There was a reddit AMA once from a casino dealer. He said a big part of their job was to figure out whatever it took to push a winner's buttons to keep them playing. Because if they keep playing, they WILL lose it. They will. If you win, leave. Leave right then.
I am also incredibly competitive. I don’t have the addictive personality, so I can walk away without feeling like I have to “make it up”. Problem is, I’d likely not enjoy the rest of the trip because I’d be too pissed off from losing too much. I play DFS occasionally and bet on some horses, primarily the larger races, but only in amounts I know wont piss me off.
The wife and I took a cruise several years ago, and I was eager to play in the casino. On the first day, I walked in and put $1 (high roller!) in the biggest slot machine that was first inside the door, and hit some large amount of money on the first spin. I don’t recall the exact amount, but know that it was just over the limit where they have to report it to the IRS and I had to claim it (not that I don’t claim all gambling winnings) - maybe $3k or so? I cashed out of that machine, went immediately to the teller window, settled up and left, and never stepped foot back inside for the rest of the cruise.
I remember when the first tunica casino opened up in the early 90s, Splash I believe, now wife and I went down. I had about $300 in the bank and took $40. Turned it into about $350 then cashed in plus got us free meals. My hands were shaking I was so nervous and excited. Then a few years ago, again in Tunica, I turned $200 into 7k and walked away. It was blackjack plus this sucker bet where your hand and dealers hand counts as poker hands and pays out 9/1. I got hot on splits and double downs. First and only time I've been at an entirely hot table with pit bosses staring. Then in what was a happy drunk and arrogant move, I put $100 chip on the sucker bet and hit if for $900, back to back. I got to 7k and said I was done. We go to eat, come back thru and the entire table was gone. In between those 2, probably 30 trips to casinos and avg loss of $250 over the other 28 visits. Don't remember walking away with $ too often but making sure I at least drank a lot to rationalize the $ I woulda spent on cocktails. One thing I liked to do in blackjack is double down anytime possible when dealer shows 4, 5 or 6, especially if you are holding A/2, 3, 4, 5, 6
My father has the best gambling method for casinos, and it is one I have taken to heart. He drives up, throws $40 bucks out the car window and drives off.
I have put a little on the Kentucky derby a couple of times. Never won anything but it increases the entertainment value of the race by a large amount