Take this advice or leave it, just thought I'd share some stuff with the newer guys.
I am far from a role model and hopefully I've kept this short enough.
1) Try to have thick skin. Whether it's dealing with a forum stalker or a losing streak, it will get better. By chasing bets or getting into a forum war, you could be turning a small problem into a big one.
2) Be polite and friendly. At the poker tables, forum, or anywhere else. Especially when you're losing and in a bad mood, show some class. You have no right to ruin another person's day by being a prick.
3) Take a long view. Perhaps you can win in the short run by making huge random bets, but over a 10-year period you're much better off doing serious handicapping or just taking a bunch of bonuses and betting against yourself.
Or even better, focus your time and efforts on a decent career so that gambling is just a fun hobby that you have plenty of money for.
4) Try not to take on debt. It's impossible to go bankrupt if you don't have debt. So unless you really need money for a house or car, wait until you have the cash to buy something or gamble.
Don't get suckered into a house you can't afford, keep in mind it's not just the $2000/month in payments, it's going to be another $1000/month or so in all the extra crap over the long run (maintenance, insurance, utilities, etc etc). Ask a homeowner how much money they have spent on their house over the last 10 years if you don't believe me, it's always a $10k roof or $10k siding or $20k kitchen, bathroom, etc.
5) Exercise. Even if it's just going for a walk or shooting hoops. This is a tough one, I'm sure that I'm not the only one that likes to sit on the couch, drink a lot, and watch games. But believe me if you get in a routine of a couple days a week (even 15-30 minutes a time) you will be healthier and happier.
I am far from a role model and hopefully I've kept this short enough.
1) Try to have thick skin. Whether it's dealing with a forum stalker or a losing streak, it will get better. By chasing bets or getting into a forum war, you could be turning a small problem into a big one.
2) Be polite and friendly. At the poker tables, forum, or anywhere else. Especially when you're losing and in a bad mood, show some class. You have no right to ruin another person's day by being a prick.
3) Take a long view. Perhaps you can win in the short run by making huge random bets, but over a 10-year period you're much better off doing serious handicapping or just taking a bunch of bonuses and betting against yourself.
Or even better, focus your time and efforts on a decent career so that gambling is just a fun hobby that you have plenty of money for.
4) Try not to take on debt. It's impossible to go bankrupt if you don't have debt. So unless you really need money for a house or car, wait until you have the cash to buy something or gamble.
Don't get suckered into a house you can't afford, keep in mind it's not just the $2000/month in payments, it's going to be another $1000/month or so in all the extra crap over the long run (maintenance, insurance, utilities, etc etc). Ask a homeowner how much money they have spent on their house over the last 10 years if you don't believe me, it's always a $10k roof or $10k siding or $20k kitchen, bathroom, etc.
5) Exercise. Even if it's just going for a walk or shooting hoops. This is a tough one, I'm sure that I'm not the only one that likes to sit on the couch, drink a lot, and watch games. But believe me if you get in a routine of a couple days a week (even 15-30 minutes a time) you will be healthier and happier.
Milwaukee Mike, an asset to the forum and a legend in our hearts.
