I have a gambling problem. Just wanted to say goodbye to all on PA

[Zippy Chippy]

Hey guys. Just wanted to say goodbye to people that I have spoken to on this great site, and to the people I have met. The root of my problem is definitely the ponies so I think I need to just get off this site.

In the 80s my parents used to go to Raynham Dog Track about once a month on saturday nights. I would go with them 3 or 4 times a year, they probably had no idea they were doing any harm but I was instantly addicted. In High School I had friends that would go to the track and I would go with them, its 20 years later and I still love betting on horse racing. I remember 15 years ago saying I need to stop and just never did. I have an unbelievable fiance and want to start a family and I just don't like the person I am when I am gambling all the time. Feel free to give me any suggestions how to fill the void of horse racing. I'll stick around if any one has anything to do about this thread, then I'm gonna leave here.

I really do love the game outside of the gambling aspect, but I think it'd be best to separate myself from this game. I'm very sad, but excited to work hard and get this behind me.

[Tom]

Sorry to hear...but it is good that you recognize things you can't control.
Good luck to you......consider yourself as going out a winner!

I've known a few guys who couldn't handle the booze or the gambling and denied it all the way to the poorhouse and the divorce courts. Today, they realize they missed out on everything, but it is too late.

[Light]

Definitely have to have your priorities in order. Playing horses should be secondary to family and work. It can consume you when you make it your priority and is not healthy if it is the predominant interest in your life even if you don't have family or are independently wealthy. There are more important things in life.

[Casino]

Hey guys. Just wanted to say goodbye to people that I have spoken to on this great site, and to the people I have met. The root of my problem is definitely the ponies so I think I need to just get off this site.

In the 80s my parents used to go to Raynham Dog Track about once a month on saturday nights. I would go with them 3 or 4 times a year, they probably had no idea they were doing any harm but I was instantly addicted. In High School I had friends that would go to the track and I would go with them, its 20 years later and I still love betting on horse racing. I remember 15 years ago saying I need to stop and just never did. I have an unbelievable fiance and want to start a family and I just don't like the person I am when I am gambling all the time. Feel free to give me any suggestions how to fill the void of horse racing. I'll stick around if any one has anything to do about this thread, then I'm gonna leave here.

I really do love the game outside of the gambling aspect, but I think it'd be best to separate myself from this game. I'm very sad, but excited to work hard and get this behind me.

Zippy,your priorities have to change.Good luck drop in every now and then.Take care of business then maybe one day you could return. :)

[bigmack]

Get out and don't look back. To play this game without losing takes arduous work and TIME. Time is precious, particularly when you're younger and beginning a new chapter of your life.

This game ain't worth it. Don't even peek back. Turn your back completely and MOVE ON.

[Ocala Mike]

What bigmack said, Zippy, and stay excited about your recovery. We'll be pulling for you.


Ocala Mike

[Zippy Chippy]

What bigmack said, Zippy, and stay excited about your recovery. We'll be pulling for you.


Ocala Mike

Thanks all :)

[lamboguy]

best of health and i hope you do well

[riskman]

Your post is one of many steps in realizing you have a problem with gambling.It takes guts to admit this and to do something about it. bigmack has given you great advice--follow it.
Best to you.

[Greyfox]

A wise move and I know many others in person who should make the same decision. All the best,

Greyfox

[CryingForTheHorses]

Good Luck to you Zippy,We had a friend who lost over 250k in 6 months playing the ponies,We never knew how bad her gambling problem was until we got a call that she put herself in rehab..Poor girl is only 27yo.Least she was smart enough to try to help herself.Same goes for you,Your life with your family is your biggest asset.Keep the faith in yourself and you will prosper..Take care and best of luck to you.

[098poi]

Good luck to you and your new family. You should print out this thread and if you fall off the wagon and gambling takes priority over family you can look back and get some perspective. I am in my mid 50's, single and been sober for over 13 years. I still handicap every day but I rarely wager. I can still fall asleep with numbers spinning around my head. May God bless you!

