A disturbing gambling story

Peep · 02-08-09, 10:59 PM

Thanks for the post Jellybean.

It is easy to tell that you are very moved by the experience.

I read (and re-read) a book about compulsive gambling a few years back, called When Luck Runs Out. Turns out that compulsive gambling is harder to cure than drug or alcohol abuse. Sometimes things are easy to start, hard to stop.

I personally know I have a problem. I limit myself by believing it is not that most people have a gambling problem, but a winning problem. What I do is maintain a very strick set of rules on the amount of my bankroll I allow myself to bet. If I am down to $100, I have no problem betting $2 a game until I can turn it around. Just as exciting betting $2 as betting 2K when it is your last $2.

Thanks again for sharing. God bless and best of luck to your friend in turning his life around.

InTheHole · 02-08-09, 10:59 PM

Wow...thanks for sharing that story

pavyracer · 02-08-09, 11:01 PM

daggerkobe · 02-08-09, 11:06 PM

Does his name rhyme with Crock Panders?

betplom · 02-08-09, 11:07 PM

Originally posted by daggerkobe

Does his name rhyme with Crock Panders?

lol

InTheHole · 02-08-09, 11:09 PM

Nicky Santoro · 02-08-09, 11:10 PM

i know 473 guys in my life who were a replica of your buddy. your buddy is not the 1st guy in this world to be in this position.. 99.1% of gamblers will end up in this position. But my story is even worse than yours. i know of at least 5 who have committed suicide on acct of gambling.. at least your friend is still alive and healthy..

Gambling is a terrible sickness.

JELLYBEAN · 02-08-09, 11:37 PM

Originally posted by Nicky Santoro

i know 473 guys in my life who were a replica of your buddy. your buddy is not the 1st guy in this world to be in this position.. 99.1% of gamblers will end up in this position. But my story is even worse than yours. i know of at least 5 who have committed suicide on acct of gambling.. at least your friend is still alive and healthy..

Gambling is a terrible sickness.

That's why I am so disturbed. I am scared he is going to hurt himself. This guy was always they guy u went to when you were in trouble. God knows how much he has loaned out and never gotten back. And I know he is not the 1st person, and that a guy playing $1 dollar scratchoffs could be just as bad. The numbers are indifferent. The problem is the same. I'm trying to get him the best help. If anyone knows of a couselor in the NY area please let me know. He needs more than GA. I pray he doesn't hurt himself. He didn't sound good. He has burdens on him beyond belief in terms of family. He was the one who always took care of everyone. For him to break down he must be at a very low point. I know givng him money won't help, and I think he knows that also, because he didn't even ask. It's sickening. I want to be angry at the guys who let him lose all the money. He was the type who would close ur account if he thought u had a problem. Wish he had the same type of guys watching out for him.

CaneDawg · 02-08-09, 11:42 PM

all you can do is pray for him

and listen

thezbar · 02-08-09, 11:46 PM

Originally posted by Peep

Thanks for the post Jellybean.

It is easy to tell that you are very moved by the experience.

I read (and re-read) a book about compulsive gambling a few years back, called [U]When Luck Runs Out[/U]. Turns out that compulsive gambling is harder to cure than drug or alcohol abuse. Sometimes things are easy to start, hard to stop.

I personally know I have a problem. I limit myself by believing it is not that most people have a gambling problem, but a winning problem. What I do is maintain a very strick set of rules on the amount of my bankroll I allow myself to bet. If I am down to $100, I have no problem betting $2 a game until I can turn it around. Just as exciting betting $2 as betting 2K when it is your last $2.

Thanks again for sharing. God bless and best of luck to your friend in turning his life around.

I've read that book also. Its a very good case study of the pitfalls that can happen.

jjgold · 02-08-09, 11:48 PM

Thanks for story

flyingillini · 02-08-09, 11:53 PM

I hope he gets the help he needs. I am sure there are lots like him all over.

JELLYBEAN · 02-09-09, 12:07 AM

I just had to take a xanax. Thanks for not coming in here with idiotic responses. This is a serious problem in this country. I can't even imagine how he feels if it's make me feel so bad. Bed time. Life sometimes hands u a hand you can't decipher. I'm seriously thinking of getting out myself now. This is really disturbing me. Who do you blame, the pathelogical gambler who can't control himself, or the vulchers who breed off eternal greed. I know I have been one of the vulchers. This is making me rethink my own life.
WOW...One phone call and I have had my first revelation in life. Maybe time to move on.

PeachDog · 02-09-09, 12:11 AM

your buddy ain't Jeffrey Lurie by chance is he? cause i got the same phone call like 2 days ago.

i'm up so much i got fockers wanting to put me down in a ****ing forum. haha

tell you buddy like i told mine, if it ain't the same person. Tell me to get a job, and grow up. tell him
to stop acting like a chump and how could he get himself into this mess? he is probably lying and just wants to borrow some money.

