Are You A Compulsive Gambler? Simple Yes or No

[BuddyBear]

I love the choice we are being given here:

1) admit you have a problem.
or
2) if you don't admit you have a problem, you are in denial, which means the problem is even greater.


Compulsive gambling is a serious condition. But if you want to play amateur psychiatrist to talk as many people as possible into a condition they don't have, I guess that has its own charm.

Not really. Judging by the sheer number of posts you have and the intensity in which you make these posts it is quite clear you are a compulsive gambler. No offense intended though as I think you are one of the best on here. How much time a day do you spend on this DH? You talk about live lines, you talk about game spreads, you talk about 2H wagers, etc....

I mean serioiusly, i am not making judgments about winning or losing....in fact, you may be very successful for all I know but that is largely irrelevant. All I am saying is that you fit the criteria of a compulsive gambler. It is very easy to spot. I mean you are having unprecedented tirades about the possibility of the governement banning online gambling. That's a clear sign right there.

Sometimes the truth hurts fellows but it's best to just admit the obvious and go on with life. I use to deny i was a compulsive gambler and then I finally just learned to integrate into my life and accept it for what it was.

No big deal to admit one is a compulsive gambler.....Seriously, if people who spend all day on gaming forums talking about betting are not compulsive gamblers then who is?

[Dark Horse]

First of all, let's get the government thing out of the way. I have the same tirades against this government about 9/11. I see traitors in the White House that would make Benedict Arnold look like a f*cking saint.

Now, about gambling. This is one of the most difficult paths a man, or woman, can choose. The psychological and emotional challenges along the way are way beyond those of most occupations. Success in this field requires a supreme amount of dedication, persistence, and willingness to improve (both oneself and one's methods). Let's agree that dedication and addiction are not the same thing.

Why do I spend time on this forum? The reason is very simple, and again has nothing to do with addiction. If you want to be an artist, spend time with artists. If you want to be a writer, be around writers. If you want to be a scientist, mix with scientists, etc. Throughout history there are plenty of examples of hubs of likeminded people that resulted in many of them rising to the top of their field. I will only name Montmartre (Paris) at the end of the 19th century. By associating with those in the same field we all help each other to become better.

Gambling is about probabilities. The black and white yes or no mentality is replaced by one of fluidity and possibility. If you do not understand that, if you haven't made that transition in your own mind, then it would be logical for you to assume that gamblers such as myself must be compulsive.

[Jay Edgar]

Judging by the sheer number of posts you have and the intensity in which you make these posts it is quite clear you are a compulsive gambler.

I guess in private practice I was surrounded by 200 compulsive lawyers.

And nobody tried to help them!!! The humanity!!!



Have you ever had a career that you were committed to?

Have you ever worked hard and passionately for an extended period of time?

Have you ever thrown yourself into something?

Only people who have never experienced these things could mindlessly and automatically equate intensity and a large time commitment with a pathological compulsion that requires some "admission" and the need for "help."

[Aces]

No for me as well.

[jjgold]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HkYm_9SMKuE

[flyingillini]

Yes I am

[The HG]

I am a compulsive free contest player. How do I know? Today, I had NO BUSINESS making an entry in the basketball parlay contest. I barely liked either of the picks I made, and there was nothing else I liked more. I should have just passed on this day. But I was unable to restrain myself, and made two under picks. Come on, SD St/Syracuse under! Come on baby bring it home for me!!

[jjgold]

People that just play contests are not compulsive gamblers

actually wanabees

[RickySteve]

Yes on #1-4, sort of yes on #9.

[rmcaj]

Do I consider myself a compulsive gambler? Yeah you better believe I do. Do I care...eh not so much. There is no better feeling in the world then when your able to get a payout from a book for money you basically didn't have to work for (and tax free). I mean I live for some of these games, I deposit money basically sometimes I don't even have just to bet a game and build a bankroll. Sometimes when there's an afternoon game going on, be it hoops or baseball I just bet the game before I go to class just so I have action. Let me say this, I Love every minute of it. Because I know in my worst of times It's only a matter of time till I'm able to get on that run that makes up for it all, cash that 2 grand out of the book and just sit on it. There is nothing like that feeling when you cash that check from western union. I mean look gambling is what I do, thats basically all I know. Do I regret it, NO!. Some people put money in stocks, some people love shopping, some people have a desk job. I love sports and I love gambling. Thats what I do and I wouldn't change it for anything.

[bodogged]

No I am not.

Personality would lead me to be, but the sting of bad luck has lead me to be more of a small stakes player.

Of course, my stakes may be high by a non-compulsive gambler's measuring stick!

