Most gamblers believe that they can win in casino relying on their luck alone - how wrong they are. Well, maybe for a short while, but if you are dead serious about perking up your gambling success, then forget about lady luck. It bothers me when I see gamblers play this way because I'm sure they would just be parted with their money. They might as well give their money to the casinos, as they wouldn't have to sweat it out on the table because the result would just be the same.

I remember this episode that happened many years ago. It was early evening and I was playing alone in blackjack. Then suddenly a young man (about in his early 20's) sat beside me. It quickly became clear to me that the young man was new to the casino - he did not know what to do. In a table with 100 pesos minimum and 2,000 pesos maximum, he was betting 500 pesos a hand, while I was betting the minimum 100 pesos.

The young man did not have any idea on the game - he didn't even know it was blackjack we were playing. All he wanted to do was to make a bet. He would stand on a total of seven simply because he didn't know he could ask for another card. Sometimes he would compare his cards with mine and though that he won just because his total was bigger than mine. It was obvious he thought he was playing against me and not against the dealer. He was very clumsy and very slow, and unsure of everything he did. He did not even have any idea whether he won or not. In the many times that he won, he was hesitant to take his winning money, afraid that the dealer might refrain him.

I wanted to tell him what to do but I resisted myself. He was winning and I didn't want him to lose by doing the right thing. Then suddenly he started to ask questions. He wanted to know what was the game we were playing and why we won. I was stunned. I was like giggled by the question but I can't laugh. Here's a soul who risked real money on something incomprehensible to him. If I had tricked him he lost on his blackjack I bet he would believe me.

Then he became a little chatty for awhile. He told me he found a new job nearby and it was their first payday. So now I know why his wallet was bulging with money. It turned out that he was waiting for his shift, which would be in a couple of hour - and since he didn't have anything to do so he decided to waste his time in the casino. He said it was his first time in the casino.

The interesting thing was that he was winning. Oh, I saw him won seven in a row many times. And since his bet was bigger than mine, his winning was bigger too. The dealer that time was having a very bad run of luck, so even if he did everything wrong, he though he was doing it right.

Then suddenly he stopped playing. But he didn't go away - he just bet on my hand. As if he realized he was doing things wrong so he paused for a while to observe. Kind of shooting an arrow first and looking for the target after. He might have realized he would be doomed anytime soon playing his way.

And every time I would make a decision - like double or split - he would then ask me what I did and why I did it. I was sure I was enjoying my role - a mentor to a very innocent gambler. I felt something good inside being able to help someone who needed my help. About and hour later he stopped. He said it was time to report to his work and would just return later. I think he won about 15,000 pesos. Really lucky. He was very excited with his winnings like he had found the goose that lays gold eggs. Before he left I told him not to play blackjack ever again - something I have never told to anyone before or after that. He looked puzzled, maybe thinking I was some kind of a jerk why I wouldn't want him to get rich. I knew my words did not get through. And since I flew back home the next day, I never saw him again a long time.

Fast forward five years later - I was playing blackjack alone in the same casino again. I have completely forgotten that episode, but seemed it was about to be repeated - the same guy sat and played with me again! I immediately recognized him. How could I ever forget that episode? This time he had matured a bit, and he already appeared sure of what he was doing. I though he already knew how to play the game but it turned out he hadn't even known the basic play yet. It dismayed me that he hadn't learned anything in the five years that went by.

It was obvious he did not remember me. Since I was very curious to know what happened in those five years, I started a conversation with him. I told him that I saw him the first time he played. Well, he had forgotten me completely - what he didn't forget was that he won big money in his first time playing blackjack. He told me he had lost too much on the game since then and had tried many times to quit gambling but he just couldn't. Since he worked just nearby, he would sneak inside anytime he was free. It became clear to me that in the last five years he had always wished for that one big killer session - only it did not happen again. I could just imagine how the casino had sucked him during those years.

If only all gamblers would stop waiting for that one big moment to happen, things would be a lot better for them. I really would rather that they spent their time learning the mathematics, or as much about playing the game than just wait to be lucky. In my book "The Samonte Gambling System" I set the rules how any gambler can win in casinos, and I am sure relying on luck isn't an option. How many times do I need to echo the message that no gambler can ever win in casino consistently in extended play playing this way?