[judd]

thats nothing, sandusky is the one with a problem :eek:

[Cardus]

The only gambling problem is losing.

[JimG]

I have an unbelievable fiance and want to start a family and I just don't like the person I am when I am gambling all the time.

Every time you get the urge to gamble. Re-read what you wrote above. Find another sport you are passionate about and immerse yourself in it....maybe with season tickets, etc. Your fiance will appreciate that and I am willing to speculate you will be happier in the long term. I wish you all the success in the world and applaud you in realizing the dangers gambling on the races can become if not controlled.

Jim

[Light]

We had a friend who lost over 250k in 6 months playing the ponies,

My good friend literally lost over $1 million dollars in 5 years ,mostly at casinos which including losing a $300K inheritance in 6 months. He was my main racetrack buddy for years. But it was never really considered a "problem" for him. He made a lot of money in his job, ate out, 3 meals a day, and helped his family out (separated from his wife but still in contact). A happy go lucky guy who was content to live paycheck to paycheck.

Technically yes,this guy had a problem,but he seemed like a free man inside to me and that's what counts. He never borrowed to play the races and his world was varied, not obsessed. He never lamented over a dime he lost and his work always came before the races. He now has cancer and is on a fixed income. He has had no trouble making the adjustment to a non gambling person. In retrospect he made the most of it when he had the opportunity.

Not saying this applies to Zippy because everyone's situation is different. But I don't think its always black and white.

Like the wise saying: "Be in the world but not of it". You can enjoy the pleasures of life without getting lost in them. And if you find yourself getting lost,you should stop.

[Zippy Chippy]

Thanks for the support. Even though I don't really know any of you it was really hard to post this. Its only day 1 but we spent it watching movies instead of red zone channel.

[canleakid]

BEST OF ALL TO YOU GUY, you were man enough to admit it to yourself first then go public. There are alot of things you can win at without putting $$ on it, stick your guns!!!!!!!!!!! :ThmbUp:

[NJ Stinks]

Zippy, I'm going to miss you around here. But like everyone else who posted here, I agree that race betting must not be the most important thing in one's life.

Anyway, recognizing the problem comes first and you have. All the best to you and yours. :ThmbUp: :ThmbUp:

[Robert Goren]

Good Luck. Remember if you fall off, just pick yourself back up. Overcoming any addiction is a life long fight. You taken the big first step.

[Robert Goren]

The only gambling problem is losing.That has got to be the dumbest thing ever post in this forum.

[HuggingTheRail]

Best Wishes Zippy...all the best!

[MONEY]

I quit gambling last week,
but I won today.
So I probably won't quit again for a couple of weeks.

GOOD LUCK

[dav4463]

You obviously still love the sport of horseracing. Any chance you could get involved with the sport by writing a blog or something and stay connected to the game without betting?

It's a great sport whether you bet or not. You may find yourself enjoying the races more when you do not have a rooting interest.

[thaskalos]

That has got to be the dumbest thing ever post in this forum.
In all fairness, Cardus does not deserve to get vilified for this quote.

He borrowed it from the late Dr. Howard Sartin...who made the diagnosis that the main problem addicted gamblers were faced with was not their gambling...but their LOSING.

Sartin, therefore, suggested that the best antidote for losing was...winning.

And that's how the "Sartin Methodology" was born. As a way to help a group of addicted gamblers overcome their gambling (losing?) problems.

[thaskalos]

Zippy, it took me a long time to respond to this post of yours...because I don't know how you - or the other posters here - will react to my advice.

I agree with everything that the others here - especially "bigmack" - have advised you; I just don't know if you will be able to carry it through.

From the suddenness and the tone of your post, I can only surmise that a recent painful gambling-related experience has disgusted you to such an extent...you felt that you had to make your decision to quit public -- as a guarantee of sorts that you will not go back on your word this time.

It has been my misfortune to have had extensive exposure to addicted gamblers...and declarations of this type are very common. And, I am sad to say, they are almost never carried through.

