Online gambling

Frizzer

Here's a question :

Every now and then I play a little bit of online poker. It's a nice way to chill out after a bad day at work.
However, I never play for real money (can't afford to, and have no desire to), instead I just use the play money provided by the online casino.

Would this be considered against the "not taking that which is not given" precept though? I'm assuming real gambling would be against the precept but what about if no real money was actually involved? :scratch:

Adrian

federica

Frizzer, if you want my ten cents worth (which wouldn't buy you a chip anywhere!) just enjoy.... providing you're not hurting anyone, and it doesn't become an obsession, and you can just let it go and treat it like everything in Life - not get attached to it - I don't figure you're hurting anyone or anything! In fact, on-line games like this are good for you - they keep the brain-cells ticking, and have the ability to help you think moe quickly, laterally, and think about what someone else is doing.... it's a skillful tactical game.
In my opinion, precepts start coming into play, when it affects real people with real events....
That's just my opinion...

You wanna bet someone else will think different?





How much?

Frizzer

Thanks Fede, that's pretty much what I was thinking initially.
However, what if my playing on the "play money" tables caused the downfall of someone else?

For instance, say I'm playing against someone and I'm doing badly (pretty much happens all the time!). They may think "hey, this is easy. I may as well play for real." Off they toddle to the real money tables, or even a real casino, and then get addicted and potentially lose everything. My actions would have had a part to play in that outcome.

Am I thinking too deeply about this? :banghead: :crazy:

Brian

I'd consider it just like any other video game if you're not playing for real money.

federica

Frizzer wrote:

Thanks Fede, that's pretty much what I was thinking initially.
However, what if my playing on the "play money" tables caused the downfall of someone else?

For instance, say I'm playing against someone and I'm doing badly (pretty much happens all the time!). They may think "hey, this is easy. I may as well play for real." Off they toddle to the real money tables, or even a real casino, and then get addicted and potentially lose everything. My actions would have had a part to play in that outcome.

Am I thinking too deeply about this? :banghead: :crazy:

In short, yes, I believe you are.
Your opponents are unseen.
you know nothing of them.
They know nothing of you.
your only connection is through the cards you're dealt and the hands you play.
you can't be deemed responsible for what their subsequent actions are..... They are big enough and old enough to make their own decisions.
There is the old chestnut about the butterfly flapping its wings in the Amazon forest affecting the winds in the North Pole, but this is an involuntary effect...in other words, the Polar Bears don't know it's coming to them... They're participating 'involuntarily'.....
Playing the way you do, everyone is conscious of their own decisions and subsequent actions & consequences..... and while I know that we're talking karma - cause and effect - I think you can end up with your own head up so far a dark place, you can do yourself an injury trying to see the daylight....!
Relax.... enjoy, play, win loads of money and buy me that car I've always wanted....

I expect the imaginary keys to end up at my imaginary mansion next week - !!

Frizzer

Cheers, I do have a habit of over analysing stuff sometimes !
I'll fly your imaginary keys over in my imaginary private jet !