Am I alone? it’s not even winning money that makes me gamble

I have a deeply profound passion for betting NFL games. I enjoy it so much and I don’t think it’s entirely because of winning money anymore. When I’m down I look forward to the challenge of winning the next game.

i can be down -$500 but if i hit my next bet for +$150, it’s euphoria 

You're not alone, a lot of people suffer from "Ludomania", look it up.

The strategy and competition and process of finding an edge and winning is what makes me fun and interesting to me. The money keeps score. But theres lots of ways to make money. The challenge and intellectual stimulation of this and poker is what draws me to it

I couldn’t figure out why I wasn’t jazzed more when having a good run of success and pulled money out of my account. Then I listened to a podcast by Anna Lembke, bought her book Dopamine nation and got my clarity. As profound of book as I had ever read helped me understand it wasn’t the winning or losing that gave me the rush, it was the uncertainty of not knowing what would happen the minute I hit the submit button, that was the ultimate dopamine rush. 

I understand that.  

It’s about the challenge for me.   I don’t bet a lot, so maybe that’s why it’s almost secondary for me.   But I’m more into beating the bookie.   Of getting the best line.   Of waking up Monday morning 5-1 on a Sunday.   

When I retire I am renting a house in Vegas and I’m giving it a go as a pro.  Maybe 5k a game.  150k-200k goal by Super Bowl.    Maybe betting that kind of money will change my thoughts on money being secondary at this point…..

If it’s a rare losing season, I’ll eat it.   If I win but don’t hit my goal, maybe I’ll at least make enough to pay for the house I rented.  

If I enjoyed that life.   Living in the sportbooks every weekend.  Bring a part of all the local contests etc etc.  And I’m blessed to win and hit my goal…..rinse and repeat and head back next Sept as well.  

if the pressure of betting that much money beats me up.  Or I choke and have that rare nightmare season THAT year.   Or maybe the dream of being a part of Vegas turns out to be sleazy and I’m surrounded by scumbags…..then one year and out and I can say I tried it.   

Im babbling…..but yea I feel you.   Sometimes someone will text me “Wally please you got a winner, I’m dying here” 

I’ll give some the play.  Have a tough beat.   One of those games it’s 24 to 11 FD.   456 yards to 282.   Up 24-7 at half and just a terrible late beat.  Right side but wrong outcome.   And I’ll be more upset I gave a friend a loser than the 100 bucks I lost.    

To quote the famous/infamous/Train 

I gamble so I can gamble some more 

“You know, the best part of the best drug in the world isn't the high. It's the moment just before you take it. The dice are dancing on the table. Between now and the time they stop, that's the greatest high in the world”

Pacino - Two for the money 

GL  on your plays @ActionMagnet

Sounds a lot like me sometimes 

@glyde69

 Brother it gets old fast. I live that life. Been here since 2017 my wife's a ER doctor in Vegas so she's hardly ever home my kids are grown so I'm in the casinos alot and you will eat free on comps and the locals mostly are good people but everyday in the sports book I got burnt out fast but I took up poker and love it kills time best of both worlds sportsbook is always close to the poker room lol. I would love to live near a casino with a horse track ohio has 1 or 2 ones in Columbus  WV has 2 WV also has 2 casinos with greyhound racing but with my wife still working I don't see that happening for me anytime soon. One thing with me though I can go few weeks or a month and not bet sports doesn't bother me.

@brn2loslive2win

 Great film 

@beamjim

 Holy crap!  That's crazy

Eyes opened

I guess I've been there and not known

Don't make me think that hard again haha!!

@ActionMagnet

 Two For the Money under rated movie ha!

No