Vegas Gambling Documentary
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October 2nd, 2010 at 9:59:39 PM
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6x4rn8zq4s0
I really enjoyed this hour long BBC documentary. Especially interesting is the enabling relationship between the casino host and the whales. Its like watching handlers with mental patients in a psych ward. And the general denial of the gamblers, its a hoot. I watched it 3 times.
I really enjoyed this hour long BBC documentary. Especially interesting is the enabling relationship between the casino host and the whales. Its like watching handlers with mental patients in a psych ward. And the general denial of the gamblers, its a hoot. I watched it 3 times.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:55:32 AM
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I have personally watched this about 4 times, when ever this, or Piers Moirgan's Vegas Documentaries are shown I watch them, as even repeated viewings let you notice different things about the people in them.
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October 3rd, 2010 at 10:11:40 AM
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I happened to have watched these videos several months ago. It was mildly entertaining but it was more an indictment of those particular gamblers than of Las Vegas.
The woman who enjoys playing slot machines is simply a rich woman not all that different from someone who feeds their social security checks into a slot machine. Each gets comps according to their action. Each is engaged in a mindless button pushing exercise.
Some of the whale - host interactions seemed strange, but if you own a Canadian mattress retailer you can afford to have losses at the gambling tables.
It might be less entertaining but would certainly be more informative if we had a documentary on a more average visitor.
The woman who enjoys playing slot machines is simply a rich woman not all that different from someone who feeds their social security checks into a slot machine. Each gets comps according to their action. Each is engaged in a mindless button pushing exercise.
Some of the whale - host interactions seemed strange, but if you own a Canadian mattress retailer you can afford to have losses at the gambling tables.
It might be less entertaining but would certainly be more informative if we had a documentary on a more average visitor.
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:25:33 AM
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Quote: FleaStiff
It might be less entertaining but would certainly be more informative if we had a documentary on a more average visitor.
Now that is a good idea. One of the things I was considering for my trip next year (June 8-22) Is the possibility of a video diary charting my daily activities, my gambling results, and some of the sights. I might start a thread asking for suggestions and ideas for this. Thanks for the inspiration.
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October 3rd, 2010 at 6:33:22 PM
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I just got done watching the entire hour. Never saw it before. Interesting stuff.
You'd have thought with all the people he talked to in the elevator, who admitted they'd lost, that he would have interviewed at least one of them!Quote: FleaStiffIt might be less entertaining but would certainly be more informative if we had a documentary on a more average visitor.
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
October 3rd, 2010 at 7:50:49 PM
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Louie Theroux is awesome, you should see the documentary he did where he visits Westboro Baptist Church.
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October 3rd, 2010 at 8:53:58 PM
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Quote: FleaStiffI happened to have watched these videos several months ago. It was mildly entertaining but it was more an indictment of those particular gamblers than of Las Vegas.
The woman who enjoys playing slot machines is simply a rich woman not all that different from someone who feeds their social security checks into a slot machine. Each gets comps according to their action. Each is engaged in a mindless button pushing exercise.
Some of the whale - host interactions seemed strange, but if you own a Canadian mattress retailer you can afford to have losses at the gambling tables.
It might be less entertaining but would certainly be more informative if we had a documentary on a more average visitor.
The BJ player who won 10K then lost it and his BR was pretty average. Stay up for 35 hours chasing your losses, what an idiot. Whats interesting is the two whales, the old lady and the Canadian, actually think their casino hosts are their best friends. What they really are in enablers for their gambling problem. Real friends would get them into an intervention or something.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:08:51 PM
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I dont know if you guys have watched American Casino, based on the goings on at Green Valley Ranch around 2003/4, but the main host in that Matt Sacca, has actually tried to get people to stop gambling for a while when in the hole. He was basically told to go screw himself. At the end of the day people that want to gamble wil gamble. all the host does is try and makes sure they drop the cash at the property they work in.
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October 3rd, 2010 at 9:21:24 PM
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That was a really interesting documentary; I'd never seen it before.
