Easy Come, Easy Go

Up until yesterday, I had never quite understood the lure of the casino, or of slot machines or of gambling.

Up until yesterday, the only gambling I had ever done was buying lottery tickets and a few rounds at the roulette wheel at Casino Night style fundraisers and other events. (unless of course, you count those games of War and Go Fish as a child where we played for M&Ms or Skittles, but I don't think they count)

But, Mom and Dad, who LOVE to gamble had wanted to go on a daytrip to a not too far away slots parlor, and thought it would be fun for me and my brother and sis-in-law to join. I agreed.

Taking only a limited amount of cash, in order to keep my losses to a minimum, I walked through the doors and for the first half hour was completely confused. Slots, lights, beeps, whistles and bells emanated from every corner of the room, and 80-year-olds brushed by, knowing exactly what they wanted to do and where they wanted to go.

Me, on the other hand, walked up and down at least 3 rows of machines before finally settling down at one. And even then, I knew not what I was doing. Ten minutes later, I was $25 poorer, because I had been betting the maximum and of course, losing each time.

Hoooooo. Ooo-kay! I left that machine and picked another. This time, I was more careful, and my $20 lasted for almost a half hour. Got up, found another machine, and threw in more money.

Big Loser.

Now $65 poorer, and my limited cash reserve dwindling, had I driven myself there, I would have left. But I was there for the day, good or bad luck.

Eventually, I lost another $40 and was down to my last $40, when lo and behold, I started winning. Bells rang, the credits bar on my machine started increasing, and suddenly, I was starting to have some fun. When that machine started to slow down for me, I found another one, just as "hot" (gambling jargon for a machine that you're doing really well on).

Again, bells, whistles and more credits later, I was totally enjoying myself and did some quick math. My credits equalled about $250. That was more than $100 than I came with. The "I'm in the money" jingle was going through my head.

But my streak was not to last.

An hour later, I left the slots parlor with $3 to my name.

Easy come, easy go.

I did have fun, however; and I will probably go again, every once in awhile, because it can be fun. But I'm glad I set limits for myself and in a way glad that my experience turned out the way it did.

In one afternoon, I learned both the joys and pitfalls of gambling, and came away understanding how some people do get addicted.

As I had watched my $250 dwindle, part of me kept saying, "okay, you're streak is over. Cash out. Cut your losses"

But I couldn't help think that my luck would turn around. Heck, an hour earlier, I'd been down to $35; and turned it into $250. Surely I could do that again? And the devil on my shoulder, said, "keep playing. You can win it back"

I had fun -- even though I walked out broke -- but I'm lucky. I only took what I was willing and able to afford to lose. And didn't let that devil on my shoulder talk me into spending any more than I had brought. (No trips to the ATM for me)

More importantly, the day wasn't really about gambling or making money --- it was to spend a day with our family. Go somewhere fun, enjoy a nice drive on a cool but sunny spring day, and the best part of the day truly was the phenomenal dinner we had afterwards at a local steak and seafood house --- paid for by my brother, whose luck had been much, much better than mine.

Would I go again -- sure. But not really for the gambling. Simply for the experience and the time spent with the family and friends who'd be accompanying me. Because, coming away richer in those circumstances would be a sure thing.