Except that in the case of live poker, they're getting theirs via the rake.
I assume you're talking about blackjack: unless there is a CSM at the table or an absurd 6:5 blackjack payout (you shouldn't be there in either event, period) you can absolutely play to your advantage.
> Whatever your thoughts are on Java the language - would it not make sense to focus efforts on the OpenJVM project and all the languages it can support?
Putting Go on the JVM would be taking a language that only has a few "great" features (fast compile/startup time, decent memory efficiency, simple static binary output) and neutering it to the point of irrelevance.
Don't forget the close-to-10% state income tax (at engineer income), higher sales tax, CA SDI, higher food/utility costs, higher insurance, etc.
If you're lucky enough to work in a state with no (or low/fixed) income tax, that 10% combined with the hilarious housing cost situation covers the spread in salary difference very quickly.
And if you're working remotely there are obviously other potential lifestyle savings to be had (parking, generally less restaurant expenses, etc.)
In most cases, companies aren't actually able to adjust point-for-point for CoL.. it just isn't possible in any market with local opportunity. If remote markets ever see dramatic expansion/acceptance, CoL won't even be a mentionable factor.
CoL might be N-300% higher in SF but salaries (thank wage-fixing companies) are not. Salaries are (necessarily higher) but it's easy to dwarf the spread in normal, requisite expenditures.
CA has a high state income tax, relatively higher sales tax (than most midwest areas), and in the case of SF, the oh-so-obvious (self-inflicted) real estate problem.