Why do people gamble?

[PookySmiley]

Gamblers are the stupidest people alive.

Your opinion?

 

[praying]

I gamble, I am not stupid and it is fun.

 

[TuxThePenguin]

Gamblers are the stupidest people alive.

I bet the're not

 

[OdwinOddball]

Depends on the form of gambling, and how far you take it.

Some people gamble because they are addicted to it. Some gamble because they enjoy the thrill of taking a risk and winning. Some such as myself do it for fun, like at my bi-weekly poker night.

You could just as easily ask why do people play games or sports. The answers are going to be pretty much the same. Gambling is afterall just applying a risk factor to a game or sport, in most cases money, but you can also gamble your life, in for example cliff diving.

 

[Lynden1000]

I love gambling, and I'm not stupid. I'm not very good at it, but I usually only blow about 20$ at the racetrack and frankly that's CHEAP entertainment these days.

Besides, with horse racing, there's a certain element of strategy. It's like playing the stock market and trying to find some underappreciated quality that the betters are overlooking. It's a game, and it's a cheap thrill. I see no harm in it.

 

[kangitanka]

Gamblers are the stupidest people alive.

Your opinion?

So, you think that those who play the stock market or have a 401k are some of the stupidest people alive?

And if you define "stupid" as "lacking intelligence", then you are wrong. I happen to know two very intelligent people who gamble. Neither one is addicted, but even if either one of them became addicted, that is no indication of their intelligence (or lack thereof).
Personally, I dont gamble, because Im really bad at it

Of course, you havent stated WHY you feel that gamblers are the stupidest people alive

 

[PookySmiley]

Gamblers are the stupidest people because they are throwing their money away and have nothing to show for it. If they want to get rid of money, they'd be better off giving to charity.

 

[praying]

Gamblers are the stupidest people because they are throwing their money away and have nothing to show for it. If they want to get rid of money, they'd be better off giving to charity.

It would be really good if you stopped referring to people as stupid.

If you aren't addicted and you enjoyed yourslef then you haven't done anything but enjoy an evening of entertainment. If you win all the better.

 

[DietCherryCola]

It bores me. I'm the kind of gal who wants to leave after I've doubled my slot winnings to 2 quarters.

My husband plays poker with his friends once a month or so. The money just keeps changing hands. He's an engineer, so definately not stupid.

 

[rainygirl]

I will play a couple of the two dollar instant lottery tickets every now and then. Or the state lottery when the prize gets up around 70 million or more, but that's about all. It can become addictive, and quite honestly, I'm too cheap to lose any more money than that!!!

 

[vitodabona]

Gamblers are the stupidest people alive.
Your opinion?

Maybe gamblers think your the stupidest person alive.

Gambling is another form of entertainment are people who rent or go to the movies stupid?

 

[Lynden1000]

Gamblers are the stupidest people because they are throwing their money away and have nothing to show for it. If they want to get rid of money, they'd be better off giving to charity.

So essentially what you're saying is that it's stupid to spend money on entertainment. I think most people would disagree. I know I do.

 

[LienShen]

When I was overseas, my pals used to drag me out to the dancehall every Friday and Saturday night for drinking/dancing. Since I don't drink, I'd stuff a $5 in my pocket, pay $3 at the door to get in and get the other $2 in nickles. While they drank their silly butts off, I'd play slots for awhile until I had $10 in nickles, and then I'd trade them in for quarters.

I never left there with less than $20 total, and often I'd have $50 or even more. I'd give everyone a ride home then grab some currywurst at the local pub and head home.

Does that sound stupid? I had fun, my friends had fun and everyone was safe and secure. Gambling isn't stupid if you set yourself a limit at the beginning, and never make it a habit.

 

[kangitanka]

Gamblers are the stupidest people because they are throwing their money away and have nothing to show for it.

By your reasoning, people who pay for cable service so they can watch sitcoms are stupid. Just like gamblers, they aren't getting anything out of it except entertainment.

And smokers, like myself, lets not forget them. I dont see how anyone can say that gamblers are the "stupidest" people in the world when smokers are actually paying money to ill-effect their health. Talk about throwing your money away

 

[Dairyman]

Gamblers are the stupidest people because they are throwing their money away and have nothing to show for it. If they want to get rid of money, they'd be better off giving to charity.

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children; and I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers and you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

 

[AlanGurvey]

Gamblers are the stupidest people alive.

Your opinion?

I am not stupid, in fact I have done quite well with hold em.

 

[Dairyman]

Even though I've lost over $50,000 over the past 10 years, I don't consider myself stupid.

I just love to play blackjack.

 

[Mskedi]

If people risk more than they can afford to lose, then maybe it's not the best financial decision in the world, but not every gambler is addicted; therefore, not every gambler is stupid.

I've gambled very little, and I've always come out ahead. If I were to not come out ahead, however, it wouldn't phase me since I've never spent more than $5 gambling in a year (pennies are good to bet when you don't want to lose much!). That's worth the entertainment it gives. I'm not doing any high stakes gambling or anything.

 

[TheNewAge]

Gamblers are the stupidest people because they are throwing their money away and have nothing to show for it. If they want to get rid of money, they'd be better off giving to charity.

The same could be said about religion.
I myself only gamble "socially". But there is a definite thrill in taking a risk and winning.
Your blanket statements and blatant stereotyping tends to take your "stupid" arrow and point it back at its source, however, if you don't mind my saying so, Pookey.

 

[TheNewAge]

The path of the righteous man is beset on all sides by the inequities of the selfish and the tyranny of evil men. Blessed is he who, in the name of charity and good will, shepherds the weak through the valley of darkness for he is truly his brother's keeper and the finder of lost children; and I will strike down upon thee with great vengeance and furious anger those who attempt to poison and destroy my brothers and you will know I am the Lord when I lay my vengeance upon you.

How did this have anything to do with the OP?