Redditor Sparks Outrage During Family Poker Night By Refusing To Return 10-Year-Old Cousin’s $20 Stake After Claiming Prize Pool
“I believe he’s old enough to know all bets are final.”
For one family, bowling and poker were a match made in heaven. This is a little story about one of their game nights that went hilariously awry.
In our narrator’s (Original Poster’s) clan, no family gathering was complete without the crash of pins and the shuffle of cards in the background. To make things a little more interesting, of course, there were stakes.
The rules were simple: roll a strike or a spare and get a card. That would be your hand for the showdown after the last ball hits the pins.
That fateful night, OP was all revved up and ready to claim victory—as was everyone else. This included their enthusiastic 10-year-old cousin, who excitedly clutched his crisp $20 stake like a golden ticket to Willy Wonka’s factory.
Now, typically, the stakes were humble—a mere $1 or $2 per person. But our young competitor dreamed of bowling a perfect 300 after bingeing on TikTok tutorials. Twenty dollars! That was practically a fortune in kid currency.
The game began, pins were knocked down, and cards were dealt. OP played skillfully, but their cousin? Not so much. After the final cards were revealed, OP was crowned the proud owner of the prize pot.
The plot thickened when everyone expected them to return the $20 since their cousin was “just a kid.” Well, OP had a different take on the situation: if he was old enough to throw down $20, he was old enough to understand that all bets were final.
Was OP the a**hole for standing by this line of thought?
The story in detail
Reddit.comOP’s family enjoys a certain game which they play by making up some rules. At a recent family party, OP’s cousin decided to bet higher than others, expecting to win the game.
Reddit.comEveryone normally puts in $1-2 in the pot, but he was watching TikToks and thought he was sure to score a 300 game, so he put down twenty dollars.
Well, he didn’t win. I (25) won and pocketed my prize money. Everyone (especially my cousin) was expecting me to give him back his money because “he’s just a little kid and doesn’t understand.”
OP won the bet instead while the cousin and other family members expected the money to be refunded. However, OP refused and pointed out that since the cousin was old enough to bet, he was old enough to lose.
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We gathered some interesting comments for your reading pleasure:
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Understanding the Psychology of Gambling
Conflicts over gambling among family members can reveal underlying issues of fairness and responsibility.
Research by Dr. Mark Griffiths at Nottingham Trent University indicates that gambling behaviors are often tied to emotional regulation issues.
When individuals feel a lack of control in their lives, they may turn to gambling as a means of escapism, leading to disputes over fairness.
“If you want to teach him the lesson and maintain the relationship, take him out to do something with that money.”
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“No one is obliged to match or cover his bet.”
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Studies show that gambling can create complex dynamics within families.
According to a report in the Journal of Gambling Studies, family members affected by gambling often experience feelings of betrayal and mistrust, impacting overall family cohesion.
Understanding these dynamics is crucial for addressing conflicts effectively.
“Returning the money would be a good deed. But no, you're not obligated to.”
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“It's pretty cut and dry; it's either a void bet as it can't be paid out or a split pot. You stole $18 from a 10-year-old.”
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Effective Strategies for Addressing Gambling Conflicts
To address gambling-related conflicts, families can engage in open discussions about the emotional impacts of gambling behaviors.
Dr. Linda B. C. Lemaire emphasizes the importance of setting family boundaries around gambling activities to promote accountability.
Creating a family agreement outlining acceptable behaviors can help clarify expectations and reduce conflicts.
“The kid made a stupid bet and learned the price for it. Best thing to learn early.”
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“Y’all should have given him the change so he can bet $1-2 like everyone else IF you really wanted him to bet in ADULT GAMES.”
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When it comes to bets, should age trump the principle of finality? Well, according to the Redditors, the cousin was just about old enough to learn his first life lesson.
To them, if the family could let a kid place a bet, he might as well take whatever comes along with it. Too bad the consequences came with a twenty-dollar price tag.
Do you agree with the commenters? Share your thoughts with us.
“Give the child $18 back and teach him four lessons.”
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Psychological Analysis
This situation highlights the complexities surrounding gambling behaviors within families.
Recognizing the emotional implications of these disputes is essential for fostering healthier family communications and relationships.
Analysis generated by AI
Analysis & Alternative Approaches
In summary, addressing gambling issues with understanding and boundaries can improve family dynamics.
Research supports the notion that open communication about gambling can lead to healthier family relationships.
