Anyone ever wondered why it is you gamble?

[PUHD]

Just a curious thought. Back around the holidays, my wife bet me that I couldn't not gamble for a month, which would be from Thanksgiving till Christmas. I thought nothing of it. I enjoyed the break and the time that I spent doing other things. Well when my sentence passed and with being home during the bowl games, I lost most of what I worked very hard to win during the NCAA football season, simply because I wanted the action. Fortunately for me I have been in the middle of a job change the last month and a half, but still can't help but wonder where in the heck the stupidity comes from sometimes when you are willing to through everything out the window.

The baseball season is forthcoming, and I am very excited about that, but not being able to trust yourself kinda sucks. Anyone ever been down that road that you could admit it to yourself?

 

[The Big Tease]

Yea....I know what you mean. I am an addict. I know that. Fortunately, I am intelligent enough to know my boundaries. I am not the kind of person that will spend the bill money chasing losses, or do I ever do anything illegal to support my addiction. I guess I am just addicted to action. The money isnt the important part. Trying to win games and pick winners is important. I wish many times that gambling was not part of my life at all. I have fun with it, but there has got to be better things out there to do than to sit in front of a computer and check scores. But I guess I enjoy doing it. My wife kinda gets pissed off about it, but she is very cool about it. I guess bottom line is that I am sure many of us are addicted to gambling. My point of view is that as long as I can continue to pay the bills, spend time with my loved ones, and make sure it doesnt change the kind of person I are....then GAMBLE AWAY!! Im not sure if this is the response you are looking for, but I thought I would throw my two cents in

 

[BADTODABONE]

Oh yeah!!! The "THRILL" is winning. I laid off over a year ago, went offshore just before bowl season...been a rollercoaster ride since. Able to maintain better with "up front " money. In on my biggest win of my life today, only have to WAIT another 23 days and countin down. Tomorrow @ 7:01 PM CST, 22 days and counting. Luck of the draw, not a sporting event. It's like a drug, have a problem with gambling, call the # on the home page.
GL

 

[PUHD]

Sound kinda like myself BT. Don't bet money I don't have, but the money it took me all season long to get, I tried to piss away. I am hoping that a two month break from gambling might be helpful in pacing myself during the baseball season. Good luck to you tease.

 

[Master Capper]

Two words sum it up: addiction and action

 

[Blitz]

Re: Anyone ever wondered why it is you gamble?

Ya, I don't like my money and I want other people to have it!!!

 

[TheShrimp]

I think for me its because I like watching sports and I feel like I've wasted a few hours watching a game if I didn't stand to win something on it.

That's not to say that I don't have action on games I don't watch or always have action on games I'm watching, but that's the overriding feeling.

 

[Blazer]

I think for me its because I like watching sports and I feel like I've wasted a few hours watching a game if I didn't stand to win something on it.

That's not to say that I don't have action on games I don't watch or always have action on games I'm watching, but that's the overriding feeling.

I've gotten to the point that I pick a side even if I am just watching a game. I'll watch it with the line in mind and "choose: a winner beforehand. Oddly enough, I win %80 of the time I don't bet.

 

[acehistr8]

To tell you the truth, I absolutely love the time I have spent not betting. Its not that I didnt have a great year last year, because I did. I loved the time that I spent researching the games, or writing up my spreadsheets or NFL programs. It was a real good time and the money was a nice part of that sure.

But other than the SuperBowl, I really havent bet since November. Do I miss it? Somewhat. I miss interacting with all the different forums on a daily basis and since I am a numbers junky I miss reading all the intricate box scores. But I have really enjoyed my time away, I think everyone should take a few months off every once in a while and say hey, why am I doing this and should I continue to do it if I dont love it?

 

[JT]

11 years old with my Grandmother in St Augustine Florida won $25 in Bingo. I blame it all on that. :shrug:

 

[PUHD]

Thanks for the responses guys. If I were the type of person that gambled my mortgage, then I might be in trouble, but since I don't, I will have to just try harder and harder everyday not to waste in 1 what took me 5 to build. Good luck guys.

PUHD

 

[buddy]

I have always been curious as to why 99 % of sportsbettors cannot make money at this racket.

Was it something Vegas was doing right or something the handicapper/bettor was doing wrong?

I know...don't tell me.....a combination of the two.

I thought, if it's something Vegas is doing right, then why can't they do it right with every game on the card. I know there's a line involved, but somegames (football and basketball) land very close to the number and some games aren't even close.

I was curious then and I'm still curious....is this by accident or design.

I've been trying to solve this riddle for years and I'm still not convinced it's by accident.