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Every so often I’ve updated the list of films that I have already seen with brief reviews.  Call it the complete-ist in me, but when I’m done with reviewing each of the films in the book, I’d like to have reviewed every single film in the book.

Anyhow, here’s another batch for you to read.

Enjoy!

Shichinin No Samurai AKA Seven Samurai (1954)

The Seven Samurai is the first movie that I had the pleasure of seeing from the master director Akira Kurosawa, and it is also one of his most praised works. Without a wasted frame, the story takes place over the course of almost 3 hours. Kurosawa, as he does in each of his movies, explores more than just the action and injustice featured in the plot. He is a humanist first and foremost, training his lens on the interpersonal relationships of the characters, tracking growth across this epic. As good as this film is, I would have to say that Kurosawa has numerous films that are even better, check out Stray Dog, Rashomon, Yojimbo, Sanjuro, and my personal favorite High and Low.

The Ladykillers (1955)

Existing as a special combination of dark humor, and slapstick farce, The Ladykillers is exceptionally funny and unsettling. Alec Guinness stars as the leader of a group of criminals staying at the home of a hardy, vivacious older lady under the guise of being musicians. The plan is simple, rob a bank, and utilizing the trusting nature of the kindly old lady, and the remoteness of her home to their advantage, get away with it. Easily my favorite of Alec Guinness’ films (thanks in part to the Star Wars prequels that is), The Ladykillers features a solid cast of great actors, including a very young Peter Sellers.

Bob Le Flambeur AKA Bob the Gambler (1955)

My introduction to the fantastic Jean-Pierre Melville, I was captivated immediately by the cool as ice gangster come gambler Bob. This film is filled with signature Melville-isms. Glorious post war street scenes in Paris. Trench-coats. Honor among thieves. And who could forget the caper. To talk too much about this film is to give too much away, and to do that is to ruin it for those who haven’t seen it. Other classics by Melville: Le Cercle Rouge, Le Samourai, and the recently released in the U.S. Army of Shadows. All are fantastic, and deserve to be in this book! Incidentally, Bob le Flambeur was recently re-made into The Good Thief starring Nick Nolte and directed by Neil Jordan, and while I’m not generally a fan of re-makes, I really, really liked this film. Not quite as good as the original, but it was one of my favorite films of 2002.

Kiss Me Deadly (1955)

The ultimate in hardboiled private eye crime stories, Kiss Me Deadly is a full on assault on decency. Kiss Me Deadly proudly presents itself as a grimy PI story, littered with bodies and intrigue. If you even have a passing interest in film noir, this should be your first stop. Violent, misogynist, brutish, and glorious, Kiss Me Deadly begs to be watched and dares you to look away. I myself, loved it!

The Ten Commandments (1956)

Apparently based on a book, The Ten Commandments is an epic in every sense of the word. Colored in bright explosive candy hues, and featuring huge sets, as well as a cast that number in the thousands, The Ten Commandments is more spectacle than great movie. Certainly not a waste of time, but not my first choice when choosing something light to throw in.

Det Sjunde Inseglet AKA The Seventh Seal (1957)

A classic, and well-loved film by Swedish auteur Ingmar Bergman, The Seventh Seal stars an extremely young Max von Sydow as a knight who faces Death at a game of chess to decide his fate. This film is filled with themes that find their way into each of Bergman’s works, ranging from courage in the face of death, religion, and humanity. The Seventh Seal still holds up to this day, with luminous black and white photography that, thanks to Criterion’s Blu-ray edition, has never looked better.

Note: Don’t be fooled by the similarly themed, but much worse, “Bill and Ted’s Bogus Journey”

Kumonosu Jo AKA Throne of Blood (1957)

Kurosawa’s retelling of Macbeth set in feudal Japan. Shakespeare has never looked better as it does in the stark black and white, twisting shadows and swirling mists as seen through Kurosawa’s camera. Toshiro Mifune doesn’t disappoint in the lead role, but the real stand out is Isuzu Yamada in the as Mifune’s opportunistic, poisonous wife. The plotting and scheming starts right from the get go, all the way up till the frenzied end of the film.

Touch of Evil (1958)

One of the many trouble spots on Orson Welles’ resume due to studio interference, and financing issues, still Touch of Evil remains as possibly the best B-Movie ever made. Iconic (and sometimes hilarious) performances by Janet Leigh, Charlton Heston (as a Mexican) and Welles himself as the crooked cop willing to do almost anything to ensure justice prevails (just so long as it’s his justice). The movie is almost as famous for its long tracking shot opening as it is for any of the performances, featuring a nearly 4 minute shot done in one take which travels around cars, actors, and buildings. The film The Player, payed homage to it by mentioning it a few times during a similarly complex shot in that film.

Vertigo (1958)

Flopping on its initial release, Vertigo didn’t gain the acclaim it deserved until much later after it was released on video. Vertigo visits themes present in each of Hitchcock’s other works, including the obsession with blondes, innocence tainted with corruption, and the schlub who get in over his head. Jimmy Stewart plays the schlub, Kim Novak plays the blonde, and gloriously technicolored San Francisco plays the innocence and the corruption. Vertigo has a twisty convoluted story with elements of surrealism, an interesting watch.

Mon Oncle AKA My Uncle (1958)

My favorite of Jacques Tati’s Monsieur Hulot films, Mon Oncle was also the first of them that I had seen. Tati, playing Hulot, is a master of visual comedy, and not in the same way as the Three Stooges, or even Buster Keaton. Tati is an artist whose work is appreciated the longer you watch. The plot of the movie is not so much important to the film as it is simply a guide to get our characters into interesting situations so we can watch them get out. If you liked this film, check out other films featuring the bumbling Mr. Hulot, including Trafic, Playtime, and Les Vacances de Monsieur Hulot.

Les Quatre Cents Coups AKA The 400 Blows (1959)

My personal favorite of the French new wave movement was this small-scale film, personal piece from Francois Truffaut. Featuring the director’s alter ego, Antoine Doinel, The 400 Blows is the first in a series of movies, each about a different stage of life and the challenges that go along with them. The period from childhood to young adult is covered heart-breakingly here, following Antoine through the rough waters of his home life and his interaction with the outside world. Later chapters deal with finding love, getting married, having children, and growing old, but Les Quatres Cent Coups remains the directors most personal and his best.

North by Northwest (1959)

One of Hitchcock’s best, North by Northwest features Cary Grant, suave as ever, being mistaken for a government agent by a group of foreign spies. Just like in Hitchcock’s most famous works (of which this is one), the witty one-liners, suspense, and drama are heaped on generously. I can’t help but feel sad that a similarly themed, but better film featuring Cary Grant was left off this 1001 list. Charade, also featuring Audrey Hepburn, James Coburn, and Walter Matthau, is one of my favorite movies ever! Check out both Charade AND North by Northwest as a double feature! You won’t be sorry.

