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I've noticed that many friends directly engage in online gambling. Unlike me, who transitioned from traditional gambling to online, such cases are relatively rare. Many people gamble for a lifetime, and some haven't even set foot in a physical casino, which is regrettable. Today, with some free time on my hands, I want to share my personal experiences and discuss the differences between traditional and online gambling. Of course, I'm just an ordinary person, and my perspective is limited. If I say something you disagree with, feel free to ignore it; there's no need to trouble yourself.
Different Financial Preparation:
In traditional gambling, whether it's playing mahjong, poker, or other card games, you need at least a starting amount, usually starting from 500. It's common to bring at least 1000, and if you lose in the first round but want to recover, borrowing money on the spot is not easy. For places like Macau, preparing a substantial amount of money is necessary. My first trip to Macau, I brought 50,000, the least among my four friends, while the highest was 350,000, along with someone carrying a credit card with a 100,000 overdraft. The round-trip expenses for flights and hotels are already a few thousand yuan. However, online gambling is different. People on forums are seen playing with 5 yuan in rebate and often winning thousands. Although the entry threshold for depositing and withdrawing money from online gambling companies has increased, there is no limit to the gaming time. You can deposit once and play for a week, and you can control your financial flow. You can deposit 1,000 and bet 10 yuan per round. So, financial preparation for traditional gambling is more significant, while online gambling allows for more flexibility.
Different Time Consumption:
Traditional gambling requires scheduling and meeting people. A round of mahjong can take an hour or more, and games like poker can go on all night. There's a saying that 'winning in the first half of the night is just paper, winning in the second half of the night is real money.' In contrast, online gambling allows you to play and leave at any time. You can play a couple of rounds of baccarat while in the bathroom, and if you've bet on sports, you can check the results when you have time. In other words, 'the world doesn't explode, and gambling never takes a break.'
Different Cost Structure:
The cost here refers to additional expenses besides winning money. Traditional gambling often takes place in teahouses or mahjong parlors, and each session may cost 40 to 50 yuan. Sometimes, if you win, you might have to treat others to a meal or buy cigarettes and drinks. Some may argue that these are small amounts, but accumulated over time, they become significant expenses. Going to places like Macau involves even more expenses, including flight tickets, hotel stays, and dining expenses. My first trip to Macau was on someone else's invitation, so I didn't spend any additional money. However, my second trip was self-funded, and the round-trip flight and accommodation cost over 7,000, not including money spent on companionship. Checking a bit, in February of this year, a standard room at The Venetian in Macau was 600 yuan, and a one-way flight cost at least 1,400 yuan. Of course, online gambling also has costs, such as the house edge and the need for computer and mobile tools, as well as data usage.
Different Atmosphere:
Traditional gambling is significantly influenced by the atmosphere. For example, in a Macau casino, if someone wins big, everyone starts shouting. I once encountered someone who became the banker, and the entire room was cheering for the banker. However, in a losing situation, people may insist that everyone contributes 500 to continue playing. I participated in such a scenario and ended up losing over 1,000. Online gambling allows you to bet as you wish, without being influenced by others or the atmosphere. You can place low or high bets according to your preference, and nobody cares. However, this freedom can lead to impulsiveness, and it's easy to get carried away, especially when going all in.
Different Risks:
Traditional gambling involves the risk of legal issues. As I've shared in previous posts, I've been taken to the police station twice due to complaints from losing gamblers. Both times, I was able to resolve it through connections, without any legal consequences or fines. Still, my gambling funds were confiscated. The first time, it was over 2,000 yuan, which wasn't a big deal. The second time, it was more severe, with over 10,000 yuan confiscated. Online gambling risks include being audited, dealing with unscrupulous platforms, and having bank cards frozen. Personally, I've been lucky not to encounter fraud on online platforms, but my bank card was frozen for half a year, with around 4,000 yuan inside. Experiencing being taken to the police station and waiting for someone to bail me out is truly uncomfortable, much worse than having a frozen bank card.
Regarding the fairness of gambling, there are criticisms for both online and traditional gambling. Online platforms are criticized for big data monitoring and match-fixing, while traditional gambling involves scams and the use of marked cards. It's a sensitive issue, and I won't delve deeper into it here. |
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Post time 19-11-2023 09:44:46