Do you have a gambling problem?

CharlieMaxwell · Feb 25, 2005

Problem gambling is a huge issue for the gambling industry as a whole and a frank discussion about it should always be welcome. At times it gets frustrating being in the industry because those who oppose our business and oppose the right to gamble in a casino try to hijack this legitimate cause for their own purposes.

Read the rest of Wild Bill's latest column by going to the RX home page at www.therx.com

Charlie

TheGeneral+ · Feb 25, 2005

This is something that should be posted daily or even given a page of it's own somewhere on-site. I think you could help more than one Bill.

Thanks

JimFiestSux · Feb 25, 2005

Absolutely I have a gambling problem. Seriously thinking bout quitting the gambling scene , and taking a few psychology courses and becoming a counselor for teenage gamblers. I know many here will laugh and judge me but hey after 30 years of gambling and not getting any younger if I can stop a few teens from following the road most of us take then I succeeded. As A counselor I would have first hand experience and thats more than some of these counselors who only go by a book with no real hands on knowledge on it!!

Dante · Feb 25, 2005

I do not think I have a gambling problem...I enjoy the hobby but I could walk away from it with little regret

blueedwards · Feb 25, 2005

here is the old-school response:

its only a problem if you lose. :103631605

valueman · Feb 25, 2005

How would you define problem gambling?

I couldn't give up so does that me a problem gambler?
I lie about not gambling to the wife so does that make me a problem gambler?
I get up at 4-5am everyday for 6-7 months of the year (my betting season) so does that define me as compulsive?

Just because I make decent money from gambling and don't let what happens in my gambling affect my normal life and work does it excuse me from this group?

I've always wondered what a problem gambler was. The stereotype of loser that breaks relationships, steals and ends up in the gutter is just the extreme case and that there are very more subtle cases that might easily be problem gamblers.

Woody0 · Feb 25, 2005

I don't have a problem according to the Foxwood's guide but I may using some of the other indicators.

I thought the old school response was that a gambling problem was when you couldn't get a bet down.

blueedwards · Feb 25, 2005

Woody0 said:
I don't have a problem according to the Foxwood's guide but I may using some of the other indicators.

I thought the old school response was that a gambling problem was when you couldn't get a bet down.

:lolBIG:

Journeyman · Feb 25, 2005

I think its even a problem when you win...I am no happier winning than I was two years ago when I lost...I don't know how to recreationally gamble...I wish i did...Sports just isn't the same...

cincy_ · Feb 25, 2005

To be honest with everyone, I lost a LOT of money my first few years that I was gambling. It was truly an addiction. I would chase. I would bet overs. I would bet favorites. I ran out of money on my credit card, so I forged my wife's signature and got cards in her name. That is when I got caught.

Anyways, I didn't gamble at all for close to 3 years after that.

3 years later, I started gambling again. I started off with a small bankroll. I had learned a great deal by simply coming to the RX and browsing the message boards and as a result, I followed some rules. Once I started following these rules, I started to win consistently. The rules are:

1. Close casino access with all sportsbooks. I tended to go to casinos if I lost a few big plays that evening and would play recklessly

2. Plays had to be made AT LEAST 3 hours in advance - unless they're 2nd half plays, of course.

3. There is no such thing as "house money" - what you win is yours.

4. There is no such thing as a sure thing.

5. Bet dogs and unders - Shrink once said that you should always have twice as many dogs as favorites, and twice as many unders as overs.

6. Keep records of your plays and see where you are getting beat - is it on TV games? Is it with small dogs? Is it with home teams?

7. NEVER lay a bet that is more than 5 times your minimum bet.

So my suggestion to everyone is:

Make a set of rules for yourself. ANY RULES. ANY GUIDELINES. Even if the rules say that you will make each bet equal to 20% of your bankroll, or one that says you won't play more than 12 games a night. If you can follow the rules (whatever they may be), then you're ok - but if you find yourself disregarding the rules every once in a while, you are NOT going to ever win consistently.

1.

kidslick · Feb 25, 2005

you know what get's me

if we constructive all of the time we use for gambling, into another area of our live's

we would probably have more sucess than we have gambling,

weather it is investing in real estate family and family values

spiritually

blueedwards · Feb 25, 2005

Journeyman said:
I think its even a problem when you win...I am no happier winning than I was two years ago when I lost...I don't know how to recreationally gamble...I wish i did...Sports just isn't the same...

it certainly can be...i was just kidding, btw

trytrytry · Feb 25, 2005

KIDSLICK said:
you know what get's me

if we constructive all of the time we use for gambling, into another area of our live's

we would probably have more sucess than we have gambling,

weather it is investing in real estate family and family values

spiritually

this is the one thing that keeps me awake some nights pondering.

All that effort, skill, time, creativity, analysis, deep thought, if it was in a different area would that be better???

blueedwards · Feb 25, 2005

trytrytry said:
this is the one thing that keeps me awake some nights pondering.

All that effort, skill, time, creativity, analysis, deep thought, if it was in a different area would that be better???

there is no doubt that it would.

kidslick · Feb 25, 2005

this is the one thing that keeps me awake some nights pondering.

All that effort, skill, time, creativity, analysis, deep thought, if it was in a different area would that be better???

i think that is you telling yourself , that you want to have a better life

a better quality of life that is more

in a way this is how i look at it not saying my life or the life you lead is not a happy one

i think it time to start drinking now:drink: :lolBIG:

cadillacman · Feb 25, 2005

From the movie Let it Ride

"All these years its not been my gambling you've had a problem with, its been my losing."

cadillacman · Feb 25, 2005

on a serious note, I do ask myself on occassions as to why I do it. The time, effort, and preparation does take a toll. I always try to do my due diligence when it comes to my selections, and when I lose I feel it went all for nothing.

kidslick · Feb 25, 2005

From the movie Let it Ride

classic classic movie

my favorite..

a must see

trytrytry · Feb 25, 2005

i going drinking as well. Happy Hour

:drink:

I

trytrytry · Feb 25, 2005

KIDSLICK said:
classic classic movie

my favorite..

a must see

Also my favorite movie ever

"The man just said the only way this horse can lose is if the horse gets hit by lightning in the starting gate!! What do you like odds on Lightning???"