[No coincidences]

I've been betting on games basically every day of my life for the last four-plus years. This came after 15 full seasons devoted to fantasy sports. Pretty much the only two hobbies I have, other than golf and outdoor stuff. I don't work on things, fix things, build things, etc. No patience or attention span for it. I love sports and numbers. That's why I was addicted to fantasy sports, and why I'm now addicted to gambling.

Some days I find it really pathetic that I can't even go a day or two without making a wager anymore. Is this how I'm going to be at 40? 50? 60? Will I be placing bets in the bathroom during my grandkids' birthday parties? I never thought the day would come when I'd quit fantasy sports, and I was really all-in with that for a while, but I did -- only to start doing this. Gambling is like fantasy sports on steroids. So much instant gratification and driven by immediate results. Not sure if I'll ever kick the habit or drop the obsession.

Will you?

[kevin101]

Doubt it. But I do have the will power not to bet everyday though.

Gambling is an addiction. Been addicted it to for about 4 years now. Last year I hit pretty low. Got addicted to going to the casino and finally got out of that scene. (Thank GOD!!!!!) Been about about 8 months now and its been a pretty good 8 months.

Only type of gambling I do now is sports and poker.

The casino that is in my town doens't have a poker room ( LOL!!!!) The only poker game in town is just 1 under ground place and it's pretty good, well good enough. (Small town)

[italianbandit]

No, but I have and will take long stretches without action. After my book closed down I didn't place a bet for 5 years.

[EXhoosier10]

As long as people like big bear are out there betting, there will always be opportunities to make money; so no, i will not stop gambling. That being said, as much as i like it, I don't have any issues taking some time off. When I'm busy, I don't force bets; when i'm bored, i'm out there looking for opportunities.

My uncle lost a lot of money gambling not too long ago (and wouldn't surprise me if he still does it) and is good for a little perspective on what happens if you bet too much. NC, with the amount you're betting, go wild. Being smart and knowing yourself and your limits is all that matters.

[Shark]

I've been betting on sports since I was 17. I'm in my late 20's now. I honestly do not think I will ever stop betting on sports. I was able to kick the table games and casino gambling years ago, but the rush of making a correct call on a game is like nothing else to me. However, the last two years I've been betting a lot more money than in the past and even though I am winning I somehow need more. I'm not even satisfied with a grand on the Jets this past sunday. I'm just never satisfied anymore no matter the result and that really scares me.

[ShogunRua]

Hard to say. I go through stretches where I'm really busy and don't have the time to put the proper work that goes into capping...and therefore I don't make many bets (if any at all). However, whenever I have the time, I find myself going through lines looking for plays on a daily basis.

[BeatingBaseball]

I believe that if you're a person who is inclined to risk - it is largely in-born. And you can't deny who you are or you'll be denying yourself a lot of what life is all about. Gambling is a very challenging pursuit. It can actually be the source of much joy in life - but you better learn to do it right - or you are dooming yourself and those around you to a lot of pain. I'm 65 and have been gambling all my adult life (actually a little longer). Have seen it all. I can honestly say it has worked for me - but only because I learned to respect the dangers of gambling early on. It is brutally unforgiving of any ignorance or lack of discipline. The wolf is always at the door. You have to have complete understanding of every aspect of whatever specific game you are playing (there are few at which you even have a chance) - and most critically an appreciation/respect for the vig you are fighting - plus also develop iron clad rules for yourself so you never get sucked into making the play you have to win. In sports - I've seen a lot of really great handicappers go down the tubes because they were bad gamblers. The words are not synonymous. There's a major distinction between the two. A great example would be Pete Rose. Who knew or will ever know the game better than Pete? Yet he lost his ass betting baseball - because he was a bad gambler. If you're going to pursue this you better master both.

[Jago2008]

100 unit MLB threads = continue gambling.

[jessetk313]

After going on the best run of my career(just started in April) going up over 10k in the last three weeks of the mlb season and then poor money management and losing it all to this date I don't think I can turn away haha. I know baseball and I think that it what I ultimately need to tell myself to stick to. I know the NFL as well but that is a whole different animal and I am beginning to feel it is almost impossible to really beat over the long haul. The NFL stole all my baseball money. Do you do basketball no coin?

[No coincidences]

After going on the best run of my career(just started in April) going up over 10k in the last three weeks of the mlb season and then poor money management and losing it all to this date I don't think I can turn away haha. I know baseball and I think that it what I ultimately need to tell myself to stick to. I know the NFL as well but that is a whole different animal and I am beginning to feel it is almost impossible to really beat over the long haul. The NFL stole all my baseball money. Do you do basketball no coin?

