Most view gambling as a vice, even an illness. I'm proud of my affliction. For me, the beauty of gambling lies in its sheer irrationality. While some successful gamers rely on complex schemes to improve their odds, real gamblers never try to count cards or read a strategy guide. I couldn't tell you the chances of drawing a straight flush, and that's why I like to wager that I'll pull one. Every card dealt promises unbounded opportunity. Every hand is like a fresh start on life. Of course the rush I feel in the casino might just be from the second-hand smoke, but I'd like to believe it lies in this dance with fate.