[Consigliere]

Good day to you all, I bid you hello from the US.

I found this site and needed to gather some feedback from people who have either been down this path I am currently on or are currently on it themselves. Here’s my story thus far:

I have been wagering on sports for 6 years. No other forms of “gambling” are for me. I despise Casinos, and I truly, don’t understand why many people play things like slot machines or anything that is so Casino/House favored where clearly the Casino is ‘in control’ for lack of a better word. Essentially, you cannot win or come out ahead. Thus, I feel since the Casino/House heavily influences things, I feel (maybe it’s false) that you have a better chance to succeed in winning, when wagering on sports. For one, the Casino doesn’t control the sporting event (in most cases, yes, I understand certain games are fixed) but it’s different than a slot machine in a casino. I think, perhaps most people can agree on this point.

So, I have been wagering for about 6 years. I’m trying to determine where I stand. I don’t know if I’m truly a “problem gambler” or not, or if I’m just shot in confidence by my recent losing struggles.

I started wagering on a bit of everything with sport, but the past two years I now fancy Football (Futbol/soccer) the most. I find the game simply enchanting, and it’s the “easiest” type of sport to Live Bet because of the low goal count.

My bankroll has fluctuated between $5,000 – $18,000 during the past year. Currently, it’s down to $10,000 after losing the past two weeks on some idiotic plays.

Now, I have felt sad, depressed, etc…. but I cannot tell if this is truly a problem for me or whether I’m just sad because of all the money I have “lost” because of my stupidity.

Now, when I say stupidity, it’s more like “TILT”. Here’s where I struggle (and probably most gamblers do) is when you are on the losing streak. It’s How do I contain this? How do I stay disciplined?

So, here’s what happened.

I usually play the Unders in Soccer. I live bet in the 65th – 70th minute. I pay massive juice. (-400 through – 500). Over the past 2-3 months I felt that I perfected a strategy, and it seemed to have high success. I couldn’t tell if I was lucky, or smart, or both.

I capped my standard amount at $250 Risk to win $50. Then, I hit a losing streak. Instead of “sticking to my risk/reward” I was so on Tilt that I was wagering $2,000 to win $500. I lost in some Russian Soccer and also lost in the Champions League when Arsenal played PSG recently and the score ended 2-2. (I had the Under 3.5)

My question, now, becomes…. is this a problem for me, simply because I made a bad choice when on TILT OR is this not really a problem, I just need to be more disciplined.

To help answer this question, here are a couple of other facts:

1. I have been doing this for 6 years.
2. I’ve tried multiple sports and methods, I have won a lot and lost a lot in single wagers.
3. Most I lost in a day, I believe was about $4,000
4. I never have taken on debt to finance wagering.
5. I have never gambled anything that I couldn’t afford to lose.
6. I DO NOT find sports very interesting unless I have money on it.
7. I love soccer, as a sport, and as an investment.

Anyhow, I would love to foster a discussion about this topic because I am struggling to understand things I am coping with, AND, I do not know whether the path I am headed down is going to lead to true destruction.

I do feel, for instance, that not everyone who gambles turns completely irresponsible. For example, because someone loses $10,000 in a month, maybe it’s not really that bad, if $10,000 is only 1 or 2% of their yearly income for instance. So, I’m not so focused on the amount that someone loses, to judge them, but rather, is it really within proper mindset/parameters.

Thank you in advance for your time.

[charles]

Hello and thanks for starting a thread in the Gambling Therapy forums

Here at Gambling Therapy we pride ourselves on being a caring and diverse online community who can help and support you with the difficulties you’re currently facing. We understand that this might be a tough time for you, particularly if you’re new to recovery, so come here as often as you need to and participate in the forums, access online groups and connect to the live advice helpline if you need one to one support. We’re in this together!

Here on the forum you can share your experiences in a safe, supportive and accepting environment. The beauty of writing it all down is that you can take your time and you will be creating a record of your progress that you can look back on if it ever feels like you’re not moving forward. So, share as much or as little as you like but do try to stick to keeping just one thread in this forum so people know where to find you if they want to be updated on your progress or share something with you.

As well as the forums New Members are invited to join Charles in the New Members Practical Advice Group On Mondays at 21:00 (UK) and Thursday at 19:00(UK)

And on that note….

I’m going to hand you over to our community because I’m sure they will have some words of wisdom for you 🙂

Take care

The Gambling Therapy Team

PS: Let me just remind you to take a look at our privacy policy and terms and conditions so you know how it all works!

[Consigliere]

Good afternoon,

So, in an effort to provide a bit more factual information as to how I am feeling right now, I’m watching the famous Martin Tyler call the game between Hull City and Middlesborough. It’s 5 minutes in.

I’m “excited” for this game right now because it’s on, and I plan on making an in play wager on this match. I’m “waiting” for the right time, and laying the right amount.

Now, I just don’t know where this puts me, mentally. Does this mean I’m a gambling addict? Am I trying to play smart? I wouldn’t have any real interest in this game if it wasn’t for me possibly placing a live-wager on it.

I’m looking at placing a 1st Half Under wager, depending on the circumstance.

Has anyone been in this position before? Felt this way?

[charles]

Hi Consigliere,

You are right of course, the amounts someone wager are all relative really and not on their own an indicator of a problem. For me the best indcator would be the 20 questions that they ahve on the Gamblers Anonymous website.

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/20-questions

Thye are relavant whether or not anyone decides to go to GA meetings.

Only you can decide as to whether you ahve a problem. Things tend to be progressive though so it may be that you have to decide whether to take action now, or later when in deeper trouble.

I too loved gambling, comes a time though that we have to decide whether what we love about gambling is worth the chit that follows – we cant have one without the other unfortunately. I hope this helps, I hope you make the right decision – keep posting.

[Author]

Posts