Going to quit
Poll
 | 6 votes (8.45%) | ||
| | 3 votes (4.22%) | ||
| | 8 votes (11.26%) | ||
| | 10 votes (14.08%) | ||
| | 5 votes (7.04%) | ||
| | 4 votes (5.63%) | ||
| | 19 votes (26.76%) | ||
| | 6 votes (8.45%) | ||
| | 7 votes (9.85%) | ||
| | 3 votes (4.22%) |
71 members have voted
Quote: Ahigh
It has been entertaining.
Feeling is not mutual.
Been there, done that.
It's tough for me to admit, but I was almost certainly addicted for about 3-4 years to gambling. It didn't hurt me badly financially (until the very end), but it was almost the default activity no matter what.Quote: boymimboYour behaviour is addictive. When you head off to the casino at 6am on a Saturday morning for "cameraderie", that's abnormal behaviour. Most people who can't sleep will read , surf the net, or watch TV, not get dressed and make a short drive for their fix.
Been there, done that.
It's taken moving 90 miles from the nearest casino to recover, really. I'm trying to live a better life (getting outside, taking care of health, etc.)
Quote: teddysI'm trying to live a better life (getting outside, taking care of health, etc.)
it's because you came upon your signature line somewhere ... if only Aaron would ponder it!
If I had my own table, I'd only go to a casino when I was pretty confident that I had practiced my own shot to the point that I was "on" with my throw, and that I would be the only player when I showed up, and I could have the dice as much as I wanted to.
In other words... why pay a casino when you can shoot at home for free?
The alternative is to go to casinos, bet the fire and the pass line (no odds) and hope to get lucky. That's maximum play at minimum cost in my book.
Now, if it's about interacting with people, why not volunteer and interact with folks who need your help or with other volunteers. I have a dear friend who volunteers at a charity that boxes "care packages" for soldiers. Her fun is in talking with the others at the table as they put the packages together. It costs nothing, it helps others, and provides several hours of "gossip" about the neighborhood.
Now, with all that said, why the poll? Why the thread?
If he feels he has +EV then that would be an obvious reason to hit the casinos.Quote: AlanMendelsonI am just surprised to read that Ahigh goes to casinos so much when he has his own table to practice his shots and try out his strategies.
If I had my own table, I'd only go to a casino when I was pretty confident that I had practiced my own shot to the point that I was "on" with my throw, and that I would be the only player when I showed up, and I could have the dice as much as I wanted to.
In other words... why pay a casino when you can shoot at home for free?
The alternative is to go to casinos, bet the fire and the pass line (no odds) and hope to get lucky. That's maximum play at minimum cost in my book.
Now, if it's about interacting with people, why not volunteer and interact with folks who need your help or with other volunteers. I have a dear friend who volunteers at a charity that boxes "care packages" for soldiers. Her fun is in talking with the others at the table as they put the packages together. It costs nothing, it helps others, and provides several hours of "gossip" about the neighborhood.
Now, with all that said, why the poll? Why the thread?
I don't think he answered me when I asked him(I will ask again) If he thinks he still has an advantage when he plays?
I have no clue why, he ever, in his right mind, thought he could start a thread like this and not get flack. Look at what happen to AOS, Djatc, (and they are very likable people)the list goes on, I seen people even attack Mike(possibly out of jealousy). Ahigh has many haters, how could he not know this would get ugly and turn personal?
I asked her to deal for me yesterday after I dealt for her for a while. She said no saying, "you get dealt to all the time, I'm not going to do it!"
Quote: DrawingDead...but I noted that the median of the survey responses was at 4.5 days. So that's where I've got the o/u line on this, at 4.5, assuming one equal wagering unit of action from each respondent.
Quote: RSIMO --
An addiction is not classified by "how much" time you spend, money you spend, or oddly enough how much it hurts others around you/yourself.
An addiction is how much you want to do something, or something that is constantly on your mind.
