Bottoms Up or Glasses Down: To Drink or Not to Drink

Do you lose when you booze?

Whether it’s beechwood aged or Milwaukee brewed, there’s really nothing like a stack of chips in one fist and a glass of malty suds in the other.

During our casino ventures, it’s easy to be seduced by the prospect of free booze, especially when it’s delivered by long-legged eye candy with a billion-dollar bustline.

And the premier grind houses offer it all – everything from cabernet to a Cosmo to a Cape Codder – oftentimes free of charge if partaking in the surrounding sizzle.

But while it’s natural to blend two of your favorite pastimes into one, it leads us to ponder a sobering question:

To drink or not to drink?

In other words, are you actually picking poison when you order that scotch on the rocks?

Or is a vodka sour just the liquid courage the doctor ordered?

Well, refraining from consumption would seem the obvious choice. There’s a plethora of programs and campaigns aimed at alcohol awareness and all its detriments threatening our mental and physical wellbeing.

But not so fast, some will say. That shot of whiskey may be just the recipe to jumpstart and fuel your game.

Here’s our take on the matter, starting with the bad news first.

Not to Drink:

Perhaps the most glaring downside to imbibing while gambling is the same reason driving intoxicated is a misdemeanor. It impairs judgment.

And such is exactly why, as Jimmy Conway (Robert DeNiro) once said, “The drinks are on the house.”

The negative impact alcohol renders upon your brain cells can swiftly turn the most disciplined of players into carefree daredevils. Defiantly doubling down, foolishly going for broke, and worst of all, trekking off to the ATM for the umpteenth time are all behaviors of the profusely liquored.

Few life experiences are worse than awakening with a piercing headache and empty pockets to boot. Think of The Hangover foursome congregating on the foyer of Caesar’s Palace, trying to piece together all the events of the previous evening.

What the hell happened last night?

Lost in that drunken blur was not just your recollection, but your entire bankroll as well.

Secondly, it’s important to remember that your friendly dealers are human beings, too, prone to committing errors and miscues. Such blunders can easily slip undetected past a mind dulled by booze. Some less ethical dealers, unfortunately, could even sense your drunkenness and intentionally shortchange you (just sayin’).

Self-control is always a key ingredient to the successful chipster. Getting a bit tipsy compromises wise gameplay and even leads to an onset of other potential issues, including memory lapses, emotional outbursts, or God forbid, fisticuffs (yes, it happens).

To Drink:

Like any performing artist, too much nervous energy can severely hamper your execution. It drains you. It restricts you. It prevents you from taking the next step toward an optimal performance, or in your case, prosperity.

Once fear creeps into your soul, it typically manifests in undesirable results. Remember, the law of attraction assures us that negative thoughts lead to negative outcomes. Therefore, dreading that dealer blackjack or shooter’s out-7 will make it happen more often than not.

The perfect remedy for those jangled nerves could be a little liquid concoction to help quell those jitters. That glass of Pinot or Prosecco or plain ol’ brewskie helps take the edge off and restore the heartrate to a modest pace.

Let’s say it’s hour three of your war with the baccarat gods and you’re deep into the trenches. A soothing brandy or tequila may be just the medicine for calming the brain and helping you settle into a positive groove.

When it comes to putting forth your best efforts, we’d prefer relaxed over rigid every time.

The Call:

The debate of alcohol or naught isn’t quite of the “taste great, less filling” proportion from decades past. Nonetheless, the pros and cons of imbibing in a casino setting are certainly arguable.

What’s indisputable is that such discretion depends solely upon the individual. While some folks prefer the roast of coffee beans to sustain their edge, others go the way of the hard stuff to varying degrees, depending on the player’s tolerance levels.

Holy Hangover

We personally err on the side of moderate consumption to settle the nerves without compromising your better judgment.

Like any world-class athlete, operating at your peak requires a relaxed, composed demeanor and physicality.

Opt for the short pour, just enough to de-stress and ease those jitters.

But anything beyond that?

It’s best to stay thirsty, my friends.

-- TB