I was smarter than everybody, I'm one of those who have to try everything on their own...
I was once with a friend in the Borgata in AC when he made 300k there in one night! And I was also with him when he flushed down 400k the next night, I witnessed his demise, his life was falling apart, his job started hindering, his marriage was on the verge of collapsing, everything was almost sacrificed for the casinos.
Booze and limos.
In the beginning, it was all glitz, a penthouse on the top floor with a breathtaking view, a personal butler, limousines, girls, and everything you'll need to keep you dazed... I remember when he earned at the blackjack table 30k in one hand, when he was splitting the 3s and then got another 3... (Phew, it was beautiful, we can still sit sometimes and discuss the exciting hand scenarios...) but... In the end, the house wins. Always. They have more time, they're not getting tired, the dealers change, and you sit there trying to survive.