"Recreational Player" -- The Euphemism

[redietz]

This is not an original idea, as I owe a variation of this to Penn and Teller, who tell it like it is during their show.

Who coined the term "recreational player" and why? I mean, wouldn't we all save some typing and syllables if we just said "loser?"

Almost all gamblers are losers. So why do we need the term, "recreational player?" If "loser" seems judgemental, if accurate, maybe we could substitute "donator." Or maybe, if we are stuck on using a lot of syllables, "Casino Philanthropist."

A "Caesars' Philanthropist" sounds cool -- certainly better than Diamond or Seven Stars.

Anyway, just keep in mind what we're really talking about when we say "recreational player." Not all recreational players lose, mind you, but they're trying really hard.

[Alan Mendelson]

Pretty good, redietz. And we recreational players do try to get the most for our money and we don't stupidly pursue a game thinking that we are going to beat the casinos. We know when to quit -- both when we are "up" and when we are "down." To us there is value not only in the actual cash return of the game, but also in the "fringes" that come along such as the free airfare, dinners, show tickets, gifts and hotel stays which also have a value.

Sometimes the fringe benefits go to extremes... like the jet that was on standby for me just in case I got the call that a transplant was waiting for me when I was in Vegas for the weekend. Or, being able to have a wedding at a craps table with the hotel picking up the tab and making all the arrangements for the whole shebang. Or being able to have your brother and sister and their families all come in for Thanksgiving Weekend for a family dinner at Neros and just signing for the whole tab, or being able to get your friends and relatives free rooms just by making a phone call.

But mostly being a recreational player means having a great time, and when we lose we know we did not lose too much and we don't make a long drive home talking to our windshields calling ourselves stupid for throwing thousands and thousands of dollars down the drain thinking that we are going to beat the casinos.

[slingshot]

This is not an original idea, as I owe a variation of this to Penn and Teller, who tell it like it is during their show.

Who coined the term "recreational player" and why? I mean, wouldn't we all save some typing and syllables if we just said "loser?"

Almost all gamblers are losers. So why do we need the term, "recreational player?" If "loser" seems judgemental, if accurate, maybe we could substitute "donator." Or maybe, if we are stuck on using a lot of syllables, "Casino Philanthropist."

A "Caesars' Philanthropist" sounds cool -- certainly better than Diamond or Seven Stars.

Anyway, just keep in mind what we're really talking about when we say "recreational player." Not all recreational players lose, mind you, but they're trying really hard.

I would say there are two kinds-from my own actual experiences. One who satisfies his need to play, without considering risk of ruin. Then, after wising up-one who plays well within his means and enjoys small wins-and occasionally hoping for the good win. One is a crutch to play on, the other truly enjoys the moment.

[regnis]

Red-do you really think that a "recreational gambler", or any gambler other than a professional gambler, does not have the same knowledge and expertise as the pro. Don't you think that maybe you are talking about the "novice gambler"?

Use Alan as an example. He knows proper strategy. He uses win goals and loss limits. He simply plays for his own enjoyment, not for a living. Does that mean that he is doing anything different than a pro? Only to the extent that he isn't forced to sit there for longer periods than he desires.

Now I have gambled professionally for various periods over my lifetime. Not VP--but horses. When I am playing the horses for fun, do you think that I do anything different than when I am playing for a living? NOPE. It is a full time job, whether 1 day a week for fun or every day for a living. It requires the same 6-10 hours a day to read racing forms, watch tapes of races, prepare your own speed figures, etc. The only difference is that now, in a period when I am not doing it for a living, I only do that work once a week because I go to the track on Saturday, rather than every day. The work and thought processes are still the same. So while you would consider me to be a Recreational Gambler today, I am doing nothing different than when I do it for a living.

[Rob.Singer]

I too am a recreational player these days. I take months off in-between playing, even though we've been in Nevada for a while and we often stay at casino resorts like the Hyatt, Peppermill, and the Marriott at Casino Fandango. In fact, I'm going to see the new Star Trek movie at Fandango today, then stopping by their Italian restaurant to get a pizza for home...all with unused points, all in the casino and all without playing. You see redietz, recreational players make use of the enjoyment factor casinos offer, and seeing that I happen to be up tens of thousands at this particular place makes no difference--unless it means it's that much more fun!

But the AP's....those poor AP's. Any casino trip for them is a must-play event, because they've never met a machine they couldn't create a "positive play" out of with enuf thin air. Just think of arci and his life-wasting 7 hour stints at some Indian casino every week, when he has a far more important issue to tend to on the home front. Guess how much fun an anal-retentive has as he just HAS to keep track of this & thatand this & that, then think of the "stories without pictures" he has to come up with to make it sound successful to forum people who couldn't care less about what a lonely old man does.

As a former pro player, NOTHING beats being able to play on a recreational level. There's no pressure...no need to win. Just enjoy the experience without the neurotic tendencies of an AP.

[redietz]

Alan, I envy the treatment you get from Caesars. Sorry, just kidding. I really don't. At all.

Rob, I didn't realize using SPS involved intense pressure. You should probably mention that next time you're teaching someone the tricks of your trade.

[quahaug]

Alan, I envy the treatment you get from Caesars. Sorry, just kidding. I really don't. At all.

Rob, I didn't realize using SPS involved intense pressure. You should probably mention that next time you're teaching someone the tricks of your trade.

That's exactly the problem with Robs system. It's very difficult and tedious.

[arcimede$]

That's exactly the problem with Robs system. It's very difficult and tedious.

And, you forgot one thing ... it doesn't do a thing to help your return over time. Now, it doesn't hurt it either if you avoid the special plays, but why would anyone turn something that is supposed to be enjoyable into something that is "difficult and tedious"?

[Alan Mendelson]

That's exactly the problem with Robs system. It's very difficult and tedious.

Exactly. And let's add "unique" to the description. Hence my suggestion that Rob should have written the book "How my whacky system beat the casinos for a million dollars at Video Poker." And then there should be a disclaimer that reads: "Warning. Do not attempt this at your own casino."

[Alan Mendelson]

Alan, I envy the treatment you get from Caesars. Sorry, just kidding. I really don't. At all.

I don't appreciate the cut in the offers that I got. What I get now is nothing to be envious about.

[slingshot]

That's exactly the problem with Robs system. It's very difficult and tedious.

That's why I'm a big fan of artt and rtt strategies-so easy.