Been following the forum for over 10 years now so figured this may be the place to come for gambling issues knowing there are a lot of veterans on here that have been around it a long time which I'm sure have had their fair share of ups and downs. I realize there will be the trolls as well.
I've been gambling off and on for a long time with moderate successes and extreme failures. Now I've reached my rock bottom for a 5th time and just am looking for a place to air it out a little. At times I've had the expendable income to gamble but most of the time did it out of need, thinking it was a way to earn money which ultimately ended up in my biggest lows. Although I've had my issues in sports betting and letting it control my life, my biggest issues have always been with casinos. As I did the other night I kept chasing and chasing until I had lost everything. I have done this 3 times in the past 7 months and realize I need help and need to talk to people. I am done gambling!....for now. But is it possible for me to take time off until I'm financially stable then come back to sports betting or play poker for enjoyment? Or do I need to be done for good since my actions prove I can't handle the ups and downs?
Is it even possible to live a normal life and be a professional gambler? The amount of hours I've spent looking at stats, watching lines, and watching games I don't see how it can be. I really don't know what I'm looking for by posting here but figured the people who have been around the game a long time and have seen the lowest of lows can give some words of advice.
To remove first post, remove entire topic.
Been following the forum for over 10 years now so figured this may be the place to come for gambling issues knowing there are a lot of veterans on here that have been around it a long time which I'm sure have had their fair share of ups and downs. I realize there will be the trolls as well.
I've been gambling off and on for a long time with moderate successes and extreme failures. Now I've reached my rock bottom for a 5th time and just am looking for a place to air it out a little. At times I've had the expendable income to gamble but most of the time did it out of need, thinking it was a way to earn money which ultimately ended up in my biggest lows. Although I've had my issues in sports betting and letting it control my life, my biggest issues have always been with casinos. As I did the other night I kept chasing and chasing until I had lost everything. I have done this 3 times in the past 7 months and realize I need help and need to talk to people. I am done gambling!....for now. But is it possible for me to take time off until I'm financially stable then come back to sports betting or play poker for enjoyment? Or do I need to be done for good since my actions prove I can't handle the ups and downs?
Is it even possible to live a normal life and be a professional gambler? The amount of hours I've spent looking at stats, watching lines, and watching games I don't see how it can be. I really don't know what I'm looking for by posting here but figured the people who have been around the game a long time and have seen the lowest of lows can give some words of advice.
Also, there's no shame in GA if you're serious about it.
You're ultimately going to lose in the long run if you continue. We all do. The other degenerates on this site will tell you the same if they're honest.
Best of luck. Quit while you're behind. Just my 2 cents
You may need a woman in your life.
Also, there's no shame in GA if you're serious about it.
You're ultimately going to lose in the long run if you continue. We all do. The other degenerates on this site will tell you the same if they're honest.
Best of luck. Quit while you're behind. Just my 2 cents
Fortunately I have a woman who has put up with me and have finally opened up to her about my issues and she is still there for me.
I am definitely stopping for a while but realize with how mainstream betting has become it is going to be a tough urge to fight when financially stable again.
Appreciate it Slob.
Fortunately I have a woman who has put up with me and have finally opened up to her about my issues and she is still there for me.
I am definitely stopping for a while but realize with how mainstream betting has become it is going to be a tough urge to fight when financially stable again.
The one single thing that gets gamblers into trouble is that they do not keep a gambling account separate from other household finances.
If you cannot do that then do not gamble.
It really is as simple as that!!!
I went to one GA Meeting about 30 years ago and never went back. All I saw were a bunch of pathological liars in the room. They’d go around the circle and I just knew these hypocrites were lying. They were still gambling all week but just attended the meetings to satisfy another family member. It was just so obvious to me it would be a waste of my time.
If you feel you really need help then go to a GA Meeting. It may help you but it just wasn’t for me.
GL.
~~~~~ZOSO~~~~~
The one single thing that gets gamblers into trouble is that they do not keep a gambling account separate from other household finances.
If you cannot do that then do not gamble.
It really is as simple as that!!!
I went to one GA Meeting about 30 years ago and never went back. All I saw were a bunch of pathological liars in the room. They’d go around the circle and I just knew these hypocrites were lying. They were still gambling all week but just attended the meetings to satisfy another family member. It was just so obvious to me it would be a waste of my time.