[slacker00]

People that just play contests are not compulsive gamblers

actually wanabees

I disagree. A guy can still suck a lot of time into playing contests, etc. It can still have adverse effects on one's everyday life. It's maybe comparable to being a video game junkie. It can still get to be a problem. You don't have to drop a penny to lose your mind at something.




As for me, personally, I don't consider myself an addict of gambling. I've only made one bet since the AFC Championship, which most of you will take to think I'm not even a gambler.

I think it's similar to smoking. I spend around $10/year on tobacco. I sometimes go 18 months without a cigarette, then spontaniously I'll buy a pack or two or whatever, then maybe go another 18 months without smoking. Ardent "non-smokers" will brand me a "SMOKER" and fling insults, disgusted looks, etc. It's hiliarious, actually. Then, when I hang around with some other smokers, I'm really not "one of them". I smoke maybe a pack or two a year, and these guys maybe smoke a pack a day. I'm basically a non-smoker to them. It's funny how I can be a "casual smoker" and still be neither a smoker or a non-smoker, depending on who is around me.

Gambling is the same way as smoking, IMO. If I was to hang out with JJGOLD, imgv94 & pags11, they'd quickly realize I'm not really "one of them". Sure, I place an occasional bet, but these guys probably are making a dozen per day, betting exotic props on sports that I've never even heard about. To them, I basically don't gamble. Compare that to me sitting in with some religious fundamentalists. I'd probably be branded as a "sinner" and doomed to a "fiery eternal damnation in the bowels of hell" for placing a small bet on a fight the other night. What ever happened to "moderation"?

[imgv94]

I disagree. A guy can still suck a lot of time into playing contests, etc. It can still have adverse effects on one's everyday life. It's maybe comparable to being a video game junkie. It can still get to be a problem. You don't have to drop a penny to lose your mind at something.




As for me, personally, I don't consider myself an addict of gambling. I've only made one bet since the AFC Championship, which most of you will take to think I'm not even a gambler.

I think it's similar to smoking. I spend around $10/year on tobacco. I sometimes go 18 months without a cigarette, then spontaniously I'll buy a pack or two or whatever, then maybe go another 18 months without smoking. Ardent "non-smokers" will brand me a "SMOKER" and fling insults, disgusted looks, etc. It's hiliarious, actually. Then, when I hang around with some other smokers, I'm really not "one of them". I smoke maybe a pack or two a year, and these guys maybe smoke a pack a day. I'm basically a non-smoker to them. It's funny how I can be a "casual smoker" and still be neither a smoker or a non-smoker, depending on who is around me.

Gambling is the same way as smoking, IMO. If I was to hang out with JJGOLD, imgv94 & pags11, they'd quickly realize I'm not really "one of them". Sure, I place an occasional bet, but these guys probably are making a dozen per day, betting exotic props on sports that I've never even heard about. To them, I basically don't gamble. Compare that to me sitting in with some religious fundamentalists. I'd probably be branded as a "sinner" and doomed to a "fiery eternal damnation in the bowels of hell" for placing a small bet on a fight the other night. What ever happened to "moderation"?

This is a great post.. You are quite the writer slackmaster.

[ShamsWoof10]

What I believe you are trying to say is that it's relative... To a point I agree...

[LargeMouthBass]

In order to succeed in anything, don't you have to be somewhat compulsive? If you win more than you lose, are you still a compulsive gambler? Or does compulsive gambling correlate with losing more than winning?

It's never a problem when you win but it's always a problem when you lose right? So bottom line, one can become compulsive at gambling but one should avoid becoming a compulsive gambler.

I'm compulsive at gambling but not a compulsive gambler... Does that make sense? I think I just confused myself

[Dark Horse]

I think it's similar to smoking. I spend around $10/year on tobacco. I sometimes go 18 months without a cigarette, then spontaniously I'll buy a pack or two or whatever, then maybe go another 18 months without smoking. Ardent "non-smokers" will brand me a "SMOKER" and fling insults, disgusted looks, etc. It's hiliarious, actually. Then, when I hang around with some other smokers, I'm really not "one of them". I smoke maybe a pack or two a year, and these guys maybe smoke a pack a day. I'm basically a non-smoker to them. It's funny how I can be a "casual smoker" and still be neither a smoker or a non-smoker, depending on who is around me.

Good analogy. I'm the same way about smoking. About five packs a year. Just as with gambling, there is no room in polarized minds for the possibility that tobacco can be enjoyed without addiction.

[ShamsWoof10]

Slacker and DHorse those are good posts...

[caracalla]

No