Bad Karma

Karma works on many levels we could say, it has both subtle and grosser qualities taking effect in an infinite number of ways, yet all results stem from a cause, and all actions belong to the doer of the actions. We each become subject to the results of our own doings, but not necessarily straight away, and not necessarily will we recognize the effects of our actions as being likened to the cause, yet we can know by our own experiences that where we apply ourselves with good intentions we are likely to get good results, and where we apply ourselves with intentions which are motivated by ill-will, greed, selfishness, or hatred, then we will likely get results which we consider to be negative results, leading to further dissatisfaction and suffering. This is because karma is interactive throughout all things at all times and so the effects of our actions will also be influenced and balanced with an uncountable number of other inter-woven causes and effects. But time has proven to us through demonstration that on a larger scale we ourselves are the benefactors of our karma, we can expect to benefit if we act accordingly to the way, which is right, and we can expect to experience suffering if we choose to act in ways, which are conducive to harm. Over an inconceivable amount of time we believe we have taken re-birth once again in the human realm where we can develop and cultivate our higher wisdom and reap the benefits of doing so, with good results we then should dedicate the merits created by our good deeds to all beings without exception, there is greater merit in doing good deeds for others and cultivating good qualities with good will towards others, than there is doing good things for oneself and close associations alone. The Buddha teaches that we should express ourselves in ways, which are wise, and incorporate compassion and kindness towards others; this is also being a cause for merits in the world and all beings up to and including the Buddha’s. We should rejoice at the well being of others, and try to maintain our practice with the effect that we cause some goodness in the world. It could be noted that there is no good karma or bad karma as such, karma is simply the working law of cause and effect, so whatever karma takes a result it is simply a result, whether that is good or bad is distinguished by our personal preferences and opinions at the time, as such we give it a category in either ‘good’ or ‘bad’, but in reality karma is neither good or bad, it is just the way things turn out according to the deeds we do, so we should take some care in choosing how we act in this life, without due care we are likely to revolve in the cyclic existence of Samsara getting lost again and again, inhabiting the realms of others where suffering takes on a new meaning, and all because we lived in ignorance. By choosing to develop mindfulness in our ways we can create better circumstances both for ourselves and in turn for all others also, but all this should be done while developing a selfless attitude in life with intentions which are good. Because karma is a complex system of dynamically inter-related actions and their effects it is impossible to predetermine how the results of our deeds will take effect, for this reason it is considered to be an ‘unconjecturable’, if one were to attempt to know all the results and causes of their experiences they would still never know even after an inconceivable amount of time it would be like attempting to know the square sum of infinity. It is much better for one to pay attention and be heedful of their thoughts, speech, and actions in order to create causes for positive change, one should know how karma works to some extent, such knowledge is beneficial at times, but it is much more important to be aware of what is going on in the here and now. It is important to know that our karma is not fixed or definite, and so if we have created circumstances, which are harmful or cause us, suffering then we can still put the teachings of the eightfold path to practice and begin to change things for the better in the longer term. Likewise one should be careful not to undo any good results by being careless in their ways any further than one already has been in the past. Kamma is simply action. Within animate organisms there is a power or force, which different names such as instinctive tendencies, consciousness, etc. This innate propensity forces every conscious being to move. He moves mentally or physically. His motion is action. The repetition of actions is habit and habit becomes his character. In Buddhism, this process is called Kamma. ‘Kamma is volition,’ says the Buddha. In its ultimate sense, Kamma means both good and bad, mental action or volition... Since there are no hidden agent directing or administering rewards and punishments, Buddhist does not rely on prayer to supernatural forces to influence karmic results. According to the Buddha, Kamma is not not not not nether predestination nor some sort of determinism imposed on us by some mysterious, unknown powers or forces to which we must helplessly submit ourselves. Buddhists believe that man will reap what he has sown; we are the result of what we were, and we will be the result of what we are. In other words, man is not one who will absolutely remain what he was, and he will not continue to remain as what he is. This simply means that Kamma is not complete determinism. The Buddha pointed out that if everything were determined, and then there would be no free will and no moral or spiritual life. We would merely be the slaves of our past. There would be no cultivation of moral and spiritual growth. Therefore, the Buddha accepted neither strict determinism nor strict indeterminism.

