With the 4th of July long over and nothing but Labor Day in the
distant future, it’s easy to fall into the summer lull.
Unfortunately for the sports enthusiast, there isn’t much
to quench this dry spell.
There will always be baseball, but some of us need more than the
juiced-up slugger to keep us occupied.
But fret not: I’ve found the answer, the replacement
““ gambling.
Yes, it may seem unconventional, and at times dangerous for the
average impoverished college student, but there is nothing more
exhilarating or intoxicating than a night spent living on and/or
close to the edge.
There is the undeniable ecstatic feeling when you win. But this
rush really starts during those few seconds before the outcome has
been decided. With your money on the line, you take a quick anxious
breath as your heart beats a little faster “¦ you wait “¦
then comes the call, WINNER! Your chest has relaxed a bit but the
pulse is still going strong and you can’t help but to let a
little smile creep out. Is there anything better than that?
This works anywhere you go, and there is an assortment of
choices. Vegas is simply the place to go for hard-core gamblers,
but for our under-21 friends ““ a group to which I
unfortunately will belong for the next six months ““ the race
track is always a nice change of pace, and of course there are the
Indian casinos.
The Indian casinos have developed somewhat of a stigma, but
they’re actually really great, especially for learning the
tricks of casino gambling. There is less pressure and sometimes,
the dealers at the blackjack tables will actually give you
suggestions based on the cards. The relaxed atmosphere is good for
those rookies out there, but beware: most don’t offer the
full set of games; mainly just poker and blackjack are
available.
But my favorite will always be poker nights with friends.
Sitting around the table complemented with your choice of beer and
the baseball game playing in the background, it’s the perfect
way to spend a lazy summer evening.
Of course you’re going to know their mannerisms so you
gauge when you should fold or keep on going, like the other night
when a friend said “I know that face; I can read her like a
book”¦ Bach’s got it. I’m out.” Plus, if
you’re going to lose, who better to lose to than your
buddies? And if you win, it’s just oh so much fun to gloat
around them the rest of the night.
Now let me put my disclaimer: gambling can be very serious and
very dangerous.
Everyone who has seen the movie “Rounders” knows
that it’s easy to get yourself in a hole and lose everything,
so you have to play it smart. If you’re going to the casino,
leave all ATM and credit cards either at home or in the car.
Don’t take yourself too seriously, and if you’re
losing, cut your losses and go home.
But for those of us who are looking for something to do and love
that thrill, get out your cards or hop in the car, because there
are no better words to hear than “blackjack,”
“royal flush” or “winner”.