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To avoid
ever developing a gambling habit
| To
avoid ever developing a gambling habit, it's a good idea to develop
a few personal rules. First, always take a watch to a casino. Because
they don't have clocks, it's easy to play for far longer and bet substantially
more than you might have originally intended. NEVER leave yourself
any access to other funds; take the amount of money to the casino
that you can afford to lose and no more. Never take a credit card
with you. Never "steam," i.e., bet bigger and bigger on
a losing streak in an attempt to recoup your losses-this is a sure
route to disaster. Always keep a picture of the true worth of the amounts you're betting, as it's very easy to switch yourself off and no longer make any connection between gambling chips and actual value. If you are winning, put aside what you came with and bet from your winnings only. Many writers call this "playing with their money." Of course, you're not doing this at all; as soon as you won it became yours, but this strategy significantly increases your chances of staying ahead of the casino in a single session. If you came by train or bus, make sure you have a return ticket to get home. Never have any illusions about casino personnel. By all means be cordial, but remember that they are interested in only one thing: removing as much money from you as quickly and painlessly as possible. |