Dyvan13
Dyvan13
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November 7th, 2017 at 12:45:07 PM permalink
Hello fellow forum members. I'm talking about over-indulgence in booze, cigarettes, and junk food; all which are quite plentiful very cheaply in a casino.

I am a social drinker and once-in-a-while tobacco smoker. Since I've started AP'ing daily after work and on the weekends, I've found myself drinking more, smoking more, and binging on free casino buffets more. My waistline tells the story. The free booze, free dining credits, and heavily discounted cigarettes have plummetted me into a world of hedonism, all while enjoying the money earned being a (low roller) AP.


I never was a big smoker; would smoke only when going out with friends, maybe a pack a month, but now it's like a pack a week, sometimes more. Same with drinking; I don't really get hammered at casino's (I don't want my concentration to fade), but will have 2-3 beers everytime I go.

I was wondering if other forum members have similar experiences? I know many people on this forum don't drink when they gamble and don't smoke at all, so kudos!
Romes
Romes
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November 7th, 2017 at 1:07:06 PM permalink
Thanks for sharing Dyvan... Yeah I think it's been mentioned between others before that the casino life can be fairly unhealthy. From the stress of hearing the dinging all day, playing your game flawlessly, and always keeping an eye out for pit/security personnel getting too nosy, after a session it feels nice to just RELAX with a free meal or some drinks, etc.

I too found a similar issue with the casino comps/buffets =P. While I completely did not have to, it was just to convenient to "shop" at a few of the food shops at some casinos that also sold things like lunchmeat, etc, and to just live off their dime... since after all that's +EV to save money on regular groceries! However, I found as well when eating the casino buffet 2-3 times per week and enjoying the non-healthy drinks that I normally didn't buy (but said why not since they're free), the scale of what's really EV starts to move one direction.

I think it's a bit more interesting because as we all get in to AP the idea of getting the casino to PAY US (with comps) to take money from them is, or at least was/is for me, one of the best parts of the job. When I started if the casino was gonna offer me something, well damn I was gonna take it! As I've progressed in my AP career though, like any other job, I've learned to avoid certain pitfalls... such as I don't "always" have to use my free buffet, and if I do, then I can just as easily limit my portions or eat some healthier options. So I think as one goes through their AP career, if they want to at least, they can identify these pitfalls in unhealthiness and avoid them, if they so desire to. Similar to your situation, now that you're aware of the issue, it's on you to fix it how you see fit. If you don't like smoking/drinking/eating unhealthy, then don't =). I know easier said than done, but perhaps you could convert your comps to free play whenever you have them or something, so you don't have them to spend... OR you could always give your food/drink vouchers away to other locals you know, etc. It's a good way to get a good report in the casino, and it's again on the casinos dime, with the added side effect that you don't have all those comps to binge on unhealthy things for yourself =). Perhaps freeze your comps and just save up until you have a big amount, then bring a group of friends and have a buffet night or something out where you can make use of the comps, but again instead of you eating 10 buffets, you get to have 1 and share with 9 of your friends.
Playing it correctly means you've already won.
charliepatrick
charliepatrick
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November 7th, 2017 at 1:37:25 PM permalink
I'm sure there are lots of diets out there but my suggestion would be to cut out carbs (potatoes, rice, pasta, cakes, sweets, etc.) and concentrate on fish, meats and veggies (apparently not root ones like carrots). Beer doesn't help and a barman recently suggested Vodka, Lime and Soda as being low in sugars. However I like real ale so have the occasional half and monthly binge.
Ibeatyouraces
Ibeatyouraces
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November 7th, 2017 at 1:49:07 PM permalink
I don't drink or smoke. And I turn comps into free play, which in turn, is turned into cash.
DUHHIIIIIIIII HEARD THAT!
RogerKint
RogerKint
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SM777
November 7th, 2017 at 1:49:40 PM permalink
Are you really AP'ing if the lifestyle that comes with it is ruining your health?
100% risk of ruin
TigerWu
TigerWu
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November 7th, 2017 at 1:50:57 PM permalink
I noticed the opposite reaction when it came to alcohol. I'm not an AP, but I will sit at a table for hours when I visit Vegas. I realized that the more I drank, the more I had to get up to use the bathroom, and also my concentration obviously wavered. Both of those things are annoying to deal with when you're sitting at a table for hours on end trying to make decisions involving money, so the last time I was in Vegas I hardly drank at all.
sabre
sabre
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November 8th, 2017 at 7:42:25 AM permalink
I struggle too with excessive drinking in a casino environment. I can't imagine trying to moderate smoking there.

Regarding food, even the most garbage of casinos usually has some reasonably healthy options. I just takes discipline to identify and stick to them. Just find things that resemble vegetables or lean meats not drowning in a sugary sauce and you're good to go. When buffets are comped you shouldn't feel a psychological need to get your monies worth by overeating.
MaxPen
MaxPen
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November 8th, 2017 at 8:50:51 PM permalink
I believe people are going to do whatever they do regardless of environment. The casino environment may just be a convenient excuse for degenerating behavior.

Spending a lot of time in the casino environment actually prompted me to quit smoking a couple months ago. Never drank so can't really comment on that.
billryan
billryan
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November 8th, 2017 at 9:59:35 PM permalink
I gained about 35 pounds my first year in Vegas, even with strictly limiting my buffets to no more than once every two weeks.
Drinks, I have an Ultra and a shot of Apple Pie moonshine when I start. I'll usually have a second beer but that's it. Water for the rest of my play.
I'm into my third month of Nutrisystem and I'm over twenty pounds less than what I weighed when I moved here.
I try to have no more than one cigarette a week, and am pretty good about it.
It's certainly something one needs take control of.
The difference between fiction and reality is that fiction is supposed to make sense.
rxwine
rxwine
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November 9th, 2017 at 12:48:02 AM permalink
If nothing else, when you decide to take a break, take a long walk through the casino. Well, unless you're in a tiny casino.
There's no secret. Just know what you're talking about before you open your mouth.
onenickelmiracle
onenickelmiracle
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November 9th, 2017 at 7:59:49 AM permalink
I started drinking when under tremendous stress recently. To some degree it's cover for me and the beer helps me play stupid better. If it doesn't affect your decisions, no harm, besides in my case, the expense.
I am a robot.
gamerfreak
gamerfreak
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November 9th, 2017 at 10:31:37 AM permalink
I like cigars and light one up at the table now and then. I always ask other players or the dealer if they mind, because stogies can give off quite a bit of smoke.
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