I am a degenerate gambler....

And I like it!

My friends and I will make a wager on just about anything. One vice I was never really into at the casino has been keeping me out into the wee hours recently.

I've never really played slot machines much until recently. They are a fun distraction while waiting for a seat to open up at the poker table or two deck pitch blackjack game, but I know the odds and other than the odd twenty or so every few months, never really played them.

My recent binge into the spinning wheels and multi-line payouts started a couple of weeks ago. A friend and I were at our favorite watering holes playing pool and darts (I lost at pool, but kicked ass, as usual, at darts) for beers. The place was dead that night and around 11pm we decided to roll up the highway to one of the many casinos within an hour of my house.

We played there for a bit then decided to try out another place for a while. After what seemed to be an hour or so there we decided to cash out and leave. Glancing at my watch as we walked towards my truck, I noticed it was 5am! Where had the time gone?

A few days later we were back at it. This time was even more extreme. Between time spent at the casinos and getting my online work semi-done, I was up for 51 hours straight! When I was younger and partying all night and working/going to school all day this would not have been that big of a deal...But hell, I'm 44 years old now! I'm not 21 any more...

After another couple late nights this week, I firmly believe that I am a degenerate gambler. Staying up all night playing cards is one thing (because I thoroughly enjoy playing poker and blackjack and almost always come out ahead), but machines...I know that I am pissing money away! Sure I may win $430 on a quarter bet, but eventually the slot Gods are going to take all of that and more back.

Things I will not be doing.

1. Replacing card games with slots as my favorite thing to do in a casino
2. Pissing my poker bankroll away on slot machines
3. Putting my mortgage payment, electric bill, grocery or any other necessity money on a slot machine spin (But I probably would on poker or blackjack).
4. Using artificial stimulants (other than caffeine and sugar) to keep me awake during one of my binges

Well, its off to the Creek Nation Muscogee casino for a little bounty poker tournament tonight. I have been intending to go and play over there for a while but have never found the time. Seems something was always getting in the way. I know many of the players there, so it shouldn't be too much of an adjustment to get control of whatever table I'm at.

More soon...