On Gambling

First, have you checked out my guest post at Triton Cove yet? You HAVEN'T? Tsk. Well go and read it now. I'll wait.

Are you back? Awesome.

I've never been much of a gambler. Personally, I'd rather stick my money in a cash register and take home shoes.

KACHING! I'm a winner every time!

And my feet look fabulous.

I grew up 3 hours from Las Vegas and have family there. So you'd think spending plenty of time waltzing through casinos growing up, I'd have developed a taste for gambling. But not so.

My mom, she loves the nickel slots. Loves to pull the lever. Thinks she'll hit the jackpot. But slot machines aren't as fun anymore anyway. You don't get piles of coins spilling out from the machine; you can a little receipt to cash in. What fun is that?

For my 21st birthday (after the parties in Los Anegels where my cousin took me out dancing and got me rightfully drunk), I was forced to participate in the family tradition of going to Vegas. My mother made me gamble. Made me. Gave me twenty bucks and threw me at the roulette table. Nevermind that I had absolutely no idea how the game worked. I only bet ten dollars and lost it all in one shot. That was painful.

I spent the rest on a chocolate eclair. That was worth it.

My dad, he likes the blackjack. Has a whole system where he puts his gambling money in one pocket and his winnings in the other. When the first pocket is empty, he quits. Smart man, my pop.

Then there's the poker. What is the obsession with poker? I get the classic game of 5 card stud. My dad taught me as a kid. I know all the different hands and all that jazz. What I don't get is the betting. When to bet. When to call. I totally get when to fold. And what the hell does double down even mean? Totally sounds like a dance step to me.

And don't get me started on Texas Hold Em. I have a childhood friend who deals Texas Hold Em and I have yet to fully get the intricate dance that is that damn game.

And why should I? Whyyyy? Why do I have to learn how to gamble properly? It is not my life's goal to one day be a pit boss in a major casino (or even a minor one). Though if I were, I'd totally spot the underage punks think they can fool me with a fake ID I know your game get out of here, punkasses!

Excuse me, I got a little carried away for a sec.

 However (insert brilliant segue), despite my disdain for gambling (and it's really only a disdain for my own gambling...you all have a blast. I'll be in the buffet.), I am a bit of a gambler sometimes.

I've walked out on careers and started all over from scratch. I've given my heart freely without any guarantee of a return on my investment (and failed, but I don't ever seem to learn). I've tried new things without any instruction except my own instincts. I've packed up my whole life and moved to a new state without anything waiting there but a wonderful friend and the hope for a fresh start.

I may not see the point of gambling with my money. But I've certainly and readily gambled at life.

I don't always win, but I always seem to go back for more. Hrm. That's maybe not the best strategy. Maybe I'm a life addict!

That was way deep, yo!

Are you barfing?

This post participates in:

SO, that was a Word Up, Yo post. 

I think you see me participate in these from time to time. 

I was even dubbed a Made Man in the Nerd Mafia from this post last year.

And now you can be in the Nerd Mafia too AND help me get promoted! 

Plus, I know you SO want to particiapte because it's totally fun. 

Yes! Do it!

Here are the rules:

So, if I recruit one person to join Word Up, Yo! I get a promotion. 

If I recruit two or more people to participate, I am will get a generous bump to Capo 

To have a post count in the recruitment challenge it must:

1. Use one of this week’s words (listed below)

2. Link up to Word Up, Yo!
3. Mention the name and/or blog of the person who recruited them. (THAT'S ME!)

4. (I added this one) Go follow the Nerd Mafia Dons at their blogs:

A Belle, A Bean, and  Chicago Dog

Taming Insanity

Mommy of a Monster (I mean toddler) and Infant Twins

How YOU can get made: use any of the Vegas themed words below. 

As always, the best post gets jumped in to our cozy little Mafia Family.

kaching!

jackpot

winner winner, chicken dinner

roulette

double down

gamble

pit boss