Yeah I do.

Isn't it amazing how quickly you can lose your roll after taking forever to build it up? I went through that a few times in my first year or two. Made me sick and frustrated the hell out of me, but also pulled me in even more.

[jessetk313]

Yea no coin I'm in that same phase right now where I have that mixed feeling of sickness mentally and anger at myself for being stupid and mishandling my winnings. I have taken a few days off and am trying to devise a plan in my mind to get back on the winning track. The hardest part is the desire to want to get it right back and that is improbable. My few days off have quelled that desire for the most part and brought me back down to being level headed and understanding that I have to start my journey over and that it is possible to make it back.

[MCOZONE]

For like a day? Maybe.

I make a good living at day, and subsidize that with Djing at night. Plus don't have a wife/kids/drug habit/major medical issues. So it's ALWAYS with money I can afford to lose. It's almost not even the thrill of gambling. (Gave up poker and table games 5 years ago, cause I saw more edge in capping) and a long time ago it's stopped being about my love of sports (I barely watch the sports I played and loved as a youth). it's just my little fun way I can use my expendable money to have fun and most seasons (hopefully) buy myself something nice, or stock some extra away.

[blackeyeshamus]

I don't know.
Stopped drinking alcohol and shooting drugs over seven years ago, and gravitated to the sports book in my fifth year of sobriety. Playing with fire? Yeah. Fortunately, I have a little bit of money, so with a bit of discipline and intelligence I might be okay. I treat the book like dope, though. I respect and fear this practice as much as I enjoy it. Thanks, NC. Congratulations on an awesome year. You're , brah. Big ass titties.

[mikeya2k]

No way. unless im broke.

[Philanthropist]

I never thought I would quit smoking. Smoked from 15 to 37. I quit. My gut reaction to your post is "Why would I want to quit." Based upon the responses in this thread, if you have poor money management then you should quit. If you can manage your money you would never need to quit. You should bet 2-4% of your balance per game and keep it constant and no 2 units and no 10 dimes garbage. So you decide to bet 3% of your balance and your balance is $1,000.00 then bet $30/game, never reduce it but do increase it as your balance increases. This insures that you have to go on a 33 game losing streak before you run out of cash. Hard to do. I hear stories about $50/game gamblers that hit like a $5,000.00 parlay and then they start betting $500/game. Well in ten games that money is all but gone.

Adopt Money Management and the fearful thoughts you have all but go away.

-p-

[SportGTI]

No Coin,

I respect your capping intuition and the insight that you bring to this forum. And as always, you have brought up an interesting thread that is sure to get us all thinking.

For me, I love sports. Granted I'd much rather be playing them but since I'm 5'5" and weigh next to nothing, I think that dream died a long time ago. Like you, I am fascinated with numbers (hence why I'm a math teacher I guess) and how it is possible to use statistics to make a legimate prediction on a sport.

Also like you, I find myself finding it very hard to go a day without making a wager - whether that be football, baseball, tennis, soccer, or any other sport that gives the potential to make money and make a call. I have learned a lot about so many sports and at the same time have found myself losing a lot at times and being a really nasty person.

Gambling definitely changes you; it makes you less of a social person. It's hard to enjoy a game and a beer with the friends because inside you are worried about the fg making a chip shot 35 yard field goal.

Will I ever quit? I do not know the answer to that. I just hope I will find the right balance between gambling for "fun" and having a "normal" life.

[Tommy Karate]

I've been betting on games basically every day of my life for the last four-plus years. This came after 15 full seasons devoted to fantasy sports. Pretty much the only two hobbies I have, other than golf and outdoor stuff. I don't work on things, fix things, build things, etc. No patience or attention span for it. I love sports and numbers. That's why I was addicted to fantasy sports, and why I'm now addicted to gambling.

Some days I find it really pathetic that I can't even go a day or two without making a wager anymore. Is this how I'm going to be at 40? 50? 60? Will I be placing bets in the bathroom during my grandkids' birthday parties? I never thought the day would come when I'd quit fantasy sports, and I was really all-in with that for a while, but I did -- only to start doing this. Gambling is like fantasy sports on steroids. So much instant gratification and driven by immediate results. Not sure if I'll ever kick the habit or drop the obsession.