Some Like it Hot (1959)

Now this is an example of a classic, well-loved film, with actors that I really love (Jack Lemmon I’m looking at you), a premise that is more than suitable, yet the finished product never really caught me. It’s sort of like Hitchcock’s To Catch a Thief. I never really saw what all the hype was about. That being said, I didn’t hate it either. It never made fun of me when I had braces, or turned me down for a date, my affections and this film have just always been mutually exclusive. Perhaps it deserves another watch…then again maybe I should just watch The Last Boyscout again.

A Bout De Souffle AKA Breathless (1959)

Jean-Luc Godard is nothing if not a sacred cow of French cinema, and while I have loved some of his other films (Le Mepris, Bande A Part, and Masculin Femenine), Breathless or A Bout De Souffle never really did it for me. I can still rationalize why it was so revolutionary (use of jump cuts, editing, non-actors, and subscription to the aesthetic of the French new wave style), and see it’s importance, but I prefer other examples of New Wave cinema. If you are interested in seeing a Godard film, try Masculin Feminine, it is just as revolutionary and a bit more accessible.

Psycho (1960)

A prime example of Hitchcock in his prime. Psycho was so good, and so affecting that some of its actors were type cast just on the strength of this one film (Anthony Perkins, and Janet Leigh), so much so that without a little research it’s hard to think of what other films either of them has been in. Psycho may not be as visually shocking and gory as horror films of today, but it still manages to hold up over time and be just as unsettling as it was back in its day. Hitchcock has always excelled at making the comfortable un-comfortable (motels, birds, tea, dreams, the list goes on…), and the subtle touches in this film work perfectly. Consider for a moment that Perkin’s Bates is an amateur taxidermist of birds, and then that Janet Leigh’s name is Marion Crane a type of bird, or the fact before the crime Marion is wearing a white bra and a white purse, while after it she is wearing a black bra and purse. His attention to detail, and knack for foreshadowing is demonstrated in full force in Psycho and remains one of his best films. Despite all the uproar over the Gus Van Sant remake, I thought it actually did some justice to the original film and if nothing else brought it a little more deserved attention.

Note: This film also has the distinction of being the first American film to ever show a toilet flushing on-screen.

Peeping Tom (1960)

Released the same year as Psycho, and dealing with similar subject matter, Peeping Tom wasn’t received with the same acclaim and attention that the former was. On the contrary, Peeping Tom was seen as subversive, perverted, and generally too shocking. The story revolves more around the killer than the victim in this one, whereas Psycho is presented more from the victim’s point of view. Either way, Peeping Tom is a fine film, one worth watching, however it is so similar to Psycho that I’m not sure it needs to be on the list of 1001 films.

The Apartment (1960)

As far as light-hearted, touching movies about someone recovering from a bout of depression, this one is my favorite. Billy Wilder directs Shirley MacLaine and Jack Lemmon in a sweet touching comedy without losing any of his trademark cynicism or the pointedness of his dialogue. The Apartment is another chance for me to champion the somewhat maligned talents of Mr. Fred MacMurray as Lemmon’s boss. MacMurray plays a fantastic creep who really defines the term “heel”.

Spartacus (1960)

Containing almost none of the trademark elements that make up a Stanley Kubrick movie as we know it (Kubrick apparently dis-owned the film before it’s release), Spartacus remains an interesting movie that isn’t great. It is, however, another example of a film that enabled an up and coming filmmaker to gain his voice, and define himself later on in his career. If only for that reason, Spartacus is a great film, but luckily for the studio, it has some other things going for it. Kirk Douglas plays the title role of Spartacus, and despite all the lavish set production, and concentration on spectacle, brings some heart to the slave who defied Rome.

Jules Et Jim AKA Jules and Jim (1962)

One of director, Francois Truffaut’s most well thought of films, Jules and Jim may be the Lost In Translation, or Juno of its time. Viewed from a certain angle, the plot is a completely moving and emotional story that you believe, so much so, that you can see yourself and those around you in the roles that these characters embody. Viewed from another perspective, it can seem a little precious or purposefully manipulative. Depending on what is happening in your life (I’m mostly thinking about whether or not you are in a relationship, and if you are happy), this movie can preach the glory of love and the pain of rejection. On the flipside, if you have shaken free the angsty, teenager-esque feelings everyone has had in their youth, you may feel like you’re being talked down to.

Cleo De 5 A 7 AKA Cleo from 5 to 7

Taking place, as the title suggests, from 5 to 7, we get a slice of the life of Cleo played out before us. Sometimes we, along with Cleo herself, are a voyeurs into the lives of people around her, and other times we are focused on her as she roams around Paris. By and large Cleo lives a carefree, spoiled life, yet we still sympathize with her when times are hard, and cheer for her when they are good. This is a small film in a lot of ways, but that doesn’t mean that it isn’t impacting and beautiful.

Lawrence of Arabia (1962)

I have to admit.  I didn’t like Lawrence of Arabia that much.  Perhaps I was too young to appreciate the aesthetic beauty of Lean’s desert panorama camerawork, or just maybe it was the epic length that decided it for me.  One way or another, I didn’t appreciate it as much as everyone else seems to think I should. 

The Manchurian Candidate (1962)

Overly reliant on gimmicks and quick editing techniques, The Manchurian Candidate doesn’t flesh out the story nearly…wait, no that was the terrible re-make that came out in 2004.  The original 1962 version, is just as taught, and well executed today as it was at its release.  While the story between the two versions remained virtually the same, the consistent building of tension and anxiety, combined with the pitch perfect acting of Lawrence Harvey, Frank Sinatra (yes…Frank Sinatra), and the devilish turn of Angela Lansbury as the Queen of Hearts, makes for a fantastic film.

Lolita (1962)

It took me forever to finally see Lolita.  I have known the basic story (older man, younger girl) but had just never gotten around to seeing it.  And while I’ve been told that the book is much better, I thought the film was pretty good.  Not great, mind you, but definitely solid.  The shocking and controversial nature of the relationship was toned down a bit for the screen, and maybe as a result doesn’t seem all that shocking in today’s day and age.  Memorable turns by Peter Sellers, and Shelley Winters, not to mention it’s an early film of Stanley Kubrick.

The Birds (1963)

Despite being one of Hitchcock’s most popular, I actually think that The Birds is one of his most over-rated.  I think I owe it to myself to give this one another look someday, but right now I feel that it was too heavily based on the gimmick that had to rely on special effects.  Though it is not necessarily the fault of the movie, but the special effects seemed particularly dated and old fashioned.  Worth a watch, but not my favorite by a long shot.

