Lessons from a Gambling Family

My mom grew up going to Las Vegas with her sisters and parents. Once the family grew, my cousins and I grew up going to Vegas. We also grew up gambling on Loteria (Mexican bingo), playing scratchers, and knowing that superstitions are personal for what works for you.

1. Always have a spare change jar handy

Loteria, Left Right Center, Toma Todo, all require coins. You will need your own jar, plastic resealable bag, coin purse, or borrow money from your parents or siblings, or one of 15+ family members joining in. It’s all fun and games as you call out the Loteria cards, until your grandmother crossly tells you to pick up the pace. But she will also remind you when you call out a card that’s on your own board. She memorizes everyones' boards. Try to convince your whole family to play, especially for the last game of the night, where everyone has to put in 50 cents each for cuatro esquinas, and a dollar for being the first to cover your whole personal card - ¡Loteria! You could win $15 - you could break even! If you win the cuatro esquinas (four courners), make sure to say cuatro esquinas, not esquinos, or you too will forever be known as Quatro Esquinos. Remember your debts, enjoy the game and the squeezing together around the dining table, and put your own spin on calling out the deck. Make sure to take out cards from the top, middle, bottom, repeat.

2. Scratchers are messy

Join your grandmother with her scratchers, even if you’re not technically old enough to play them yet. Make sure to put a napkin down under them, so the shavings are easy to clean up. The coin jar comes in handy again, since coins are helpful for scratching. I personally prefer a dime, especially for the scratchers that have crosswords on them. Many times, you'll break even on what you bought, but your grandmother will love the feeling of spending time with you while doing something she enjoys, and you’re helping her win. You can even confirm the cards for her by downloading an app on your smartphone and checking the scratchers by their barcodes. Maybe you missed $5 somewhere.

3. Las Vegas is wild

Las Vegas is gaudy decadence. I love gaudy decadence, especially all the lights in the middle of the night. You can see hot rods, dancing fountains, an Eiffel Tower, giant TVs, trashy homemade costumes of children's’ cartoons, a giant Coca-Cola bottle, New York New York, a pyramid, and a castle, all in one night, and that’s only when you’re outside. Going to Vegas about once a year, and I’ve been under 21-years-old for the majority of my life, gaudy decadence has been a staple in my life. A tío or tía will stay with your grandparents while they spend - and possibly win back some of - the money they saved up for the past year exactly for spending it on the slots. Explore the town, go inside to look up at painted skies when you relocate to Rome in The Venetian. So when you are over 21-years-old, you know how to enjoy without the alcohol too.

4. Bet on yourself

I don’t have a job recognizing actors across movies and shows, but I have won money out doing so. You’ll find something you’re good at. Bet on yourself when others doubt you. It’s not gambling - it’s an investment. They pay up, and you get validation. Even if you lose, you invest in your learning.

5. Know when to stop

Especially at casinos that “reward” you for betting big, set how much you’re going to spend, and then decide how you’re going to spend it. Don’t keep losing time and money just because you’ve sunk in so much already. Lesson 5b: Don’t go to suspiciously underground casinos, like my grandmother. We need to be the ones bailing her out.

6. Winnings are not just for you

Like karma, you’ll receive better luck next time if you share your winnings with others.

Traditional Lucky 7. Keep your personal traditions

My grandmother has a couple of bracelets she wears specifically when she goes out to play. I take off my beans from the Loteria card like my grandfather did. My mother uses her own grandmother's Loteria card. Others might call these superstitions, you’ll call them superstitions AND personal traditions that encourage winning.

This is not to romanticize gambling as an addiction, but to lightheartedly share how it has affected my life. I enjoy how it brings my family together, and has won me money and stories. So now, I bet on myself gaining money off of my stories. Thanks for the help!