Only 2 weeks ago, a close friend of mine - having lost a very large amount of money over several months - swore to me, on his mother's grave, that he would never wager on a race again...and instructed the management of our local OTB to bar him on sight -- as a guarantee that he would not go back on his promise.

He changed his mind 2 days later, and, because he doesn't want his friends to know, he now frequents an OTB 20 miles away.

It was Mark Twain who said that "bad habits cannot be just hurled out the window; they must be carried down the stairs...one step at a time".

Yes, grave health concerns have made it possible for smokers to give up cigarettes "cold turkey", but believe me...gambling is different.

My advice to you is this:

Instead of leaving this site...give all your "gambling" money to your fiance -- and have her save it for you.

Your problem is not logging onto this site...or even attending an OTB. Your problem is that you cannot control yourself when you get there.

You gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose...and you put yourself in desperate financial situations.

Keep $20 in your pocket when you go there...and your pathological gambling problem is gone.

And, after a while, you may find that the game no longer has the same hold on you as it has now.

There is no better cure for an addicted gambler than a steady diet of $2 bets.

And stay on this site; this site is not a gambling activity.

It's like a group of friends with common interests, getting together at an old-fashioned coffee shop for some interesting conversation.

I have tried giving this site up - for different reasons :) - and I have been miserable without it.

Again, I don't want you to misunderstand me.

I definitely think that you should give up all serious-type gambling.

It's just that my experience tells me you will not be able to do it "cold turkey".

I hope I am wrong...

[Robert Goren]

The idea of $2 bets is a bad idea. Hopefully Zippy has already stopped reading this site. With all due respect to the fine job that Pace does with it, it is no place for an addicted gambler. Some addicts are able to stop on their first try, but most aren't. It has been written that drug addicts have an average of 11 relapses before they finally stop using. I fail to see why problem gamblers would be any different. There is a 12 step organization called Gamblers Anonymous. They have meetings in most cities of any size. Their web site is www.gamblersanonymous.org (http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/). Their phone number is 1-888-GA-HELPS. I have not known anyone who belongs, but I have known AA members. It works for some people, but not all. I believe GA is worth a shot if you have a problem.

[Canarsie]

Best wishes to your fiance and you hope that you two have a wonderful life together.

There are a bunch of good posts here on both sides of the fence. Only you know exactly what will pertain to your situation.

Even though this is a horseplayer site if you feel the urge you can get support here and other resources. I really doubt that anyone would prod you to wager but might be able to offer a helping hand. Just look at all the supportive posts made in this thread.

[JBmadera]

I have read that addiction specialists believe quitting gambling is much more difficult that quitting drugs or alcohol.

All the best Zippy, and as has been suggested giving GA a call is worth your time.

[thaskalos]

The idea of $2 bets is a bad idea. Hopefully Zippy has already stopped reading this site. With all due respect to the fine job that Pace does with it, it is no place for an addicted gambler. Some addicts are able to stop on their first try, but most aren't. It has been written that drug addicts have an average of 11 relapses before they finally stop using. I fail to see why problem gamblers would be any different. There is a 12 step organization called Gamblers Anonymous. They have meetings in most cities of any size. Their web site is www.gamblersanonymous.org (http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/). Their phone number is 1-888-GA-HELPS. I have not known anyone who belongs, but I have known AA members. It works for some people, but not all. I believe GA is worth a shot if you have a problem.
Most of us are "addicted" to this game, detective...we just prefer to call it "hooked", because we think it sounds more playful.

If you don't believe me, then log on to that Gamblers Anonymous website, and take their 20-question test...which determines if you have a gambling problem or not.

You know...the one that asks..."have you ever lied as a result of your gambling", or..."has gambling ever caused you to lose time from work", or..."have you ever borrowed money to gamble", etc...

Tell me how you make out....