8 1/2 (1963)

Federico Fellini is, by most accounts, a master of cinema.  One, that I have always had a little trouble getting fired up over.  It’s not that I don’t like his films once I’ve seen them, the problem comes in when it comes to motivating myself to see them.  I couldn’t tell you why, but his films consistently get pushed off when they come up on my Netflix Queue or when I see the one or two I have on my shelf.  I shouldn’t feel this way, considering I really loved the moving poetry, and soul baring passion in 8 1/2, yet it still happens.  One very definite reason to watch this film is the man-crushable Marcello Mastroianni, swaggering through as the alter-ego of Fellini himself.  Dealing with all the reservations with women, making movies, childhood, and the future that the director very famously dealt with himself, Mastroianni embodies a certain cool, yet believable character that begs to be watched.  Combined with imagery that leaves the audience wanting more, 8 1/2 is a fantastic film.

Well, that’s it for this time.  Thanks for reading!

New Gambler Straw Hats-White

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“I know him by reputation. He’s the darndest fellow. He’ll bet on anything. If one of his mistresses – and that’s a story in itself – if one of his mistresses dived out of a hotel window he’d bet on which end hit the pavement first, her head or her tail.”

Week eight saw us go 7/9 on bet units, returning to the right side of the Expectation Value Probability Distribution for the season. We are now running 60% (53/89) for the season on bet units.

I know of at least two websites (mine and NFLPickles.com) that post absolutely free NFL picks with no membership required that consistently beat the spread. It got me wondering, why do most sports bettors still lose in the long run?

I avoided psycho-babble when I posted on Setting Realistic Expectations for Sports Betting, but now I have to resort to it. People want to feel responsible for their success. The ratio between the standard deviation and the expectation value is such that it is unlikely for an everyday Joe to make enough money to be more valuable that the entertainment he gets from making his own picks.

To illustrate, our system posts an ROI of 10 – 13%. If Joe Public bets $50 with our system, he can expect a $5.00 – $6.50 profit. If he used his own system, assuming it runs at 50%, he can expect a $2.50 loss. But the entertainment value he receives from making his own picks is worth more than the $7.50 – $9.00 change in expectation.

Big bettors are probably not too much better off, unless they have a gambling problem. If you can afford to risk $500 on any given week, then you can also probably afford to toss $75 – $90 in expectation for the joy of making your own picks.

This got me thinking further – there’s a middle ground. What if a person were able to use their own intution applied to a selection of statisticians offering free picks? NFLPickles is running over 70% ATS YTD, Happy is running 60% with a more statistically distinct sample size, and he also posts BOBB picks based on Brian Burke (NY Times sportswriter who publishes weekly NFL Probabilities). Since these three don’t always agree, a person may be able to select between their picks, combining an element of free choice (and responsibility) with solid statistical analysis.

I haven’t computed the statistics on when our three models agree and when they disagree, etc. I do know we all had Jacksonville today ) : but we also all had Dallas. The idea of providing choice between several different successful oddsmakers is still appealing. It gives some freedom to the gambler while still yielding a positive expectation.

So remember when I said I was going to sew my own 1920’s flapper costume?  Well, I never got around to it, because of a number of recent happenings.  I ended up buying the costume and most of my accessories (and going over budget) at the last minute because I did not have time to make the costume.  Since I never got around to sewing my Halloween costume, I’m still planning on doing it at a later date, maybe for next year?  The afternoon before the party, Shawn and I went out and got all the remaining pieces for our costumes.  He still needed a vest and “old man pants” as he calls them.  I needed just about everything, including a dress, shoes, stockings, pearls, a headband, red lipstick, a cigarette holder, and more.

So here’s how we looked at the party:

Shawn was a “gambler” from the 1920’s, complete with cap, bowtie, and vest.  He had a flask tucked into his vest pocket (seeing as how it was during prohibition) and a deck of cards that he was pulling out of his sleeves when he would ask someone to play a hand with him.  He won two awards by a landslide:  best performer and best costume.  He took his performance through in everything he did, and even put on a funny accent for the evening.  He kept bumbling his cards while trying to shuffle, since his character profile said he was a really bad gambler.  Everyone loved that he snuck his flask out to “spike” his drink while we were mingling with the other characters.

My character was described as a flamboyant flapper and a “modern woman” for the 1920’s.  She wanted to be a movie star, and was doing everything she could to get there.  So I took the flapper style to the extreme (or as much as I could in the limited amount of time I had to put the costume together.)  I wore dark eyeliner and eyeshadow with false eyelashes.  I wore bright red lipstick, a big, flashy headband with a huge feather fascinator pinned to the side of my head.  I also added a long string of pearls, art-deco inspired earrings, black satin gloves, and a sequined cigarette holder.  A tiered, sequined dress, thigh-high stockings, and t-strap high heels completed the look.  I also brought a champagne flute and a little bottle of champagne to play up the extravagant profile of the character a bit.  (Also, neither of us smoke, so we got some fake cigarettes at the Halloween shop for our costumes.)  Shawn and I spent a little while the night before the party watching videos on YouTube of flappers, gangsters, and other 1920’s types, and I put on a voice similar to Betty Boop’s, and I tried to be a little more flirty than normal.

As for my hair, as you can probably tell from previous photos, I have fairly long hair.  So to disguise that fact, I was planning on curling my hair tightly so it appeared to be cut in a bob, but I ran out of time, so I took some big roller pins (similar to extra-large bobby pins) and pinned my hair under at the nape of my neck.  The elastic headband was an extra layer of security, and helped everything stay put.

I’ll show you some more detailed photos of my costume, make-up, hair, and shoes after I dress up again for Halloween.

We had a great time at the party, and I definitely want to do this murder mystery mayhem again sometime very soon!  I’m going to post a full review and more photos of the murder mystery soon.  I hope you guys enjoy your Halloween festivities this year.  What do you have planned for Saturday night?

So, this week’s Musical Monday is an oldie but goodie that goes out to my hubby . . . Gambler by Madonna.

This past weekend, he competed and took 1st place in his first individual pool tournament!  He walked in expecting to get knocked out in the first round, but kept winning . . . and quite possibly annoying all the other higher ranked players.

They never saw him coming!  Hehe!  My hubby, the pool shark!

Gambler, gambler

Chorus:

I’m a gambler, and I will take you by surprise
Gambler, I’ll aim this straight between your eyes
Gambler, yeah I know all the words to say
‘Cause I’m a gambler, I only play the game my way, yeah

Don’t want to say this but I think that I should
I’m better off forgotten if you think that I’d be good
One day you see me the next day I’m gone
Don’t fight me baby I don’t want to hold on
I’m a gambler, a gambler

You’re not happy with the way I act
You better turn around boy, don’t look back
You’re getting angry, you know I can see
You’re just jealous ’cause you can’t be me

(chorus)

Intermediate:

You can’t stop me now
‘Cause I’m right and I’m making advances
Let me show you how
Tonight, I’ll be taking my chances
On you, on you, on you, on you, that’s right baby

I’m a gambler, gambler
You understand what I’m talking about?