Will you?

depends - im going to get engaged soon (anyone spills the beans and you die) and have already reduced the unit size from $100 to $50.
i havent been winning this year like i was in the last few (return to sbr will make the difference). as long as i can always look back last 12 months and not be down a lot, i will keep going. i am very confident in what i can do, and this is my vice. i dont drink, do drugs etc....

when i have kids one day, maybe that will be enough....only b/c i dont want to spend time on the computer when i can be with them.
having a serious g/f also takes time away, but i make things work right now since we're both busy.

why would you quit fantasy sports? its b/c of fantasy that i know all players in mlb, nba, and nfl. and believe it or not, i am rooting for my $300 buy in fantasy league more then a $300 bet when i have conflicting interests.

betting $100 per unit and to make 10k in a season is not a lot of money. and $100 per unit (when you bet the volume i do) can make for some stressful nights with several grand on the line. but in the end, winning 100u seems like a great accomplishment - but to make $10k in a year doing this is nothing. point being - i do this for the high....thus have reduced down to $50 per...

[PAULYPOKER]

I don't work on things, fix things, build things, etc. No patience or attention span for it.

Which means in troubling times you have no fix it yourself or build it yourself survival skills..........


Basically you just admitted to us that you are a fukkin woman,and since you have no pussy you will surelly not survive in a all man for himself world.............


I strongly suggest that you start learning how to be a FUKKIN MAN!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mush]

You'll hit rock bottom a couple times... Then, you'll ease off the pedal. You'll realize that the thousands of dollars you've flushed over the years could've put a solid down payment on a house - unless you live in certain parts of Detroit where it would have bought you the entire block..And finally, you'll find a site like sbr and gladly pay the $200 to be a "pro" because while getting hot and cashing out for (4) $50 amazon gift cards sucks balls, it sure beats the phuck out of getting hammered 10k on a bad run...remember us degens only remember the beats, you know, the fumble on the 1 or the missed dunk at the buzzer ... Phuck that...

[BigDofBA]

I get bored sometimes and take time off but I'll never stop.

Have you ever been to Vegas Coin????

Talk about addicting. I've been three times in the past year and would go every month if my wife didn't keep me in check.

[No coincidences]

I get bored sometimes and take time off but I'll never stop.

Have you ever been to Vegas Coin????

Talk about addicting. I've been three times in the past year and would go every month if my wife didn't keep me in check.

Never. And that's probably a good thing.

[No coincidences]

why would you quit fantasy sports? its b/c of fantasy that i know all players in mlb, nba, and nfl. and believe it or not, i am rooting for my $300 buy in fantasy league more then a $300 bet when i have conflicting interests.

Again, it's the instant results of gambling that has me hook. I'm not convinced I have the time anymore to do both.

In my fantasy heyday -- 10-15 years ago -- I was easily clearing $5,000 per year with very little initial investment. It's a lot easier to beat a room full of schleps who draft their favorite players than beating the books. But it also takes a lot of time, patience and work (at least from my experiences). I don't put nearly the time into capping games as I did with fantasy sports. It makes all the sense in the world to go back to that as my main hobby, but truth be told, I like this more and I'd simply rather do this -- despite the fact that it's much more difficult to "beat."

[Tommy Karate]

Again, it's the instant results of gambling that has me hook. I'm not convinced I have the time anymore to do both.

In my fantasy heyday -- 10-15 years ago -- I was easily clearing $5,000 per year with very little initial investment. It's a lot easier to beat a room full of schleps who draft their favorite players than beating the books. But it also takes a lot of time, patience and work (at least from my experiences). I don't put nearly the time into capping games as I did with fantasy sports. It makes all the sense in the world to go back to that as my main hobby, but truth be told, I like this more and I'd simply rather do this -- despite the fact that it's much more difficult to "beat."

you played in public leagues with big buy ins?

[No coincidences]

you played in public leagues with big buy ins?

Not big buy-ins -- just a lot of teams because they were on a national level, so a lot of prize money.

[Mike Huntertz]

I think I am lucky.
I bet way more than I could afford when I was young.
After realizing I liked action but it was a losing proposition, I cut back.
Now I wager very small but I can afford BIG!
Go figure?

[McDabs]

I think I am lucky.
I bet way more than I could afford when I was young.
After realizing I liked action but it was a losing proposition, I cut back.
Now I wager very small but I can afford BIG!
Go figure?

Best comment yet...

Also Mush's point of only remembering the bad beats. I lost my ish on the South Carolina UCF game primarily because of a fumble on the 1yrd line at the end of the game which then lead to a UCF back door cover.

The losses are usually more aggravating then the joys of winning.. which makes you think. Is it worth it then?

