The Pot of Gold

1 February 2024

By Royal Flushes

CINDY: This is a simple question. What do casino players want when they play in the casinos?

ABBY: A win. If possible, a big win, perhaps a very big win, a gigantic win. Maybe I should say that casino players want a “pot of gold” for their efforts. I think that is what we fantasize the most about. The big hit. The big score. The walking out of the casino and heading home with cash galore.

CINDY: I like the term “pot of gold” because I think that is in fact the fantasy we have. Why would you play and risk your money of there were no possibility of a win?

ABBY: I am thinking that slot players have a better chance to win the “pot of gold” than the table-game players. Yes, the table-game player who is a monster-high-roller could win a lot but that “a lot” is really within his or her bankroll already. That money is not a “pot of gold” to such a player since that player already has a “pot of gold” as a bankroll. So, such a win would just be a win. I’m guessing that.

CINDY: Maybe a mega-slot-player could dream about winning millions of dollars on a slot machine…maybe. Would a millionaire have a really intense fantasy? I don’t know. I guess we all have fantasies involving the casinos.

ABBY: Do you believe, as some of our theorists, state that the actual act of anticipation is a key ingredient in wanting to go to casinos? That anticipation builds up the desire to go and that desire ultimately pushes us to actually go. Then we win or lose, go home, and build up that anticipation again.

CINDY: I think you can compare that to the lotteries that so many people play, especially when the lottery jackpot is really very large, maybe in the multiple millions and maybe scratching the billion-dollar mark. Lie down in bed and dream of what you would do with all that money. That is a fun fantasy. Believe me, I have had that fantasy.

ABBY: I hate to say it – but me too!

CINDY: Okay, now seriously, think about this. How many casino players ever get that huge win or slot players get that million-dollar win or even a hundred-thousand-dollar win? What parentage?

ABBY: I do not think table game players are lucky enough to do that. A twenty-five-dollar blackjack player isn’t going to win hundreds of thousands of dollars. I just don’t see that. Maybe a craps player who makes all the bad bets and gets so lucky like crazy might make some decent money. I do not think that would be frequent. Maybe not at all.

CINDY: It could simply be that “them that has, gets.”

ABBY: Does it bother you that neither one of us has ever won so much money that we can brag to everyone and sent texts to people extolling our greatness?

CINDY: Not really. We know the reality of casino playing. It is fun. You win some; you lose some. But the playing is the real joy of it. At least I think that is true.

ABBY: I think you are right. Playing is the fun. And anticipation is what pushes us to play.

CINDY: I agree.