SSG Robert Burns 13418 <div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We all know it&#39;s illegal for officers to gamble with enlisted. &amp;nbsp;We also all know that this happens every day whether it&#39;s march madness, NFL weekly, baseball, whatever.&lt;div&gt;Is this an outdated rule that needs to be rebooked at or is this really merited? &amp;nbsp;Does anyone have any horror stories? &amp;nbsp;Or is this something that can be used to build morale and a little trash talk?&lt;/div&gt; 2013-11-29T14:59:26-05:00 SSG Robert Burns 13418

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>We all know it&#39;s illegal for officers to gamble with enlisted. &amp;nbsp;We also all know that this happens every day whether it&#39;s march madness, NFL weekly, baseball, whatever.&lt;div&gt;Is this an outdated rule that needs to be rebooked at or is this really merited? &amp;nbsp;Does anyone have any horror stories? &amp;nbsp;Or is this something that can be used to build morale and a little trash talk?&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-29T14:59:26-05:00 2013-11-29T14:59:26-05:00 SGM Matthew Quick 13428

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&#39;Trash talking&#39; can get out of hand and careers can be impacted.&lt;br&gt;&lt;br&gt;There is not good coming from enlisted and officers playing fantasy football or office pools...stick with enlisted vs enlisted and officers vs officers; not sure what our warrnts will do. &amp;nbsp;;)

2013-11-29T15:35:15-05:00 2013-11-29T15:35:15-05:00 CMC Robert Young 13432

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Anything that blurs the lines between the O corps and the enlisted workforce&amp;nbsp;has the potential to wreck careers in both worlds. Such activity creates an environment of undue familiarity which is contrary to the good order and discipline of the unit. Bad idea.

2013-11-29T15:47:39-05:00 2013-11-29T15:47:39-05:00 SSG Robert Burns 13509

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>But the officers are the ones with all the money!  I feel like I should be the one taking it!  ;-)

2013-11-29T19:50:48-05:00 2013-11-29T19:50:48-05:00 SSG Private RallyPoint Member 13639

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I like what Dick Winters had to say about gambling between officers and enlisted men.  <br><br>"Never put yourself in a position to take from these men, ever"

2013-11-30T10:44:04-05:00 2013-11-30T10:44:04-05:00 MAJ Private RallyPoint Member 13873

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>&lt;div&gt;I&#39;ll throw in the dissenting opinion. First, you all are absolutely right regarding the potential for this to get out of hand, and it is incumbent upon us as leaders to maintain good order and discipline, and to recognize the &quot;danger signs&quot;. Just like so many other things of this nature, it cannot and should not happen unless everyone can handle the situation, officers and enlisted alike (Privilege vs Right doesn&#39;t sound right, but you get the picture).&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;That being said, there is something to be said with participating in group activities, whether it is the unit sports event, brackets, or the battalion raffle. However, I would never willingly put myself in a position to take from my Soldiers (or any Soldier for that matter).&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;My answer for stuff like that is to throw back into the pot... so if I ever win, it just inflates the kitty for the next guy to win more money, or the unit fund to do that much more, whether it is supporting a Soldier in need, hosting a nicer event, or buying that much more coffee creamer.&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;&lt;br&gt;&lt;/div&gt;&lt;div&gt;Remember, morale is absolutely a force multiplier.&lt;/div&gt;

2013-11-30T21:28:46-05:00 2013-11-30T21:28:46-05:00 SSG Robert Burns 103133

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>You answered you own question.  No you cannot.  What you can do is play poker but not for money.

2014-04-15T20:06:20-04:00 2014-04-15T20:06:20-04:00 PO1 Private RallyPoint Member 284408

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Whoa! How's an enlisted man supposed to make ends meet? On his meager military salary? PULEEZE

2014-10-19T19:34:17-04:00 2014-10-19T19:34:17-04:00 LTC Joseph Gross 285072

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Because it is generally a paltry, meaningless sum that hurts no one and builds morale. It gives people skin in the game when you talk football.

2014-10-20T11:17:20-04:00 2014-10-20T11:17:20-04:00 SSG William Patton 285082

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Pools for football games, while illegal in most venues, is part of our society today. Prior to the Super Bowl you will see board ranging from a dollar a square to much, much more depending on the business. I know where I worked we had a Super Bowl pool with squares going for $2 per square and my wife's work had one for $5 per square. She is much luckier than I am and has won several times. Our society has accepted gambling as a form of recreation. We have two lotteries that are in most states and many states have an individual lottery. Others have casino gambling either by statute or in the form of American Indians running casinos. There is a big down side to gambling. Casinos stay in business because odds favor the house and many people go away losers. Problems arise when that person has a gambling addiction and loses more than they can afford. I have seen people outside casinos in my community crying because they lost the family's paycheck and now do not have the money to feed their kids. I have no problem with gambling as long as it is in moderation, the same as other potential addictions. When it becomes and obsession, then it is a problem.

2014-10-20T11:24:34-04:00 2014-10-20T11:24:34-04:00 PO1 Private RallyPoint Member 285262

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I will confess to have "fleeced" a few self-important officers in my time. During many a spades tournament onboard ship my partner and I have won many, many final prizes and thus we (and our ladies) have enjoyed many, many days on leave or liberty on those winnings. With all that being said - I don't know that playing poker with officers is a good idea. First of all, it's against the rules, unless you're actually playing for matchsticks or braggin' rights. Secondly, Officers are rarely graceful losers. I've actually had to throw one or more poker hand in order to let the officer get his "saddle" back (read: his car's pink slip) like we used to do when we played poker on the ranch. At one time, I owned the entire wardroom's collection of naval officers swords and scabbards of a yet to be named vessel (names and dates redacted in order to keep from embarassing said wardroom) due to a friendly game of poker. Too bad e-bay didn't exist in those days...lol.<br /><br />In reality, it's far better to play a truely friendly game, with no money at stake. It keeps NCIS from your doorstep....not that I know anything about such things of course.

2014-10-20T13:30:22-04:00 2014-10-20T13:30:22-04:00 COL Jean (John) F. B. 285596

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Slippery slope... This is akin to "just put the tip in to see how it feels". The best advice is to not go there at all. Remember the UCMJ element of proof for rape "Penetration, however slight, is sufficient to commit this offense".<br /><br />Once you cross that line, a new line will be established to be crossed. Can you gamble if it just for $5.00? How about $10.00? How about only on Wednesday night when there is a full moon?

2014-10-20T17:32:56-04:00 2014-10-20T17:32:56-04:00 CW3 Private RallyPoint Member 5822338

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>Interesting question

2020-04-27T12:02:09-04:00 2020-04-27T12:02:09-04:00 LTC Private RallyPoint Member 5822585

<div class="images-v2-count-0"></div>I&#39;ve never done a sports bracket for money with troops

2020-04-27T13:02:03-04:00 2020-04-27T13:02:03-04:00 2013-11-29T14:59:26-05:00