Gambling

Today’s blog may seem somewhat controversial, given the sentiments surrounding gambling. No, I’m in no means advocating gambling for I’ve seen how my own uncle has literally lost his entire fortune in casinos and is still very much addicted to it. For him, it has gotten to a point where it isn’t about winning anymore, but rather being able to participate in its gaming.

Anyway, I was recently intrigued by how much some families absolutely abhor gambling where even the mere playing of card games or mahjong would be great cause of concern and sleepless nights because someone in the family line had lost a fortune or even his/her life due to the gambling vice.

Intrigued because with my family, we were taught to “gamble” from a very young age where we participated in card games and mahjong with aunts, uncles and parents as if there was nothing wrong with that, except that we were lectured almost mercilessly when a “wrong card” is thrown.

And over time, one gets to be quite apt at the games.

However, it was not all just about gambling for I remember being told over and over again that we should never gamble with strangers or acquaintances and that it was only okay if it was with close relations.

In a way, it was like weaving a safety blanket.

We were further lectured on how to play these games with some resemblance of intelligence and good gameplay, should we come upon times when we are “forced” to gamble. That too, was another safety net.

However, by and far, the greatest benefit I’ve derived from it is not the gamble, nor the gameplay for I am truly a sordid example of a gambler (err… I keep losing?), but rather the exercising of my mind and the use of best logical solutions for dealt cards. Granted, I’m lousy at that, but hey, at least I got to hone my gaming skills every once awhile… that is, if I don’t get kicked out of the game by irate aunts that are always ready to condemn me to hell for throwing the wrong cards.

An oh, another supposed benefit that I would have derived from these gambling games would be the learning of being gracious in defeat and humble in winning. So far, I’ve learned immensely on being gracious without much opportunity to be humble.

Yes, I do suck at gambling. But at least I know never to gamble with strangers for honest to God, I truly am hopeless at it.