(chorus)
(intermediate)

I’m a gambler, a gambler
Gambler, ’cause I’m a gambler

You can’t stop me now
I’m on the road baby I know how
You can’t stop me now
Oh no

You can’t stop me now (repeat 3 times)

‘Cause I’m a gambler, yeah I’m a gambler
That’s right baby

I am 30 years old. Six months ago I proposed to my girlfriend and asked her to marry me. She is my life but I have a problem…. I lost all our savings from my addiction with slot machines… You see, I am surrounded by a dozen gambling satellites.. They are like your 7-11’s but instead of selling everything you need, they provide you with everything you wish you have.. Oh yeah, I lost our savings 5 times already.. Everytime I had enough for the two of us, I would just waste it away.. I don’t know what to do anymore.. Sometimes I want to take my life.. help me? please…

Preoccupation with gambling

Gamblers who get in love with the excitement and “action” of play may, at first, be quite successful. They score fantasies of advance success and of play decent their personal path to riches and power. Those who are headlike for problems think they are smarter than the total bettor. They pair that gaming is exploit to wreak for them because they, different inferior intelligent people, real understand how to beat the system.

As they beautify statesman implicated in gambling, they derive an progressive allotment of their self-esteem from perception themselves as cagy or lucky. Because of this, digit things happen when they do incur the fateful losses. First, they suffer monetary loss. Second, and ofttimes much important, they get a flat ego.

Financial disaster, legal troubles,

To salve their self-esteem, they organize losses by blaming added people, much as the jockey or the pitcher, or by blaming “bad luck” in cards, two or lotteries. Or they reverberate on their handicapping abilities and archer themselves they will not make the one “mistake” the close time.

The monetary red is added matter, however, and this is dealt with differently. In say to get the loss, some gamblers “chase.” That is, they proceed their betting and growth the amount of their bets in inflict to rag even. Instead of saying, “It’s lost,” the chaser says, “I’ll make steady tomorrow.” Chasing losses leads the venturer to hazard with author than he or she dismiss give to lose, and often to appropriation money in an labor to get even.

Many gamblers haw tag for position periods, until they hear from ale undergo that this is counterproductive. The long-term preoccupancy with chasing losses is the process distinctive of the pathological gambler.

Chasing seems formal to many gamblers, as it implementation gift oneself a adventure to modify even.

If a venturer stops chasing, both money and self-esteem are lost. If the adventurer continues chasing and wins, both tin be regained. There is, therefore, the force to take in prescript to acquire losses. When continued gaming leads to relieve many losses, the ambitious gambler continues to borrow. The solon money borrowed, the greater the cooperation to more vice as the exclusive conceivable implementation of gaining sufficiency money to pay forth the debt.

Unable to stop gambling

This spiraling dedication to inflated gaming oftentimes depletes house resources. some ambitious gamblers cash in joint fund bonds, discharge checking accounts, hock spliff property, and take unsuccessful loans without the spouse’s knowledge. In position to reserve or get honorableness in the eyes of parents, partner and others — and because their paychecks are insufficient — fearless gamblers view more game as the exclusive alternative.

Compulsive gambling is a serious habit

Fearing amount of respectability, the venturer hides loans. When gamblers alternative on the loans, fear that the slope or give companion will recount their mate haw route them to writer recreation as a thinkable hurried pick out. The activity that caused the difficulty is progressively seen by the venturer as the exclusive solution, as there is no remaining portion to seize the required money quickly.

As loans descend cod and pressures to pay get more insistent, sometimes involving threats of danger or of personal hurt from word sharks or bookies, desperate gamblers weigh the risks of “borrowing” (embezzling) money from their employer, making fraudulent loan applications or shelter claims, or concealment the money.

Once they exit to this temptation, the boundary to an modify greater allegiance to diversion has been crossed. This is especially true if they obtain money by give trickery or embezzlement. These kinds of crimes enable gamblers to cogitate that they are not rattling criminals. The money is exclusive “borrowed” so no figure is state hurt. But there is constant somaesthesia to act the money, and investigation on a conspicuous gambling gain is seen as the only trust for doing so. This extends the helix of involvement from solon gambling to solon and solon mislabeled activities — until the adventurer is caught, seeks paid help, or rattling does affect the conspicuous win.

Chasing losses

Falling in fuck with the “action” and then chasing losses is the play portion for most men who become driven gamblers, but umteen women direct a diametric route. piece women also relish the “action” and tail losses, their initial need is often get — discharge from memories of joyless immatureness or maternal abuse, flight from nervous husbands, and flee from loneliness. formerly they became crooked on gambling, however, women canvas the unvaried ornament of increasing wonder as men, ofttimes star to crook activity.

Compulsive gambling is a serious habit. It can lead you to risk your financial security, your personal relationships, and anything else that you value. Very often compulsive gamblers are people who are easily bored and are always looking for action and excitement. It’s not surprising that gambling is such an attractive activity to this person.
You may define symptoms of compulsive gambling as follows:

* Preoccupation with gambling
* Hiding gambling
* Chasing losses (gambling even more to try and recoup what was lost)
* Lying to family and friends about the extent of gambling
* Unable to stop gambling even if it means risking job, relationships or other opportunities
* Committing fraud, theft or using other illegal means to get money to gamble.
* In extreme cases. Financial disaster, legal troubles, loss of family and employment

Ini lanjutan dari tulisan sebelumnya. Tulisan yang kemarin dulu berakhir tanpa kesimpulan. Gak jelas maksudnya apa, dan ngga ada artinya. Sekedar bilang bahwa “Life is a gamble”, (SWGTL ). Sekarang saya akan coba membahas salah satu teknik berjudi. Supaya akhirnya ada yang mungkin berguna dari tulisan ini. Paling tidak untuk jadi bahan tertawaan dan merusuh )

Berhubung di artikel sebelumnya sudah sekilas dibahas. Banyak keputusan dalam hidup yang harus diambil dalam segala keterbatasan. Sekarang fokus ke masalah yang terkait dengan keterbatasan waktu. Entah masalah sepele seperti memilih barang saat belanja yang dibatasi jam tutup mall. Sampai ke masalah yang lebih serius seperti kerjaan, yang dibatasi oleh batas umur lowongan kerja. Ataupun mungkin masalah jodoh yang dibatasi jam biologis.

Seiring waktu yang terbatas, akhirnya jumlah alternatif pilihan pun jadi terbatas. Anda bisa mencoba satu per satu alternatif yang ada. Bisa juga memilih untuk mengabaikan beberapa pilihan. Ataupun bahkan cukup puas dengan pilihan pertama yang anda temui, dan mengabaikan semua yang lain. Asumsikan lagi bahwa barang yang sudah dicoba harus dikembalikan ke dealer dan tidak bisa dipesan lagi. Anda terpaksa mencoba model berikutnya yang belum tentu lebih baik. Seperti mantan pacar potensial yang setelah diputus akhirnya menjadi pasangan orang lain. Adakah strategi yang baik untuk situasi seperti ini ?

