Do you have to WIN to become addicted to gambling?

d2bets · 10-29-12, 08:37 AM

If you win it's not an addiction, it's a business. The people who are addicted are all losing gamblers, and there are many.

JayLA · 10-29-12, 08:39 AM

Originally posted by d2bets

If you win it's not an addiction, it's a business. The people who are addicted are all losing gamblers, and there are many.

true. but most stories i hear about how gambling addiction came about is "i won big, then lost it all." you never hear, "ohhh i never win, I just love losing!"

thanks for the reply.

milwaukee mike · 10-29-12, 08:40 AM

usually winning at an early age leads to addiction

best feeling in the world for a gambler is winning a lot of money
2nd best feeling is losing a lot of money

it's pain and torture but at least it's feeling SOMETHING

pokeraddict2012 · 10-29-12, 08:43 AM

Alot of degen gamblers and they should be thrown in prison, they are worse then rapists and murderers, honest truth.

d2bets · 10-29-12, 08:47 AM

Originally posted by JayLA

true. but most stories i hear about how gambling addiction came about is "i won big, then lost it all." you never hear, "ohhh i never win, I just love losing!"

thanks for the reply.

Nobody "never" wins. That would be as hard as always winning.

Doc JS · 10-29-12, 08:49 AM

The answer to the question is: No. The addiction comes from the "rush" of having money on the line and the game hanging in the balance.

milwaukee mike · 10-29-12, 08:55 AM

Originally posted by Doc JS

The answer to the question is: No. The addiction comes from the "rush" of having money on the line and the game hanging in the balance.

to some extent, but how many people do you know that are addicted gamblers that didn't win early on?

the people that i knew in college that lost on their first 3 trips or so to the casino never went back, and probably still don't gamble to this day

PAULYPOKER · 10-29-12, 08:56 AM

Winning big while inexperienced with the ups and downs will suck you in faster than a tornado...................

MeatWad · 10-29-12, 09:14 AM

The most consistent loser I have ever met spent every waking hour working (60-80 hours a week, 100K$/year+) and betting horses in the 80's and 90's. In between working and horse betting he sold 2-5 pounds of pot a week to finance his gambling.

He shared a car with his wife, rented a cheap apartment, and literally never had more money than was in his pocket. The guy was amazing, never had anything nice, no vacations or luxuries, and stayed in debt despite his solid sources of income.

He was soo consistent and predictable in his lifestyle for well over a decade, nothing changed, working, hustling and gambling his ass off, only to have to borrow $50-100 weekly for gas and food.

I never saw anyone lose soo steadily and never have a breakout stretch or life altering crashing final loss. If you met him you would never guessed he made the money he did or lost the money he did. Despite the heavy daily losses, his mood never changed and he lived like someone who made 1/10th his salary. He was one of a kind.

str · 10-29-12, 09:16 AM

If you get addicted to winning it seems to solve all the potential problems associated with gambling.

Regul8er · 10-29-12, 09:38 AM

I think you have to win initially to become addicted.
When I first got into it, I went on a crazy run where I seemingly couldn't lose.

I believe that if I had sh!t the bed, and crapped out.....that I probably would have walked away. After getting the gratification of 4 digit checks in your possession, it's hard to just sweep under the rug and call it a day.

TheMoneyShot · 10-29-12, 09:41 AM

It takes many years to become a professional sports gambler.

pologq · 10-29-12, 03:30 PM

the rush keeps me coming back. it doesn't matter what i have on the game, it just excites me to bet it and have money depending on the outcome. i enjoy that factor a lot. same with a casino. however, in a casino i dont like losing and will stop faster when losing but might also be because the game happens faster. sports take hours, 10 hands in blackjack takes 5 mins or so.

MeatWad · 10-30-12, 07:43 AM

Originally posted by pokeraddict2012

Alot of degen gamblers and they should be thrown in prison, they are worse then rapists and murderers, honest truth.

As long as their behavior doesn't compromise the welfare of society, it is hard to make a case for degens being criminal. Too many activities are wrongfully classified as criminal within the US, consequently we have over a quarter of the world's prison population despite being around the quarter of the size of one country, China.

If you ever spent any time in prisons, you would probably be surprised at all the gambling that occurs. While most is small scale, it is meaningful to those gambling. Literal action almost 24/7 on dominos, card games, and all sports. In some places the bookies can make as much or more than guards.

brettels · 10-30-12, 07:46 AM

Would think that most addicted gamblers would have had wins from the beginning. I did, have come to breaking point many times since but I'll never stop. If i lost from the start, I don't think i'd be the gambler i am today.

Reload · 10-30-12, 07:47 AM

No - lots of people feel more alive when they lose than when they win. Losing helps convince people they exist.

brettels · 10-30-12, 07:50 AM

Originally posted by Reload

No - lots of people feel more alive when they lose than when they win. Losing helps convince people they exist.

I feel the complete opposite. That's out of two for the money right? Why would people kill themselves after losing money gambling? To make them feel more alive? come on man!

Reload · 10-30-12, 08:02 AM

Originally posted by brettels

I feel the complete opposite. That's out of two for the money right? Why would people kill themselves after losing money gambling? To make them feel more alive? come on man!

"You've created the same nightmare for the 20th time...and you say...I'm still here...I'm still breathing"

brettels · 10-30-12, 08:07 AM

Originally posted by Reload

"You've created the same nightmare for the 20th time...and you say...I'm still here...I'm still breathing"

Optional · 10-30-12, 08:15 AM

Originally posted by MeatWad

The most consistent loser I have ever met spent every waking hour working (60-80 hours a week, 100K$/year+) and betting horses in the 80's and 90's. In between working and horse betting he sold 2-5 pounds of pot a week to finance his gambling.

He shared a car with his wife, rented a cheap apartment, and literally never had more money than was in his pocket. The guy was amazing, never had anything nice, no vacations or luxuries, and stayed in debt despite his solid sources of income.

He was soo consistent and predictable in his lifestyle for well over a decade, nothing changed, working, hustling and gambling his ass off, only to have to borrow $50-100 weekly for gas and food.

I never saw anyone lose soo steadily and never have a breakout stretch or life altering crashing final loss. If you met him you would never guessed he made the money he did or lost the money he did. Despite the heavy daily losses, his mood never changed and he lived like someone who made 1/10th his salary. He was one of a kind.

I know someone like this too.

45yo with a great job paying near 200k and earning over 100k for the last 15 years or more. Never has 2 cents to rub together, never owned a house or decent car.