Cover Brothers Gambling will catch up to you

Just from experience, been gambling on and off for 10 years and just hit rock bottom ! I have heard and seen similar stories and just warning you to gamble responsibly. Never though it would happen to me, but in a blink of a eye , things can go sideways. The stress and anxiety and the work it takes to cap games , is not worth it ignoring time with family and friends. I’m still ok and didn’t get to a point where I have nothing , I just stopped right on time. But hearing stories , seeing people I know , and online stories , some individuals have not just lost money , they lost family, friends, business, homes, and have become homeless. Gambling is an addition and I wish the best for all of you. Officially retiring from the gambling word !

Good Luck

God Bless 

I completely understand what you’re saying brother. A lot of people live check to check but some people don’t. Some of us are single, with no kids and understand money management.  I understand your post is to bring awareness but I’m also bringing awareness. Gambling is entertainment. Meaning it entertains us, sometimes in bad ways but it’s still entertaining like the WWE. I am sorry for your situation brother but it will be OK. Stop gambling if it’s not for you and grind out what you need to grind out.  

It’s a rush won tons of money , but also lost a lot , and I came back to it every time . This time is different because I don’t want to lose everything I have and own. May story is just I lost a lot of my saving and ended up in small debt. It’s just hearing worst stories than mine, where people have got hurt , lost everything, and even people committing suicide. 

First it’s started as a hobby and extra money, but it consumes you and get worst where you wager more and more until you spiral out of control 

God bless 

@GOODCHOICEMAN

 THIS right here. Money is important, but my family is more important. I'm glad someone had a courage to speak out on the struggles of gambling as we often criticize others on here. Personally, I know many who are down a billion units but keep firing away. You have to know when it's time to walk away. I wish you continued success in the next chapter of ya life. The chapter that includes family, kids (if you have any), and doing things you love. 

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Your story hit home with more people then you think,i've lost more than lately than i should have but i have to stop i stopped 5 years ago started back during football season.Big mistake should have never started back.Lesson learned buy picks don't help they lose Docs Sports lost me 28 units one week by one capper in College Basketball.If cappers could really pick that good they wouldn't have to sell pick's just run to the casino and place there bet's.Good luck,turkey season starts here in two weeks i'll be in thev wood's.

This isn’t for everyone.

To many people start off with grand illusions of making a lot of money and being able to make a living doing this.

Set aside a certain amount of money that you would consider disposable and use just that.

Secondly, bet a flat amount on each selection and limit the amount of action that you take daily or weekly.

Lastly, don’t chase losses. A winning day/week is something you are looking to build on. When you win accept the winnings and build up your bank whenever possible.

To many people win some money and try to quickly go for a game to double it up as opposed to just building the bank.

Look at this as a long term game instead of always going for the quick bang

@GOODCHOICEMAN

All the best! 

Any vice can be a struggle, ultimately a lifestyle change must be made to succeed.   

That right there. The average bettor gets consumed and that's why the book always win because they count on that, its like they play off our greed or some other psychological bs.  You just have to remind yourself this is entertainment only.  You'll never ever make a living off this because majority of betting is luck anyway. If someone tells you they are its all cap trust me.   I'll probably bet 3 times a week 2 plays a day solely sometimes out of boredom (normally the reason I come here). Never let this consume you

It only catches you if you are running from it. Own it. Make it a hobby. Learn to control your need for action and limit your betting to what you can afford. Assume the money is already lost when you bet. 

Addiction is real, but it doesn't have to be life altering. Everyone is addicted to something....work, shopping, drinking, drugs, Netflix.....sports betting is no different. Stop thinking there is something wrong with you and start working on being a better you. Taking days off is a great start. The less you do it, the less you miss it. Perfect days to do this are days where you can't check scores every 5 seconds (or shouldn't be).....

You can manage the beast. You just have to man up and be honest with yourself.

I stopped trying to make a killing gambling a long time ago.  I give you a lot of credit for acknowledging your issues and making changes and wish you luck with that.  Some people think the way I gamble is boring, as I rarely bet anything more than 10 units.  90% of my bets are 1 unit.  If you hit regularly and try to hedge and limit losses it adds up and the bookie will have to pay you.

@TRAIN69

I agree with what Train69 says about making it a hobby.  Control it.  My hobbies are poker and sports betting, so either I control them or I cannot do what I like.

I would rather the bookie owes me $200-$400-$800 than owe those pricks $4k........

Also the feeling in your brain isn't much different if you have $100 on a game than if you have $1k on it.  Sometimes I bet as small as 1/4 unit ($25) like yesterday I made 5 bets between NBA and MLB, one was $100, 1 $75, 2 $50, 1 $25.  This shit adds up.  Sure it is not that exciting, but once you hit huge in gambling the "high" is gone and you should ask yourself "What am I gonna do for an ENCORE????!?!?"  Once you hit for $5k---$10k......etc.........what else are you gonna do???......because nothing will be that exciting anymore............so my best advice is to learn to enjoy the hobby and not make it a rush of excitement.  