Mencoba satu per satu sampai pilihan terakhir bisa berresiko. Belum tentu yang terbaik ada di pilihan terakhir yang terpaksa diambil tersebut. Demikian juga berhenti pada pilihan pertama, dan mengabaikan kemungkinan adanya pilihan lebih baik yang datang belakangan. Akhirnya pertanyaannya menjadi kapan mesti berhenti memilih-milih ?

Jawaban sederhana dan paling manjur: pakailah intuisi, keyakinan dan hati. Baguslah kalau memang intuisi dan hatinya masih jernih dan bisa diandalkan . Silahkan, monggo. Tapi yang tidak puas dan manut ajaran bahwa “life is a gamble” boleh-boleh saja. Bisa mengikuti cara penjudi untuk menentukan saat berhenti memilih yang optimal.

Ambil kasus pacaran, misalnya anda tau usia anda masih 20 tahun, dan dari pengalaman pacaran anda rata-rata sampai bubar dan bosan makan waktu 6 bulan. Lalu target anda ingin menikah pada usia 35 tahun. Berarti anda punya maximum pilihan pacar kira-kira 15×2 = 30 pacar selama 15 taun itu. Diantara 30 orang pacar potensial ini, kira-kira pada pacaran yang keberapa anda mesti berhenti dan memutuskan untuk tidak mencari-cari lagi ? Yang manut hati dan intuisi tadi udah gak usah ikut-ikutan lho ya, wong ini mestinya masalah hati. Ini cuman ajaran sesat simbah yang mengikuti penjudi dalam menghitung secara matematis kapan mesti berhenti untuk mendapatkan hasil optimal.

Ada perhitungan probabilitasnya, yang bilang cobalah gonta ganti dan pilih yang terbaik dari 15 orang pertama. Setelah separuh pilihan ini semua dicoba, berhentilah memilih saat ada pilihan baru yang lebih baik. Ada jaminan teori probabilitas dengan keyakinan sebesar 25 % bahwa anda sudah memilih yang terbaik, tanpa harus mencoba pacaran dengan semua orang kandidat (30 orang) tersebut.

Kalau ingin kemungkinannya lebih bagus, bahkan tidak perlu mencoba separuh dari semua kemungkinan. Siap-siaplah berhenti gonta-ganti setelah orang ke 11. Angka ini didapat dari 30 (total pilihan yang sempat dicoba) dibagi dengan bilangan logaritma natural e = 2.72. Kalau anda punya waktu pacaran dengan 100 orang siap-siaplah berhenti di orang ke 37 =100/e.

Ada jaminan probabilitas 37% yang anda pilih sudah merupakan pilihan terbaik. Lho kok cuman 37% ? Itu sudah lebih baik daripada gonta-ganti terus sampai pacar ke 30, pacar terakhir sebelum menyebar undangan . Karena dengan strategi ini peluang memperoleh yang terbaik malah turun menjadi tinggal 1/30, alias 3.33% (atau 1% kalau menmcoba 100 orang).

Eh tapi lagi, ini semua dengan asumsi CLBK tidak terjadi. Dengan asumsi pacar pertama atau yang dulu ditinggal sudah ada yang punya:) Kalau bisa kembali ke pacar masa lalu yang ternyata lebih baik dari semua pacar yang ditemui belakangan, ya lupakan saja Gilbert & Mosteller’s Law ini

@ illustrasi: spreadshirt.com

Jag har en väninna vars man ofta somnar på soffan. Han sitter uppe och spelar tills han stupar. Nu har ena dottern börjat säga att hon vill sova nere som pappa…
Min väninna är trött på att sova själv, trött på att vakna ensam, upprörd rent utav!
Någon som har tips och råd? Kanske i samma situation. Hon har pratat med sin man, berättat hur hon känner. Det kan bli bättre en tid sen tillbaka till samma sak igen.
Jag önskar det var något jag kunde göra… Speciellt som min väninna… är jag.

Dzisiejsze wydanie spod znaku sentymentaliów to prawdziwa archeologiczna podróż w kierunku prasy.

Chodzi mi oczywiście o prasę specyficzną, odpowiednią tematowi gier komputerowych. Na podstawie moich wykopalisk w internecie udało mi się odszukać większość okładek pierwszych numerów polskich czasopism o grach na PC. Owe grafiki to nie tylko kilka zlepionych obrazków, ale bez wątpienia i stymulanty do dobrych “tamtych” czasów jak i w pewnym stopniu także do słabszych,  “tych” bardziej aktualnych.

Zatem usiądźcie wygodnie w fotelach… mamy rok…

1990: początek wszystkiego czyli narodziny Top Secret

Fundament pod temat czasopism o grach na PC w Polsce położył Top Secret. Pierwszy samodzielny numer tego początkowo dodatku do Bajtka (inna prasowa legenda 1985 – 1996) pojawił się  w roli dwumiesięcznika świeżo po krajowych przemianach, w 1990 roku. Z czasem Top Secret poza doczekaniem się ogromnej popularności zmienił też cykl wydawniczy na miesięczny.

Magazyn doczekał się łącznie 55-ciu numerów i niespodziewanie zakończył działalność w 1996 roku.

To przede wszystkim redakcja Top Secret miała największy wpływ na rozwój popularyzacji gier komputerowych w kraju za pośrednictwem mediów. Wszak wielu redaktorów pisma miało ścisły wpływ na powstanie i rozwój kolejnych czasopism o grach, a i przecież to spod rzemiosła części redaktorów TS-a światło dzienne ujrzał popularny program (ostatni słuszny) o grach w TV czyli Escape.

Top Secret doczekał się jeszcze wznowienia w 2002 roku, ale pomimo pięknych intencji wydawnictwo to szybko zostało zamknięte.

1992: kamień milowy czyli Świat Gier Komputerowych

O Świecie Gier Komputerowych pisałem niedawno w osobnym artykule.

Pismo tworzone przez Piotra Pieńkowskiego i spółkę przetrwało piękne 11 lat (nie liczę popłuczyn, które po nim się pojawiły pod szyldem nŚGK). W wielkiej fabryce pasji i rozrywki Świata Gier Komputerowych napisano ponad setkę numerów, które do świata prasy o grach wprowadziły długotrwałe standardy.

