dcproster said:
Do you play other gambling, besides poker?Sometimes I like to bet to my favourite football team, to make match more interesting.
I have tried all sorts of Gambling over the years from Football Pools, Lottery,Slot's, Horse Racing, Greyhound Racing and way too many card games to list. I stopped most of them because I saw a recurring theme that was in all forms of Gambling, there is really only one winner and that was the House or Bookie etc.
Sure I had winning streaks as do all gamblers, but at the end of the day you give it all back and more beside's, I still enjoy a flutter now and again but I limit it to whatever I am doing, Like if I go for a day at the races I will take enough money to spend on the day(food and drinks etc) but I will also set a separate amount of cash for the horses, and the two stacks never mix until the day is over.
If I intend playing Poker at a Casino, I will have a separate amount of cash I am willing to lose at the blackjack tables, or on the slot machines, while I am waiting for the game to begin but again I do not mix my cash stacks, that way I know exactly what I am winning or losing and never go beyond what I am willing to lose.
You need to keep a strict policy when it comes to gambling, as it is way too easy to fall into the trap of chasing your losses and that is when Gambling starts to become a problem, I never borrow money to gamble, and never will. For me gambling is a fun pastime and when you lose everything you intended to gamble with, then the fun is over and it is back to reality, and as I always say---
When the fun Stops, STOP!
(know your limits)