I really hope things work out for ya man..........and good job doing what is best for you.  

This is no different than any other vice. Some people can have 1 drink and not have another one for a week. Others have 1 drink and 4 hours later they have had 10. 

The only way to enjoy this is money management. Most people cannot control this aspect, which eventually leads to failure.

I applaud you for your discission and enjoy your family and friends. Life is just too short to be all consumed in gambling 12 hours everyday.

There is an old saying in Vegas which most do not know. 

 Good post brother. 

Most sport bettors I’ve known has gone sideways or hit rock bottom in some shape or form for years.

It’s all about control & discipline. Set aside some “fun” money for betting sports. People will take loans, go through their paycheck/savings, borrow $ from family/friends -& never repay, and to the extent of thoughts about stealing for the “quick fix”. Once you’ve lost it all, you’ll spend days/weeks depressed, lose sleep, over sleep, drinking & eating out of control. Losing big in sports betting will eat through you like it did with your money. 

Be smart with your $. Sports betting is far from long term investing.  Invest your hard earn money in real estate, ETF’s, & fundamentally strong stocks. Set aside a very small % of your income to enjoy your 1-2 sport of liking. Never bet every sport! Way too much time researching for a small gain or risk of losing too much. 

My wife has always told me that if i had spend as much time researching in long term investing strategies instead of sports, that we’d be rich & retired by now. 

Best of luck to you brother  

It's not for everyone, we all have different personalities, our brains work differently. My betting philosophy parallels ESBs advice, to a "T" really. Took me a couple of years to figure it out and I had some wise old timers teaching me, from the old Del Mar Sportsbook, the Stardust, back in the day in Vegas. In a nutshell, keep it fun, if you find yourself punching holes in the walls because you lost, it's not for you. Do your research, information is power, but keep it fun. If you don't enjoy something you won't do well at it. There are always free contests, many of them, if you're just not good with money but can't resist trying to pick a winner, that's a safe route, and you can win money, I've won free money right here on Covers. Best of luck to you!

@GOODCHOICEMAN

 If this makes you feel better, more power to you.  Gambling is also a choice to make responsibly, and as an adult, there are many tough choices you will have to make in your life…. 

GL

My premise in life- all life is are choices and consequences.    That being the premise, these are my keys to it:

1. Key to life is understanding 

2. how do you get thru life, you and your attitude .  

3. what’s life all about, a balance .   

4.  Finally,   Always ask Why. 


It helps me with sports and life in general.  I wish you the best going forward . 

Dump dump dump, another one bites the dust.....

Honestly, half of these responses are ppl not understanding truly what this man is expressing... Think about this ppl and if you can't seem to understand or can't get what he is saying, reread his message! (Not trying to be a ick)

It's NOT about money-management to some. It's NOT about only doing this as a Hobby. I can speak from addiction and some people (including myself) it's ALL OR NONE. I don't think he needs money management, or time away.. I'm sure he tried those things and like he said he stopped for some time. Addiction for some ppl needs to be stopped all together because the mind of addiction will consume you. There will be no money management to most addicts or part time gambling when you know that your brain just can't be wired that way. If it was, he wouldn't have climbed back in this mess. I've been there myself but have never gotten that bad with gambling. I was there with pills/oxys and for me there was no part-time or just a little. Call me what you want but an addict is an addict no matter what the situation is.. 

I hope you the best GoodChoice and I know you WILL get through this like I did with drugs! This post really hit home for me and I'm sure others it will also!

@ToneKapone13

 G.A., that's what it's for. Like I said, it's not for everyone, especially if you have an addictive personality.

They say gambling is a disease, if i have to have a disease at least i have one that you can win a whole bunch of money 

If gambling is not for you..then its best that you quit...But I hate it when people start preaching to the choir on Covers..What may not work for you is not the same for others....Not everyone is the same.. Maybe its gambling luck..Money management etc...Everyone is different with varying results. Don't be a Debbie Downer..Everyone makes big boi choices in there lives...You invest in the stock market..crypto..buy real estate..thats an investment and a risk.. Some people like to do drugs...some people like to spend their money on high end clothes and material things..Others like to go to Vegas and bet on slots/table games...Others..sports bettings..

I'm stepping away from sports betting also, as soon as a break even...Based on my projections and if my ROI stays the course.

I should be in the black around Springtime of 2042

OP posted this thread in every forum...Geez

You have hit a chord with me Goodchoiceman.....  after some  deep and intense soul searching I see the errors of my ways......   TY........... I will no longer bet college basketball............................................................... after tonight...