If you feel you really need help then go to a GA Meeting. It may help you but it just wasn’t for me.
I really wish you the best dude but reread your what you said, the problem your showing and that many show is that they simply cant stop thinking about it. You keep imagining a successful betting career and it just isn't happening. Try your best to move onto something better for yourself kinda like post #2 is saying.
And remember, it is totally okay to quit and confirm with yourself that your betting career wasn't a success. I wanted to be a great bball player, but after years of practice, it still never got to the level I hoped for, but hey, just had to move on. So just move on, all that time you used to study your bets, don't ever think about it again. Instead trying picking winners with some friends on weekends and who ever picks the most has to buy dinner or something, just an idea... but move on
I really wish you the best dude but reread your what you said, the problem your showing and that many show is that they simply cant stop thinking about it. You keep imagining a successful betting career and it just isn't happening. Try your best to move onto something better for yourself kinda like post #2 is saying.
And remember, it is totally okay to quit and confirm with yourself that your betting career wasn't a success. I wanted to be a great bball player, but after years of practice, it still never got to the level I hoped for, but hey, just had to move on. So just move on, all that time you used to study your bets, don't ever think about it again. Instead trying picking winners with some friends on weekends and who ever picks the most has to buy dinner or something, just an idea... but move on
For a few years I couldnt stay off the crap tables, a"craps degenerate"...I was addicted like it was crack cocaine, strange to say...I bet sports too and had ups and downs and dark nights of the soul...what has changed?I no longer play craps, thankfully,i still bet some sports but for smaller $ and not as "all or nothing" as before; as far as being a professional gambler,no, that takes nerves of steel and balls of titanium and even they have bad stretches...just take sometime off and ease back into it in a smaller way if you can
For a few years I couldnt stay off the crap tables, a"craps degenerate"...I was addicted like it was crack cocaine, strange to say...I bet sports too and had ups and downs and dark nights of the soul...what has changed?I no longer play craps, thankfully,i still bet some sports but for smaller $ and not as "all or nothing" as before; as far as being a professional gambler,no, that takes nerves of steel and balls of titanium and even they have bad stretches...just take sometime off and ease back into it in a smaller way if you can
2. You need to have a Bankroll. This money must be separate from living expenses.
3. You must make a money management plan for your bankroll. For example: If you have a bankroll of $1,000 you realistically should be only betting $50 a bet or 5% max! or If you have $10,000 bet no more than $500! Ideal range 1%-2%. As bankroll goes up or down adjust the amount bet to the percentage. Just following this you will never ever lose all your money! Period! We are also only talking close to even money bets or -110 bets. (Stay away from high juice or parlays unless you have a plan back by numbers!)
Always protect your bankroll!
4. A bankroll of $100,000 with bets of 2% or $2000 will yield you around only $5000 with a record of 54 wins and 46 losses out of 100 bets. So there is realistically no way your going to make a living with anything short of 100K with 100 bets in a month. Of course we are only talking -110 bets here. Don't increase bet sizes or chase. To increase your bankroll you can never take money out, or you can: 1. Win at a higher percentage rate. 2. Get another job. 3. Rob a bank. Like the stock market, the more money you have, the more you can make. A million dollar bankroll yields 50k a month in the same scenario. So create a realistic long range plan over the years.
5. Create a sports management plan and stick with the sports and teams you know best, make prediction and see what you are best at by keeping track (heart and brain) or create a mathematical formula (just pure numbers). Please test them first :)
6. This is the most important part!!!!!!!!!! 1. Bad beats will even out over time if your bets stay relatively the same. 2. Never ever blame the players, coaches, or anyone here on Covers for a loss! You assess your sports management system and adjust if necessary!
7. If you want "action bets" just make them a fraction of your regular bet. The psychology and emotions of wins and especially losses on the brain messes you up, just have fun, win or lose, or be like "Spock".
:)
7. Create a realistic long range plan over the years.
1. No Casino Games or Poker. Sports only!
2. You need to have a Bankroll. This money must be separate from living expenses.
3. You must make a money management plan for your bankroll. For example: If you have a bankroll of $1,000 you realistically should be only betting $50 a bet or 5% max! or If you have $10,000 bet no more than $500! Ideal range 1%-2%. As bankroll goes up or down adjust the amount bet to the percentage. Just following this you will never ever lose all your money! Period! We are also only talking close to even money bets or -110 bets. (Stay away from high juice or parlays unless you have a plan back by numbers!)
