I can not empathize with people with gambling problems...

Quote: Neutrino

So regarding people's posts with examples of other addictive behaviors such as skiing to death, rock climbing to death, how are these not even more stupid than gambling away one's life savings?

Did you ever hear the story about the guy who kept banging his head against a concrete wall?

His friends said "Bobby, why are you bangin your head against that wall?"...

Bobby said..."because it feels so good when I stop."

Quote: LarryS

well thats the excuse they use for the high profile people who get caught cheating on their wife.

all of a sudden they are a "sex addict" when the have the "problem" of BEING CAUGHT


they are not a person of low morals, they are not a scumbag, they are not a self centered asshole.....nope they are sick people that need TLC to get better.

clinical addiction is not like being in "love". You can give many definitions of love....but there is a medical definition of addict.

So everyone here can give their own opinion of what addiction is....but in reality there is already a medically accepted clinical definition.

Just because you do something repeatedly that causes a problem...doesnt mean its an addiction. Wheather its cheating on your wife, robbing a 7-11, beating your girlfriend......its just bad behavior, undiciplined behavior, immoral behavior.....we cantgive everyone a free pass by bestowing the word "addict" on them

Quote: rudeboyoi

I think you're an addict over what it means to be an addict.

and this was a nice zinger too early on.

Quote: Wizard

Maybe some people are not as perfect as you.

You win internet!!! Congratulation!!!

I feel for them because as I see it, the state and the casino conspire against them to make it the worst it can possibly be. Even if these people had problems, having such low minimum paybacks and low maximum wins hurts them the most. They think they can stop on some winning streak or $50000 jackpot, but everything is designed to keep them wanting more and never deliver. There's a whole world of difference between 83 and 93%. The casinos are really just zombie lands anymore with so many idealizing never leaving over winning.

Quote: EvenBob

Obviously a compliment, one rarely see's perfection.

LOL...welcome back

Quote: beachbumbabs

Neutrino,

If you know what it is to go "on tilt", then chances are you have an addictive personality. After all, "going on tilt" involves, against all rational thought and good gambling habits, chasing your losses with good money, hoping you can recover, usually without success (AND YOU KNOW IT), but trying again anyway. So I think most of your initial post is about you, not those you're looking down on from on high. Becoming an AP was a way for you to function while servicing your addiction. The power gambling had over you was transformed into your secret power over the casinos, learning how to work the games to your advantage, likely while doing things like hiding your identity or face, moving fast from place to place, all the tricks that depersonalize you. Is every AP an addict? No. Are you? Seems likely. But you're making it work for you. So if you were to have some self-respect for your workaround solution and yourself, that would be the first step in empathizing with other people who haven't coped so well. All IMHO. YMMV.

I was going to say something similar about myself. I am very likely semi-addicted. Let's call it habitual. With education and financial sense, there is no danger of getting out of control. But there is an impulse to play. But I cannot afford to play for significant money nor frequently...unless the House never wins. So a complete inability to understand compulsive gambling, especially after admitting you have gone on tilt, seems silly, at least to me.

Now none of this changes my stance on hating degenerate ploppies. I have no sympathy for them. But that's just because I am a jerk. Not because I live in a test tube. If you are a jerk, and don't know it, I empathize, because I used to be that much bigger of a jerk.

Quote: anonimuss

Actually, studies have shown compulsive gamblers are among the smartest people but the indomitable will that so often helps them succeed in other aspects of life proves their downfall with gambling.

*That was from an old study I read in the WSJ. Of course, with a casino every 20 miles today that may no longer be true. You used to have to make an effort at being a compulsive gambler.

Thats actually very well said, all of it. My only head-scratcher is that WSJ has also pointed out that such compulsives/indomitable will types also make for criminal behavior (the CEO/criminal correlation).