[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by jtjtjtjt

Gambling and investing are more similar than different. It is just that investing has better odds than gambling (mostly) in that most investors do well in the long run, most gamblers go broke in the long run.

Well, there's your answer right there.

I don't see investing as the "highest calling of humankind" either. But being financially responsible so that the public does not need to see to my long-term care is a matter of good citizenship as far as I'm concerned.

And as much as I think the entire global economic system is simply the world's largest game of three-card monte, money has its uses. I'd certainly rather have the problem of too much money than the problem of not having enough.

I see money as basically humankind's religion. It works because we have faith in it for some reason. Even those of us who think money is essentially worthless still play the silly economic game. (Those who drop out of the economic system entirely and live like indigenous people have my respect. But I wouldn't want to be like them and then develop appendicitis.)

Las Vegas is mainly populated by people who want something for nothing; by people who want something for next to nothing; and by people who want to take advantage of the first two groups. There are many who don't fit this description, sure, but they're in the minority in this town -- they're the people who like living in the desert; or their career brings them here; or what have you.

The confidence tricksters are merely the alpha dogs of "the people who want to take advantage of the first two groups." There is really no difference between them and Sheldon Adelson. Sheldon's way is legal (because prohibition doesn't work). But it's in no way more ethical. Sheldon can claim he's selling a product or an experience. But what he's really doing is fleecing people who are bad at math.

[jtjtjtjt]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Well, there's your answer right there.
Las Vegas is mainly populated by people who want something for nothing; by people who want something for next to nothing; and by people who want to take advantage of the first two groups. There are many who don't fit this description, sure, but they're in the minority in this town -- they're the people who like living in the desert; or their career brings them here; or what have you.

Put me in the what have you group. My reasons for moving to Vegas:
1. Shows. Best entertainment in the world, easily.
2. Gambling. Fun activity for me, low stakes only.
3. Conventions. Lots of smart people converge on Vegas to share their knowledge. Lots of D Listers.
4. Visitors. Lots of people I've known in the distant past might come to Vegas for a convention, vacation, bachelor party, etc. A good chance to catch up without the hassle of travel (for me).
5. Activities. Lots of things to do. Casinos go to great lengths to attract people to visit here. Since I'm already here, I can partake in these activities without the hassle of traveling here.

It is like a 24/7, 52 week a year vacation. But with all the comforts of home.

[Willy702]

Originally Posted by jtjtjtjt

Put me in the what have you group. My reasons for moving to Vegas:
1. Shows. Best entertainment in the world, easily.
2. Gambling. Fun activity for me, low stakes only.
3. Conventions. Lots of smart people converge on Vegas to share their knowledge. Lots of D Listers.
4. Visitors. Lots of people I've known in the distant past might come to Vegas for a convention, vacation, bachelor party, etc. A good chance to catch up without the hassle of travel (for me).
5. Activities. Lots of things to do. Casinos go to great lengths to attract people to visit here. Since I'm already here, I can partake in these activities without the hassle of traveling here.

It is like a 24/7, 52 week a year vacation. But with all the comforts of home.

Really those were your reasons? I give you three years tops until your "vacation" gets old and you move on.

[ScoopLV]

There is a gigantic difference between the "Las Vegas Visitor Experience" and the "Las Vegas Resident Experience." Most new residents become bored with the Strip in very short order.

[Dport7674]

Lakers are playing the Celtics..You tell half your customers to bet LA, you tell the other half to bet Boston.

Your guaranteed to have half your customers happy and ready to pay you again. And then tell the losing customers to double up on the next bet.

Oldest trick in the book.

I was hoping for a legit show about some guys grinding it out in Vegas, explaining how they caps the games, try to make a living on betting sports.

[Dport7674]

In the first episode the guy goes 1-2 on his picks, and then calls himself the Michael Jordon of sports betting. Lol.

[ScoopLV]

Originally Posted by Dport7674

I was hoping for a legit show about some guys grinding it out in Vegas, explaining how they caps the games, try to make a living on betting sports.

That wouldn't make for entertaining television. People don't want to see the reality of grinding out a living gambling. They want to see idiots, losers and scumbags. Is "Duck Dynasty" still the most popular show on television? I rest my case.

[MadManofBethesda]

Originally Posted by ScoopLV

Is "Duck Dynasty" still the most popular show on television? I rest my case.

I'm not sure what case you think you're resting.

Duck Dynasty has never been the most popular show on television.

Duck Dynasty isn't even the most popular show on cable. (That would be Walking Dead I believe.)

It's claim to fame (such that it is) is that at one time it was the most popular unscripted (i.e. "reality") show on cable.

And it wasn't even the most popular reality show on television, just on cable.

Now what was that point again you thought you were making?

[jtjtjtjt]

Originally Posted by Willy702

Really those were your reasons? I give you three years tops until your "vacation" gets old and you move on.

Every person has different reasons for being where they are at. Luckily, I'm at the point in my life where I can pick and choose where I want to be and I choose Vegas. Who knows if I'll make the same decision in 3, 5, 10 years? So, you might be right but if I were betting, I'd bet against you.

[Raiderman]

Originally Posted by jtjtjtjt

Every person has different reasons for being where they are at. Luckily, I'm at the point in my life where I can pick and choose where I want to be and I choose Vegas. Who knows if I'll make the same decision in 3, 5, 10 years? So, you might be right but if I were betting, I'd bet against you.

I'm with you on this one. I moved here strictly due to the weather. And seldom does a day pass when we don't drive down our street in amazement that we live in a "resort" environment. Take a left out of our street and we can see the strip with the mountains in the background. That part of the 215 North near the airport with the panorama of the mountains surrounding the valley, or the curve going the other way getting on the 515 from the 215 still illicits the same comment from me every time. "I can't believe we live here"!!

I don't foresee that feeling going away any time soon. But I'm also not a cynical person. Enjoy it here, people, it could be worse! There is a blizzard on the East Coast coming this week!