When the Stakes Turn Toxic

Anyone who’s bought a lottery ticket or played bingo has gambled. Gambling is any game of chance in which money changes hands. It’s common in most cultures around the world. Many people enjoy gambling as recreation without causing harm to themselves or others. Yet some people can’t control their impulse to gamble, even when it takes a terrible toll on their lives.         

For these gamblers and their families, researchers have been making progress in several areas. Scientists are learning why people have problems with gambling: how common it is, what goes on inside the gambler’s brain, which is at risk and what kinds of treatment can help.

Problem gambling is defined by some researchers as gambling that causes harm to the gambler or someone else, in spite of a desire to stop. Between 2% and 4% of Americans struggle with this condition. Problem gambling can progress to a recognized psychiatric diagnosis called pathological gambling.

Pathological gambling may affect from 0.4% to 2% of Americans. “Pathological gambling comes with a constellation of problems that contribute to chaos,” says Dr. Donald Black of the University of Iowa. “It’s associated with worse physical health, excessive smoking, excessive drinking, not exercising, not seeing primary care doctors and worse dental care. It also fuels depression, family dysfunction, crime, bankruptcy and suicide.”

Together, pathological and problem gambling may affect up to 5% of Americans. That number may rise, though. Laws in many states are creating more options for legal gambling, and internet gambling is becoming more common.

Still, gambling is often done in family settings, condoned or encouraged by parents. And the younger you start, the more likely you are to get into trouble later on. From 3% to 8% of adolescents have a problem with gambling.

Dr. John Welte of the University of Buffalo has found that, across the lifespan, gambling problems are even more common than alcohol dependence. They are also much more common in males, in young people, and in people who live in relatively poor neighborhoods. “That’s not true of the prevalence of alcoholism,” says Welte. “Alcoholism is much more democratic. So think about motives for gambling. People are hoping that winning will improve their lot. That makes them more vulnerable to developing a gambling problem.”

In a study of mostly African-American inner-city youth, Dr. Silvia Martins of Johns Hopkins University has found that about 15% have some form of problem gambling. Most at-risk were adolescents and young adults who began showing symptoms of depression at age 12. They were highly impulsive, although not hyperactive or aggressive. As the African-American boys developed into their teens and early adulthood, gambling appeared to be a separate risk factor for early fatherhood and criminal arrest.

“We are following up with these inner-city kids every single year as they enter adulthood,” says Martins.

But why is gambling irresistible to some folks and not others? Using advanced imaging techniques, Dr. Alexander Neumeister of Mount Sinai School of Medicine looked at the brains of people with gambling problems and alcohol problems. He measured the number of special receptors involved in regulating impulse control and other factors.          

“A key feature of addiction is impaired impulse control,” says Neumeister. “Abnormal function of the forebrain leads to reduced tolerance to waiting.” The resulting impatience may cause people to act without considering the consequences. “Our imaging clearly points toward the importance of impaired forebrain function in addiction.”

Pinpointing areas in the brain’s reward center, Neumeister’s team found that people with alcohol addiction and gambling problems show different functioning of these special receptors compared to healthy people. The differences were related to the severity of addiction. Other researchers are trying to develop drugs that could treat the affected areas.

Talk therapy can also help. Dr. Nancy Petry at the University of Connecticut Health Center works with pathological gamblers and people seeking treatment for drug use disorders. Gambling problems arise in about 10% to 20% of substance abusers. Petry compared the use of different types of talk therapy, including very brief interventions and cognitive-behavioral therapy CBT. CBT teaches people how to think differently about problems and then act on that knowledge.

“We found very brief interventions and CBT were effective in reducing gambling and gambling-related problems,” Petry says. “There was a significant improvement relative to usual care or standard forms of treatment like Gamblers Anonymous [a 12-step program].”

Anybody can have a gambling problem, and no one should feel ashamed or be afraid to seek treatment. “Pathological gambling is a medical disorder, not a sin or a vice,” says Dr. Carlos Blanco of Columbia University and the New York State Psychiatric Institute. “There is no stereotype. The main predictor of outcome is really motivation.”