If you're not sure if you're addicted to something, quit for 1 month. If it's constantly on your mind and you can't wait until the 1 month is over -- you have a problem.
I know some players who play craps 4+ days a week. I don't think they have an addiction, they just enjoy playing craps with each other.
I know of a few players who don't play very often. A few play once a week, a few play once every 1-2 months. But you know, during their time away from the craps table, they've been itching to play....a lot. When they initially buy in, there's the sense of "FINALLY! I'm here and get to play." Mind you, these players have a ton of money (compared to what they play....like the $10mil guy who plays $5 craps kinda thing).
But wouldn't this be most of people who fly into Las Vegas on a gambling vacation? Look at their faces when they first hit a craps or blackjack table. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just what I see all the time when I'm on the strip. How is addiction a bad thing when it's constantly on your mind, but doesn't affect your work/home life?
Quote: djatcBut wouldn't this be most of people who fly into Las Vegas on a gambling vacation? Look at their faces when they first hit a craps or blackjack table. Not that there's anything wrong with that, it's just what I see all the time when I'm on the strip. How is addiction a bad thing when it's constantly on your mind, but doesn't affect your work/home life?
I don't think something can be constantly on your mind and not negatively affect your work and home life.
The addict NEEDS to play while the average gambler WANTS to play. The gambler looks forward to his trip, while the addict obsesses over it. When arriving at the table, the gambler has an excitement like a kid arriving at Disneyland. The addict has a sense of relief (ie: "finally!") like that first puff of a cigarette after a stressful day.
Quote: Ahigh$0.02 per roll per five bucks is cheap
But you're not a $5 bettor. You bet stacks and stacks of odds, and black chips, don't you?
Quote: AlanMendelsonBut you're not a $5 bettor. You bet stacks and stacks of odds, and black chips, don't you?
He can answer for himself, but prior postings here and elsewhere indicate he's a $5.usd bettor and only takes single odds if any at all. I think the .02 refers to the house advantage.
Quote: NokTangHe can answer for himself, but prior postings here and elsewhere indicate he's a $5.usd bettor and only takes single odds if any at all. I think the .02 refers to the house advantage.
I thought he said his average bet was $500 on his website here: http://forum.goodshooter.com/topic261.html
Quote: AlanMendelsonI thought he said his average bet was $500 on his website here: http://forum.goodshooter.com/topic261.html
Wow.
http://forum.goodshooter.com/topic430.html#p3709
I know how to do both.
Fair enough.
I know when you were at Caesars (at the other table) the minimum was $25.
Quote: AlanMendelsonOkay, so you bet $5, $50, $100, and $500.
Fair enough.
I know when you were at Caesars (at the other table) the minimum was $25.
I don't recall you ever seeing me make a single bet.
Quote: AhighI don't recall you ever seeing me make a single bet.
You're right. I never saw you make a bet. I guess you were just standing there for the atmosphere and charting the table.
Quote: AlanMendelsonYou're right. I never saw you make a bet. I guess you were just standing there for the atmosphere and charting the table.
Really? You need to get over this thing you have with confusing me and other people.
Quote: AlanMendelsonI thought he said his average bet was $500 on his website here: http://forum.goodshooter.com/topic261.html
good to see that our resident genious is still kicking it.
The average gambler doesn't want to play. The average gambler will take gambling as one of his recreationing items, along with reading, doing housework, other recreational activities. The average gambler shouldn't remember the last time they went gambling (13 days ago) or even be thinking about the next gambling trip (12 days from now).
It's the alcoholic knowing he's addicted, knows that he shouldn't drink, but walks into the grocery story and buys a fifth. He may be able to put it in the freezer to cool down for a couple of hours, and he knows that he shouldn't drink, but he opens up the freezer and pours himself a drink. Before he drinks it, he may question what he's doing, then justify it to himself and down the drink. Later on, after the bottle is done, he smacks his kid around, throws up in the toilet, and regrets his action, only to repeat it again a few days later.
