Gambling

Most of us do gamble. Be it buying 4D, TOTO, horse racing, SCORE, poker, mahjong...I guess most of us do indulge in it once in a while though for some, it's pretty often. My guess is that because money is involved, and the thrill involved when you win is more than enough to get people hook. Just like casinos, which glamourise gambling by offering a wide array of 'test your wheel of fortune' kind of games, there are many forms of gambling. However, one important thing to note is that it is normal that the casinos always win. Even in jackpot machines there are programs to ensure that the house always win. 4D and TOTO are purely about the odds. While they are considered legalised gambling, the odds of winning are heavily stacked against the gambler. Horse racing and SCORE have in recent years been associated with the syndicates who are prepared to shell out a fortune to bribe and fix races and matches respectively. If you are lucky then well you will make a pile. If not, the losses will pile up. Now poker and mahjong involve a little more of skill. Poker requires guts and a 'poker face' that gives out no emotions. Mahjong requires the memory of the tiles that have been played and making intellectual guess on what to hit. But to sum it all out, gambling requires a fair bit of luck and should only be persued within one's abilities. Staking the family jewels on gambling is one sure way of losing everything. Gambling addiction is a real threat in society and one that cannot be ignored. You have been warned.

Though forewarned, this blogger often indulges in mahjong. The only redeeming factor is that he refuses to play large stakes as he is in it only for the fun! :p