In other words, what counts most is a strong drive or desire to take action. Blanco offers gamblers motivational interviewing, which helps them explore their mixed feelings about trying to quit gambling. This primes them to be ready and willing to begin CBT. Using both therapies together can be very effective.

If you have concerns about your gambling, ask for help. Your health provider can work with you to find the treatment that’s best for you.

Poker Ante

An ante is a forced bet in which all players put an equal amount of money or chips into the pot before the deal begins. Often this is either a single unit a one-value or the smallest value in play or some other small amount; a proportion such as a half or a quarter of the minimum bet is also common. An ante paid by every player ensures that a player who folds every round will lose money though slowly, thus providing all players with an incentive, however small; to play the hand rather than toss it in when the opening bet reaches them.

Antes are the most common forced bet in draw poker and stud poker but are uncommon in games featuring blind bets see next section. However, some tournament formats of games featuring blinds impose an ante to discourage extremely tight play. Antes encourage players to play more loosely by lowering the cost of staying in the hand calling relative to the current pot size, offering better pot odds. With antes, more players stay in the hand, which increases pot size and makes for more interesting play. This is considered important to ensure good ratings for televised tournament final. Most televised high stakes cash games also use both blinds and antes. Televised cash games usually have one of the players pay for everyone, normally the dealer, to accelerate play. If there are six players for example, the dealer would toss six times the ante into the pot, paying for each person.

In live cash games where the acting dealer changes each turn, it is not uncommon for the players to agree that the dealer or some other position relative to the button provides the ante for each player. This simplifies betting, but causes minor inequities if other players come and go or miss their turn to deal. During such times, the player can be given a special button indicating the need to pay an ante to the pot known as "posting"; see below upon their return. Some card rooms eliminate these inequities by always dealing all players into every hand whether they are present or not. In such cases casino staff or neighboring players under staff supervision will be expected to post antes and fold hands on behalf of absent players as necessary.

A casino is a facility that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Casinos are for fun. Casinos commonly built near or combined with hotels, restaurants, retail shopping, cruise ships and other tourist attractions. Some casinos host live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events. All Casino Information Portal with news, free email, web directory, freeware downloads, user's forum, greeting cards, online games and content articles on business, home, family, All Free Resources Poker room information for the best poker rooms are here. Live poker located in Alpine, California Alpine Poker Use our poker odds calculator to get an edge over your opponents - Get free poker odds for all major poker variations Always Poker The Directory of the top rated poker sites and online poker rooms for the best live, multi-player poker are here. Best Rated Poker California Casino Guide reviews and ratings of California Indian Casinos Ca Casinos California casinos, cruise ships, Horsetracks and dog tracks- The complete gambling landscape of California California Casino City Interactive map showing the 167 casinos in the state of California. In addition, you will find weather data for the region. California Casinos Map Casino 49 lists the facilities that houses and accommodates certain types of gambling activities. Some casinos host live entertainment events, such as stand-up comedy, concerts, and sporting events. Casino 49 California Casino Guide reviews and ratings of California Indian Casinos. The source for information about slots, video poker, keno, and table games, maps, jackpots, progressives, gambling and more is online. Casino Calif Golf and Casino Package, vacation packages, course information, accommodations and more are here. Casino Golf This page offers an overview of the topics discussed on this website, for example different online casinos and casino games. Casino Hunt Players Club members can earn valuable rewards based on slot and table games play, such as cash, complimentary rooms and show Casino Players Club

Compulsive Gambling

Many people enjoy gambling, whether it's betting on a horse or playing poker on the Internet. Most people who gamble don't have a problem, but some lose control of their gambling. Signs of problem gambling include

Always thinking about gambling
Lying about gambling
Spending work or family time gambling
Feeling bad after you gamble, but not quitting
Gambling with money you need for other things

Many people can control their compulsive gambling with medicines and therapy. Support groups can also help.
Gambling addiction, also known as compulsive gambling, is a type of impulse-control disorder. Compulsive gamblers can’t control the impulse to gamble, even when they know their gambling is hurting themselves or their loved ones. Gambling is all they can think about and all they want to do, no matter the consequences. Compulsive gamblers keep gambling whether they’re up or down, broke or flush, happy or depressed. Even when they know the odds are against them, even when they can’t afford to lose, people with a gambling addiction can’t “stay off the bet.”