The gambler, knowing he's addicted, knows that he shouldn't drive to the casino, but, having an hour free on a Wednesday afternoon, drives to the casino anyway. Not having any cash in his bank account, he resolves to just do the free play mailer he received and leave. After sitting down at VP and losing the $40 free play in 5 minutes, he knows he should leave, but realizes that he can just take out a $1,000 cash advance on his credit card, so he walks over to the bank machine, takes out only $500 of it, and sits down and plays, resolving to make back that $50. Meanwhile, three hours go by, and the wife is texting you asking you where you are. Your child is calling you asking you to pick her up early, and you ignore it. After all, you've had a tough week at work, and you deserve this break. The $500 gets spent, and you haven't hit the hand you were looking for, so you go pick up the other $500 available, knowing that if I just hit those four deuces with an Ace or that Royal, I'm back up. And that gets spent. The wife picks up the child and you manage to get yourself out of there before dinner is ready. You come home and lie about how much you lost, and your wife just deals with the fact that she won't be able to come with you on your next work assignment because you blew it at the casino, like you did last time, and the time before that, and the time before that.
It's not a sense of relief, it's more of a feeling you get of doing what you have to do to stay sane.
Quote: AhighReally? You need to get over this thing you have with confusing me and other people.
So, were you betting? Your buddy who was charting me at my table had $25 on the don't pass. If I recall I never hit the point of 6 but rolled numbers for about 25 minutes.
And just so we're clear, what has been your average bet lately? You said on your website it was $500 but then because of your losses was cut to 1/10th of that which would be $50.
Anyway the day I don't arrive in Vegas with that stupid Clark Griswold smile on my face is the day I don't go there anymore...
Quote: andyg99
Anyway the day I don't arrive in Vegas with that stupid Clark Griswold smile on my face is the day I don't go there anymore...
Funny. Whenever I get that smile, it's always a harbinger of disaster. You ever see me with that face, exit and observe from a safe distance. You don't want to be a part of it, but you'll definitely want to be close enough to see what happens ;)
Quote: AlanMendelsonSo, were you betting? Your buddy who was charting me at my table had $25 on the don't pass. If I recall I never hit the point of 6 but rolled numbers for about 25 minutes.
And just so we're clear, what has been your average bet lately? You said on your website it was $500 but then because of your losses was cut to 1/10th of that which would be $50.
Stop it. Let's not get this started again, please.
Quote: FaceFunny. Whenever I get that smile, it's always a harbinger of disaster. You ever see me with that face, exit and observe from a safe distance. You don't want to be a part of it, but you'll definitely want to be close enough to see what happens ;)
yep - that's the smile! It starts off slow when I park the car... and then as I roll my suitcase towards the casino and hear the faint sounds of slots getting louder it builds to full on Griswold....
Quote: andyg99There was zero joy in her face
I hate seeing that with gamblers
Quote: boymimboStop it. Let's not get this started again, please.
Asking an investigative journalist (retired?) not to follow up on perceived prevarications / inconsistent statements is like asking an addicted gambler not to gamble.
Quote: andyg99Quote: FaceFunny. Whenever I get that smile, it's always a harbinger of disaster. You ever see me with that face, exit and observe from a safe distance. You don't want to be a part of it, but you'll definitely want to be close enough to see what happens ;)
yep - that's the smile! It starts off slow when I park the car... and then as I roll my suitcase towards the casino and hear the faint sounds of slots getting louder it builds to full on Griswold....
I'm just gonna leave this right here.
I took this picture the first time I was in Vegas. No, I wasn't the one declined.
Quote: boymimboStop it. Let's not get this started again, please.
Actually, the question is pertinent to the thread. Ahigh is asking us to weigh-in on the likelihood that he can quit playing. I'm curious "how much" he was playing to motivate him to actually quit.
