There are all sorts of books available to gamblers, whether it is books to improve your game or books with inspirational stories of huge winners. Nowhere has a book been written that offers to show you how to enjoy your love of travelling and gambling during a pandemic. The whole stay at home business doesn’t help those of us who would like nothing better than a trip to Vegas or Singapore or China or other gambling hotspots across the globe.
Bring the World to Your Home
One reason to travel to some of the gambling top destinations is to experience the different cultures. While the games might stay the same, the themes and the broader experience are different. Playing poker in Singapore will be a different experience to sitting at a table in London.
If you are going on a gambling vacation in your home, you can always simulate the different cultures as you play. Sure, you can set up your card table exactly as before, but decorate the room appropriately and get yourself dressed in the right clothes. Remember, if you are going to pretend to be in a Mayfair casino, you are going to have to get that tuxedo and gown out of the back of the closet.
If you are really keen to simulate a feeling of being away from it all, you can always set up a tent in your living. With a bit of care, you could easily turn this into a luxury boutique to which you return after a heady night of gambling.
Eat Yourself Abroad
Another way to feel like you are travelling as you gamble is to set up a menu appropriate to the region you desire. A bit of authentic Chinese food to create the culture of your visit to Macau could be all you need. If you are going to pretend to go to Las Vegas, then take a leaf out of Elvis’ book and down that burger and assortment of deeply fried food!
If you want to feel like you are on a summer holiday away - fire up the barbeque - who cares if it is February. Whatever you do, to simulate travelling while forced into a staycation, give it a special twist that makes life feel different.
Take Breaks From the Games for a Spa
If you have ever been to the major hotel complexes in Atlanta or Vegas, you will know there is the added delight of the spa facilities. If you have taken a major hit playing the online slots, then there might be nothing better than a face mask and a couple of slices of cucumber. Better still, after a tense game of Black Jack, get away from it all with a luxury steaming bath surrounded by candles - preferably one prepared by someone else.
If you are really going for the whole spa experience, you should add in champagne and a servant to feed you chocolates as you soak. You should definitely request a shoulder massage before returning to the tables (or the online gambling site on your laptop).
Go Big
Obviously, if your gambling experience is happening in your home, then you are relying on an online site or your deck of cards. If playing online, you should go big with your screen and play live. Imagine setting up a cinema projector that takes up a whole wall and you sit yourself at a table in your home - it will feel like you are really there!
You can also mimic the experience of different countries by visiting different sites. Let’s face it - once you are in a casino there might be little to tell you where in the world you are. We travel for variety. So, to simulate the experience of gambling around the globe, use the world of the internet to mimic the experience.
Switch off From Everything
The reason we travel is to get away from everyday life. Therefore, if we want to mimic our gambling travels, we need to turn off that life. So, turn your emails to out of the office notifications and switch off your work phone. Maybe, just maybe, you should play games the old fashioned way too. A game of Texas Hold ‘Em amongst a group with a few beers and a lot of banter is possibly the best way to relax available. The technology can sometimes get in the way of the relationship building that happens best when we are away from routines.
Summary
Obviously, the pandemic has scuppered our hopes of travel and broader experiences. We love to travel as we gamble because of getting away from it all and the culture we soak up along the way. While we are relying more and more on TVs, mobile phones and laptops than ever before, it might just be that the best staycation is one free from this technology and focused on our loved ones. All you need is a great game, a few pennies and good conversation.