I thought it was interesting how both of the whales denied having a "gambling addiction" - dude, just admit you have a problem. What's the deal with not wanting to admit having a weakness for gambling? And how does the lady doctor, who explains how she goes to the slots every day, not realize she just might have a bit of a gambling problem? Denial can be a strong drug, I guess.
I also thought the two blackjack players were interesting - at their rate of play, how come the casino wasn't treating them a bit nicer? I would think bringing $35,000 or whatever the guy mentioned to play with would at least get them a fancier suite or something.
Or maybe it takes more to be considered even a small whale in Vegas...?
I thought it was interesting how both of the whales denied having a "gambling addiction" - dude, just admit you have a problem. What's the deal with not wanting to admit having a weakness for gambling? And how does the lady doctor, who explains how she goes to the slots every day, not realize she just might have a bit of a gambling problem? Denial can be a strong drug, I guess.
I also thought the two blackjack players were interesting - at their rate of play, how come the casino wasn't treating them a bit nicer? I would think bringing $35,000 or whatever the guy mentioned to play with would at least get them a fancier suite or something.
Or maybe it takes more to be considered even a small whale in Vegas...?
October 3rd, 2010 at 9:36:32 PM
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Personally I think its because those 2 were bulling to big themselves up for the camera. Something about them just didnt sit right with me. Maybe I am just too suspicious.
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October 3rd, 2010 at 10:05:04 PM
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Quote: CroupierPersonally I think its because those 2 were bulling to big themselves up for the camera. Something about them just didnt sit right with me. Maybe I am just too suspicious.
I think they were for real. Look at the attitude of the guy who won 10K. At the start, he was cocky and arrogant, but when he'd lost it all you could tell he was really controlling his anger. I've seen that guys clone a hundred times in casinos, chase their losses till their broke and its time to leave.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 3rd, 2010 at 10:06:53 PM
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True, and it has been a while since I last watched it. I see people like that at work too, so I guess I should give them the benefit of the doubt.
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October 3rd, 2010 at 10:12:19 PM
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Quote: CroupierTrue, and it has been a while since I last watched it. I see people like that at work too, so I guess I should give them the benefit of the doubt.
Watch it again, I always see things I missed before. Its like the players don't even realize how embarrassing some of the questions being asked are. They're so much in denial that it blinds them.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 4th, 2010 at 2:10:46 AM
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I am reminded of the people who show up for Jerry Springer and such. They are so starved for attention that they are willing to totally humiliate themselves, just to be on TV.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
October 4th, 2010 at 3:40:23 AM
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I'm sure that the high rollers when they agreed to be taped thought that they would be winning. Sure, they enjoy being filmed and interviewed but they imagine being filmed as winners, not losers.
Even that guy who wanted the credit card so he could go shopping was probably playing up a bit for the camera.
The truth about what goes on in Vegas?
Well, all those hookers must surely be starving to death ... darn few men ever admit to doing anything other than eat, drink and gamble. So I don't think any documentary will be all that truthful.
Even if you consider just the gambling, you get too many people bucking a ten percent house edge at Cleopatra Keno or something to make the documentary anything other than The Ignorant Losers of Las Vegas.
Even that guy who wanted the credit card so he could go shopping was probably playing up a bit for the camera.
The truth about what goes on in Vegas?
Well, all those hookers must surely be starving to death ... darn few men ever admit to doing anything other than eat, drink and gamble. So I don't think any documentary will be all that truthful.
Even if you consider just the gambling, you get too many people bucking a ten percent house edge at Cleopatra Keno or something to make the documentary anything other than The Ignorant Losers of Las Vegas.
October 4th, 2010 at 3:48:15 AM
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The only thing i want to see is the wheels and listen to the sound of the ball going Swarfh Swarfh Swarfh Sworfh Swarfh Swarfh Sworfh Swarfh Swarfh Sworfh Sworfh Sworfh swarfh Sworfh Sworfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh Swirfh SMACK
:-)
:-)
AP - It's not that it can't be done, but rather people don't really have a clue as to the level of fanaticism and outright obsession that it takes to be successful, let alone get to the level where you can take money out of the casinos on a regular basis. Out of 1,000 people that earnestly try, maybe only one will make it.