ŚGK zbliżał się ku końcowi już z początkiem XXI-ego wieku, w erze wybuchu e-grzyba atomowego jakim okazał się być masowy internet. Właśnie w czasach gdy do tego medium dostęp uzyskiwało coraz to więcej osób, pisma o grach musiały skupić się na wartościach marketingowych, a nie merytorycznych. Ambitny magazyn tego nie wytrzymał, ale i nie rozmienił się w pismo – trzymając się chemicznej konwencji – podzielone na sto molekuł.

ŚGK umarł dumnie, jako jeden z nielicznych magazynów o grach komputerowych, któremu udało się przejść przełom wieków i kryzysowy dla polskiej prasy o grach, rok 2001.

1993: dwie perły i espresso, a więc Gambler, Secret Service i Gry Komputerowe

W 1993 roku sporo się działo!

Na rynku pojawiły się dwa tytuły. Pierwszy z nich to Gambler. Magazyn na pewno trochę niedoceniony, a właściwie taki, któremu trudno byłoby przyjąć rolę sztandaru. Gambler stanowił przecież pożywkę dla szukających nie tylko rozrywki, ale i sporej dawki felietonu. To właśnie w tym magazynie po raz pierwszy pojawiało się tak wiele publicystyki.

Czasopismo istniało sześć lat  do 1999 roku. Łącznie 73 numery.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

Trochę dłużej niż Gambler ukazywała się na rynku inna perła z 1993 roku – Secret Service, bodaj najczęściej wymieniany tytuł wśród kultowych czasopism o grach komputerowych.

Secret Service przez 8 lat działalności (95 numerów) wprowadził sporo nowości do przecież jeszcze świeżego rynku. Tytuł ten nieustannie wzbogacany w nowe pomysły (m.in. pierwsze w Polsce relacje z E3) pod koniec XX-ego wieku zaczął cierpieć kryzysy, podobne do tych jakie nękały Floydów. Rozłamy, żale i niechęć sprowadziły SS’a najpierw do zmiany nazwy na N S Service, a następnie do upadku w 2001 roku. Odłamem SS’a był jeszcze e-zin SS N-G, też zresztą cieszący się dużą popularnością (istniał do 2005 roku).

Osobny rozdział stanowią Gry Komputerowe. Jest to jedyne czasopismo z tego wczesnego okresu, które ukazuje się po dzisiejszy dzień. Co prawda w reaktywowanej, mocno zmienionej wersji, ale jednak pod starym tytułem. Niestety dzisiejsze Gry Komputerowe – mówiąc delikatnie – daleko ustępują pierwowzorowi.

1996: nadchodzi rak, nieborak…powstanie CD Action

Ho ho!

Kiedy w 1996 roku swoją premierę miał CD Action nikt nie przypuszczał, że magazyn ten przeżyje całą wielką konkurencję i urośnie do roli potentata na rynku czasopism o grach komputerowych. A redaktorzy CDA przecież lekko nie mieli, bo konkurować z ŚGK, SS czy Gamblerem z pewnością komfortowo nie było.

Do tej pory popularny ekszyn to już rekordowa liczba 170-ciu numerów. Dzisiaj ponoć każdy z nakładem ok. 140 000 numerów (w porównaniu do pierwszego numeru wzrósł on… jedenastokrotnie).

Czasopismo to do stanu aktualnego przeszło długi szlak ewolucji (zmiana ceny, wydawcy, liczby CD, liczby stron, usunięcia CD i wprowadzenia DVD, zmiany w składzie redakcji), ale w tym przypadku ewolucji prawidłowej, która nie skończyła się w podziemiach, a na wystawach każdego polskiego kiosku (…no, może poza jedną siecią ).

Przydałaby się realna konkurencja, bo monopol nikomu (i niczemu nie służy). Tym niemniej w chwili obecnej CD Action to polska wizytówka na świat jeśli idzie o gry komputerowe w ujęciu prasowym.

1997: normalni inaczej w magazynie cyberkulturalnym

Najbardziej pokręcone (w pozytywnym sensie) czasopismo o grach komputerowych to zdecydowanie Reset.

Na powstanie i rozwój tego czasopisma największy wpływ miała część redaktorów, którym nie po drodze było w Secret Service. Przyznać trzeba, że stworzyli oni potwora, nie tylko zajmującego się grami komputerowymi, ale z całym mnóstwem wciągającej publicystyki i felietonów. Właściwie to czasami można było odnieść wrażenie, że w tym magazynie cyberkulturalnym gry komputerowe stanowią jedynie dodatek do głównej treści, którą były nieokiełznane i kosmate przemyślenia autorów.

W sumie Reset to ponad cztery lata aktywności i 51 numerów. Po upadku pisma w 2001 roku fani stworzyli jeszcze e-zina pt. Reset Forever.

Ciekawe, że Reset podzielił los Secret Service dokładnie w tym samym roku, a jego finał został podobnie przedłużony e-zinem.

1999: nowe czyli Click!

W świeżych wspomnieniach na pewno umiejscawiany jest Click!

Tytuł ten to idealny przykład przemian jakie zachodziły w polskiej prasie o grach wraz z nadchodzącym nowym wiekiem. Wnętrze Clicka! w początkowym etapie działalności to relatywnie mała liczba stron, “gazetowy” papier, brak krążka z pełną wersji gry,  light’owy styl, ale i niska cena. Ciekawe, że Click! w pierwszym okresie swojej działalności ukazywał się w formie dwutygodnika.

Przed graczem a.d. 1999, coraz szerzej otwartym na internet czasopisma o grach komputerowych zaczynały przeistaczać się z roli niezbędnika do niepotrzebnego wydatku. Click! z czasem aby na siebie zarobić wprowadził płytki z pełnymi wersjami gier oraz jeszcze wcześniej niepotrzebne bzdety tzw. “przydasie” (naklejki, plakaty, jednowarstwowe podkładki pod mysz , etc.).

Pomogło na jakiś czas, bo czasopismo to upadło w marcu bieżącego roku, po 10-ciu latach. Raczej też niespodziewanie. Wszak o nakładzie Clicka! mówiło się używając sześciocyfrowych liczb.

2000: eksplozja nowego, na rynku Komputer Świat GRY i Play

Magazynami, które ukazują się po dzisiejszy dzień są Komputer Świat GRY i Play.

Ten pierwszy na wiosnę 2000 roku odłączył się od Komputer Świata (wcześniej ukazywał się jako dodatek do tego czasopisma) i rozpoczął samodzielne życie. Niewysoka cena, płyta z pełną wersją gry i surowy styl trafiły w całkiem pokaźną grupę odbiorców. Niestety wraz z upływem lat skończyła się i sielanka w KŚ GRY. Pismo to przez kilka lat przeżywało trudny do wytłumaczenia  marazm twórczy, ale od jesieni 2008 roku po wielkich przemianach znowu wykazuje apetyt na mieszanie w rynku.