Always protect your bankroll!
4. A bankroll of $100,000 with bets of 2% or $2000 will yield you around only $5000 with a record of 54 wins and 46 losses out of 100 bets. So there is realistically no way your going to make a living with anything short of 100K with 100 bets in a month. Of course we are only talking -110 bets here. Don't increase bet sizes or chase. To increase your bankroll you can never take money out, or you can: 1. Win at a higher percentage rate. 2. Get another job. 3. Rob a bank. Like the stock market, the more money you have, the more you can make. A million dollar bankroll yields 50k a month in the same scenario. So create a realistic long range plan over the years.
5. Create a sports management plan and stick with the sports and teams you know best, make prediction and see what you are best at by keeping track (heart and brain) or create a mathematical formula (just pure numbers). Please test them first :)
6. This is the most important part!!!!!!!!!! 1. Bad beats will even out over time if your bets stay relatively the same. 2. Never ever blame the players, coaches, or anyone here on Covers for a loss! You assess your sports management system and adjust if necessary!
7. If you want "action bets" just make them a fraction of your regular bet. The psychology and emotions of wins and especially losses on the brain messes you up, just have fun, win or lose, or be like "Spock".
:)
7. Create a realistic long range plan over the years.
For a few years I couldnt stay off the crap tables, a"craps degenerate"...I was addicted like it was crack cocaine, strange to say...I bet sports too and had ups and downs and dark nights of the soul...what has changed?I no longer play craps, thankfully,i still bet some sports but for smaller $ and not as "all or nothing" as before; as far as being a professional gambler,no, that takes nerves of steel and balls of titanium and even they have bad stretches...just take sometime off and ease back into it in a smaller way if you can
That is also key. I am a huge fan of casino life, but let's face the facts, they don't build casinos on winners. Any casino game is a negative evaluation. You have to find a way to reduce that negative as much as possible.
I enjoy Blackjack. So I will play two hands and simply count Aces. If I have a positive amount of Aces remaining in the shoe then I will passively increase my wagers on both hands. Playing two hands let's you fly under the radar. My red chip $15 wagers on each hand becoming $20 or $30 are not that obvious to the floor.
People who say the +1 & -1 counting system works are FOS. You cannot count into a 6 or 8 deck shoe and get any sizeable advantage. But if you simply count Aces you can reduce the house advantage significantly. Aces will help getting Blackjacks at 3/2 payoffs and also helps your doubling down's.
Casino life is a trade-off. You try to make small gains each playing session and accumulate comp points for restaurants or concerts.
If you are not greedy then you can keep that trade-off manageable.
~~~~~ZOSO~~~~~
Quote Originally Posted by warrenator:
For a few years I couldnt stay off the crap tables, a"craps degenerate"...I was addicted like it was crack cocaine, strange to say...I bet sports too and had ups and downs and dark nights of the soul...what has changed?I no longer play craps, thankfully,i still bet some sports but for smaller $ and not as "all or nothing" as before; as far as being a professional gambler,no, that takes nerves of steel and balls of titanium and even they have bad stretches...just take sometime off and ease back into it in a smaller way if you can
That is also key. I am a huge fan of casino life, but let's face the facts, they don't build casinos on winners. Any casino game is a negative evaluation. You have to find a way to reduce that negative as much as possible.
I enjoy Blackjack. So I will play two hands and simply count Aces. If I have a positive amount of Aces remaining in the shoe then I will passively increase my wagers on both hands. Playing two hands let's you fly under the radar. My red chip $15 wagers on each hand becoming $20 or $30 are not that obvious to the floor.
People who say the +1 & -1 counting system works are FOS. You cannot count into a 6 or 8 deck shoe and get any sizeable advantage. But if you simply count Aces you can reduce the house advantage significantly. Aces will help getting Blackjacks at 3/2 payoffs and also helps your doubling down's.
Casino life is a trade-off. You try to make small gains each playing session and accumulate comp points for restaurants or concerts.
If you are not greedy then you can keep that trade-off manageable.
I would take some time off and try to detach yourself from the money part of a bet. Just imagine your are looking for +ev opportunities, respect a bankroll management and you should be fine
I would take some time off and try to detach yourself from the money part of a bet. Just imagine your are looking for +ev opportunities, respect a bankroll management and you should be fine
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