ABSTRACT
According to Lacan (2006b), Pascal invented game theory with the notion that the ante staked in a game of chance must be viewed as lost from the moment one agrees to play. Whatever amount one agrees to gamble should be considered a pure loss right from the outset, hence the advice sometimes given to gamblers not to bring more money with them to the casino than they are comfortable losing, given how likely it is that they will lose all of it. This well-meaning advice is obviously quite futile in the age of ATMs and credit cards, as anyone on a losing streak can easily obtain more money to wager.
