!66Gambling

It’s always party time in Las Vegas or Atlantic City. My wife, a couple of friends and I recently spent an afternoon at the Casinos trying very hard to find some socially redeeming virtue in the place. The following comment is posted on signs everywhere:

“If you or someone you know has a gambling problem and wants help (or if you have exceeded your credit limit), call 1-800-GAMBLER.”

Just One More Hand

                    I’ll never really understand,
                    Why people think Casinos grand;
                    Rude, milling Crowds; unpleasant Folk,
                    Who drink too much; incessant Smoke;
                    Those One-Armed Bandits whirr and spin,
                    So mindless, still, they rake it in;
                    Roulette, Black Jack, Craps’ Pair o’ Dice,
                    This Gambler’s Trap’s no Paradise;
                    Comped Booze or Shows; ablaze with Glitz,
                    To lose to Croupiers in Pits,
                    Choose felt-dressed Tables stacked with Chips;
                    Prompt Waitresses transact for Tips;
                    High Rollers flash Displays of Gold,
                    Uncertain if to raise or fold;
                    Yet Cashiers cash Paychecks galore,
                    Let would-be Wrecks drop even More;
                    Tour Buses full; the Blue-haired come,
                    From everywhere; it’s pretty dumb;
                    They’ll try to take a Poker Pot,
                    Then pop their Coins in any Slot,
                    Or make big Bets, when Cards are hot,
                    And hope like Hell, the Dealer’s not;
                    Poor People starved, for Love, deprived,
                    Each Win is like ‘Lost Ships’ arrived;
                    Connected, sad, just Business, funny,
                    We must be mad; it’s only Money!

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