[Steve 'StatMan']

Best Of Luck Zippy! As others have stated, you're doing a very smart thing. In fact, I'm hoping you're not going back to read this post since the clean break, and came back already to say your thanks. You're a great guy, and I' sure you'll find other things to do and other friends that hopefully won't be associated with something you need to get away from, and from what I read, a fiance, you'll find other better things to do. ;)

[badcompany]

The idea of $2 bets is a bad idea. Hopefully Zippy has already stopped reading this site.

It's like an alcoholic trying to quit drinking by going to a bar every night and having a 1/2 a drink. Won't work.

In fact, even the teary farewell post is a bad idea as it encourages him to come back here and see what others have written.

[Valuist]

Best of luck Zippy. Hope whatever you choose works out.

[Cardus]

That has got to be the dumbest thing ever post in this forum.

Nice job, Goren.

[Cardus]

Zippy, it took me a long time to respond to this post of yours...because I don't know how you - or the other posters here - will react to my advice.

I agree with everything that the others here - especially "bigmack" - have advised you; I just don't know if you will be able to carry it through.

From the suddenness and the tone of your post, I can only surmise that a recent painful gambling-related experience has disgusted you to such an extent...you felt that you had to make your decision to quit public -- as a guarantee of sorts that you will not go back on your word this time.

It has been my misfortune to have had extensive exposure to addicted gamblers...and declarations of this type are very common. And, I am sad to say, they are almost never carried through.

Only 2 weeks ago, a close friend of mine - having lost a very large amount of money over several months - swore to me, on his mother's grave, that he would never wager on a race again...and instructed the management of our local OTB to bar him on sight -- as a guarantee that he would not go back on his promise.

He changed his mind 2 days later, and, because he doesn't want his friends to know, he now frequents an OTB 20 miles away.

It was Mark Twain who said that "bad habits cannot be just hurled out the window; they must be carried down the stairs...one step at a time".

Yes, grave health concerns have made it possible for smokers to give up cigarettes "cold turkey", but believe me...gambling is different.

My advice to you is this:

Instead of leaving this site...give all your "gambling" money to your fiance -- and have her save it for you.

Your problem is not logging onto this site...or even attending an OTB. Your problem is that you cannot control yourself when you get there.

You gamble with money that you cannot afford to lose...and you put yourself in desperate financial situations.

Keep $20 in your pocket when you go there...and your pathological gambling problem is gone.

And, after a while, you may find that the game no longer has the same hold on you as it has now.

There is no better cure for an addicted gambler than a steady diet of $2 bets.

And stay on this site; this site is not a gambling activity.

It's like a group of friends with common interests, getting together at an old-fashioned coffee shop for some interesting conversation.

I have tried giving this site up - for different reasons :) - and I have been miserable without it.

Again, I don't want you to misunderstand me.

I definitely think that you should give up all serious-type gambling.

It's just that my experience tells me you will not be able to do it "cold turkey".

I hope I am wrong...

This is true.

[PaceAdvantage]

Actually, I think what thaskalos has written rings true.

Most gamblers LOSE. No matter the game...even games where the possibility exists of a positive expectancy (horses, poker).

Thus, the PROBLEM arises when you are losing more than you can afford.

If you are able to restrict yourself to $2 wagers, you can still get your "action" without encountering the problem associated with losing too much money.

The analogy with an alcoholic is flawed in my opinion...it is not possible to catch the physical buzz an alcoholic is craving with only 1/2 a drink. Gambling is more so a mental addiction while drinking is more so a physical addiction IMO, although of course both addictions are part mental and part physical.

However, with a little retraining, it is possible to have almost as much excitement with a $2 wager as there is with a $20 wager or a $100 wager. I did say almost...because of course with added risk comes added excitement.

[badcompany]

Mike,

The point I was trying to make is that many alcoholics try "going back to the bar" just to hang out. They start out drinking coke or club soda, but, eventually they fall off the wagon. Betting $2 a race when you're used to betting alot more is the gambling equivalent of that.

IMO, sooner or later, you'll be betting more.

[thaskalos]

Mike,

The point I was trying to make is that many alcoholics try "going back to the bar" just to hang out. They start out out drinking coke or club soda, but, eventually they fall off the wagon. Betting $2 a race when you're used to betting alot more is the gambling equivalent of that.

