A Couple of Stories

I have been gambling for 25 years. Sometimes I win; sometimes I lose. But, I enjoy it as much today as when I first got my feet wet. The losses still hurt and the wins are always satisfying. Like I have said, the learning took a long time, but discipline has finally engulfed me. My losses are never staggering, and I will always be ready to go the next day.

I am afraid that is not the case with people I meet every day. At my school, I try to get to know every person who takes the course. My phone number is always available for them to call for help, or to discuss their play. Some of these people took my course two years ago and they still keep in touch.

When I hear from these students, it is usually with plaudits as to their finally acquiring discipline, and the ability to walk away.

This past December, only a few days before Christmas, I received a call about 3 P.M. from Mike S. He was in Atlantic City and he called just to tell me he was up about $400, and he was heading home. Mike won $400 the previous Friday, and he walked. And on the day he called, he won another $400. He had his money and was walking away from the tables. He called for only one reason. He wanted to tell me how easy it was getting for him to be able to win and get up and leave.

I have known Mike for almost two years. He came to me as a complete novice, straight out of college. In the beginning, it was a thrill for him to win $50. Then greed overcame and almost destroyed him. He saw how easy it was to win, and he started shooting for higher and higher payoffs.

Oh, he won. But, then it happened. The trend reversed itself, and Mike got whacked. We talked almost daily. He has regrouped and relearned how to win.

Four hundred dollars is not going to excite all you big hitters, but the amount is irrelevant. The bottom line is winning.

PART II / PART III

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