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Reformed Degenerates

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IAG

IAG

R.E.M. enthusiast
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Apr 9, 2010
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Tell me your story. Why did you stop gambling? Do you still dabble? Is it difficult for you?


This is one of those weeks that happens every couple of months where I can't hit the broad side of a barn and lose back everything I've won in the prior weeks plus some. Inevitably I consider quitting altogether. I don't think I'm an addict per se. Problem gambler perhaps, but addict, no. I have no problems going days or weeks without playing at a time, but it's definitely been -EV for me over the years.

Was thinking if I just found some good contests that might be enough to satisfy me. I dk.

I have no delusions...It's not as if I have myself convinced I can win. Mostly due to poor money management/chasing.

Maybe I need some deep introspection as to why I do this.

This is partly me thinking out loud/therapy, but I have often wondered how those who I know were deeply involved at one point managed to not only quit,but hang around a bunch of active gamblers. I know Mudcat and Matty pretty much quit. Seems like there are others. Would like to hear from you.
 
All I can say is I am extremely lucky. As I have discussed on the forum at length (ad nauseum?) I am afflicted with serious addictions to substances. My experience dealing with addicts the last few decades has shown me it is extremely common - expected, really - for those compulsions to apply to gambling.

But that is simply not the case with me. No idea why. While I did some stupid things in my younger years, once I got doing it for a living I did it with pretty much perfect discipline. I did not place serious wagers without solid backing data that it was +ev. NONE.

Once things fell apart - for complex reasons - I just stopped.

It's just work to me. I would not place wagers now any more than I would spend my spare time moving skids around with a forklift.

Okay slight exaggeration there. Betting is a bit more interesting than that and I have placed the odd bet on the Super Bowl or the Oscars - or thrown some air at the Blackhawks.

Really though, I'm just incredibly lucky. Without a lot of work, betting is a losing proposition. Bookies know what they're doing.

I don't like losing and I have no recreational interest in it and fortunately, no compulsion.
 
I envy those of you who can/could be disciplined. More than the money, I think I'm beginning to resent all the time I spend looking for plays and staring at scoreboards. I know I could put that time to better use.
 
My personal feeling is, don't listen to gamblers talking about gambling.

More specifically, if a gambler says he/she wins, assume they are lying.

Because they are. It may not be malicious. They may be lying to themselves and you at the same time.

Amounts to the same thing. Exceptions are rare enough that the philosophy is sound.

Nod politely - or don't - up to you - but work with the foundational premise that gambling is something that only removes your money.
 
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