IMO, sooner or later, you'll be betting more.
I realized that...but whoever said that addicted gambling was similar to alcoholism, or drug addiction (which must be given up entirely)...and is not more similar to addictive overeating or sex addiction (which need only to be modified)?

Excessive overeaters destroy their health, sex addicts destroy their relationships...and addicted gamblers destroy their finances.

I submit that gambling - being such a widespread activity - can even be beneficial when properly controlled...and I question the effectiveness of just bidding Zippy Chippy a quick "adios"...as if he has some uncontrollable disease that we can't all relate to.

[GameTheory]

Hmmm...I think some of you are missing something. LOSING isn't necessarily the only problem. So let's say he restricts himself to $2 bets and even breaks-even on those somehow. That won't necessarily make everything better or contribute to greater happiness.

There can be more to this (usually is, I think) -- the inability to think about or do anything else productive, to be obsessed with handicapping (or football scores) 10 hours a day and not want to go socialize with his wife-to-be, etc etc etc. So it is not just a problem with losing, but an obsession that is monopolizing your existence -- a tunnel-vision that has taken over your life. Some people really do need to get away completely so they can have an actual life and have the world return to full-color, as it were.

[badcompany]

I realized that...but whoever said that addicted gambling was similar to alcoholism, or drug addiction (which must be given up entirely)...and is not more similar to addictive overeating or sex addiction (which need only to be modified)?

Excessive overeaters destroy their health, sex addicts destroy their relationships...and addicted gamblers destroy their finances.


You have to eat, and if the species is going to continue, someone is going to have to have sex.

You don't HAVE to gamble, drink alcohol or do drugs.

[PaceAdvantage]

Mike,

The point I was trying to make is that many alcoholics try "going back to the bar" just to hang out. They start out drinking coke or club soda, but, eventually they fall off the wagon. Betting $2 a race when you're used to betting alot more is the gambling equivalent of that.

IMO, sooner or later, you'll be betting more.You're probably right, but only IF you're in the game solely to GAMBLE...if you're in the game also to handicap and you enjoy the process of trying to pick a winner and all that goes along with it, then I think you can adapt well to the $2 wager.

[thaskalos]

Hmmm...I think some of you are missing something. LOSING isn't necessarily the only problem. So let's say he restricts himself to $2 bets and even breaks-even on those somehow. That won't necessarily make everything better or contribute to greater happiness.

There can be more to this (usually is, I think) -- the inability to think about or do anything else productive, to be obsessed with handicapping (or football scores) 10 hours a day and not want to go socialize with his wife-to-be, etc etc etc. So it is not just a problem with losing, but an obsession that is monopolizing your existence -- a tunnel-vision that has taken over your life. Some people really do need to get away completely so they can have an actual life and have the world return to full-color, as it were.
Hold on a second there...

This "inability to socialize"...this "obsession that is monopolizing our existence"...and this "tunnel-vision that has taken over our lives"...don't all these things affect WINNING gamblers as well...in one way or another?

Can we win in gambling without single-minded dedication...which must, necessarily, steal our time from more social pursuits?

How many of these WINNERS do we see contemplating quitting the game...because "LOSING isn't necessarily the only problem"?

[thaskalos]

You have to eat, and if the species is going to continue, someone is going to have to have sex.

You don't HAVE to gamble, drink alcohol or do drugs.

And we don't HAVE to play golf, or ski, or travel, or eat out, or go to shows and sporting events either...but life just seems better when we do.

When WE control your hobbies, they improve the flavor of living.

When THEY control us...it's an altogether different story.

[GameTheory]

Hold on a second there...

This "inability to socialize"...this "obsession that is monopolizing our existence"...and this "tunnel-vision that has taken over our lives"...don't all these things affect WINNING gamblers as well...in one way or another?Yes. That was the main thrust of my point -- it isn't just about losing.

