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LATE POST but still a worthwhile WRITE-UP if you catch it for the NETS@LAKERS!!!!

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Julespussy

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Joined: Jun, 2012

Posts: 2069

Posted: Feb. 24, 2014 - 8:06 AM ET #101

Very well put Beginner. True and very sad for many many of us I have no doubt. Perhaps a forum should be set up devoted to those trying to quit?

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scalabrine

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Joined: Sep, 2006

Posts: 28221

Posted: Feb. 24, 2014 - 9:04 AM ET #102

Quote Originally Posted by begginerboy:

As a life long Celtic fan I knew (in my heart of hearts) Pierce would show up tonight, I just didn't think he would show up in such a big way (on a back to back no less). It's engrained in these guys to hate the Lakers (although he grew up a Lakers fan). It's almost muscle reflex, memory. He can't even help it. He is playing against the Lakers and suddenly it's on, like a game 7 of a playoff game, and sure enough he went off. I didn't grab the plus 10 in game cause that can backfire, and I lost that Rockets game you mentioned on a miracle shot by Curry after the Rockets had like 3 or 4 shot clock violations in 4th quarter. What ineptitude by that team. What ineptitude by so many of these teams. The NBA especially, from night to night, can be brutal. Which team will show up, which coach will have a brain freeze, which ref is gonna try to affect the outcome, etc...

I'll be honest with you Scal, I can't take it any more. My daughter told me today that if she had one wish it would be for me to stop gambling. I've been gambling for a year and have won 23K (and lived off of half of that to pay bills and buy groceries) but it has taken its toll. Frankly, I don't think I'm disciplined enough to succeed (and worry that I will give my winnings back). Also, I am constantly thinking about this stuff and can't seem to compartmentalize my life. So often I'm in my own head that it's like I'm not present in my own life. I've become numb to all the things that would give me joy; the color of the sea, a beautiful poem, a curvy woman. All I crave now is action and money. This can't be good. I tell you all this because I need to get it off my chest and feel you are a thoughtful, considerate person and if someone else reads this and is affected by it in a positive way then all the better.

Wow. I'm sorry to hear she said that because when that happens, some serious soul searching is in order which you are, by what you reveal in this writing, in the process of.

When you say you've become numb, you immediately reminded me of a scene from a Twilight Zone episode called A Game Of Pool in a match between a world champ (who is actually dead) and a degen. pool hall player is about to sink the winning shot.

The world champ says: "Ya know, there's more to life than this pool hall. Ya gotta get out a little... I may not look the part Jesse, but I've made love, walked uphill, swam in the ocean. When I think of all the wonderful things to see and do, it hurts me...it hurts me to see you rotting your life away in this miserable dark hall!"

Of course, the degen pool player pays him no mind and sinks the winning shot, sealing his fate in this life and the afterlife as 'greatest of all time,' a mantle he will have to bear for eternity until someone takes if from him as he took it from the world champ.

When I saw that scene when I was 13, I told myself is never get to the point where my life would be dominated by an addiction, gambling or otherwise.

I play just enough to not make me worry about the money, but even the small amounts have me stressed and therein lies the burden of gambling.

As you described, even if you are profitable, the time away from the world, be it basic pleasures, or even your own child will cost far more than anything you put on a game.

I will say I have never been a compulsive gambler and you do not have to quit betting the game to find balance.

But the way you described it, I think, maybe after the season ends, you should take a hiatus to make up for everything you feel you've been missing out on in life.

The way it worked for me many times? Do not check the lines. You can watch games and highlights but do not read anything that has lines connected to it.

I've done this and in about 3 to 4 weeks the urge to bet will subside greatly. Months will pass and you will be spending time with people that matter as well as doing things you want to instead of going crazy about a game. Your phone and the scores it transmits plays a big role in this. Check final scores only if you can. The win or loss will be the same in the end.

Lastly be proud of the profit you've earned! And more importantly, PRESERVE it. I know you are afraid of losing it but taking money from the house, especially a significant sum like that is quite a skill. Use it on what matters while disconnecting yourself from the game. Start a sel-imposed gambling detox after the season has ended but you can start weening yourself off now. In the end you will be more disciplined than you ever thought you were capable of.