I remember some of my biggest wins not even really being excited but I can tell you my bigger losses really urked me for a couple days.

I read a post on here one time that we are actually subconsciously 'trying' to lose just to wake up the next day just to remind ourselves that were still here.. still alive.

In the end we know the odds are against us.. we know we're going to lose.. but still here we are.

[Lovegamblin]

I started gambling when I was 20. I am 40 now and have two 401k loans and 1 personal loan out. They total about 40,000... when I was younger I got arrested twice for getting into bar fights after losing my shit all day. I make anywhere from 80,000 to 90,000 a year depending on overtime and I barely survive because of my stupid gambling debt and my mortgage.... if anyone is on this path taking out loans to pay a scumbag bookie quit now... that being said I fuckin miss the rush of hitting a big parlay or hitting a bet in the ninth inning or covering the 1 1/2 goal line with an empty netter ...

[Tommy Karate]

I started gambling when I was 20. I am 40 now and have two 401k loans and 1 personal loan out. They total about 40,000... when I was younger I got arrested twice for getting into bar fights after losing my shit all day. I make anywhere from 80,000 to 90,000 a year depending on overtime and I barely survive because of my stupid gambling debt and my mortgage.... if anyone is on this path taking out loans to pay a scumbag bookie quit now... that being said I fuckin miss the rush of hitting a big parlay or hitting a bet in the ninth inning or covering the 1 1/2 goal line with an empty netter ...

definitely sound advice for anyone young and inexperienced reading this..

when you say "personal loan" are you referring to a shylock?

hopefully you'll be debt free soon enough man...

[Lovegamblin]

No just a personal loan with my credit union. $80 a week out of my check. Between that and two 401k loans that come out weekly it hurts and makes me sick every time I look at my paycheck. I'm just lucky I make a decent living, but I should have more then I do and its all because I sucked at gambling. But wateva is what it is.

[Ratzz]

I've been betting on games basically every day of my life for the last four-plus years. This came after 15 full seasons devoted to fantasy sports. Pretty much the only two hobbies I have, other than golf and outdoor stuff. I don't work on things, fix things, build things, etc. No patience or attention span for it. I love sports and numbers. That's why I was addicted to fantasy sports, and why I'm now addicted to gambling.

Some days I find it really pathetic that I can't even go a day or two without making a wager anymore. Is this how I'm going to be at 40? 50? 60? Will I be placing bets in the bathroom during my grandkids' birthday parties? I never thought the day would come when I'd quit fantasy sports, and I was really all-in with that for a while, but I did -- only to start doing this. Gambling is like fantasy sports on steroids. So much instant gratification and driven by immediate results. Not sure if I'll ever kick the habit or drop the obsession.

Will you?

hey, NC

Great post.

I have been researching and writing about this a great deal. It all ties into the*Neuroscience of our brains, and then knotted up and tied to many aspects of Psychology.*

The question of wether a person will be gambling when they are much older is determined by how it ends, or what other captivating and fulfilling activity is introduced in a person's life.*


All of us, need to be careful about what activities we expose our brains to... especially on a daily basis. Wether it is a pleasant idea or not: Evolution is a fact. Humanity evolved from animals; our bodies.. our brains.. our emotions.. We 'are' animals still.*

Gambling is a serious disease, if the gambler is not aware of the machinations of his own mind. The nature of compulsive gambling lies in the misinterpretation of the event itself. Our experience in life,* what we 'feel' at any given moment, is the result to what we are doing. It is the counterpart of thought and action. Feelings are the natural and automatic result of our own thoughts, actions, or circumstances that we find ourselves in.*


…but gambling is different– *


gambling creates a 'false' sense of progress, thus the gambler (animal) is compelled to pursue it. It triggers the 'easy meal' reflex that animals cannot resist.. much in the same way that the most effective fishing lures are the ones that move randomly.. the lures that mimic the irregular and staggered movement of a wounded fish.*


In the wild, animals instinctively seek to conserve their resources. A careless waste of energy can be the difference between life and death the following day. While animals do not have the option to re-up as gamblers do– …gamblers do find themselves in a similar quandary when deliberating what and how much to bet.


How a gambler manages his natural impulses and what success he manages to create elsewhere in his life will determine wether or not he quits gambling altogether. The pleasure center of the brain will direct him to pursue whichever yields the greatest satisfaction.*

[BeatingBaseball]

ratzz - Do you distinguish between "gambler" and "pathological gambler" in your work?

[PAULYPOKER]

hey, NC

Great post.

