--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Of course I gamble, to make the games…" description: "\"Of course I gamble, to make the games interesting. But five hundred dollars a game, tops. Or sometimes a thousand. No heart attack bets.\" — Walter Matthau" image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/walter-matthau-17641_bets_of-course-i-gamble-to-make-the-games-int_2348270.png" --- # Of course I gamble, to make the games interesting. But… ![“Of course I gamble, to make the games interesting. But five hundred dollars a game, tops. Or sometimes a thousand. No heart attack bets.” quote by Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/walter-matthau-17641_bets_of-course-i-gamble-to-make-the-games-int_2348270.png) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/walter-matthau-17641_bets_of-course-i-gamble-to-make-the-games-int_2348270.png) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/87b/walter-matthau-17641_bets_of-course-i-gamble-to-make-the-games-int_2348270.png) > “Of course I gamble, to make the games interesting. But five hundred dollars a game, tops. Or sometimes a thousand. No heart attack bets.” [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. He gambles modestly for excitement, never risking health. **In simple terms:** Gambles for fun, with safe limits. Key Takeaway Set clear limits on risky activities. Themes gambling risk management leisure self‑care Mood lighthearted cautious Type reflective humorous When to use this quote - casual betting - budget planning - stress relief Key Concepts behavioral economics psychology entertainment Questions to Reflect On - What limits keep your hobbies safe? - How do you balance thrill and safety? A Different Perspective Risk can become addictive. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Attack Bets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/attack-bets-5707282/) [Bets](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bets/) [Course Gamble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/course-gamble-5707283/) [Gamble](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gamble/) [Gamble Make](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gamble-make-5707281/) [Gambling](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/gambling/) [Game](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/game/) [Heart](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart/) [Heart attack](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/heart-attack/) [Sometimes](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/sometimes/) [Thousand](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/thousand/) ## Related quotes > [“make sure that no single bet, or even multiple bets, could cause me to lose more than an acceptable amount.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ray-dalio/make-sure-that-no-single-bet-or-even-multiple-bets-could-cause-me-to/) [Ray Dalio](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ray-dalio/) > [There are just four kinds of bets. There are good bets, bad bets, bets that you win, and bets that you lose. Winning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-hite/there-are-just-four-kinds-of-bets-there-are-good-bets-bad-bets-bets/) [Larry Hite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-hite/) > [In investing, we intuitively think we should make a number of small bets. A blockbuster strategy is the opposite. It means making fewer huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-elberse/in-investing-we-intuitively-think-we-should-make-a-number-of-small/) [Anita Elberse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-elberse/) > [“He does not depend on insider tips, crooked referees, or other sorts of hustles to make his bets. 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We're persistent about them, but…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/steve-ballmer/the-one-thing-that-i-think-separates-microsoft-from-a-lot-of-other/) [Steve Ballmer](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/steve-ballmer/) > [Mars still remains the astrobiology community's number one choice for 'nearest rock with life,' but there are many researchers who argue that the moons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/mars-still-remains-the-astrobiology-community-s-number-one-choice-for/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [I live in New York and got a call from my agent saying there was this new role on 'Mad Men,' it might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-buono/i-live-in-new-york-and-got-a-call-from-my-agent-saying-there-was-this/) [Cara Buono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-buono/) > [The trading rules I live by are: 1. Cut losses. 2. Ride winners. 3. Keep bets small. 4. Follow the rules without question. 5.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-seykota/the-trading-rules-i-live-by-are-1-cut-losses-2-ride-winners-3-keep/) [Ed Seykota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-seykota/) > [Are you placing enough interesting, freakish, long shot, weirdo bets?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/are-you-placing-enough-interesting-freakish-long-shot-weirdo-bets/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [This is a perverse thing, personally, but I would rather be in the cycle where people are underestimating us. It gives us latitude to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/this-is-a-perverse-thing-personally-but-i-would-rather-be-in-the/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [When we got married, nobody gave it more than two weeks. There were bets all over the country, with astronomical odds against us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desi-arnaz/when-we-got-married-nobody-gave-it-more-than-two-weeks-there-were/) [Desi Arnaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desi-arnaz/) > [If I had to lay bets, my bet would be that everything is going to go to hell, but, you know, what else have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rorty/if-i-had-to-lay-bets-my-bet-would-be-that-everything-is-going-to-go/) [Richard Rorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rorty/) > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) ## More by Walter Matthau > [I still think I'm 28. I'm 73. I think I'm 28, though, except that I won't get into a fight with anybody because I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-still-think-i-m-28-i-m-73-i-think-i-m-28-though-except-that-i-won-t/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [To be successful in show business, all you need are 50 good breaks.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/to-be-successful-in-show-business-all-you-need-are-50-good-breaks/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I was playing Russell Long, the senator from Louisiana. I had 12 speech teachers watching me. All the other passengers on the airplane were…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-was-playing-russell-long-the-senator-from-louisiana-i-had-12-speech/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Doing a movie is like eating five hundred canapes at a cocktail party - you're never really full. 