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Gambling and the Sore Loser
by Shawn Tinling

Every player knows that casino gambling is a emotional roller coaster ride. When you've been winning the big hands, or getting the lucky spins on the wheel or rolls of the dice, you feel pumped up! On top of the world. Invincible, even if only for a moment.

When things aren't going your way - you're not getting the cards you need to win, or the wheels and dice are running cold for you - it becomes a totally different experience. You start to get frustrated. Irritable. Angry. I admit I ride that roller coaster every time I play.

I reflected on the whole gaming psychology thing during a recent trip to Atlantic City. I took 1st place in a blackjack tournament a few weeks ago at Foxwoods (vindication for my fifth-place finish in March) so I was a lot more laid-back than usual. I headed down just to blow off a little steam.

In the casinos gamblers tend to have a jolly camaraderie about them when they're winning. Smiles, cheers and high-fives all around, usually. Everyone's happy and having a great time. You know, much like the people you see in all the casino advertisements. When they're losing, the cheers sometimes give way to sulks, sobs, groans and bad attitude. People become irritated and pessimistic. The game's not fun anymore, and no one's much fun to be around either.

I went over to Borgata and sat at one of their blackjack tables. Playing there was a 60's-ish lady bemoaning the fact that she couldn't catch a break. She'd get 14's and 15's against a high upcard and bust when she hits. She'd have 19, the dealer would have 20. She'd have 20, the dealer would have 21. Basically it just wasn't her day. About an hour went by and we were both taking our lumps, with this lady ranting the whole time.

"Oh, this is just my luck! This is just GREAT," she snaps sarcastically. "I bet you guys make a lot in tips beating us up like this! OH, this is UNBELIEVABLE!" The lady was being a real downer. I was down about $600 at this point myself so I wasn't exactly pleased, but I was at least trying to be a good sport about it.

When the dealer got twenty-one for the umpteenth time, the lady finally had enough, got up and walked away, laughing that 'why me?' laugh. All told, I watched her lose about $2,500 at this table. All I thought to do was throw up my hands and cry, "Thank... GOD!"

Funny thing was, I had no problem with losing every dime I had at that table. I was just happy that she left!

The lesson likely learned by most in second grade would apply here: No one likes a sore loser. Losing is an inevitable part of the game. This goes for everyone - even pro players - and sometimes it's hard enough to deal with without having someone there whining about it all.

Human nature is a funny thing. When things are going well players band together and cheer, but when the chips are down it becomes a solitary matter. The frank truth of the matter is that most people don't care if you're losing. If you're up, the guy whining about losing his shirt comes across as depressing. If you're down, you're too involved in your own losses to care about anyone else's story. Of course, that doesn't stop people from trying to use your shoulder to cry on.

I spent the next couple hours chatting with the dealer about whiners like the lady who got cleaned out and we had a few laughs at her expense. Meanwhile, my bankroll continued to take a beating. Finally, I got up and walked away, down $1,000.

On my way to the door I put $100 on a roulette wheel and won all my money back and then some - $1,100 - on a single spin. Turns out I had nothing to whine about.

Until next time, best of luck to you in the casinos and in life.

--ST