SRS Gambling addiction

[nrgyserboy]

So I started playing poker in 2004 with some buddies for 10 dollar buy ins. I lost couple hundred learning the game but after one year... I got comfortable with the game and was able to finally win. Since then... I have been able to consistently win in home games and at casinos. Just the past two years, I've gone to the casinos/Las Vegas about 10-15 times and have not lost money. In fact, I win a good amount since I play at higher stakes. Just this past weekend, I went to Las Vegas for the weekend, came home and went to the casinos Monday thru Wednesday and won around 2700 for the 5 days. I'm at the point where if I ever have free time just sitting around at home... I want to go to the casino. I don't know if this is healthy. I am able to consistently win but either this is the longest winning streak or I've been incredibly lucky. I dont know whether I need to get help or if I should just keep riding this win train. Has anyone ever been in this position? I guess I'm getting kind of worried I might continue to go higher and eventually lose big one day.

 

[tarheeltx]

So I started playing poker in 2004 with some buddies for 10 dollar buy ins. I lost couple hundred learning the game but after one year... I got comfortable with the game and was able to finally win. Since then... I have been able to consistently win in home games and at casinos. Just the past two years, I've gone to the casinos/Las Vegas about 10-15 times and have not lost money. In fact, I win a good amount since I play at higher stakes. Just this past weekend, I went to Las Vegas for the weekend, came home and went to the casinos Monday thru Wednesday and won around 2700 for the 5 days. I'm at the point where if I ever have free time just sitting around at home... I want to go to the casino. I don't know if this is healthy. I am able to consistently win but either this is the longest winning streak or I've been incredibly lucky. I dont know whether I need to get help or if I should just keep riding this win train. Has anyone ever been in this position? I guess I'm getting kind of worried I might continue to go higher and eventually lose big one day.

I'm not exactly sure what to tell you, but that's great that you're winning. Can you control yourself on how much you bet so if you lose you won't get yourself in financial trouble? Is the gambling interfering with your life at all or affecting your family?

 

[yaki]

By definition, you don't have a gambling problem until it affects your life negatively. So party on .... for now. And don't be surprised when you can't pay your rent and have to borrow from everyone you know.

 

[i killed tupac]

well, "negative" can mean different things to different people. do you find yourself gambling when you said you wouldn't? Do you disregard other things to do it? Gamble then regret? There are lots of people addicted to alcohol that hold jobs, have families, etc, but if they get past noon without a drink, they get the shakes and freak out.

 

[nrgyserboy]

It hasn't affected me negatively. I don't have anything really going on in my life right now. I'll be unemployed here in 2 weeks (by choice) and applying to business school in 2012... and I don't really regret it since it's a hobby. It's not affecting my life in any way right now. I'm just wondering if anyone else loves gambling and has been in this position and let it end up consuming them down the road to where it turned bad. I don't know if any of you believe in generational gambling blood being passed down (yeah it sounds corny) but my dad was a huge blackjack addict and his addiction led to my parents divorce and losing a house... so I guess I'm just worried.

Thanks for the replies... I'll keep riding this until it starts to affect my life negatively.

 

[i killed tupac]

hm, maybe part of it is a learned behavior then

 

[DouggieJ]

blackjack can be like crack in the right setting.

 

[i killed tupac]

blackjack can be like crack in the right setting.

that skier fellow just killed himself over gambling guilt actually

 

[bwendo]

Yeah gambling can be such a thrill dropping a big number and watching it slowly dwindle away. Very bad gambling hangovers aren't fun either.

 

[DouggieJ]

well, "negative" can mean different things to different people. do you find yourself gambling when you said you wouldn't? Do you disregard other things to do it? Gamble then regret? There are lots of people addicted to alcohol that hold jobs, have families, etc, but if they get past noon without a drink, they get the shakes and freak out.

I was in Vegas for like 3 or 4 nights at the Mirage for my birthday and ended up making like $60,000 at blackjack the first night and got it up to over $150K maybe $200K (BTW, it feels REALLY good to have that many $100 bill blocks in your pants pockets, I highly recommend it) but then of course the cards turned against me late at night when no one I knew was around and I was really drunk and I ended up losing it all.

 

[i killed tupac]

I was in Vegas for like 3 or 4 nights at the Mirage for my birthday and ended up making like $60,000 at blackjack the first night and got it up to over $150K maybe $200K (BTW, it feels REALLY good to have that many $100 bill blocks in your pants pockets, I highly recommend it) but then of course the cards turned against me late at night when no one I knew was around and I was really drunk and I ended up losing it all.

oh fuck.

 

[half zip]

I just think you should find a better way to make money. If you like taking risks, learn to short stocks or trade silver on FOREX or some shit.

 

[i killed tupac]

I just think you should find a better way to make money. If you like taking risks, learn to short stocks or trade silver on FOREX or some shit.

same thing