I used to ponder local poker parlors until I learned what was really going on from my brother.. Seems he not only played on his own, but half the time the house staked him, so he played as a shill, pushing newbies into poor bets, positions, and it matters where you are on the tables relative to unknown shills.. Final word, don't ever play in the local parlors.. He played, won tournaments, did well for years, in the end, lost it all, or it became too much for him, he's 77 now, out of it... He tried a couple time to move up to Reno games, but the house has it even more controlled, anyone that makes a move up there is gone, on blacklists.. Odd are against the monster business it really is..
In the heat of the moment we may think we've got a hot hand or luck is with you, but someone is watching, it won't last....
I've another shirttail relative, inlaw of an inlaw who was a dealer for years at SF area parlors, still plays, claims wins, but I think a lot of it is imagined... Both he and his wife were dealers, she still is.. It's a portable job!
No danger, of becoming a gambler, I know how sharp my bro was, and he still lost in the end..
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