Lovers and Gambling

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May 15th, 2017
Back Lovers and Gambling

As a college student at Duquesne University in Pittsburgh, PA., I fell in love with classic literature. I spent many hours at the university library poring over books by Tolstoy, Charles Dickens and the other authors of the classics.

The Russian authors wrote about crime, punishment, revolutions and gambling, while Dickens chose as his themes relationships, financial ruin, prison and Christmas.

I found the books on gambling to be fascinating, but one theme seemed to be missing from the mix. It is a theme that has a definite effect on the lives and future of individuals, and that is why I am devoting this column to lovers and gambling.

Can a gambler have a lasting relationship with a member of the opposite sex?

After 40 years of being a gambler and a writer about gambling themes, I still am not sure of the answer.

Harold Smith Sr., son of Pappy Smith, who created Harold's Club in Reno, NV., published a book about his life more than half a century ago. He titled it, 'I Want To Quit Winners.'

Charles Dickens

Harold was a casino owner, gambler and workaholic who was married to a beautiful woman who shared his life for many years. After Harold had developed a drinking as well as a gambling problem, she divorced him. The experience was devastating to Smith and he revealed his personal anguish in his book.

While living in the Caribbean, I posed the following question to a group of island beauties in St. Kitts -- would you form a relationship or marry a gambler. Most of them shook their head and said no.

'It would be exciting, but I see no future in it,' one woman said. 'I would never be sure of where we were heading or whether he loved me or the gambling.'

When I lived in the Caribbean, I visited Paradise Island, Aruba, St. Maarten and other islands. I met wives of gamblers. Some were bored with their lives. One, a French beauty who was born in Paris, complained, 'When my husband sees a roulette wheel or a blackjack table, he forgets all about me. I might as well not exist.'

I have discussed this subject with other gamblers and their responses to the question of can love and gambling co-exist are intriguing.

'When I am gambling,' said one high roller, 'I am thinking of my wife and family. Yes, the excitement gets to me, but I am always aware of their welfare, whether I win or lose.'

Gamblers who include business ventures as part of their lives seem to do better in a relationship than people who restrict their activities to gambling. Oklahoma Johnny Hale and his wife, Carol, for example, have a great relationship. But Johnny is much more than just a poker player, as his many excursions into banking, business and other activities prove.

Benny Binion and his wife also developed a working relationship that lasted until his death. But his wife played an important role in the daily operation of Binion's Horseshoe in downtown Las Vegas.

Oklahoma Johnny Hale and his wife, Carol

The gambling life can be exciting and fulfilling in many ways. But when it comes to mixing it with love, a gambler is walking a tightrope that could have many pitfalls. It's like the movie, 'The Good, The Bad and the Ugly.' Life for a gambler and his or her lover can take many turns.

I knew a top executive with the Binion Horseshoe organization who had been a major poker player early in his career. When he was promoted to a higher position, he stopped his heavy gambling and he and his wife, who also worked for Binion's, took up playing the Deuces Wild video poker game.

They loved it. That was the extent of their gambling activities and they are still together today.

I know a lot of gamblers who are divorced or between relationships. Some are winners and some are struggling to keep abreast of their expenses. The jury is still out on the question. What do you think?

“devoting this column to lovers and gambling”

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