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That's Sports
It\'s all a gamble!
Tuesday, March 1, 2005
It's amazing how some people can get carried away with gambling. I was reading a story that talked about a man who had over three years chalked up almost $800,000 in debt because of gambling. Eight Hundred Grand!!!! I don't know how you can lose that kind of money over three years -- it's outrageous. This was all through a bookie, it was all sportsbetting and horse racing.Let's be honest, the bookie deserved to lose that much money if he didn't cut the guy off but think about it, how could you lose that much money without hitting a double or nothing shot at least once. I know that there are many people, even in Chatham-Kent, that have serious gambling problems but isn't this something people do for entertainment. It's a pretty easy rule to follow. Bet with your head, not over it. The Ontario Lottery Corporation preaches it. They don't want people losing everything they own because of a card game or slot machines. They want people to be betting their $20 or $40 per week. They don't want people losing their shirt.
Where is the trigger that sends someone over the edge? I guess this is the same trigger that makes someone a drug addict or an alcoholic. The switch in their brain that tells them to stop malfunctions. Gambling is not the evil that some people make it out to be, it's supposed to be entertainment. If you go for a night to the track, you are supposed to be having a nice dinner with friends and possibly spend a few bucks on the horses and then end the night with the slots. If you can afford to lose $40 then that is how much you will spend. If you win, that's great and if you lose that's great too because it was money that was set aside for your entertainment and not money that you were going to use for milk for the baby or your mortgage payment.
If you get together with some guys for cards they just take what you can afford to lose. If you take more then expect to lose it! There is also another factor that you must take into consideration – some people are lucky and some people are not. I know that this is a truth. I know people that have the worst luck in the world and I also know people that have the greatest luck in the world. If you are lucky then it is a great place to spend your entertainment money; if you aren't lucky then go to a show! It's pretty simple stuff – use gambling as entertainment.
Billions and billions of dollars are spent on gambling every year and you know that the people booking the bets (eg. Casinos) are the ones that are making the money. Too many people think that it makes a great lifetsyle and don't realize that it is just a game of chance and some great entertainment. I can promise you that the thrill or winning is great the thrill of breaking even is pretty good but the thrill of losing is brutal. Be a winner -- bet what you can afford!
Gary Patterson was born and raised in Chatham-Kent. He grew up in Thamesville and now lives in Chatham. Patterson was Sports Director at Beaver Communications an Blackburn Radio for over 15 years. Gary is also the track announcer at Dresden Raceway as well as some appearances at Windsor Raceway. He has played all sports inclduing being a mermber of three OBA Championship baseball teams in Thamesville and has also played hockey and football. Gary still plays golf, slo-pitch and ball hockey and well as the odd game of pick up hockey. Patterson is a passionate Miami Dolphin and Michigan Wolverine football fan. Here are few other details about Gary Patterson: Favourite food: steak, chicken wings, chili or Kenny Tharp\'s famous meatloaf; Favourite non alcoholic drink : Diet Coke; Favourite drink: Scotch, Coor\'s Light; Favourite Sports team : Miami Dolphins/Michigan Wolverines/New York Yankees; Favourite Bar : Bru\'s Room Margate Florida/Pompano Beach Florida; Favourite Bartender : Tanya (Margate), Sarah (Pompano); Favourie Vacataion spot : Pompano Beach Florida; Marital Staus : married with chilren Hockey player : Curtis Jospeh/Todd Bertuzzi; Favourite Football player : Retired Dan Marino, Anthony Thomas; Favourite Basketball player : Steve Nash Favourite Baseball player : Derek Jeter; Favourite colour : Blue; Favourite TV Show : CSI Favourite movie : The Sting, Blue Brothers and Field of Dreams; Favourite song Life Been Good To Me ( Joe Walsh); Favourite Band : Tom Petty/Eagles; Favourite type of Dog: Springer Spaniel; Favourite type of Cat : NONE
