What Chuck Does

My Relationship with Blackjack

I have a funny relationship with this game called Blackjack. When I first met Blackjack everything was fresh and new to me. There were no “rules” and I felt priveledged just to be able to play the game.

When I got a little older, I realized that Blackjack was a game I would never win at over the long haul so why not play for the social aspect of the game? So I played for the entertainment and social nature of gambling, talking to dealers and players and drinking to pass the time (and money).

Now that I’m even older, I’m embittered that I haven’t won playing Blackjack and the relationship has once again changed. No longer am I playing for the social nature of the game but rather for the potential monetary reward. Now it’s all about betting patterns, feeling out the shoe, and focusing on my cards. I don’t talk to anyone and I don’t particularly care for conversation. And I don’t want any drinks.

This will pass too. My relationship will eventually change again to one of simple emotional training. Putting lots of money on the line gets the heart going and the emotions/internal dialogue runs wild. I want to be able to tame those feelings as this is great training for controlling my emotions in other difficult situations.

What an interesting game.