Z kolei Play w pierwszym okresie działalności czulej spoglądał na gry konsolowe, ale nie brakowało w nim też tekstów o grach na PC. Z czasem profil ten przeszedł na stronę gier o PC, ale Play wpisał się do grupy średniej liczby odbiorców, co umiejscowiło go na pozycji raczej ciekawostki na rynku aniżeli pisma, o którym można by długo pamiętać.

aaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaa

2003: żywe zwłoki z importu czyli Gamestar

Enfant Terrible polskiej prasy o grach swoją premierę miał w 2003 roku, ale jego nieregularność w pojawianiu się w kioskach doprowadzała do szału nawet tych, którzy chcieli Gamestarowi dać więcej niż jedną szansę. Ostatecznie pismo zawiesiło działalność by jeszcze raz powrócić w 2005 roku… jak się okazało znowu na krótko.

Koniec Gamestara? A skąd. Twórcy zapowiadają, że Gamestar powróci raz jeszcze…

2009: szyderczy uśmiech historii

Miło było przyjrzeć się krótkiej historii większości polskich czasopism o grach.

Niestety rozwój internetu wydatnie przyczynił się do upadku wielu z nich. Dzisiaj idąc do kiosku nie mamy już dylematu pt. kupić sześć czy siedem pism.  Rynek prasowy o grach przeżywa wyraźny kryzys i trudno dostrzec jakieś pozytywne aspekty na przyszłość. Prasa schodzi do podziemia, a jej wpływy przejmuje internet.

Czasami mam wrażenie, że bez tego “ułatwiacza życia” było prościej… mędrcem był ten kto przeczytał nowe recenzje z TS’a, ŚGK-a czy SS-a…

Z przyczyn niezależnych nie udało mi się dotrzeć do okładek pierwszych numerów Gier Komputerowych i Gamestara. Niestety nie uzyskałem też żadnych informacji o takich magazynach jak Action Plus oraz IO/PC, o których słuch zaginął nawet w internecie.

Why the gambler enjoys the game. The odds are stacked and he knows it.

Pisces the Sun in your 6th House and Mercury in your 7th House makes you a serious opportunist. But I’m afraid that Venus in your 5th House is gonna make you gamble all your money ‘til you’re out of aces. I spy with my third eye someone hocking junk on ebay, and mouching off of gullible relatives to pay for online bets. Make sure you stock up in vodka this week, it’ll help when the horse you backed loses and the dealer

I love the illustration on this!

Here’s your challenge for today… learn a life lesson from the most random person today !

   e gandul langa care adormi, si sub care te trezesti

   e ceata in care te-ai ratacit fara sa-ti dai seama
   e flacara din priviri ce-ti intuneca orizontul

   e valul de pe coama caruia-i vezi doar spuma
   e batul de chibrit arzand in marea vesniciei

   e destinul – marele gambler, jucandu-se cu zarurile mintii tale

   e masura limitata la care te masori
   e catarul deghizat in om – pe care-l zaresti in oglinda

Some people got it ….. some people don’t. Luck, that is, and hopefully the good kind. Gambling can take many different forms. Could even be the destination of a road trip to the nearest casino, or off to the track to wager on the thoroughbreds, or simply over to your friend or co-workers house for the weekly poker night. The following list of songs are split into two groups. The first group features songs with any form of the word “gamble” in the title. Also included are words that reference types of gambling such as playing cards, card games such as poker or blackjack, dice, or the mention of Las Vegas.  The second group of songs feature songs with “luck” or lucky” in the title. Also included here are reference words such as fortune. This gives you a decent amount of songs from many different genres of music and almost a century timeline to compile a playlist for so you can take with you to your next gambling opportunity. So whether you’re headed to Atlantic City, Las Vegas or an Indian Casino, maybe the nearest sports book, a poker tournament at the local card room, to the track for the horse races, or the Saturday night poker game at your buddy’s house, there’s sure to be some great “gambling” songs or “luck” songs on this list that can get you pumped up before arriving at your vice of choice…. Good Luck

Gambling Songs

1. Ace In The Hole – George Strait
2. Ace of Spades – Motorhead
3. Aces – Suzy Bogguss
4. Aces & Eights – Lita Ford
5. Aces High – Iron Maiden
6. The Angel & The Gambler – Iron Maiden
7. Blackjack – Ray Charles
8. The Card Cheat – The Clash
9. Casino Boogie – Rolling Stones
10. Casino Queen – Wilco
11. Deal – Grateful Dead
12. Deal – Tom T. Hall
13. Deal ‘Em Again – Christopher Cross
14. Draw of The Cards – Kim Carnes
15. Dyin’ Crapshooter’s Blues – Blind Willie McTell
16. Dying Gambler – Blind Willie McTell
17. Five Card Stud – Ace Frehley
18. From A Jack To A King – Ned Miller (1963)
19. From A Jack To A King – Ricky Van Shelton (1989)
20. Gambler – Madonna
21. The Gambler – Woody Guthrie
22. The Gambler – Leonard Cohen
23. The Gambler – Kenny Rogers (1978)
24. Gamblin’ Bar Room Blues – Sensational Alex Harvey Band
25. Gambling Bar Room Blues – Jimmie Rodgers
26. Gambling Bar Room Blues – John Cougar Mellencamp
27. Go Down Gamblin’ – Blood, Sweat & Tears
28. Holdin’ A Good Hand – Lee Greenwood
29. Hot Shot Gambler – The Sweet
30. The Jack – AC/DC
31. Jack of Diamonds – Waylon Jennings
32. Kentucky Gambler – Merle Haggard
33. Lazy Poker Blues – Status Quo
34. Life’s Like A Card Game – Big Joe Turner
35. Lily, Rosemary & The Jack of Hearts – Bob Dylan
36. Little Queen of Spades – Robert Johnson
37. Lonesome Loser – Little River Band
38. The Loser – Grateful Dead
39. Losing Hand – Ray Charles
40. Moonlight Gambler – Frankie Laine
41. Poker – Electric Light Orchestra
42. Poker Face – Lady Gaga (2008)
43. Queen of Hearts – Dave Edmunds
44. Queen of Hearts – Juice Newton
45. Rambler, Gambler – Bob Dylan
46. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Man – Bob Seger (1968)
47. Ramblin’ Gamblin’ Wife – Bob Dylan
48. Rambling Gambler – The Dixon Brothers
49. Rambling Gambling Willie – Bob Dylan
50. Riverboat Gambler – Carly Simon
51. Roll of The Dice – Bruce Springsteen
52. Roll The Bones – Rush
53. The Roving Gambler – Elton Britt
    
