Hi everyone. I've only been here for about a week, so forgive me if this has been discussed before.
About nine or 10 years ago, I started doing what I termed an "emotional hedge" when it came to gambling. (I doubt I invented the term- heck I KNOW I did not invent the strategy
)
I have only two serious gambling buddies, and they had never heard of this idea, and now they love it.
I want to hear how many of you do this, too.
Basically, you bet ON teams (or politicians) to win that you simply CAN'T STAND.
(This is not meant to be a political post, but I will give you my example.)
First, I'm no psychologist, but I don't think it's very healthy to "hate" too many teams or people. But we all do, to some extent! The less teams (or, I guess politicians, LOL) you hate, the better.
For me, I'm lucky that there are only two things I truly despise: The University of Michigan sports (particularly football) and Hillary Clinton. (There are other teams I don't like, but I can still sleep well if they win championships. Luckily for me, I'm not a pro sports fan.
For now, let's not get into why I disdain Michigan and Hillary, but let's discuss my "emotional hedge," for lack of a better term.
For someone who has done it for a while now (mostly with Michigan), I find that the concept might not be worth it emotionally and financially anymore.
First, Michigan: I only emotionally hedge (meaning bet ON Michigan) when either its basketball team or football team reaches the National Championship Game. This has only happened twice since I began gambling seriously. (Hoops vs. Louisville in 2013- I was at that game in Atlanta- and a few years ago vs. Villanova)
It's not a great feeling. I lost money both times. But, in hindsight, would I have been happy if Michigan won and I made money? (The amount of $$ is not important here, and that's only for me to know. Just know, that it isn't life-changing.)
Now, onto Hillary in 2016 (please note that this is NOT an endorsement for Donald Trump, just that I seriously dislike Hillary)
I wanted Hillary to lose so badly (against anyone!)....so I bet BIG on Hillary to win.
Some advice from me: if you are thinking of doing this emotional hedge: I, David, believe that it's not worth wagering big bucks on. Looking back, the person I wanted to lose DID LOSE, but I was more disappointed that I lost a lot of money. I couldn't "enjoy" her loss. The financial loss hurt for a couple months. That's way too long for me.
I did NOT bet on the 2020 election, because I don't hate Biden. (Not saying I like him, either...LOL)
Back to Michigan, Big Ten titles mean absolutely NOTHING to me. Neither do final four appearances nor beating Ohio State in football. For me, it's all about Michigan NOT winning a National Title in those two sports.
(When Michigan "split" the title with Nebraska in '97 I was not truly into gambling yet)..so I really don't care about that. Their only hoops title came in '89 when I was still in high school and not gambling at all.
Do any of you do something like this? If so, how do you feel with winning the bet? How do you feel with losing the bet?
Like I said, It's such a roller coaster for me. I would not advise it but can't fault anyone for doing it. After all, I did, and I might again in a few weeks.
My two gambling buddies who I introduced this to? One just started. He hates Alabama football and bet ON THEM in the SEC championship game because of this on the moneyline vs. Georgia. (That was my advice to him)
He has since taken the "YES" on "Alabama to win the National Championship to ease his pain if Bama indeed wins. Nothing financially life-altering.
The other friend, ironically, is a huge Michigan fan, particularly football. LOL. He LOATHES Ohio State. So, for the last few years he has bet ON Ohio State when its football team reaches the playoffs, to ease his pain of potentially watching the Buckeyes celebrate.
As I said, for me it's just the FINAL game, the Championship game. Of course, it helps when the team you hate is an underdog on the moneyline.
Am I "emotionally hedging" on Michigan vs. Georgia in the semifinals? No, I do not plan to. BTW, I'm going to that game, ordered tickets in the summer, I'm pumped. Go 'Dawgs
However, if Cincy upsets Bama in the first semifinal of the day, then I will consider taking Michigan on the moneyline vs UGA, because I think UM would beat Cincy in the championship game.
To make a lengthy post lengthier, let's look at the REVERSE of this. I would imagine this is more common: Do you bet AGAINST your FAVORITE team in a huge game?
I am lucky (I guess?) that I have only one team that I TRULY care about: my alma mater Indiana University men's basketball team. (Yes, believe me, I know they haven't been truly relevant since jean shorts were popular...and that pains me greatly...LOL)
There has only been ONE time (since I took up gambling) that I bet AGAINST the Hoosiers. And (unfortunately?) I won the bet. (Against Maryland in the NCAA Title Game in '02) I took Maryland on a pretty steep moneyline. (Not life-changing) I was bummed I "won" my bet.
It's like a tug-of-war...part of you wants the money, the other part wants the "desired result." (at least for me) Moreso the "desired result."
In summary, I guess FOR ME, it's not really worth it. At least I think it's not. I think I'm finding it better to just "let the chips fall as they may" (Is that the expression? LOL)
Would like to read other's thoughts on the subject.