October 4th, 2010 at 8:12:07 AM
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What happened with that smack? was that you hitting the dealer after you lost again?
Id say roulettle balls landing have more of a clunky tinkle.
Id say roulettle balls landing have more of a clunky tinkle.
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October 4th, 2010 at 10:10:49 AM
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What happened with that smack? was that you hitting the dealer after you lost again?
hehehe that was funny :-)
For does who not following this can take a look at this old post - enjoy :-)
http://www.survtech.com.au/acoustic/acoustic_signature.htm
hehehe that was funny :-)
For does who not following this can take a look at this old post - enjoy :-)
http://www.survtech.com.au/acoustic/acoustic_signature.htm
AP - It's not that it can't be done, but rather people don't really have a clue as to the level of fanaticism and outright obsession that it takes to be successful, let alone get to the level where you can take money out of the casinos on a regular basis. Out of 1,000 people that earnestly try, maybe only one will make it.
October 5th, 2010 at 7:28:25 PM
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Nice documentary, thanks for sharing! It is kind of annoying seein people like that old lady, don't you guys think?
I agree that the BJ guys were for real. The Canadian high roller didn`t convince me at all, on the other hand! Have you guys noticed how he feeds the slots with the U$100 bills? There`s no emotion on that, a little bit untrue. Compare that to the emotion of the last guy playing baccarat...
I agree that the BJ guys were for real. The Canadian high roller didn`t convince me at all, on the other hand! Have you guys noticed how he feeds the slots with the U$100 bills? There`s no emotion on that, a little bit untrue. Compare that to the emotion of the last guy playing baccarat...
No bounce, no play.
October 6th, 2010 at 7:14:18 AM
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Quote: aluisioNice documentary, thanks for sharing! It is kind of annoying seein people like that old lady, don't you guys think?
I agree that the BJ guys were for real. The Canadian high roller didn`t convince me at all, on the other hand! Have you guys noticed how he feeds the slots with the U$100 bills? There`s no emotion on that, a little bit untrue. Compare that to the emotion of the last guy playing baccarat...
No, I believe the high roller guy. I imagine once you've amassed a certain amount of personal wealth, throwing $100 in slot machines or being down eighty thousand dollars is no sweat. He probably has millions, or tens of millions.
It's all a matter of scale, you know? I imagine someone just barely scraping out a living would balk at people on the boards here who talk about going through a bankroll of $500 on a night. Heck, I'm consistently surprised at the amount the Wizard bets on his casino reviews, but that's probably because my income is a fraction of his.
That old lady was a little bit sad. It's her money though, I guess.
October 6th, 2010 at 2:03:24 PM
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Quote: EvenBobI think they were for real. Look at the attitude of the guy who won 10K. At the start, he was cocky and arrogant, but when he'd lost it all you could tell he was really controlling his anger. I've seen that guys clone a hundred times in casinos, chase their losses till their broke and its time to leave.
Everybody in it was 'for real'. None were setups or pre-planned. Like somebody else said, the high roller and the 10K BJ guy did it because they thought they were going to win. You can see the change in the rich guys attitude as the show went on and he lost more and more. He wasn't nearly as enthusiastic about the filming as he was at the start.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 6th, 2010 at 2:57:12 PM
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Watching the retired lady doctor in particular: One thing that came out for me is how [evidently] addictive it is to have a host fawning over a person... personally, I can't picture being susceptible to this. But who knows? it seems to grow out of wanting whatever comps are due and grows from there.
the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder
October 6th, 2010 at 11:26:01 PM
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Thanks for the link. Good stuff.
I thought Louie did a good job with the contrast between what the host thinks of the customer, and what the customer thinks the host feels about him. The old lady was particularly appalling - she seemed to know that she was directly affecting the future of fellow family members, but didn't care one bit.
