Casino dafa

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  September 06 2008

  
  

  Reality Gambling

  A best-selling casino gambling author has taken a slap at reality-television gambling shows such as “Man vs. Vegas” on CMT and the Fox Reality network’s announced “Double or Nothing.” “It’s so stupid, it’s unbelievable,” said American Casino Guide author Steve Bourie of gamblers willing to risk all they have in a casino and in front of the cameras. “It’s understandable that these producers want to make an exciting show, but showing bad gamblers making bad bets is very irresponsible and, based on this trend, it doesn’t look like future gambling shows are going to be getting any better.” Fox’s “Double or Nothing” is currently and quite publicly searching for cast members and a gambler willing to sell all worldly possessions and risk everything on one spin of a real casino’s roulette wheel in Las Vegas. The identity of the cooperating casino hasn’t been revealed. The show is based on the real-life story of Londoner Ashley Revell who did just that — and won.

  Revell’s April 2004 bet at the Plaza Hotel and Casino in Las Vegas was widely reported at the time. Revell sold all his possessions — home, car and even the clothes off his back — and bet his entire liquidated net worth of $135,300 on red. The ball dropped into the red 7 slot, and Revell walked away with $270,600 — less a $600 tip to the dealer. Bourie said re-creating Revell’s real-life fairy tale for television was irresponsible. “What are they trying to prove?” he asked. “Gambling should be looked at as a form of entertainment, enjoyed by players who set a budget and not as a quick fix to try and double one’s net worth.” Worse, the gambling expert added, “Most people believe that a player has a 50-50 chance when making this bet” because almost all the spots on a roulette wheel are either red or black. But U.S. roulette wheels have two zero spots, usually green, that aren’t red or black. “The casino advantage on a double-zero roulette wheel is 5.26 percent — one of the worst bets in the casino,” Bourie said.Fox Reality General Manger David Lyle brushes off such critics. “We’re looking for someone one who lives their life on the edge. I don’t think you can extrapolate from that that we’re going to be encouraging compulsive gambling behavior … irresponsible gambling … We’re not saying this is the way you should live your life.”