The Ultimate Fish - Morally Wrong?

jimdmcevoy · #1 03-24-2005, 03:07 PM

I've read posts here about whether it is right or wrong to take money off of a drunk person, gambling addict or whatever by playing poker with him. I lean towards saying it is not morally wrong, but this is the most extreme situation that really had me feeling bad:

10-handed limit cash game in a casino, and a guy sits down who is actually mentally retarded. I don't mean dumb, literraly mentally retarded, he also had some physical disabilities and speech problems.

He check-called every single hand, and at the river tabled his 83o or whatever over, and then has to look at the dealer to see if he won.

Of course he went broke.

I felt really, really bad for this guy, but I didn't leave the table or soft-play him.

what do you guys think?

Hermlord · #2 03-24-2005, 03:14 PM

Jesus man, that's a tough one. I would probably do what you did, based on the fact that you don't simply "accidentally" find yourself at a poker table, you have to want to go there and sit down. So I would infer that he was there for entertainment like most others, and that he was willing to lose his money. I mean, retarded people can have excess cash too.

Just say six Hail Mary's and you'll be fine.

Jeffage · #3 03-24-2005, 03:15 PM

There was a thread about a similar situation before. My vote is to play him hard and not feel bad about it. Would you rather them NOT ALLOW him to play? You don't know what his financial situation is and if he finds playing fun, more power to him.

Jeff

canis582 · #4 03-24-2005, 03:23 PM

Maybe he had money from a malpractice lawsuit.

Mayhap · #5 03-24-2005, 04:30 PM

[ QUOTE ]
He check-called every single hand, and at the river tabled his 83o or whatever over, and then has to look at the dealer to see if he won.

[/ QUOTE ]
Hmmm... Sounds much like my online play ...

Seriously, making sport of the fellow or duping him would be morally wrong.
I think people like that get a rush from being simply accepted as just another person in situations like that. You need do no penance IMO.

/M

KaBoom · #6 03-24-2005, 04:43 PM

When I want a good laugh this is one of the forums I come too...and again you guys didn't let me down! So many people on party play like that poor lad at your casino except they don't have to ask the dealer if they won. [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

But what can I say. I don't think he wins much on any session so he must be from a rich family. Probably no job either. I'd think his folks give him money to gamble with occasionally cause thats the thing that makes him happy and is his hobby. Just treat him like any other player and don't feel bad if you win a few pots from him. But if he seems to get upset when losing then I'm probably wrong.

BillsChips · #7 03-24-2005, 07:10 PM

I think I'd have to play hard to beat him! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img] But really, I think I'd play my normal game except that if I was heads-up with him, I'd check the rest of the way.

Scorpion · #8 03-25-2005, 01:49 AM

My sister manages a group home for the mentally challenged. They all have jobs and get to keep their money, but they aren't allowed to keep it. They buy TV's Xbox's and all sorts of stuff, as well as go to Foxwoods and let them gamble it away.

blingice · #9 03-25-2005, 01:52 AM

[ QUOTE ]
They all have jobs and get to keep their money, but they aren't allowed to keep it.

[/ QUOTE ]

What?

Bling.

Scorpion · #10 03-25-2005, 02:39 AM

They all have jobs and get to keep their money, but they aren't allowed to keep it.

I meant to say they get to spend the money, but can't keep it because they recieve state money. All their wages must be spent in a certain amount of time.