54. Son of A Rotten Gambler – The Hollies
55. St. John The Gambler – Townes Van Zandt
56. That Was A Crazy Game of Poker – O.A.R.
57. There’s A Place In The World For A Gambler – Dan Fogelberg
58. Three Card Trick – The Clash (1979)
59. Tumbling Dice – Rolling Stones
60. Tumbling Dice – Linda Ronstadt
61. Turn of A Friendly Card – Alan Parsons Project
62. Two of A King, Workin’ On A Full House – Garth Brooks
63. Two of Hearts – Stacey Q (1986)
64. Uptown Poker Club – Jerry Reed
65. Viva Las Vegas – Elvis Presley
66. Viva Las Vegas – ZZ Top
67. The Winner Takes It All – Abba
68. Whiskey, Women & Loaded Dice – Joe Liggins

Luck Songs

1. Bad Luck – Dinah Washington
2. Bad Luck – Harold Melvin & The Blue Notes (1975)
3. Bad Luck – Social Distortion (1992)
4. Bad Luck Soul – BB King
5. Down On Your Luck – Thin Lizzy
6. Fortune Teller – Rolling Stones
7. Fortune Teller – Robert Plant & Alison Krauss
8. Good Luck – Mirsa
9. Good Luck, Bad Luck – Lynyrd Skynyrd
10. Good Luck Charm – Elvis Presley (1962)
11. Good Run of Bad Luck – Clint Black
12. Hard Luck Stories – Neil Young
13. Hard Luck Woman – Kiss (1976)
14. Have A Lucky Day – Morphine
15. I Got Lucky – Elvis Presley
16. I Feel Lucky – Mary Chapin Carpenter
17. I Should Be So Lucky – Kylie Miogue
18. If I Get Lucky – Arthur Crudup
19. I’m A Bad Luck Woman – Memphis Minnie
20. I’m Looking Over A Four Leaf Clover – Art Mooney
21. Lady Luck Blues – Bessie Smith
22. Love & Luck – Jimmy Buffett
23. Luck Be A Lady – Frank Sinatra
24. Luck In My Eyes – k.d. Lang
25. Luck Of The Draw – Bonnie Raitt
26. The Luckiest – Ben Folds Five
27. Lucky – Britney Spears (2000)
28. Lucky – Greg Kihn Band (1985)
29. Lucky – Radiohead
30. Lucky – Seven Mary Three (1997)
31. Lucky – Jason Mraz
32. Lucky Charm – The Boys (1989)
33. Lucky Devil – Carl Dobkins Jr. (1959)
34. Lucky 4 You (Tonight I’m Just Me) – SheDaisy (2001)
35. Lucky Arms – Lefty Frizzell (1974)
36. Lucky Day – George Olsen (1926)
37. Lucky Guy – Todd Rundgren
38. Lucky In Love – George Olsen (1927)
39. Lucky In Love – Mick Jagger (1985)
40. Lucky Ladies – Jeannie Seely (1974)
41. Lucky Ladybug – Billy & Lillie (1958)
42. Lucky Ladybug – Four Seasons
43. Lucky Lindy – Vernon Dalhart (1927)
44. Lucky Lips – Ruth Brown (1957)
45. Lucky Lips – Cliff Richard (1963)
46. Lucky Love – Ace of Base (1996)
47. Lucky, Lucky Me – Marvin Gaye
48. Lucky Man – Emerson Lake & Palmer (1971)
49. Lucky Man – The Verve (1998)
50. Lucky Man – Montgomery Gentry (2007)
51. Lucky Me – Chiffons
52. Lucky Me – Anne Murray (1980)
53. Lucky Me, Lucky You – Lee Roy Parnell (1997)
54. Lucky Moon – Oak Ridge Boys (1991)
55. Lucky Number – Lene Lovich
56. Lucky One – Laura Branigan (1984)
57. Lucky One – Amy Grant (1994)
58. Lucky One – Faith Hill (2006)
59. Lucky One – Alison Krauss (2001)
60. The Lucky One – Faith Hill
61. Lucky Song – Dean Martin
62. Lucky Ones – Loverboy (1982)
63. Lucky Star – Madonna (1984)
64. Lucky Town – Bruce Springsteen
65. Lucky You – Lightning Seeds (1994)
66. My Lucky Day – Bruce Springsteen
67. Old Mr. Bad Luck – Earl King
68. Piece of My Luck – Sam Brown
69. Sister Luck – Black Crowes
70. Some Guys Have All the Luck – Rod Stewart
71. Trying Your Luck – The Strokes
72. We Are The Lucky Ones – Charmed
73. With A Little Luck – Paul McCartney & Wings
74. You Are My Lucky Star – Petula Clark
75. You Got Lucky – Tom Petty & The Heartbreakers (1982)

Las Vegas Hustlers- Las Vegas Gamblers was already taken by a minor league baseball team but I think Hustlers works better anyways. Gambler only has bad associations anyways. Hustler is a guy that knows how to get what he wants and will work for it. Also coaches love hustlers on his team cause they never give up and give 110%.

The guy you see on the side is the team mascot Ted. He’s got the demeanor and attitude of the Hamburglur only he’s a real human guy. Ted will go in the stands and “attmept” to steal things from fans for entertainment. Nothing big just like drinks, tickets, hotdogs, cell phones and stuff like that. He always gives it back cause it’s realy just to keep up his rep as the Hustler. Interesting side note, I kind of modeled him after my Uncle Gene.

For those who enjoy a little bit of social gambling from time to time, nothing can be more fun than a visit to a casino. Although playing a casual gambling game on the internet can be fun, or a home poker game, there is nothing that quite meets the entire experience of going to a casino. You don’t have to be a professional gambler to go to a casino and enjoy yourself. In fact, outside of Las Vegas the majority of people who go to a Casino to enjoy themselves are just casual gamblers going out for an enjoyable social gambling experience. This isn’t always the case, and there are sometimes certain tournaments or events which bring out more serious gamblers to even a casual casino, but most of the time people are just out to enjoy themselves at such a facility.

A great example of this is the Soaring Eagle Resort in Michigan. This is a casino and hotel resort just like you would find in Las Vegas itself, but without any of the requisite insanity that seems to come with Vegas.  Vegas can be a very hectic town that moves at a frantic tourist pace, and for some people looking for a more social or casual experience it can all be a bit much. However, by finding a place closer to home, as an example for people who live in Michigan, people can enjoy all of the best things that they love about Las Vegas, such as affordable luxury hotel , great food, and hot gambling all without having to deal with any of the stresses that seem to come for the casual gamer during a trip to Las Vegas.

than 500 luxury rooms to suit every taste. Everything from regular guest rooms to much more elegantly appointed suits are available so that there is a perfect solution for every budget. For the casual gambler, sometimes the entire purpose of such a gaming holiday is to relax, and what better way to augment your relaxation than with a visit to the 4 diamond spa at Soaring Eagle.  There is also a huge pool area that is renowned for being one of the most beautiful and relaxing facilities at the resort. This helps to complete the perfect package for a resort aimed at casual and social gamers instead of at hardcore professional gamblers.