JELLYBEAN · 02-09-09, 12:24 AM

Originally posted by PeachDog

your buddy ain't Jeffrey Lurie by chance is he? cause i got the same phone call like 2 days ago.

i'm up so much i got fockers wanting to put me down in a ****ing forum. haha

tell you buddy like i told mine, if it ain't the same person. Tell me to get a job, and grow up. tell him
to stop acting like a chump and how could he get himself into this mess? he is probably lying and just wants to borrow some money.

First idiotic post. First off he didn't and would never ask for money. Second and most important. When your his age and have done nothing by be in this business your whole life getting a job is very difficult. I am sure he has a valuable business still. Problem is when your so ****ed up and so depressed after having enough money to retire its going to take its toll on you. There is no good answers here. This guy is well liked. I think his reputation in the business is the reason it took so long for him to concede. Without you rep in this biz ur nothing. Pride has alot to do with it also. He has had to hit the bottom to make this call. I am sure he made alot more before me. Guy has alot of friends in the industry. But lending money to a pathelogical gambler does no help. Just going to be his friend and keep guys off his back. Like I said guy had been an earner for many years and i am sure had mad many millions for others also. He just needs to get way from this and get help. Just not sure there is help out there for this disease.

Peep · 02-09-09, 12:35 AM

Actually the disease is quite treatable. It is just a compulsive behavior, it can be changed with work.

Here is a link to the book I was talking to, When Luck Runs Out. They list treatment facilities and approaches in there. Pick it up and read it, or at least glance it. It will give you some insight into what you and he are up against.

http://www.amazon.com/When-Luck-Runs-Out-Compulsive/dp/0816011699

Spanks · 02-09-09, 12:42 AM

Its too bad for the guy but to gamble away millions...if thats what you want to believe ...he must be a completely insane...reminds me of the retard woman lawyer that went to Atlantic City and gambled away all her clients money,her moms house and everything she had and then turned around and tried, unsuccessfully,to sue the casino saying that they knew she had a problem and did not stop her... some people are given such great opportunities but are self-destructive...i cant really pity someone that had so-called millions to piss away...sorry...there are people in wheelchairs that cant move anything from the neck up...thats a real problem...you go broke gambling...get a job and work...the other aforementioned person cannot...

konck · 02-09-09, 01:33 AM

I manage a casino...Basically I have seen a lot. I've seen wives come in crying asking there husbands to stop. I had a respected lawyer cry because I couldnt extend his credit any more and all the other casino's cut him off. Early in my career when I was dealing I had a valet from across the street come in and while I was dealing he asked me to cheat so he could win or he would have to kill himself .....I told him gl but I can't cheat...He lost 3k when back across the street and jumped off the top of a building......I've seen a lot probably to much. If you cant stay away a week get help. When you do gamble make sure YOU know it's a hobby. Bet the amount that would make it a hobby. If it isnt a hobby get out.

Chi_archie · 02-09-09, 02:11 AM

great and sobering posts in here..... I worry alot about the real young guys in here like deluxeliner, just turning 20 and guys like Herman that they will get in real deep real fast..... the new generation of gamblers have no respect for how dangerous gambling can be.... All in's every week...

Hope things turn out okay with your friend jellybean

Rich Boy · 02-09-09, 02:48 AM

Whoever invented the casino has probably ruined more lives than cigarettes

Fizzz · 02-09-09, 07:36 AM

Originally posted by konck

I told him gl but I can't cheat...He lost 3k when back across the street and jumped off the top of a building.......

Hot damn...
Very emotional thread

coldhardfacts · 02-09-09, 09:49 AM

Let's keep all of this in perspective. Yes, people get addicted to gambling, just as people get addicted to alchohol and drugs and junk food and sex. That doesn't mean that the vast majority of us can't gamble responsibly, either for fun and/or for profit. So let's not blame "gambling" per se for your friend's weakness or sickness or addiction or whatever you want to call it.

In any case, I infer from your post that your friend was a bookmaker, who facilitated, if not encouraged, the gambling of others. Nothing wrong with that, IMO, but if that's the case he should be the LAST one to be asking for sympathy in his current situation.

I feel a lot sorrier for his clients who are going to get stiffed than I do for him.

BTW - I knew Dr. Custer, who wrote "When Luck Runs Out". He was a great doctor and a great human being.

wtf · 02-09-09, 10:04 AM

dont forget this guy had a ton of fun making the money and pissing it away

no tears in my eye for him , too bad

BestPlay2day · 02-09-09, 10:11 AM

Wow, hope your friend gets the help he needs Jellybean! Does he have a wife and kids? That's what I like about the online accts, you can't bet money that you didn't deposit (except for some like creditwager). If I go on a bad streak and zero out my accts, I'm done until I can fund them. All you can do is be a good friend for him and keep an eye on him for a while. Hate to read stories like this, but I hope it opens the eyes of some at SBR so they don't get into the same trouble your friend is in.

Mudcat · 02-09-09, 10:27 AM

There is hope for people who want it and are willing to work. I do some work in the local addictions community and have talked to quite a few gambling addicts over the years who are turning it around. Someone very close to me is a GA regular and it has made a world of difference in her life.

