Question about Thai gambling and losing

[Tmymaimee]

I'm presuming when posters write about their girlfriend gambling away their money, she's not hitting Macau on weekends.

So if she is gambling with her friends, their should be no house advantage and over time, and each participant will eventually come out equal?

If that is the case, why do you only hear about Thai people losing? Obviously for a loser, there has to be a winner and no one would play with a friend who regularly cheated. To lose millions of baht on a game of equal odds just doesn't sound right as why would she lose so consistently?

And secondly, why does nobody post about how much their girlfriend won? I can see losing a lot of money at Vegas but not just playing cards with your friends.

[chrisinth]

Even though gambling is prohibited in Thailand, does not mean that 'casinos' are not here. I'm not sure how they work it in Bkk, but here up-country it works something like this:

1. Shop-house/town-house is rented for a set period of time, normally no more than 30 days.

2. Day one, all the props are moved in, tables setup. Gambling begins that night.

3. 'Casino operates 24/7 during the rental period, usually with armed guards on the doors. Official intervention is normally deterred either by who's operation it is or 'conflicting' interests.

4. On the last day of the lease, everything is packed up and moved to the next location. Back to step one.

The average 'casino' of this type will probably move tens of million baht during their period of operation. This is not small time................

I have watched this for the last 14 years. Everybody knows, nobody sees..........................

Edit for typo

Edited January 27, 2014 by chrisinth

[wayned]

Most likely if the gf or wife wins she will never tell you! Anything that you don't know won't hurt her! Her money is hers, your money is ours! My wife always gives it away. When she wins she usually brings home a few bottles of beer or Hong Thong.

[CharlieH]

In my observation, local house sets up the "card den", word of mouth spreads, busy all day and night, more so on weekends stopping about 3 am. People coming and going all hours, house takes 10% of every game pot.

This house has been running now for around 7 years, as guess who owns the property?............

C'mon you guess...........local buisnessman?,......Ferangs wife?........nobody special,?.........Policeman?.....Puu Yai baan?

Answer revealed later dependant on how many are interested .

[Berkshire]

I was just asking this very question on another thread. It's hard for me to fathom some girl losing millions to her friends, or even in some of these little gambling dens. It would make more sense if she said she lost this money gambling, but instead, took said money offshore to some untraceable account. That way, the fish...eh farang husband/BF wouldn't even think to track down the money as it was lost "gambling" and not retrievable. Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good scam.

[curious0one]

In my observation, local house sets up the "card den", word of mouth spreads, busy all day and night, more so on weekends stopping about 3 am. People coming and going all hours, house takes 10% of every game pot.

This house has been running now for around 7 years, as guess who owns the property?............

C'mon you guess...........local buisnessman?,......Ferangs wife?........nobody special,?.........Policeman?.....Puu Yai baan?

Answer revealed later dependant on how many are interested .

this aint the west. police know absolutely everything in town. you cant do anything that involves more than one person without the police knowing about it.

[chrisinth]

curious0one, on 27 Jan 2014 - 15:15, said:

CharlieH, on 27 Jan 2014 - 14:29, said:

In my observation, local house sets up the "card den", word of mouth spreads, busy all day and night, more so on weekends stopping about 3 am. People coming and going all hours, house takes 10% of every game pot.

This house has been running now for around 7 years, as guess who owns the property?............

C'mon you guess...........local buisnessman?,......Ferangs wife?........nobody special,?.........Policeman?.....Puu Yai baan?

Answer revealed later dependant on how many are interested .

this aint the west. police know absolutely everything in town. you cant do anything that involves more than one person without the police knowing about it.

I don't think Charlie was denying that the police didn't know anything about it..............

[CharlieH]

so. No guesses then ?....mmmm. guess you lot probably already know and dont need me to say it

[wym]

I was just asking this very question on another thread. It's hard for me to fathom some girl losing millions to her friends, or even in some of these little gambling dens. It would make more sense if she said she lost this money gambling, but instead, took said money offshore to some untraceable account. That way, the fish...eh farang husband/BF wouldn't even think to track down the money as it was lost "gambling" and not retrievable. Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good scam.

I think you're INCREDIBLY overestimating the sophistication of the average mia farang. Offshore banking??

The only women I've met here that were in any way savvy about money were not the type to consider hooking up with the average farang that comes to Thailand.

For 90% of my SOs, the bank account I opened for them was the first they'd ever had, and they were only humoring me because I told them that was how they were going to get their money from me.

They do tend to get a bit smarter as they get older, but for those on the game it usually doesn't happen until they've lost their primary income-producing assets. But offshore accounts? You're dreaming man. . .

In any case I don't see how it would help a scammer to use that as an excuse, surely any guy with sense would let the woman go at the first sign of that particular problem, it's a money suck bottomless pit black hole stronger than any other. . .

[Tmymaimee]

I was just asking this very question on another thread. It's hard for me to fathom some girl losing millions to her friends, or even in some of these little gambling dens. It would make more sense if she said she lost this money gambling, but instead, took said money offshore to some untraceable account. That way, the fish...eh farang husband/BF wouldn't even think to track down the money as it was lost "gambling" and not retrievable. Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good scam.

I think you're INCREDIBLY overestimating the sophistication of the average mia farang. Offshore banking??

The only women I've met here that were in any way savvy about money were not the type to consider hooking up with the average farang that comes to Thailand.

For 90% of my SOs, the bank account I opened for them was the first they'd ever had, and they were only humoring me because I told them that was how they were going to get their money from me.

They do tend to get a bit smarter as they get older, but for those on the game it usually doesn't happen until they've lost their primary income-producing assets. But offshore accounts? You're dreaming man. . .

