$64,000 Question

This morning I had just $2000 and now I have $64,000.

Not bad for about 30 minutes work.

http://www.warwickwoods.com/images/Texas_Hold_2.jpg

Of course I am not talking about real money. The $62,000 that I have accumulated during the day is unfortunately virtual and cannot be used to purchase anything in the real world.

I have to admit that this virtual money was won by playing poker, Texas Hold 'em, to be precise. I played carefully today and within a relatively short time managed to increase my original stake by 32 times. Just imagine if I could do that in real life...

Of course in real life I would be much more careful. Firstly I would never visit a casino with the equivalent of $2000 and start betting it all on a game which relies on chance but also on quite a bit of skill. To be good at poker you have to be able to calculate odds, you have to be able to recognise the different scoring hands, you have to play tactically and you have to learn the tactics and plays of your opponents...In a real casino those other players would be better than me.

In virtual poker I am always aware that the money is make believe, therefore it really doesn't matter if I win or lose. It really doesn't matter if on a risky pair of 5's I go all in. If I lose, well never mind, tomorrow I will be gifted some more cash and I can start again. If I win, I might win big but the odds are likely to be against me. I real life I would never be so reckless. Once the cash was gone there would be no chance to win it back.

http://yeijen.com/blog2/wp-content/uploads/2011/05/GamblingChips.jpg

Of course most of my opponents would no doubt be thinking the same thing. This must really change the dynamics of the game. I have only played poker for money a couple of times in my life but I am pleased to say that the last time I left the table with more money that I arrived with.

The crazy thing about virtual poker is that there is always an opportunity to buy virtual chips with real money. This I struggle to understand. I wonder just how many people become so fixated with the game that they need to actually spend money to keep playing.

It is quite amazing how quite addictive gambling can be.

Anyone like to bet that I can double my money in the next thirty minutes?

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