I'm not particularly religious, but I do have strong moral values. One of these is that I don't think I should tell other people how they should live their lives. But I can tell you my values, and you can choose to take it or leave it. That is up to you.
So far as gambling goes, as a rule, I don't ever gamble!
Why?
1. I know the math and I know the odds are I will lose money. It is a bad investment period.
2. My bills and everything else has priority over gambling. If I have extra money left over which I don't need and can throw away, then I will use that for a little gambling sometimes (with a pre-set limit). Usually I don't have extra money laying around, so I rarely if ever gamble.
3. If I do gamble, it is for high gain only. It is silly to waste $20 trying to win $300. I'll go for the big bucks only (lottery, million plus slots, etc.) Over time it adds up. I have a problem spending $1000 over a period of years trying to win $300. I have no problem with spending $1000 over a period of years trying to win a million plus.
Pool and money games...
Up until recently, I did not play pool with money on the game. But this has changed. I am now a better player and I have learned that the best pool players can be found at money tournaments and when playing for money. And my opponents and I play our best games when playing one on one for money.
I have learned that if I want to improve my game, I need to play the best players and get them to play their best game while playing me. This can be done when playing for money.
In my case, I don't view this as gambling, I view it as paid pool lessons. But there is a discount or profit for my lessons if I win! Can't beat that.
But back to moral values, I have conditions when playing money games with other players....
Some other people are addicted to gambling and will spend their last cent on gambling. They just can't wait to go dump every cent they have into a video poker machine. They will spend their rent money and money they need to feed their family. If I am playing someone like this for money and I know the money they are playing with is needed for basics, I will take it, then let them win it back. I can't take their money and live with myself.
If it is someone who is playing with extra "throw-away" money, then I have no problem taking their money.
So far as the money I can/will lose, it is my pool lesson money and set aside in my budget for this purpose (my bills always come first). I may use this money to buy books, pay an instructor for lessons, or lose it when playing for money. Lately I am of the opinion that my pool lesson money is best spent playing others for money. i.e. I think I get the most bang for my buck - the best lessons - my game improves the most.
When playing for money, it can go back and forth all night. It can end with one person slightly ahead or both come out even. From a financial point of view, these lessons are the least expensive I've ever had. But better than that, they are the BEST lessons!
So basically I have no problem gambling so long as I am not hurting myself and not hurting other people. And in my case with pool, the money is just a way to motivate other players to play their best game and in turn give me the best lessons possible.
Personally, when I play, I could play for money or for the game, because I just love the competition. I've played for 8 hours for money, and then again I've played 8 hours for the heck of it....same difference to me.
