Don't Be Afraid to Take a Break When Gambling

I have to admit that I've spent countless hours in casinos. I've played video poker into the wee hours of the morning, missing meals, playing poorly, and dropping an ocean of coins into machines. I once spent 37-straight hours on a poker table. At the end of that run I was closing my eyes and almost falling asleep after mucking my hand each round. What was I thinking at those times? I can't remember.

I do remember being angry with myself each time, once walking out to my car and throwing a handful of quarters at a wall in frustration but only compounding my errors. I was young then. I'm not so young now. Whether through experience or weariness, I now know how to pace myself and take breaks. When I play a crazy schedule like one of the WSOP tournaments that run 12 hours or more, I make sure I use each break to go wash my face and hands, grab a snack, and take a walk. If my mind starts to wander, I take a quick walk around the room even during the tournament.

You've just got to give yourself a chance to regroup and recharge your batteries! One of my favorite things to do during a round of gambling is to stop suddenly, find my wife, and go to a restaurant. Your body does need nourishment. And, I usually play some Keno while we dine. It's an inexpensive way of still gambling and forgetting everything else that's happened so far this outing.

It's also a good chance to play some Keno Way Tickets, so we get a lot of bang for our buck - and once in a while the Keno pays for our meal. Last time out I hit six spots on a 7-spot ticket, good for $75 on a 25-cent way ticket. That was fun.

After a meal, I'm not in such a hurry to get back to the blackjack game or the poker room, and we usually take a walk around the property or even up the street if the weather's good. And, if you think that's just something to do, it's not. Gambling can be stressful and taking a break helps break the cycle. I always come back refreshed, alert, and ready to make some money. Think about it - it just makes sense.