GA is not the only avenue of change but it is probably the most accessible. It's good.

Hopefully the guy OP is describing has finally hit rock bottom and will commit to change. There is hope.

G's pks · 02-09-09, 10:32 AM

Not good...and once again I see Peachdog puts his foot in mouth for attention! Hopefully everything works out for your friend.

purecarnagge · 02-09-09, 10:38 AM

****ing dumbasses... betting more than they can afford. Sure I might go all in etc..but I'm okay with losing all that money...maybe not at the time, but it won't hurt me when its gone. Might hurt my ego...

Mac4Lyfe · 02-09-09, 11:08 AM

Gambling is a disease. It is just as strong a rush as drugs, alcohol, junk food, etc. I'm sure many of us know the feeling of desperation when your chasing a stack. That is a terrible place to be. Over the past few years I've overcome that feeling by following one rule. I set and fund my season limit on every sport at the beginning of the season. I mainly play only Football and Basketball, so I deposit what I'm willing to lose AT THE BEGINNING of Football and Basketball season. Once that's gone, I'm done for the season. I've broken up my football into college and NFL. I was done in the NFL near week 6. I didn't place another bet in the NFL until the playoffs, dipping into my college winnings to fund it. If I have winnings, I use those for other sports like Tennis, boxing, etc.

This has worked for me and it gives me perspective on overall management of an account. I don't go all in and I bet based on what's there not what I perceive or hope to have. Its really not about the system but more about your decisions. If you decide your only going to play with so much then play with only so much. The minute you go over what you decided you are in trouble. Be a man of your word to yourself. If you can't be true to yourself then you need help.

Most people's problem is that they have not set up rules for them to follow or they are known rule breakers.

JELLYBEAN · 02-09-09, 11:22 AM

For the record. The guy's not asking anyone for sympathy. Not asking anyone for money. From what I understand all of his clients are squared up. He was just calling me so I didn't hear it 3rd hand. We have been friends for a long time. Yes he is insane at this point. And yes I hope he can get help. I posted this more as a warning for the young kids in here. I am sure this happens everyday on many different financial levels. These posts are more of warnings. No sympathy needed and I don't think he wants any. He knows from being in the business for a very long time that he isnt going to get any. But I also know that there are good guys and bad guys in this business. Some will stop you before you get to this point. He couldn't stop and no one got in his way either. On both ends it just ends up being greed I guess. Just a warning guys. Don't get yourselves in trouble.

Crayzee · 02-09-09, 12:34 PM

i really think the online books saved many of us from your friends situation
in the old days it was very easy to get buried way beyond your means with books
wind up having to get loans from them, sell a car, etc etc
say what you will about the offshores- bad service, slow to pay etc-
theres a certain level of safety in being able to bet only what you sent in in the first place
i for one is happy to bet this way though i'd rather be in vegas betting and getting paid on the spot
but i never would want to go back to the old ways
especially having to chase on a sunday and winding up being down double
going to bed sunday night and being sick over what you owed by friday

JELLYBEAN · 02-09-09, 12:43 PM

Originally posted by Crayzee

i really think the online books saved many of us from your friends situation
in the old days it was very easy to get buried way beyond your means with books
wind up having to get loans from them, sell a car, etc etc
say what you will about the offshores- bad service, slow to pay etc-
theres a certain level of safety in being able to bet only what you sent in in the first place
i for one is happy to bet this way though i'd rather be in vegas betting and getting paid on the spot
but i never would want to go back to the old ways
especially having to chase on a sunday and winding up being down double
going to bed sunday night and being sick over what you owed by friday

I agree with you as far as post up. Only thing is that credit betting is never going anywhere and 99% of the guys betting on credit can't afford to lose there limits. I know guys with 20-30 k in credit and make less then 100k. It's just what happens and the end all is greed. Wish all you the best and please be careful when betting with credit. It's a sure recipe for disaster. My friend is to the extreme, but like i said someone losing 10k could have the same stress and consequence as someone losing 1 mil. It's not the amount as much as the problem.

purecarnagge · 02-09-09, 01:18 PM

shit if I bet on credit I would want a 1k settle figure.

Spanks · 02-09-09, 06:39 PM

Originally posted by JELLYBEAN

I agree with you as far as post up. Only thing is that credit betting is never going anywhere and 99% of the guys betting on credit can't afford to lose there limits. I know guys with 20-30 k in credit and make less then 100k. It's just what happens and the end all is greed. Wish all you the best and please be careful when betting with credit. It's a sure recipe for disaster. My friend is to the extreme, but like i said someone losing 10k could have the same stress and consequence as someone losing 1 mil. It's not the amount as much as the problem.

Losing 10,000 is equivalent to losing a million?...

Spanks · 02-09-09, 06:42 PM

Do him a favor...pick up the sorry sap by his earlobes and drag him to an employment office...let him clean your house ...do your laundry and give you a sponge bath in the meantime for a couple of extra bucks...