How often have I said right here that you can always tell the degree to which a video poker player has become overwhelmed by the game, by simply discussing vacations or even trips with them? While everyone always says getting away from gambling is good every now and then, few do it because few CAN do it.

I know so many people who say they’re going to Florida or taking a trip to Northern California to see friends and relatives or to go to weddings, etc. Yet when I see their sweaty palms and ask them what their stops are planned out as, the inevitable lineup of Indian casinos comes to light. One anxious person even took the time to show me how he and his wife had set up these destinations on their GPS unit – which amazingly came equipped with the software to LOCATE Tribal casinos!

Similarly, I’m finding it more and more difficult to communicate with players who, because of their enormous addiction to video poker, only plan all their vacations to gambling destinations – mostly in Nevada. For the life of me I cannot fathom doing something like that. Going somewhere to have a good time, see things and enjoy different experiences is one thing, but being compelled to go somewhere just to sit at gambling machines feeding an insatiable and VERY unhealthy habit for hours upon hours every day, is quite another. It’s a sad and pathetic way of living a life folks, and learning to reject that type of compulsion will help one and all live a more fulfilling, much happier life. Take it from me.

As you know, I’ve been very successful at this game over the years, and my consistent conquest of the machines is not the only reason why. Much of my good fortune has a whole lot to do with LEAVING casinos behind after hitting a lucky winner, and not staying on out of a false feeling of confidence. Doing exactly the opposite of what the casinos want and expect players to do is a very big part of my game. No, it wasn’t easy to learn and it’s never easy to do because of the strong pull casino ambience always has. But it is the RIGHT thing to do and the ONLY thing to do if you want to take their money on a consistent basis.

These and other lessons in life dictate where I take my family on vacations these days, and what we do when we arrive. A few columns ago you read where I not only used 100% casino winnings for my wife Cindy and I to take a 9700-mile trip around the US and Eastern Canada, we stayed at a half-dozen Harrah’s casinos for free, ate at all their gourmet restaurants with Diamond points only – AND WE DIDN’T PLAY A DIME AT ANY OF THEM. Why not? Because we were on something called a...HELLO! McFLY?!...V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

Two weeks ago I took my entire family to the Big Island in Hawaii for a great 8-day getaway – for most of them it was from work and for me, it was from going back and forth to Nevada scooping up the unusual amounts of freebies casinos are giving away in an attempt to band-aid the downturn in business. But what’s this—we actually FLEW and stayed on the Island without hopping onto a cruise ship over there so we could play video poker? Huh? You mean it’s even possible to take a vacation like that?

Of course I’m being very facetious, because if you remember how a certain “famous name” did it a few years ago you’d see why I’m making fun of that type unfortunate & sick behavior. I for one am hoping Hawaii never gets machines or casinos because it would then attract more of the degenerate gamblers, who then would pretend they’re going on vacation while they’re really going over there to gamble. Don’t we already have enough of that in Las Vegas?

In case you’re into Hawaii for being Hawaii, of course there’s nowhere on earth that’s as beautiful and comfortable as that. The beaches with white or black sand, the nearly unchanging weather, the incredible active volcano, the sunsets, the coffee plantations, the macadamia nuts, the amazing variety of fresh fish and the fruits...The only problem I have with going over there is you can’t drive, but since we go there almost every year I’m sure I’ll appreciate the flights as I get up in age. Many people complain about the high prices in Hawaii. HA! Just win more money before going!

Already this week I blasted up and back to Las Vegas to get the free Dooney & Borke purse for my wife at Paris Hotel. My only play on the 16 hour trek was at the Edgewater in Laughlin, where surprisingly I got four Aces twice on the quarter machine while playing my $100 in free-play thru ONCE and then cashing out. I’m headed up there again Tues. for 3 nights to fill my bags with more goodies, and it just gets better as the year closes out.