Joost Blog

Saturday was a sad night … my beloved, underdog Jaguars lost to the New England juggernaut. Even though they lost, I’m not too upset because New England’s beat everyone they played this year and because the Jaguars covered the spread. And that makes me happy, because there’s at least one person who is insulted.

Now I am not a gambler. I don’t bet on sports and I’d take the pool over the tables in Vegas any time of year. There’s only been one time when I wanted to gamble - I saw an amazing bag that carried an amazing price tag. “If I bet $100,” I rationalized, “I might be able to turn it into $10,000.” “But self,” I said to myself, “given that you don’t gamble, you’ll probably just end up losing the $100, and then you’ll be even farther away from your $10,000 goal.” I left Vegas without the bag, though I probably spent the hundred dollars at the bar.

But that’s just me. I know there’s a big draw to gambling – there must be, or we wouldn’t have Vegas or Monaco or, closer to (my) home, Foxwoods. For those of you who like to gamble, I hope you find that you will always be covering. For the rest of you, these gambling destinations aren't all about gambling.

When did poker really take off? A couple of years ago it was something that my grandparents played – like bridge. Is it just that I’m getting older? Or is it because suddenly it became possible to win a million dollars by taking a week off of work and playing in a tournament?

The Fight Network

If there’s an argument to be made against gambling, I think this is it. You’re waging money that someone is going to beat the crap out of someone else. Doesn’t that make you feel a little bit guilty?

Mojo: Uncorked – Vegas

I might have lied about always choosing the pool. Sometimes I choose to eat, go to the bars/clubs or go to the shows. It’s not always daytime.

MavTV: The Dan Show: Vegas

They really are trying to make Vegas a family destination, but you wouldn't know it from this show.

LazyTV: The People’s Book of Records – Human Greyhound Racing

Ah, finally, the shoe is on the other foot. This might actually be something that I could be persuaded to bet on - grown men running around a track on their hands and feet.

MuchAdrenaline: Would you rather

A classic gambling conundrum, and a philosophical question for the ages. Would you rather fight Mike Tyson or be his cell mate? Once you’ve tackled that one, there are other pressing questions like would you rather Oprah or Star Jones, Lindsay or Paris?