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礼节美语——BE-230 Gambling II
Patricia和同事Kelly要去澳门出差，准备去赌场试试手气。另一个同事John提到，自己有个朋友嗜赌成性，倾家荡产。Patricia问:
P: So what happened to Joe? How is he holding up?
J: Joe is in Gamblers Anonymous right now. He sent me an e-mail the other day and he says he's doing better...but recovering from any addiction is a long process.
K: What's Gamblers Anonymous?
P: Have you ever heard of Alcoholics Anonymous or AA?
K: Not really.
J: Alcoholics Anonymous is an organization that tries to help people with alcohol problems overcome their addiction. Gamblers Anonymous does the same thing for gamblers.
K: I see, so it's sort of like rehab.
Patricia问起Joe近况。John说，Joe现在加入了Gamblers Anonymous嗜赌者互诫协会。Gamblers Anonymous跟Alcoholic Anonymous嗜酒者互诫协会差不多，是帮助赌徒戒赌的组织。在英语里，有某件事情上瘾可以用problem这个字，比如，He has a drinking problem. 他酗酒成性。He has a gambling problem. 他赌博成性。因此说，嗜赌者互诫协会差不多就是一种戒赌组织，it's like a rehab. Rehab is spelled r-e-h-a-b, rehab 是戒毒，戒赌中心的意思。 John 接着说:
J: That's right. Gamblers Anonymous offers a support system to gamblers who have a problem.
K: Well, I hope your friend gets better soon. So....what casino games do you usually play?
P: I've always liked card games....poker, especially. I don't like slot machines because I don't think there are any skills involved.
J: I like poker and all kinds of table games, but my favorite is Blackjack. Blackjack is a nice mix of skill and luck.
嗜赌互诫协会为赌博上瘾的人提供了一个 support system 相互支持的系统。话说到这，Kelly问Patricia和John去赌场一般都玩些什么。Patricia说自己一般都是玩card games玩牌，不喜欢拉老虎机slot machines, 因为他觉得老虎机完全凭运气，一点技术含量也没有。John说，凡是table games他都喜欢玩。在赌场里，table games除了扑克牌以外，还包括 craps轮盘骰子和罗莱特 Roulette等。John还说，但是他最爱玩的还是Blackjack, 21点。
K: I think I might be able to enjoy a game or two of Poker or Blackjack. Do you think I'll get addicted?
P: Kelly, I've known you for a few years and you have excellent self-control. I don't think you'll have a problem controlling yourself.
J: Besides, you only get to go to Macau once in a blue moon. What I suggest is you set yourself a reasonable budget of money that you can afford to lose. Don't go beyond that limit.
P: A little bit of legal gambling can be a lot of fun...but we have to know when to call it a night.
K: All right. You're on! Let's hit the casinos on Friday night.
Kelly 担心自己赌钱上瘾 get addicted. John建议她给自己设定一个合理的限度，set yourself a reasonable budget that you can afford to lose. 给自己定个输得起的预算，不要超过那个限度。John还说，况且，You only get to go to Macau once in a blue moon. 去澳门的机会少之又少，once in a blue moon 是非常罕见的意思。Patricia 也说，we know when to call it a night. 我们知道什么时候该打住。Kelly 在两人说服下，最后说，You're on. Let's hit the casinos on Friday night. 星期五去赌场，我们就这么说定了。
A: Wow, 赌场里的名堂还真多，不过像我这种初级水平的，也就是拉拉老虎机。
B: Be careful! People can get addicted even when they're just playing slot machines.
A: 所以说少赌为妙，而且得知道When to call it a night──什么时候收手。好啦，下面咱们去运动运动，听听体育美语吧！
