Gambling with friends, family or co-workers?

PJ started a thread a week ago about online betting so I know some of us enjoy a wager.

I recently watched a documentary on NBA (pro basketball) players and some of the card games that take place on road trips and some of the debts these guys ring up with each other (any the problems/drama it causes)

I'm not talking about a $10 office pool on the NCAA tourney but real money, do any of you gamble with co-workers, friends or family?

I'll do the office pool or $20 bet on a game...in the past I had a group of friends that liked to drink beer and play 25cent ante poker....part of this group would regularly go to the casino but we would wouldn't bet against each other....at least one of the guys had a gambling problem but at least whatever this cost him....he didn't owe his friends...

I just think this sets you up for trouble....

PJ started a thread a week ago about online betting so I know some of us enjoy a wager.

I recently watched a documentary on NBA (pro basketball) players and some of the card games that take place on road trips and some of the debts these guys ring up with each other (any the problems/drama it causes)

I'm not talking about a $10 office pool on the NCAA tourney but real money, do any of you gamble with co-workers, friends or family?

I'll do the office pool or $20 bet on a game...in the past I had a group of friends that liked to drink beer and play 25cent ante poker....part of this group would regularly go to the casino but we would wouldn't bet against each other....at least one of the guys had a gambling problem but at least whatever this cost him....he didn't owe his friends...

I just think this sets you up for trouble.... Originally Posted by atlcomedy

How would you rather lose your money to, the house or a good buddy.

Remember Ricky Bobby, Cal did him a favor, remember?

My take on it is it's all a matter of perspective...

The money that changes hands on a pro team charter flight would probably make what's left of my hair stand on end. To them, it may just be chump change. Without being on the "inside", I think it's difficult to say if the "drama" is a result of someone losing "real money" or "real face"...

I do play cards with family & friends on occasion...I prefer to play for what is - to me, anyway - the equivalent of "penny ante." I hope it is for them as well but I must admit I've never asked.

To me, gambling with family & friends is more about fun & bragging rights than the risk of real financial gain or loss. I don't want to take a financial loss that impacts me in any meaningful way. I wouldn't want to put such a beat on someone I consider a friend.

How would you rather lose your money to, the house or a good buddy.

Remember Ricky Bobby, Cal did him a favor, remember? Originally Posted by WTF

Well good buddy when are you going to come over for the golf match?

Well good buddy when are you going to come over for the golf match? Originally Posted by OneHotMale

I'm practicing.

Soon as I learn to hit a shank towards a shit talking vet smack dab on his gimp ass leg, I'm heading straight to SA to take your $$$$$$$$$$

As Mazo & Co. are often on field duty this issue has been a problem for us in the past. There's often not much else to do when you're stuck in the middle of the middle of nowhere.

To avoid both total boredom and intra-company soap operas I had to take a middle road. I didn't ban poker completely, but I did put a strict cap on stakes at .25/.50 and under. I also now hit Best Buy before we leave and grab a cache of the latest Blu-Rays and some other fun distractions to provide an alternative while we're out.

It's strict policy that we don't gamble with the locals. Too much potential for serious issues there. Management is also banned from any game. Again, the drama potential of that is just too great.

Unfortunately we occasionally head to places where a deck of cards will get you the death penalty or worse. In those instances I try to rotate people out to neighboring fun spots as much as I can. Sometimes, though, ya just gotta learn to live without hold 'em.

Cheers,
Mazo.

I remember an NBA charter flight where there were stacks of cash around a table. Each stack had $5,000.00 in it.

When the game (and flight) was done, one of the players said that no one was to leave the plane. He was pissed. Someone stole a $100 dollar bill from him. Even the flight attendants were not able to leave.

The money was found right were he was siting on it.

As Mazo & Co. are often on field duty this issue has been a problem for us in the past. There's often not much else to do when you're stuck in the middle of the middle of nowhere.

To avoid both total boredom and intra-company soap operas I had to take a middle road. I didn't ban poker completely, but I did put a strict cap on stakes at .25/.50 and under. I also now hit Best Buy before we leave and grab a cache of the latest Blu-Rays and some other fun distractions to provide an alternative while we're out.

It's strict policy that we don't gamble with the locals. Too much potential for serious issues there. Management is also banned from any game. Again, the drama potential of that is just too great.

Unfortunately we occasionally head to places where a deck of cards will get you the death penalty or worse. In those instances I try to rotate people out to neighboring fun spots as much as I can. Sometimes, though, ya just gotta learn to live without hold 'em.

Cheers,
Mazo. Originally Posted by Mazomaniac

If I recall from the program on the NBA about half the teams have no policy ("they're grown men" etc.), a third have rules & the balance banned altogether.

I think being on the road/boredom* is a big driver. I doubt Mazo & Co has a weekly game at somebody's house when they are at home.

The problem with gambling, for some people, is the stakes need to be meaningful for it to not get boring. "Meaningful" is different for a rookie on a 10 day contract and an All-Star. Or Mazo & his crew.

*let's face it the reason a lot of guys "hobby" when they travel is they are bored

I'm practicing.

Soon as I learn to hit a shank towards a shit talking vet smack dab on his gimp ass leg, I'm heading straight to SA to take your $$$$$$$$$$




Originally Posted by WTF

LMAO!!!! Well I gotta admit that my leg has long since healed and I have not given one of those 4 legged critters a second chance to kick me so the shank would not bother it. I do hope that you don't shank it behind you or directly to your left cause those are the only places that I will be standing. So get your clubs and money bag headed this way cause my game is pretty good right now and taking your $$$$ would be like taking candy from a baby.

I play nickle, dime, quarter stud poker or gin with friends sometimes. Other than that, I just can't get into gambling. I used to play blackjack a lot at parties and in casinos. I'm a very good player, but I gave it up when my I'm going to make this much and leave got up to $2,000.