Why do people feel they have to insult gamblers?

I don't know if this has ever happened to you, but a few years ago I was on a message board, telling about what an especially nice time I had on a casino trip I made, and everybody made comments like, "Why don't you save time by just driving by the place and throwing your money out the car window instead?" and "What a waste of money" and "I have better things to do with my money than making a casino rich."

This is my entertainment, this is what I like to do, why does everyone feel the need to criticize it and insult me?

So I countered back. I wrote, "You took $1,500 and went on vacation. You stayed at a nice hotel, you swam in the pool, you ate at nice restaurants, and everyone said, 'What a wonderful way to spend your vacation.'"

I took the same $1,500, I stayed at a nice hotel, I swam in the pool, I ate at nice restaurants, and everyone says, 'What a waste of money!'"

Not only did I do the exact same things, but there was the possibility from the very beginning that my vacation could end up not costing me anything if I won.

I don't know why people feel they have the right to judge a person's entertainment choices, just because tbat person chooses Las Vegas instead of Disneyworld.

I agree! I like to play a few bucks every couple of weeks at the card room or save up for a trip to NV. I love Vegas! It is a place that has so much to do, shows, sights, and some of the best restaurants. What I like about Vegas is that when I go I play to win enough to pay for the trip, or I lose a set limit then I stop. Fortunately I have been smart about what I play and have been able to have really nice trips that end up at little cost to me. People that insult gamblers just don't understand the way the whole "game" works. Often these are people that think the machines are fixed and the decks are stacked to make the player lose. The odds are in the casinos favor so they do not even need to do this! People often tell me they work too hard for their money to risk losing it, I tell them thats fine if you can't handle a loss it is good that you don't play. We should all get together in Vegas and have a small convention or social gathering for all the fans of the Wizard, it would be nice to be able to meet up with all the neat people that post on this site.

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

I agree! I like to play a few bucks every couple of weeks at the card room or save up for a trip to NV. I love Vegas! It is a place that has so much to do, shows, sights, and some of the best restaurants. What I like about Vegas is that when I go I play to win enough to pay for the trip, or I lose a set limit then I stop. Fortunately I have been smart about what I play and have been able to have really nice trips that end up at little cost to me. People that insult gamblers just don't understand the way the whole "game" works. Often these are people that think the machines are fixed and the decks are stacked to make the player lose. The odds are in the casinos favor so they do not even need to do this! People often tell me they work too hard for their money to risk losing it, I tell them thats fine if you can't handle a loss it is good that you don't play. We should all get together in Vegas and have a small convention or social gathering for all the fans of the Wizard, it would be nice to be able to meet up with all the neat people that post on this site.

I'd consider a convention for sure. It will be a year before I can financially do it, but you are right, it would be neat. Maybe Wiz could start a thread on what we would like to see/do?

I think people that insult gamblers just like to insult people. 10 years ago I rarely touched a casino game, having lost too much in slots. Over time I learned how to play, and how to increase my chances of winning. But this takes time and effort. Hundreds of hours reading books. Some people have other interests. That is fine. I think "scrapbooking" is goofy, but had a boss show me the result and it looked very nice. I still think it is goofy, but won't insult a scrapbooker.

Quote: AZDuffman

Quote: NicksGamingStuff

I think people that insult gamblers just like to insult people. 10 years ago I rarely touched a casino game, having lost too much in slots.

10 years ago, I shuddered at losing $20 in quarters in a slot machine. I remember talking to a dealer at a $10 BJ table; I was telling him how I couldn't bring myself to bet $10 at a time, because I was too aware of how hard I'd worked for the $$.

Now, I like it. I like the feeling right before I look at my cards, or right before the dice are rolled. What I've learned here (actually at Wizard of Odds) isn't just the odds and the math; it's more the concept of bankroll management, and the relation between bet size and total bankroll. That, to me, is the big picture. Knowing the odds lets me act with my eyes wide open. Knowing how to manage my money lets me enjoy the experience.

If someone makes an offhand remark, how I respond depends on the situation. If it is said as an invitation to conversation (that happens sometimes), I take a couple minutes and explain how comps work, and how a vacationer can use knowledge of the games to maximize the fun quotient. If it's made in passing, and I feel the need to shoot back, I respond with something like, "It's not a game of chance the way I play it," and move on (an old WC Fields line, for you younger players). Otherwise I either let it go (on the internet), or simply shrug and say, "I do OK," or, "It works for me," and move on.

A convention? Not me. I'm social, but I'm a bit out of my depth here I think. I'm a science lover, but not a math head; I love gambling, but I dabble. I like this forum because it's interesting, and the people are passionate, and the group insiders are well informed and friendly. I'm a potter.

The real reason for the insults is usually the same as for any behavior viewed as less than honorable. Most people don't realize that they gamble everyday they invest in the stock market. You can wake them up by telling them that you lost less money gambling than they did in their 401k accounts last year. bcj

Jealousy, is also a good reason for the 'tude. You are absolutely right, you have the chance to not have to pay for said vacation at all. Notwithstanding intelligent choices and play.

Quote: tsmith

I don't know why people feel they have the right to judge a person's entertainment choices, just because tbat person chooses Las Vegas instead of Disneyworld.

Disneyworld?

Holy crap! Talk about a vacation that just sucks the money out of your pocket.

There's only one thing at Disneyworld that's a bargain - the free transportation system!

Why would anyone want to spent all that money to stand on one line after another, just to make that rat rich? (FYI: Most Disneyworld employees - er, 'cast members' - refer to Mickey as "The Rat".)

Quote: DJTeddyBear

Most Disneyworld employees - er, 'cast members' - refer to Mickey as "The Rat".)

Actually its "The Mouse".

However, I don't see why anyone would attempt to insult a gambler's choices for any reason other than that they envy him his courage and daring.

Well I am also not a math head, I barely made it past calc 1, but I just think it would be fun to get together with all the fans of this site, more as a social gathering. I will be in Vegas 3/1-3/3 any other low rollers out there feel like some BJ team work?