In any case I don't see how it would help a scammer to use that as an excuse, surely any guy with sense would let the woman go at the first sign of that particular problem, it's a money suck bottomless pit black hole stronger than any other. . .

Not if she's winning…for a fair game, there always has to be a winner, right?

Maybe a bottomless pit for someone who doesn't know how to play.

[wym]

In any case I don't see how it would help a scammer to use that as an excuse, surely any guy with sense would let the woman go at the first sign of that particular problem, it's a money suck bottomless pit black hole stronger than any other. . .

Not if she's winningfor a fair game, there always has to be a winner, right?

Maybe a bottomless pit for someone who doesn't know how to play.

Thais don't generally play in "fair games".

90% of the time there is a house getting a guaranteed percentage.

In the case of "just among us friends" style games, I'd say these are much more likely to have professional scammers running the show, taking more of a percentage than in the BiB/mafia run underground casinos.

And then of course even the latter will have scamming and cheating going on.

So as a habit, my comment stands, I'd put only yabaa addiction as a stronger red flag to get out quickly.

[meom]

^

Depends how you define winner.

If you play for example Thai rummy you can win the game and still lose money.

Even among friends depending on what value you give the winning cards ( first card, black queen, 2 of spades etc.) you can lose a lot quick without any cheating going on.

Edited January 27, 2014 by meom

[wym]

Exactly, also reinforcing the main point - the number of people that gamble and win overall more than they lose is very very small.

And among mia farang I'd have to say pretty much zero.

I've had SOs that restrict themselves to the lottery only, and regularly lost 90% of their income that way, started cheating on the food budget to buy more tickets, started getting involved as middlemen fronting for neighbors, which means getting involved with the mafia.

IMO soon as you signs of any of this, e.g. unexplained sheets of numbers around, out the door they go, not likely to end well.

Especially since we're likely only seeing the tip of the iceberg.

A little fling a few hundred baht once in a while of course no problem, it's when you see them getting emotionally involved that's a red flag

[Loles]

Even though gambling is prohibited in Thailand, does not mean that 'casinos' are not here. I'm not sure how they work it in Bkk, but here up-country it works something like this:

1. Shop-house/town-house is rented for a set period of time, normally no more than 30 days.

2. Day one, all the props are moved in, tables setup. Gambling begins that night.

3. 'Casino operates 24/7 during the rental period, usually with armed guards on the doors. Official intervention is normally deterred either by who's operation it is or 'conflicting' interests.

4. On the last day of the lease, everything is packed up and moved to the next location. Back to step one.

The average 'casino' of this type will probably move tens of million baht during their period of operation. This is not small time................

I have watched this for the last 14 years. Everybody knows, nobody sees..........................

Edit for typo

Yes Amigo, but you forgot to mention the most important equipment : police protecting. With out this impossible to run any "casino". For police this is double bonus. First they take money, off course not in direct way, friend's friend's friend, than if something goes wrong and from higher level (wasn't paid) got order a raid on "casino" they go to TV news and make very proudful and smart face for the next star.

[Beetlejuice]

Wherever you live in the world as regards gambling, the odds are always with the house.

For those who enjoy gambling or are addicted to it, prepare to lose big time.

[chrisinth]

Loles, on 28 Jan 2014 - 01:10, said:

chrisinth, on 27 Jan 2014 - 13:44, said:

Even though gambling is prohibited in Thailand, does not mean that 'casinos' are not here. I'm not sure how they work it in Bkk, but here up-country it works something like this:

1. Shop-house/town-house is rented for a set period of time, normally no more than 30 days.

2. Day one, all the props are moved in, tables setup. Gambling begins that night.

3. 'Casino operates 24/7 during the rental period, usually with armed guards on the doors. Official intervention is normally deterred either by who's operation it is or 'conflicting' interests.

4. On the last day of the lease, everything is packed up and moved to the next location. Back to step one.

The average 'casino' of this type will probably move tens of million baht during their period of operation. This is not small time................

I have watched this for the last 14 years. Everybody knows, nobody sees..........................

Edit for typo

Yes Amigo, but you forgot to mention the most important equipment : police protecting. With out this impossible to run any "casino". For police this is double bonus. First they take money, off course not in direct way, friend's friend's friend, than if something goes wrong and from higher level (wasn't paid) got order a raid on "casino" they go to TV news and make very proudful and smart face for the next star.

Sorry buddy, but I'm going to call your reply rubbish, for up-country anyway.

I have seen these houses run by the army, forestry rangers & politicians (or relations off) as well as by the police. Do not believe all you hear that the police are the controlling body here for everything that happens, there are more influential people about than that.................

[Sam Gold]

I was just asking this very question on another thread. It's hard for me to fathom some girl losing millions to her friends, or even in some of these little gambling dens. It would make more sense if she said she lost this money gambling, but instead, took said money offshore to some untraceable account. That way, the fish...eh farang husband/BF wouldn't even think to track down the money as it was lost "gambling" and not retrievable. Hmmm, that sounds like a pretty good scam.

They don't know what an offshore account is. In mum's account seems more plausible.

[howerde]

In my observation, local house sets up the "card den", word of mouth spreads, busy all day and night, more so on weekends stopping about 3 am. People coming and going all hours, house takes 10% of every game pot.

This house has been running now for around 7 years, as guess who owns the property?............

C'mon you guess...........local buisnessman?,......Ferangs wife?........nobody special,?.........Policeman?.....Puu Yai baan?

Answer revealed later dependant on how many are interested .

I tick yes to all the above , but it is big business, and for people who think that their wives are only playing for small money,with friends, , friends has a very broad meaning, and you won't see a fraction of the real money that is being used, until it's time to pay, and debts are payed one way or the other.