<p>I don’t believe in betting... with my money, that is! Still, gambling (tombola, cards, golf, horse racing and casino) and I have been getting along fine for 69 years!<br /><br />In tombola, I used to be a ‘caller’. However, when not calling and a friend bought ticket (s) for me, I would win invariably. It happens even today. As a commanding officer, I laid down only one convention in bridge: ‘CO doesn’t lose’; no Goren, no Culbertson! Do I need to say more? Now friends ‘cover’ for me and we always win; so minimal stakes from me are suggested. I try but invariably lose when my money is at stake.<br /><br />In golf, my buddies knew I wouldn’t play for stakes. After a while, they nudged me for low stakes but I invariably lost. Without stakes, I used to win; so, they argued that with stakes, I could have made money. Just like bridge, when a partner ‘covered’ for me, we won.<br /><br />In 1976, in Pune, when a couple insisted on taking me to the races, I refused politely, knowing they had pawned/sold their jewels, also recalling my dad’s words: “Don’t ever tie your money on a horse’s tail; it is sure ruin you.” (Later I understood, why: my grandfather had lost all his monies in cards and horse-racing). The couple wouldn’t budge and suggested they would fund me. Wow, I won a Trifecta by predicting the first three finishers in a single race. I got Rs 250 against Rs 50. They kept losing; still gave me another Rs 100 to bet for picking three horses as winners in 3 different races. My guess was correct and I got Rs 750. Not only they were losing, but were also giving me money to play. So, begging excuse, I handed over the winnings; but they wouldn’t touch it. I forced it, but they thrust Rs 500 back in my hand for my effort, as if I had run the race!<br />Similar thing happened in Dec 2008 at a casino, in Melbourne. A platinum club member there and a dollar-millionaire-friend insisted I play roulette. My rule was the same, not my money! So, he kept withdrawing from the ATM in the next room to invest but kept losing.<br /><br /> He taught me the nuances of the game and gave me 50 dollars; I won 450 dollars. Another 50 and I got 500 dollars. We continued from afternoon till late night. I gave him the winnings; he wouldn’t take it saying, I had ‘used my brains’; so it was mine! I pretended I needed a break and could return. The expert in him said, when luck is favouring, don’t leave. But I insisted. Once we returned, luck deserted me, as I invested what was now my money!<br /><br />Recently, at the end of a dance show, the compere asked us to look for a tiny red ribbon on a seat, which would fetch a gift to the finder. Guess who got it? Yours truly! Do you know who bought the ticket for the above dance show? My daughter; so, it wasn’t my money!</p>
<p>I don’t believe in betting... with my money, that is! Still, gambling (tombola, cards, golf, horse racing and casino) and I have been getting along fine for 69 years!<br /><br />In tombola, I used to be a ‘caller’. However, when not calling and a friend bought ticket (s) for me, I would win invariably. It happens even today. As a commanding officer, I laid down only one convention in bridge: ‘CO doesn’t lose’; no Goren, no Culbertson! Do I need to say more? Now friends ‘cover’ for me and we always win; so minimal stakes from me are suggested. I try but invariably lose when my money is at stake.<br /><br />In golf, my buddies knew I wouldn’t play for stakes. After a while, they nudged me for low stakes but I invariably lost. Without stakes, I used to win; so, they argued that with stakes, I could have made money. Just like bridge, when a partner ‘covered’ for me, we won.<br /><br />In 1976, in Pune, when a couple insisted on taking me to the races, I refused politely, knowing they had pawned/sold their jewels, also recalling my dad’s words: “Don’t ever tie your money on a horse’s tail; it is sure ruin you.” (Later I understood, why: my grandfather had lost all his monies in cards and horse-racing). The couple wouldn’t budge and suggested they would fund me. Wow, I won a Trifecta by predicting the first three finishers in a single race. I got Rs 250 against Rs 50. They kept losing; still gave me another Rs 100 to bet for picking three horses as winners in 3 different races. My guess was correct and I got Rs 750. Not only they were losing, but were also giving me money to play. So, begging excuse, I handed over the winnings; but they wouldn’t touch it. I forced it, but they thrust Rs 500 back in my hand for my effort, as if I had run the race!<br />Similar thing happened in Dec 2008 at a casino, in Melbourne. A platinum club member there and a dollar-millionaire-friend insisted I play roulette. My rule was the same, not my money! So, he kept withdrawing from the ATM in the next room to invest but kept losing.<br /><br /> He taught me the nuances of the game and gave me 50 dollars; I won 450 dollars. Another 50 and I got 500 dollars. We continued from afternoon till late night. I gave him the winnings; he wouldn’t take it saying, I had ‘used my brains’; so it was mine! I pretended I needed a break and could return. The expert in him said, when luck is favouring, don’t leave. But I insisted. Once we returned, luck deserted me, as I invested what was now my money!<br /><br />Recently, at the end of a dance show, the compere asked us to look for a tiny red ribbon on a seat, which would fetch a gift to the finder. Guess who got it? Yours truly! Do you know who bought the ticket for the above dance show? My daughter; so, it wasn’t my money!</p>