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I got a lot of laughs, so I quit.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-can-relate-to-anything-i-once-played-macbeth-i-got-a-lot-of-laughs/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [Sometimes it takes me six months before I find out what a line means, even if the writing is superficial... To do a play…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/sometimes-it-takes-me-six-months-before-i-find-out-what-a-line-means/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [You see, my father was a Catholic priest, Greek Orthodox, but I think he started out as a Jew, then he became a Catholic…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/you-see-my-father-was-a-catholic-priest-greek-orthodox-but-i-think-he/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [We're writing a book together. She just finished one. Did you read it? Among the Porcupines?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/we-re-writing-a-book-together-she-just-finished-one-did-you-read-it/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I have more talent in my smallest fart than you have in your entire body.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-have-more-talent-in-my-smallest-fart-than-you-have-in-your-entire/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [My doctor gave me six months to live, but when I couldn't pay the bill he gave me six months more.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/my-doctor-gave-me-six-months-to-live-but-when-i-couldn-t-pay-the-bill/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [The first girl you go to bed with is always pretty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/the-first-girl-you-go-to-bed-with-is-always-pretty/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [When I was about eighteen, I saw myself as a rather sensitive, delicate, poetic, romantic figure. And then I got into the Civilian Conservation…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/when-i-was-about-eighteen-i-saw-myself-as-a-rather-sensitive-delicate/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) > [I could play a cop, I could play a crook, I could play a lawyer, I could play a dentist, I could play an…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/walter-matthau/i-could-play-a-cop-i-could-play-a-crook-i-could-play-a-lawyer-i-could/) [Walter Matthau](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) [Explore all 36 Walter Matthau quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/walter-matthau/) ## More Bets quotes > [“Edward: I don't know whether to put my fingers in my ears and go la-la-la or find more of your guards so we can…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/laurell-k-hamilton/edward-i-don-t-know-whether-to-put-my-fingers-in-my-ears-and-go-la-la/) [Laurell K. Hamilton](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/laurell-k-hamilton/) > [If I had to lay bets, my bet would be that everything is going to go to hell, but, you know, what else have…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/richard-rorty/if-i-had-to-lay-bets-my-bet-would-be-that-everything-is-going-to-go/) [Richard Rorty](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/richard-rorty/) > [When we got married, nobody gave it more than two weeks. There were bets all over the country, with astronomical odds against us.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/desi-arnaz/when-we-got-married-nobody-gave-it-more-than-two-weeks-there-were/) [Desi Arnaz](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/desi-arnaz/) > [This is a perverse thing, personally, but I would rather be in the cycle where people are underestimating us. It gives us latitude to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/mark-zuckerberg/this-is-a-perverse-thing-personally-but-i-would-rather-be-in-the/) [Mark Zuckerberg](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/mark-zuckerberg/) > [Are you placing enough interesting, freakish, long shot, weirdo bets?](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-peters/are-you-placing-enough-interesting-freakish-long-shot-weirdo-bets/) [Tom Peters](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-peters/) > [The trading rules I live by are: 1. Cut losses. 2. Ride winners. 3. Keep bets small. 4. Follow the rules without question. 5.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/ed-seykota/the-trading-rules-i-live-by-are-1-cut-losses-2-ride-winners-3-keep/) [Ed Seykota](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/ed-seykota/) > [I live in New York and got a call from my agent saying there was this new role on 'Mad Men,' it might be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/cara-buono/i-live-in-new-york-and-got-a-call-from-my-agent-saying-there-was-this/) [Cara Buono](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/cara-buono/) > [Mars still remains the astrobiology community's number one choice for 'nearest rock with life,' but there are many researchers who argue that the moons…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/seth-shostak/mars-still-remains-the-astrobiology-community-s-number-one-choice-for/) [Seth Shostak](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/seth-shostak/) > [The one thing that I think separates Microsoft from a lot of other people is we make bold bets. 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Nor does he have a “system”…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nate-silver/he-does-not-depend-on-insider-tips-crooked-referees-or-other-sorts-of/) [Nate Silver](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nate-silver/) > [There are just four kinds of bets. There are good bets, bad bets, bets that you win, and bets that you lose. Winning a…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/larry-hite/there-are-just-four-kinds-of-bets-there-are-good-bets-bad-bets-bets/) [Larry Hite](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/larry-hite/) > [In investing, we intuitively think we should make a number of small bets. A blockbuster strategy is the opposite. It means making fewer huge…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anita-elberse/in-investing-we-intuitively-think-we-should-make-a-number-of-small/) [Anita Elberse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anita-elberse/) > [In 21st-century storytelling all bets are off: anybody can do anything. We're all storytellers.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/lenny-henry/in-21st-century-storytelling-all-bets-are-off-anybody-can-do-anything/) [Lenny Henry](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/lenny-henry/) [Browse all 71 Bets quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/bets/) ```json { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "Quotation", "text": "Of course I gamble, to make the games interesting. But five hundred dollars a game, tops. Or sometimes a thousand. 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