If he has only been a $5 gambler recently (which I doubt based on his various posts on his own website) he should have ZERO problem quitting. But if he was a $500 average bet player who went down to $50 average bet or some amount in between, he might have a bigger itch to gamble.
I was never much of a video game arcade player, and because I played so little I can swear off arcade games easily.
Someone who played craps several times a day, every day of the week, with an average bet of $50 to $500 might only quit playing when they finally go bust.
Ahigh has opened himself up here, so knowing what he bets becomes an important element of the discussion.
Quote: AlanMendelsonIs there some reason why you don't want to discuss your average bet? You started this thread -- no one else.
Maybe someone else can help you. I've tried in the past.
Quote: AhighMaybe someone else can help you. I've tried in the past.
I think it's vital that it comes from you.
You start a thread and even post a poll describing the difficulties you have in dealing with your own personal demons, and admitting to us that your friends and family have complained about your excessive gambling. On your own website you have admitted that you have cut your average bet from $500 to ten-percent of that or even less. Yet, a year ago, you were telling us what a wonderful shooter and skilled gambler you were?
I find your choice of selective discussions illustrates your own failures.
I wish you the best of luck battling your demons and hope you can recover.
If you can't discuss your triumphs here, you used us to spotlight your failures.
Quote: Deucekies
I'm just gonna leave this right here.
He only got that smile with the ATM withdrawal. Clark was a pretty big degenerate in that movie, and obviously could never win himself.
Boymimbo's descriptions are dead on. And they probably describe more people than one would ever hope. :(
Quote: tringlomaneQuote: Deucekies
I'm just gonna leave this right here.
He only got that smile with the ATM withdrawal. Clark was a pretty big degenerate in that movie, and obviously could never win himself.
Boymimbo's descriptions are dead on. And they probably describe more people than one would ever hope. :(
yep, some of it even described some of my trips minus the credit card withdraw. I have never done that.
As for Ahigh vs Mr. KTLA, it doesn't matter what the size of the bet is. Like drugs, it's an escalation of financial spend as you get deeper into the addiction, and you can start over again. It can go from $.02 slots to .05 video poker, all the way up to $5 slots and beyond. But you can stop and revert as you dabble in and out of the process. You can leave for a month and then start again at .02, or $10 blackjack. Still an addict.
If you're going every day for five years, multiple times a day, there's a gambling problem afoot. Denial is the first step.
For me, I go hot and cold, but gambling will never be simply entertainment for me again.
Keep in mind that there's an extreme negative connotation to "addiction". Most people are addicted to caffiene in one form or another. it's no big deal, as it doesn't interrupt your life because coffee/tea is available everywhere and it's an acceptable norm. For me, I have a caffeine sensitivity so that if I miss a day, I get a migraine, so rather than just go off of caffiene, I just make sure to have a bottle of Aleve nearby and try to have the same amount of coffee everyday.
Gambling can be a safe addiction if you have the money to afford it, your family accepts it as part of your life, and it doesn't adversely affect your life in other ways. For me, I accept that I am an addict and usually can temper my play so that it's an acceptable part of my life, but there are times too when I can't. I'm working on that.
For Ahigh, he says he can afford it, says that his family accepts it, and that despite it being a big part of his life, and believes that he is fulfilling the other facets of his life (work, marriage, chores, etc) somewhat effectively. If that is truly the case, then game on.
What I am saying is that Ahigh should be honest with himself -- no need for him to be honest with folks on this forum, and to look at his addiction closely to see how it affecting himself and those around him. If he can truly accept that gambling multiple times a day for years at a negative expectation game (no AP really possible) is not an addiction, but just fun, well then nobody can help him.
Quote: AlanMendelsonI think it's vital that it comes from you.
You start a thread and even post a poll describing the difficulties you have in dealing with your own personal demons, and admitting to us that your friends and family have complained about your excessive gambling. On your own website you have admitted that you have cut your average bet from $500 to ten-percent of that or even less. Yet, a year ago, you were telling us what a wonderful shooter and skilled gambler you were?