I have been researching and writing about this a great deal. It all ties into the*Neuroscience of our brains, and then knotted up and tied to many aspects of Psychology.*

The question of wether a person will be gambling when they are much older is determined by how it ends, or what other captivating and fulfilling activity is introduced in a person's life.*


All of us, need to be careful about what activities we expose our brains to... especially on a daily basis. Wether it is a pleasant idea or not: Evolution is a fact. Humanity evolved from animals; our bodies.. our brains.. our emotions.. We 'are' animals still.*

Gambling is a serious disease, if the gambler is not aware of the machinations of his own mind. The nature of compulsive gambling lies in the misinterpretation of the event itself. Our experience in life,* what we 'feel' at any given moment, is the result to what we are doing. It is the counterpart of thought and action. Feelings are the natural and automatic result of our own thoughts, actions, or circumstances that we find ourselves in.*


…but gambling is different– *


gambling creates a 'false' sense of progress, thus the gambler (animal) is compelled to pursue it. It triggers the 'easy meal' reflex that animals cannot resist.. much in the same way that the most effective fishing lures are the ones that move randomly.. the lures that mimic the irregular and staggered movement of a wounded fish.*


In the wild, animals instinctively seek to conserve their resources. A careless waste of energy can be the difference between life and death the following day. While animals do not have the option to re-up as gamblers do– …gamblers do find themselves in a similar quandary when deliberating what and how much to bet.


How a gambler manages his natural impulses and what success he manages to create elsewhere in his life will determine wether or not he quits gambling altogether. The pleasure center of the brain will direct him to pursue whichever yields the greatest satisfaction.*

Whoa that shit is DEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE EEEEEP!!

And you are 100% correct on your observations , research and study of the subjective Human Animal mind............

What better place to find these primitive animal subjects than SBR!!!!

[Mayonnaise]

i quit gambling after every loss

[HardCore]

So nobody on this thread does this for a living? I cant stop doing this cause its my damn job. Between this and the fantasy sites which are LEGAL (nothing better than withdrawing a couple grand directly to my paypal within 24hrs not the whole ** shit from offshore books) i make a good living. I've never understood ppl who gamble their hard earned money for the rush of it. I gamble for profit, I give no fukks about the rush or excitement. If it wasnt for my 50-100 daily fantasy lgs i wouldnt even watch the games i bet honestly. I wish all my bets would be blowouts in my favor so i wouldnt have to stomach the action till its over. I'm in the business of making money not feeling the rush. I treat my handicapping like a career. I wanna be on the level of Billy Walters one day. I dont do big parlays and i dont do alotta of straight bets. NFL i tease 2 teams or totals 7pts 3 teams or totals 10pts put down a grand or 2. NBA is kinda the same but with 4pts and 8pts and MLB is STRICTLY straight bet totals. I know it may seem stupid to most because "straight betting" is the thing to do but my winning % on those are higher and the risk is less than if i was to bet ats and even worst is i parlayed it. All im saying is the odds are against us whether we do it for profit or the rush, try and find a way to tilt the odds in your favor as best you can. oh and NC fantasy is where the moneys at you dont know what your missing bro.

[Ratzz]

ratzz - Do you distinguish between "gambler" and "pathological gambler" in your work?

Absolutely.

It's very similar to alcohol consumption. Some people can have a glass of win or two, and stop (and not want more)
That would be a social drinker.

A*'problem drinker'*would be a person,*who almost every time descends to the point of being visibly drunk*
(slurred words, drooping eyelids.. etc) or blacking out.
Caring only about that next drink, until drinking is no longer possible*
(run out of money, or body passes out)

A 'pathological gambler' is a person that cannot control the impulse to place a bet.
A person that cannot and will not accept the loss, and must attempt to win it all back immediately.*
or..*
a gambler that insists he is right all the time.. that advances without deliberation or reflection.

but mostly, a gambler that never takes their winnings down. A gambler that is never satisfied, win or lose.
All of those circumstances can be rationally explained.
Perfectly scientific, why some people are never satisfied.
A brain can be trained to do anything, good or bad. *

i feel as as owners of a very powerful tool (the human brain)
we have a responsibility to learn about it's functionality, and how to operate it, make it serve us, and our larger purpose.*
Otherwise our lives and goals are often hijacked by these temporary urges*that create sometimes horrible results.*

i wrote a book about it.. it's finished, just putting up the site presently.
The book was written for anyone that wanted to have the ability to interpret their impulses.
For the person whose impulses have at times led them astray (and whose hasn't?)

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