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Bets Schmets

12341234
edited December 2011
As is likely well known here, I love betting. I am curious, and I will work very hard to be rational and not be mean to anyone, and I want to understand why some people just won't make bets.

I know there is a greater psychological hit to losing $10 than there is a high from winning $10. But some people just WON'T bet. Ever. Even if I give them 3 to 1 odds on a coin flip.

You know the chances of a coin flip. To not take that bet is CRAZY. Like, literally you are being CRAZY to not make that bet.

Comments

  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    If you're talking about gambling... it's just naughty, every good Protestant knows that.

    Gambling has always been considered a vice (Las Vegas wouldn't exist if it weren't naughty).

    But I think you are actually talking about, like, a defense of capitalism or something. Aren't you???
  • 12341234
    I think betting is a great way to solve arguments.

    In order to turn an argument into a bet, you have to very clearly define the win conditions for the bet. In the process of that, many times you find out that you agree more than you disagree.

    I may have to start another In Defense of Capitalism thread, but for this one I just want to focus on making bets. On gambling.

    Betting is the ultimate form of "put up or shut up" and I think it should be done more often. Disagreements should be seen as opportunities!
  • lml__0_0__lmllml__0_0__lml
    edited December 2011
    gonna
  • 12341234
    1) If you knew the chances of something happening were bad, like rolling a six with dice, would better odds encourage you to bet? If you get a 6, I'll pay you $6, but anything else and you pay me $1.

    2) Would you bet on something that you didn't want to happen? Like insurance. But instead of car insurance it's like "Republican President Insurance" or something...
  • DeathDeath
    I don't bet most of the time because I usually lose, and I'm usually emotionally involved in the thing I'm betting on and I hear that is the worst thing to be if you are betting. However, I will bet on Chicago sports on occasion if I have a friend who is a fan of a rival team because it makes the games fun to watch.
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    I appreciate put your money where your mouth is, but MY WORD is worth more than gelt.

    I still think you are just talking about the stock market though.
  • freddyfreddy
    Almost nothing makes me more miserable than losing money, although risking losing money is right up there. I derive only a small bit of enjoyment from winning money. There is simply no question that betting is something that brings me no pleasure.
  • 12341234
    The idea of losing money with bets is only scary to me once the amount becomes significant. I will bet $5 on just about anything in the world. Who cares? That's less than a good sandwich! Like two slices of pizza.

    @freddy If I made you a bet on something you were VERY sure would happen what is the most you would bet? $10? $50? $100?

    What about a trivia contest with a cash prize? If you lose that, does it still feel like losing money because if you had known the top 3 longest rivers you would now have $100!?
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    I tried to make a bet with you earlier, but then you were pushing for it to be a more extreme bet. If you want people to make more bets with you, you shouldn't always make it seem like a weird deal!
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    not winning a cash prize is not the same thing as LOSING money in a bet.

    I agree with freddy. The pleasure derived from winning money in a bet is far overshadowed by the disgusting feeling (or possibility of that feeling) of losing it!

    Although I did once win $100 when Gary insisted that David Hyde Pierce had appeared in the film "The Ten." I just knew he hadn't. Gary paypaled me the money instantly and I'll admit that felt good.

    I guess yeah, there is a difference when you are betting on something you are 100% positive about. If some dumbass wants to bet me $100 that DHP was in "The Ten" I am probably gonna take that bet and not feel super stressed by it.
  • flossy_log_ladyflossy_log_lady
    I very much enjoy betting. And when I lose (as long as I haven't bet too much, I'm thinking $5 here), I think I feel pretty good about it... like I am humbly rewarding a worthy opponent.

  • 12341234
    Yes! That is how I feel. It's paying respect to the one who bested you...this time.

    Also, great betting by everyone at the Holiday Party! Thank you all for indulging me,
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    It was fun but I lost a lot of people A LOT of money!
    like up to 12 dollars!!!

    SORRY EVERYONE (2 people)
  • MirandaJulyMirandaJuly
    KILLER PARTAY.
  • 12341234
    I have worked out the winners and losers of the betting and I'll be paying and collecting in the next day or two. Well done everyone, you beat the house this time.
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    edited December 2011
    image
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    image
  • Loose_ThreadLoose_Thread
    image
  • YoursTrulyYoursTruly
    really good

    also p.s. sorry if I accidentally flashed anyone. My dress was short and I was being incautious with some of my moves.

    "it's not a party til somebody flashes you"
  • distant_shoedistant_shoe
    edited December 2011
    and shit like that
  • distant_shoedistant_shoe
    i will always make a bet, if the stakes are something i can comfortably afford to lose.
    you just gotta know what you are comfortable losing. for some people its nothing, ever. for me, sometimes i have some cash and sometimes i am dead broke.

    i just make bets according to how much i can afford to lose/ how much emotional entertainment i get out of wanting to win and anticipating the result

    "i bet you $5 that by the end of the night of drinking together you wont be able to ride this skateboard 30 feet without falling off"

    if i lose, i just pay $5 to ensure an extra amount of fun between me and you this evening.

    same for you.

    if we both have $5 to spare, it makes it fun and real.

    if either or both of us only has $1 to spare, you adjust the stakes.

    emotional gain from excitement of betting vs how much "extra" cash you have to blow on FUN.
  • lml__0_0__lmllml__0_0__lml
    edited December 2011
    never
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