I thought Louie did a good job with the contrast between what the host thinks of the customer, and what the customer thinks the host feels about him. The old lady was particularly appalling - she seemed to know that she was directly affecting the future of fellow family members, but didn't care one bit.
October 6th, 2010 at 11:54:38 PM
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Quote: bluefireThanks for the link. Good stuff.
I thought Louie did a good job with the contrast between what the host thinks of the customer, and what the customer thinks the host feels about him. The old lady was particularly appalling - she seemed to know that she was directly affecting the future of fellow family members, but didn't care one bit.
I was appalled by her too, but after the 4th viewing, I think there's more going on than meets the eye. Both her and her husband were doctors for 50 years and made a lot of money and investments. I strongly suspect she only gambles the profits from the investments and not the principle. She's far from stupid, just eccentric. Thats why her son doesn't seem very upset, he knows what going on.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 8th, 2010 at 12:56:31 PM
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Quote: bluefireThe old lady was particularly appalling - she seemed to know that she was directly affecting the future of fellow family members, but didn't care one bit.
Quote: EvenBobI was appalled by her too, but after the 4th viewing, I think there's more going on than meets the eye. Both her and her husband were doctors for 50 years and made a lot of money and investments. I strongly suspect she only gambles the profits from the investments and not the principle. She's far from stupid, just eccentric. Thats why her son doesn't seem very upset, he knows what going on.
I don't know, do children expect an inheritance? Should they? I just turned 30 so my parents aren't close to their life expectancy yet, but as they age am I suppose to be in their ear about an inheritance? Sounds kinda mess up if you ask me.
October 8th, 2010 at 1:42:24 PM
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Expect? Depends.Quote: iamthepushI don't know, do children expect an inheritance? Should they?
You do hear about bickering families from time to time.
I beleive the son in the show expects the inheritance, but also knows, or beleives, that there will still a shitpot of money coming his way even if she continues at the pace shes going for several years.
About 15 years ago, out of the blue, I bought my mother a very nice TV. My brothers were surprised by it, because it was way more than I wanted to spend. And mom doesn't have any money to leave us. When my borhters asked me about it, I shrugged and said, "I'll get it back." Now the joke is on me because she outlived that damn TV!
I invented a few casino games. Info:
http://www.DaveMillerGaming.com/ —————————————————————————————————————
Superstitions are silly, childish, irrational rituals, born out of fear of the unknown. But how much does it cost to knock on wood? 😁
October 8th, 2010 at 2:51:19 PM
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Quote: iamthepushI don't know, do children expect an inheritance?
I know a family where the mother had 5 very successful stores and sold them all for 20 million 25 years ago. Her kids have been waiting for her to die ever since. They fight about it, squabble about it, its an ongoing soap opera. The old lady just turned 85 and is constantly dropping and adding children to her will, its like a hobby. Her 'children' are now in their 60's and there are grandchildren and greatgrandchildren to split the pie and it galls the firstborns no end that the old lady didn't check out 20 years ago. She might outlive them.
"It's not called gambling if the math is on your side."
October 12th, 2010 at 12:37:06 PM
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Quote: iamthepushI don't know, do children expect an inheritance? Should they? I just turned 30 so my parents aren't close to their life expectancy yet, but as they age am I suppose to be in their ear about an inheritance? Sounds kinda mess up if you ask me.
I think there's a difference between enjoying your money before you die and blowing millions of dollars on a compulsive addiction. To me, the appalling thing wasn't the inheritance itself, but her addiction causing total disregard of her children's feelings, to the point that the conversations seemed dysfunctional, and she was willing to ignore what was right in front of her.
Personally, I expect my parents to enjoy their money responsibly, and choose to do things that leave behind a meaningful legacy and memories for future generations. Whether that's using the money to have vacations with other family members, having family gatherings yearly, leave behind a house, etc., is obviously up to them, but imo the responsibility is to leave behind a family history and legacy of their choosing that brings the family closer together, not causes them to go further apart.
In her case, everything she was using her money for was addiction fulfillment.
