Seven Deadly Sins for Video Poker Players: 5. Gluttony

25 January 2025

By Jerry Stickman

Preamble: While browsing through the offerings on television the other night I came across Se7en. It is a 1995 movie about detectives hunting a serial killer that uses the seven deadly sins as motivation for killing. While I am not much of a fan of the movie, lessons can be learned from it regarding video poker play and gambling in general.

This is the fifth in a series of seven articles that each cover one of the seven deadly sins – fifth article, fifth deadly sin – gluttony.

According to Merriam-Webster, gluttony is “excess in eating or drinking,” or “greedy or excessive indulgence.”

Gluttony is similar to greed.

The word “greedy” is even used in the definition. Where greed refers to the intense desire for virtually anything, gluttony refers to the indulgence or consumption of something.

Classic gluttons – those who eat too much – like the feeling, the experience of eating. It makes them feel like they are being fulfilled.

But they can never get enough of that feeling.

Greedy players always want more winnings, more money. Gluttonous players just cannot stop. It is not that they covet more, they like the feeling the comes from gambling. They like the feeling of excitement that comes from gambling.

They like it all - and want it to continue, so they continue – not for the actual money, but for the feeling they get.

These players continue playing long after they should stop.

They play so long that they become tired. Once tired, they start making mistakes in their play. But that does not matter to the gambler gluttons. They must constantly indulge in more; more hands dealt, more hands played, more chances to win.

Their hunger for more is never satisfied.

Ultimately, they must stop.

The house edge over hundreds or thousands of hands will eventually wear away at their bankroll until there is nothing left. They begrudgingly leave with their hunger unsatisfied and their bankroll bankrupt.

Do not be a gambling glutton. Know when to stop – and when that time comes, just stop.

As always, may all your wins be swift and large, and your losses be slow and small.

Jerry “Stickman”

Jerry “Stickman” is an expert in craps, blackjack and video poker and advantage slot machine play. He is a regular contributor to top gaming magazines and 888casino.com. He authored the video poker section of “Everything Casino Poker: Get the Edge at Video Poker, Texas Hold'em, Omaha Hi-Lo, and Pai Gow Poker!” You can contact Jerry “Stickman” at stickmanjerryg@gmail.com
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