Can we win in gambling without single-minded dedication...which must, necessarily, steal our time from more social pursuits?Yes, you can win without it totally taking over (i.e. ruining) your life. There are a number of people that on this forum that do.

How many of these WINNERS do we see contemplating quitting the game...because "LOSING isn't necessarily the only problem"?Plenty, I imagine. For one thing, unless they are super big winners, most realize that if they are smart enough and disciplined enough to win in this game they could undoubtably make even more doing something else. Doing an objective (if that were possible) and cold-blooded cost-benefit analysis comparing horse race gambling with almost any other potentially profit-making endeavour and horse racing will almost always come up the loser, ESPECIALLY if you are a winner (which implies you'd approach such other endeavours in a wise manner and would likely be successful).

Also they may look around and find that they hardly ever talk to any other human beings or do anything at all that isn't gambling related. "Winning" at the cost of such a sorry existence would cause some to re-think what they are doing. (I hope.)

Just like workaholics in the business world can make a lot of money (i.e. be "winners") doesn't mean that it is bringing them happiness, or is the best way they could be living their life.

[bigmack]

When THEY control us...it's an altogether different story.
Personally, I think you're doing this guy a disservice. He clearly stated that he thinks it's best if he separates himself from the game. You're going on ad nauseam about $2 bets and hanging around this joint.

The ONLY thing he should do right now is completely get away from the game and anything related to the game. Period.

[Cardus]

"Its funny to me that whenever someone hears i love horse racing their first question is always, "Oh have you won a lot?" Or, "How often to you bet" I consider myself probably 75% fan, and 25% bettor. People can't grasp the fact that you can root for horses and not bet."

This is from ZC a couple of weeks ago.

How much "recovery" and "don't look back, get out of the game" does a guy need who is "75% fan, and 25% bettor"?

Some of ZC's posts do not add up.

[nijinski]

Since I don't know all the details and the extent of Zippy's problem I am sending my best wishes to him . Hopefully he will get the help he needs
and get back up on his feet !! When the control is gone , it's no longer fun .
For myself , I could never imagine not enjoying all that I get from this sport.
Unfortunately some people can become consumed by the high's and lows of gambling whether it be casino's , lottery or a sport.

[cj]

The game just got a little bit tougher.

[Zippy Chippy]

"Its funny to me that whenever someone hears i love horse racing their first question is always, "Oh have you won a lot?" Or, "How often to you bet" I consider myself probably 75% fan, and 25% bettor. People can't grasp the fact that you can root for horses and not bet."

This is from ZC a couple of weeks ago.

How much "recovery" and "don't look back, get out of the game" does a guy need who is "75% fan, and 25% bettor"?

Some of these posts do not add up.

HI i just came on to read. Still not sure if I should never come on again, or if its good to come on and talk about things.

The above is true. My love for horse racing is far more than betting on them. For instance when Zenyatta ran in the 2010 BCC if you asked me what I'd rather have. Zenyatta win, or Zenyatta loses, but I win $20,000 . I wouldn't even hesitate and have Zenyatta win. Same with Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont. My love for the horses would always trump winning money. I know its seems crazy, but its true. When Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward it was so overwhelming to me and my fiancee that we were literally in tears. I wouldn't trade awesome wins from my favorite horses for anything. Those are moments I will always remember. I would never bet those races where I love the horse. I watch (ed) horse racing every day but only bet when I went to the track. I don't have an online account, but when I'm there I am completely out of control. Betting every track, every race pretty much.

The reason I'm taking these measures isn't because I recently went on a bad run or anything its just that I am a completely different person when I'm gambling. I would say as a person I am a 9 (1 thru 10) I am caring, loving, will help anyone. Not many people in my life have ever seen me mad or angry, but when I am gambling as a person I am probably a 1. I have a mark on my hand from saturday where I think I punched a TV at an OTB in Connecticut. That is not me.

I know this isn't going to be easy. I have to retrain myself. I've been living this way for 20 years and I know its going to be a long hard road. I'm hoping in the future maybe I can help some people. Maybe I can come back in a year and post a thread about my 1st year without gambling.

