First of all, I am glad you concede that video poker is not like flipping a coin, and I really question whether the "edge" is 0.5%.

Second, even if there is an edge of 0.5 percent you'd be better off putting your money into a money market fund or government insured bond or bank CD than putting it at risk in video poker.

Third, you raised the issue of risk of ruin, but you ignore it.

You also ignore the value of quitting with a profit --any profit -- instead of continuing to gamble and losing your profit and ending up with a loss.

I think it is time for you to finally consider -- and this is something that Arc still doesn't consider -- the positives that quitting with a profit -- ANY PROFIT -- presents. Even when you leave the casino with a gain of one dollar you won't have to drive home looking at a dumb schmuck in the rear view mirror.