors, wherein, bingo had ranked as the second most-played gambling game by seniors.

Moreover, the number of senior people who are into gambling have increased from 20% in 1974 to 50% in 1988. These figures can be very alarming in spite of the long gap between 1974 and 1988. Also, this only goes to show that senior gambling is gradually but steadily growing in number.

Because most of the seniors have already gotten their “nest eggs,” they have more tendencies to get involved in gambling because of their money.

So, for people who want to know why senior gambling is so rampant these days, here’s a list of some facts that could be of great help.

1. Senior gambling is prevalent because of the fact that they do not have anything to do and that gambling is the only activity they find lucrative and at the same time gratifying.

2. Lack of attention and deteriorating opportunities made available for their social interaction, older people are more vulnerable to gambling these days. They find gambling as one way of escaping the hard realities of life that they could not bear. In turn, they gamble a lot so as to forget life’s problems.

3. Another reason why a lot of senior people are so much into gambling is that they have money, usually from their nest eggs or retirement funds. The more money they have, the more chances of gambling more.

4. In reality, senior gambling does not delve more on winning but more on the entertainment and satisfaction that they get whenever senior people gamble.

5. More privileges are available for senior gamblers, thus, seniors find it more convenient and more pleasurable to play gambling.



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POKER TIPS........TO WIN!

Poker is a very popular card game, where players with either fully or partially hidden cards bet into a central "pot."  To the player having the best card combination, the accumulated bet in the pot is then handed over. 

Before the dealing of the cards, one or more players, depending on the rule, is required to place an initial bet unto the pot. After which, the cards are dealt, face down.  Thus the beginning of the game.

Strategy should be developed so that one will learn who plays fair or who the sharper player is.  By defining them, one can easily deal with them.  Carefully study each players move so you will prevent loss in your cards.

Poker is a game of strategy.  Even with bad set of cards, a good poker player still has a high chance of winning.  Here are some tips:

*Hand strength.  Any hand that is less than a pair should be folded at the earliest opportunity that comes.  Don't wait that other cards will remedy the situation, because they will not.

*Display a poker face.  This makes the other players wary of your cards.  Your expression will let your opponents know how good or how bad are your cards.  A point to remember, never project any clue to them, if you will, then make certain that if you do have bad cards, pretend you have otherwise.

Do bear in mind that bluffing will not work if you are a poor player.  Meaning players who over estimate the force of their hand.  Also, if a player bluffs repeatedly or regularly, expert players will eventually sense their style and would now know if they are bluffing or not.

*Never be afraid to fold.  One threatening aspect in poker is placing your bet.  As to how much or how little one should bet, feel the game.  As you go along, you will then be knowledgeable and know when to bet and when to fold.  A rule to keep in mind is, don't expect later cards will improve your situation if you have nothing in your hand.  Be free to fold as frequently as needed.

*Control.  Bet wisely.  This means betting with your head.  Bet only within your means.  You can not gain fortunes in poker, so stay within your limits.

*No alcohol.  As alcohol makes one bolder and daring, it is wise to avoid it at poker time.  You might find yourself betting more in not so good cards.  Avoid alcohol especially when the stakes are high.

It is important for one to devote a lot of time for the development of your own strategy.  The more you play the game, the longer that you are exposed to it, you could then have your own secrets to winning the game.


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What You Don’t Know May Hurt You: Avoid Offline Gambling Scams

With commodities escalating to greater heights, more and more people are continuously are getting poorer each day. Here, there, and everywhere, people can be found seeking ways to sustain their daily lives.

Hence, getting into fraudulent activity is another way of combating the hard times. No wonder why people are experiencing scam-related activities these days, especially those who are into gambling activities. This is because in gambling, more people are easily enticed to engage into activities that will give them an easy way to win.

The Common Offline Gambling Scam

Contrary to most popular belief, gambling scams do not just happen in the Internet. In fact, surveys show that there are more people who get victimized by scammers off line than online.

One of the common gambling scams is the identity theft. This is so prevalent because most of the people who play in the casinos use their credit cards to buy the chips.

For people who are not aware of the scheme, they will fall easily as prey. In fact, the Federal Bureau of Investigation has estimated 350,000 to 500,000 of identity theft cases in the United States each year. This goes to show that more people are not as aware of how their identity gets to be stolen.

How to avoid them

There is no better way to avoid any kind of scam but to educate one’s self. Proper information about these activities will definitely help people identify any probable signs of scam at once.  It is alarming to note that there are so many cases of scams these days just because people are not aware of them.

In the Financial Crimes Division of the Secret Service, authorities receive approximately 11 complaints a day from victims and 300 to 500 calls from people who have related problems. Most of the reasons why they were victimized were based on the fact that they did not know it was a scam and that the idea presented to them seemed okay.

Indeed, if people are just aware of the things that are happening around them, things would be better. So, in order to give those scammers the things that they truly deserve, it’s best to educate people about the activities so that they can easily report the fraudulent person at once.

As they say, ignorance is not an excuse. It really pays to know everything.


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GOING HIGH TECH WITH ONLINE GAMBLING

Just as traditional medicine was replaced by sophisticated capsulated drug production, the introduction of modern technology assisted gambling in making its way to the online world.

Whether you choose to gamble your money through the traditional or the virtual way the following tips will guide you on what's hot and what's not of the gambling world. Should you choose to use online gambling products, here are a few tips on how to avoid risking those wagers while keeping your online micro gaming experience enjoyable.

• Who's who? - Current research shows that 3 out of 5 online gamblers fall into mischief.  Its important to know the online operator of the online gaming site you are visiting before wagering those bucks so transactions will be easy should disputes arise.

• Is it Legal? - Applicable laws pertaining to online gambling exist in every US state so you may assume that every state varies in the provisions of the laws covering such activity.

• Is it Legit? - Despite the strict laws existing against offending online gaming sites there remain some people who prey on people's money. There are online gaming centers which are legally commissioned to conduct micro gaming events. And one way to recognize them is by the type of software from which these sites operate.

Software such as OddsOn, Playtech, Cryptologic, and Microgaming, are just some of the most favorite. Suspicious sites do not display these softwares. These sites are not legally bonded and are not protected by active gambling policies in the area where they are allowed to operate.

• Know the Rules! - Luck works and there are simply lots of psychology working on those lethal moves. Master the simple systems at which the game operates and you are certainly an edge away against the bookies!

• Read, Read, and Read - One fact about gambling is that most operators won't disclose real information about the details of the payout. Read the fine prints. It saves you in the long run.

• Develop a Strategy - As far as chance gaming is concerned, knowing when to go flops or turn cards is just as important as planning a military assault against your opponent. Varied but intelligently appropriate strikes are important.

• Risk it! - You tend to deregulate the amount of money coming out your of pocket as you progress. Latest statistics show that sixteen US states are currently financing gambling related problems. Gaming and gambling is a form of entertainment so you expect to lose some money in the end. Given the consequences, realizing the money you can afford to blow out is important.



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