As far as the post about going to bet $2 win bets. I know you mean well but there is just no way I could ever do that. I know it would lead to bigger things. Thanks for all the well wishes by everyone.

[Cardus]

HI i just came on to read. Still not sure if I should never come on again, or if its good to come on and talk about things.

The above is true. My love for horse racing is far more than betting on them. For instance when Zenyatta ran in the 2010 BCC if you asked me what I'd rather have. Zenyatta win, or Zenyatta loses, but I win $20,000 . I wouldn't even hesitate and have Zenyatta win. Same with Smarty Jones in the 2004 Belmont. My love for the horses would always trump winning money. I know its seems crazy, but its true. When Rachel Alexandra won the Woodward it was so overwhelming to me and my fiancee that we were literally in tears. I wouldn't trade awesome wins from my favorite horses for anything. Those are moments I will always remember. I would never bet those races where I love the horse. I watch (ed) horse racing every day but only bet when I went to the track. I don't have an online account, but when I'm there I am completely out of control. Betting every track, every race pretty much.

The reason I'm taking these measures isn't because I recently went on a bad run or anything its just that I am a completely different person when I'm gambling. I would say as a person I am a 9 (1 thru 10) I am caring, loving, will help anyone. Not many people in my life have ever seen me mad or angry, but when I am gambling as a person I am probably a 1. I have a mark on my hand from saturday where I think I punched a TV at an OTB in Connecticut. That is not me.

I know this isn't going to be easy. I have to retrain myself. I've been living this way for 20 years and I know its going to be a long hard road. I'm hoping in the future maybe I can help some people. Maybe I can come back in a year and post a thread about my 1st year without gambling.

As far as the post about going to bet $2 win bets. I know you mean well but there is just no way I could ever do that. I know it would lead to bigger things. Thanks for all the well wishes by everyone.

May I have your vCash?

[Robert Goren]

A smart friend who had quit drinking once told me that when he stopped controlling it(the drinking) and it was controlling him, he knew it was time to quit. I think it applies to gambling as well. It is the high that the gambling, alcohol, and drugs give that is addictive. I don't think that someone who is addicted to that high can be a $2 bettor. I know that problem gambling is a touchy subject here because so many (including me) are on the edge and have slowed it down a few times when it looked like we were losing control. The real addict can not do that. Once he loses control, he can never gamble, drink or whatever his addiction is and keep it under control. He will self destruct if he tries to gamble no matter how skilled he is at gambling. To put it bluntly, it is not money the gambling addict craves, it is the action.

[PhantomOnTour]

The game just got a little bit tougher.
Ouch man!

Wish you the best Zippy

[FiveWide]

Hmmm...I think some of you are missing something. LOSING isn't necessarily the only problem. So let's say he restricts himself to $2 bets and even breaks-even on those somehow. That won't necessarily make everything better or contribute to greater happiness.

There can be more to this (usually is, I think) -- the inability to think about or do anything else productive, to be obsessed with handicapping (or football scores) 10 hours a day and not want to go socialize with his wife-to-be, etc etc etc. So it is not just a problem with losing, but an obsession that is monopolizing your existence -- a tunnel-vision that has taken over your life. Some people really do need to get away completely so they can have an actual life and have the world return to full-color, as it were.

IMO, very well put GT! Sometimes it's not just about losing lots of money. Sometimes it's as simple as getting away from what is controlling one's life.

I used to be a big gamer (MMOs) and believe me, when I read your post it was so true with my gaming. By design, MMOs are meant to be addicting and time consuming. I would play for hours on end to the point where sometimes I only stopped to eat and sleep. It was very hard to find any kind of balance between gaming and normal life. I will say that it had no effect on my job whatsoever as I was not that addicted.

I've known some gamers that had the same problems and then some - jobs lost, marriages ruined, families ruined, health ruined etc. I am single so I didn't have any marriage or family to ruin but I finally said enough is enough and quit altogether. Since I couldn't find a balance my only option was to just walk away.