-David
About nine or 10 years ago, I started doing what I termed an "emotional hedge" when it came to gambling. (I doubt I invented the term- heck I KNOW I did not invent the strategy
)I have only two serious gambling buddies, and they had never heard of this idea, and now they love it.
I want to hear how many of you do this, too.
Basically, you bet ON teams (or politicians) to win that you simply CAN'T STAND.
(This is not meant to be a political post, but I will give you my example.)
First, I'm no psychologist, but I don't think it's very healthy to "hate" too many teams or people. But we all do, to some extent! The less teams (or, I guess politicians, LOL) you hate, the better.
For me, I'm lucky that there are only two things I truly despise: The University of Michigan sports (particularly football) and Hillary Clinton. (There are other teams I don't like, but I can still sleep well if they win championships. Luckily for me, I'm not a pro sports fan.
For now, let's not get into why I disdain Michigan and Hillary, but let's discuss my "emotional hedge," for lack of a better term.
For someone who has done it for a while now (mostly with Michigan), I find that the concept might not be worth it emotionally and financially anymore.
First, Michigan: I only emotionally hedge (meaning bet ON Michigan) when either its basketball team or football team reaches the National Championship Game. This has only happened twice since I began gambling seriously. (Hoops vs. Louisville in 2013- I was at that game in Atlanta- and a few years ago vs. Villanova)
It's not a great feeling. I lost money both times. But, in hindsight, would I have been happy if Michigan won and I made money? (The amount of $$ is not important here, and that's only for me to know. Just know, that it isn't life-changing.)
Now, onto Hillary in 2016 (please note that this is NOT an endorsement for Donald Trump, just that I seriously dislike Hillary)
I wanted Hillary to lose so badly (against anyone!)....so I bet BIG on Hillary to win.
Some advice from me: if you are thinking of doing this emotional hedge: I, David, believe that it's not worth wagering big bucks on. Looking back, the person I wanted to lose DID LOSE, but I was more disappointed that I lost a lot of money. I couldn't "enjoy" her loss. The financial loss hurt for a couple months. That's way too long for me.
I did NOT bet on the 2020 election, because I don't hate Biden. (Not saying I like him, either...LOL)
Back to Michigan, Big Ten titles mean absolutely NOTHING to me. Neither do final four appearances nor beating Ohio State in football. For me, it's all about Michigan NOT winning a National Title in those two sports.
(When Michigan "split" the title with Nebraska in '97 I was not truly into gambling yet)..so I really don't care about that. Their only hoops title came in '89 when I was still in high school and not gambling at all.
Do any of you do something like this? If so, how do you feel with winning the bet? How do you feel with losing the bet?
Like I said, It's such a roller coaster for me. I would not advise it but can't fault anyone for doing it. After all, I did, and I might again in a few weeks.
My two gambling buddies who I introduced this to? One just started. He hates Alabama football and bet ON THEM in the SEC championship game because of this on the moneyline vs. Georgia. (That was my advice to him)
He has since taken the "YES" on "Alabama to win the National Championship to ease his pain if Bama indeed wins. Nothing financially life-altering.
The other friend, ironically, is a huge Michigan fan, particularly football. LOL. He LOATHES Ohio State. So, for the last few years he has bet ON Ohio State when its football team reaches the playoffs, to ease his pain of potentially watching the Buckeyes celebrate.
As I said, for me it's just the FINAL game, the Championship game. Of course, it helps when the team you hate is an underdog on the moneyline.
Am I "emotionally hedging" on Michigan vs. Georgia in the semifinals? No, I do not plan to. BTW, I'm going to that game, ordered tickets in the summer, I'm pumped. Go 'Dawgs
However, if Cincy upsets Bama in the first semifinal of the day, then I will consider taking Michigan on the moneyline vs UGA, because I think UM would beat Cincy in the championship game.
To make a lengthy post lengthier, let's look at the REVERSE of this. I would imagine this is more common: Do you bet AGAINST your FAVORITE team in a huge game?
I am lucky (I guess?) that I have only one team that I TRULY care about: my alma mater Indiana University men's basketball team. (Yes, believe me, I know they haven't been truly relevant since jean shorts were popular...and that pains me greatly...LOL)
There has only been ONE time (since I took up gambling) that I bet AGAINST the Hoosiers. And (unfortunately?) I won the bet. (Against Maryland in the NCAA Title Game in '02) I took Maryland on a pretty steep moneyline. (Not life-changing) I was bummed I "won" my bet.
It's like a tug-of-war...part of you wants the money, the other part wants the "desired result." (at least for me) Moreso the "desired result."
In summary, I guess FOR ME, it's not really worth it. At least I think it's not. I think I'm finding it better to just "let the chips fall as they may" (Is that the expression? LOL)
Would like to read other's thoughts on the subject.
-David