I find your choice of selective discussions illustrates your own failures.
I wish you the best of luck battling your demons and hope you can recover.
If you can't discuss your triumphs here, you used us to spotlight your failures.
I truly doubt your sincerity. Best of luck to you in your life, though.
We can play armchair psychologist ad infinitum, but it makes sense to leave it to the pros.
This might be a good time for us to reflect and do a bit of self-examination.
Here's twenty questions.
Answer them candidly and truthfully, then you'll pretty much know whether you are a compulsive gambler.
Quote: AhighTo be clear, I'm not trying to deal with what I think is a gambling problem, just trying an experiment to see how long I can go without playing craps is all.
I said this up front. Several people decided they wanted to ignore what I said here. But for those who missed this point that was clearly made in the original post, I don't fault them. It happens!
Quote: AhighI said this up front. Several people decided they wanted to ignore what I said here. But for those who missed this point that was clearly made in the original post, I don't fault them. It happens!
Unfortunately, an addicts words and actions never match up. The below information that you posted last year and I'm sure which continued afterward tells more than a story. Normal people don't do that. All addicts say their behavior doesn't affect their work or family, but it does. There is no doubt your "woman" and child would have a different story of how your constant absence makes them feel.
115 visits to the casino in 75 days. That's 115 times you had an opportunity to meet your wife for lunch or bring her some flowers or eat dinner with your family or be with your kid or lots of other stuff. Multiple times it was a morning, lunch and an evening visit to the casino in the same day. Add to that all the time you were spending with your practice at home and you building contraptions and doing your show. The $1,800 is not that bad. It's the way an addict makes others feel that is the real sad part. And then eventually when the addict loses those he/she loves, it gets worse and $1,800 turns into $4,800.
Quote: WizardSome material that was allegedly copied and pasted from Ahigh's site, that previously appeared here, was removed by management, per the request of Ahigh.
ZCore13
Quote: Zcore13Unfortunately, an addicts words and actions never match up. The below information that you posted last year and I'm sure which continued afterward tells more than a story. Normal people don't do that. All addicts say their behavior doesn't affect their work or family, but it does. There is no doubt your "woman" and child would have a different story of how your constant absence makes them feel.
115 visits to the casino in 75 days. That's 115 times you had an opportunity to meet your wife for lunch or bring her some flowers or eat dinner with your family or be with your kid or lots of other stuff. Multiple times it was a morning, lunch and an evening visit to the casino in the same day. Add to that all the time you were spending with your practice at home and you building contraptions and doing your show. The $1,800 is not that bad. It's the way an addict makes others feel that is the real sad part. And then eventually when the addict loses those he/she loves, it gets worse and $1,800 turns into $4,800.
ZCore13
Where were you when I needed you? =p
I wish someone had done this for me in the way-back. Hell, might not hurt to do it now.
Quote: Zcore13Unfortunately, an addicts words and actions never match up.
You've long taken the position that you know for sure that I have a gambling problem due to your self-proclaimed expertise at diagnosis of such. I have tried to let you know, many times, and in many ways, I do not take kindly to the derogatory comments and downright insults that you hurl my way.
Weren't you just banned for a rule violation of the forum recently related to some insults you threw my way?
ZCore13
Quote: IbeatyouracesWhy does everyone attribute being addicted to something as always being bad?
you might want to look up the definition of addiction.you will find it says something like the continued use or actions of doing something despite the negative consequences.
ZCore13
Quote: IbeatyouracesWhy does everyone attribute being addicted to something as always being bad?
I was wondering that myself. Also I would wager most of the membership here could be classified as addicted.
Quote: IbeatyouracesWhy does everyone attribute being addicted to something as always being bad?
Simple answer: because humans are weak.
An addiction, over time, often worsens and becomes destructive.
Not always, but often enough.
I suppose many folks just try to "surf" their gambling addiction, i.e. try to ride it without wiping out.