And if I ever reach that same point in horse racing then I'll no doubt do the same. Did it once and I can do it again. No problem.

Zippy I wish you all the best. My advice is to you. Put all the energy you had in your addiction to something new and you'll have no problem kicking the habit.



-Five

[speed]

The game just got a little bit tougher.
WTF

[PaceAdvantage]

WTFI think it was pretty self-explanatory.

[PaceAdvantage]

"Its funny to me that whenever someone hears i love horse racing their first question is always, "Oh have you won a lot?" Or, "How often to you bet" I consider myself probably 75% fan, and 25% bettor. People can't grasp the fact that you can root for horses and not bet."

This is from ZC a couple of weeks ago.

How much "recovery" and "don't look back, get out of the game" does a guy need who is "75% fan, and 25% bettor"?

Some of ZC's posts do not add up.You don't say...

[ElKabong]

Every time you get the urge to gamble. Re-read what you wrote above. Find another sport you are passionate about and immerse yourself in it....maybe with season tickets, etc. Your fiance will appreciate that and I am willing to speculate you will be happier in the long term. I wish you all the success in the world and applaud you in realizing the dangers gambling on the races can become if not controlled.

Jim

Leave it to JimG to put it perfectly.

Zippy,
finding happiness is the greatest thing you can experience. Sounds like you found it. If the ponies are wrecking your life, get out of it and make your bride to be a happy woman. You'll thank yourself in your later years

[speed]

I think it was pretty self-explanatory.
No doubt, just surprised me. Kicking a guy when he's down and all. I mostly stay out of the personal attacks but this caught me by surprise is all. I am sure there is reason to support it.
Cheers

[Robert Fischer]

if u can't hang = man-up and take a hike

not everyone is built for this. no shame in that.

more than enough sensitive support was given

it looks like ZC is STILL online as i type this... :confused:

[PaceAdvantage]

No doubt, just surprised me. Kicking a guy when he's down and all. I mostly stay out of the personal attacks but this caught me by surprise is all. I am sure there is reason to support it.
CheersPersonal attack? Really? More like a hardened horse player who has little sympathy for those who can't cut it...nothing personal...strictly business...

Now, I don't personally feel this way towards zip and I'm not going to speak for cj, but that was my interpretation.

Why do you feel it's a personal attack? Sounds silly to me...

The guy just admitted publicly that he has a gambling problem...ergo, he's a terrible player...ergo, the game indeed did just get more difficult with him out of the pools.

[cj]

Ouch man!

Wish you the best Zippy

Just stating the cold, hard facts of parimutuel gambling. Sometimes people like to pretend that everyone can win at this game, but we all know that isn't true.

[ArlJim78]

it was cold, I would agree with that. a cheap shot too.

we already had the facts, he confessed that he was losing and had a problem and needed to get away from it.

[cj]

it was cold, I would agree with that. a cheap shot too.

we already had the facts, he confessed that he was losing and had a problem and needed to get away from it.

It wasn't meant that way, but thanks for your false interpretation.

[thaskalos]

It sounded like a joke to me.

I doubt that cj meant anything by it...

[Cardus]

Personal attack? Really? More like a hardened horse player who has little sympathy for those who can't cut it...nothing personal...strictly business...

Now, I don't personally feel this way towards zip and I'm not going to speak for cj, but that was my interpretation.

Why do you feel it's a personal attack? Sounds silly to me...

The guy just admitted publicly that he has a gambling problem...ergo, he's a terrible player...ergo, the game indeed did just get more difficult with him out of the pools.

To what extent he was in the pools is the $2WPS question.

[Canarsie]

It sounded like a joke to me.

I doubt that cj meant anything by it...

I'll second that motion.

[porchy44]

...if you're in the game also to handicap and you enjoy the process of trying to pick a winner and all that goes along with it, then I think you can adapt well to the $2 wager.

Thank You.
Exactly what I was thinking. Besides I love the crunching the numbers with my handicapping software.