The real problem with poker, especially in a casino environment is this: the house takes a percentage of each pot. Essentially then you can never really win. Of course you can get ahead, but then after any hand there is less money on the table then what was there origionaly.

i know all about that - the thing i hate the absolute most is when i've been sitting there not playing any hands and then i get a good starting hand and miss on a rag flop, check, get raised, then i re-raise, and then get i called instantly. it's not that they called me that I am sillyI am sillyI am sillyI am sillyes me off, it's that i haven't played a hand in 20 minutes, pushed it before the flop, re-raised them, and then they call me without even considering that maybe, just maybe i have him beat.
... this is a good thing, if you've been docile all night then have a hand, and you know you pretty much have him beat for sure, then him adding money to YOUR pot is a very good thing. That is the whole point of not betting to much when you have a good hand.

As to PJYelton:

Why did you not just fold? you had the advantage of being the highest chip holder; cut your losses and live another day. There really is no point to let your entire winnings ride on one spontaneous hand.