Gambling is something I enjoy. A lot. In 2002, whilst a student, I went to Las Vegas on my 22nd birthday and gambled for the first time. After four days I came out $100 on top, and walked out of the casinos after 4 days a very happy boy.
In 2004, as a doctor, I returned to Vegas. This time I lost $2000 over four days but made $2500 back, a nice profit of $500.
Both trips to Vegas have involved blackjack. Then I started reading about poker. The idea of winning money from other people seems much more attractive than taking a few dollars from a casino dealer who doesn't care either way (in fact, most dealers in Vegas help you if you tip regularly).
I've been to casinos outside Vegas but have left quickly as I told myself the way to contain my potential addiction would be to only gamble in Las Vegas and nowhere else.
I have always had the idea of going back there with $5000 to gamble. Luckily no-one I know has been stupid enough to join me yet. As I get older and priorities start to change, I've been thinking about spending that money on a house/car/etc. Although given that I have gradually saved the $5000 with the aim of gambling it, knowing full well I may lose it all over 3-4 days (but have a bloody good time doing it) is it really that harmful? I don't smoke or do drugs, I don't drink much (most of the time) and have no other real vices. So maybe it's OK to save a few thousand dollars over 2-3 years and then blow it in a week if I enjoy it and don't mind losing it? It is my money and I have worked hard to get it. But then does that make me even more stupid if I gamble it?
Today I had a day off work and was very bored at home. I played on-line poker for the first time. I invested $200 and they gave me an extra $50 as a way of saying 'hello'. Three hours later I had lost the lot, but had enjoyed playing.
So what next? I am tempted to put in another $200 and try to get my money back. I will be annoyed if I lose that money as well, but it won't be the end of the world. But this is how gambling problems start. The only way to control this is to set myself rules i.e. only gamble in Las Vegas, only gamble once a year, only gamble in real casinos, etc. Otherwise it will get out of hand.
That leads me to question why I enjoy gambling. Part of it might be because I am lazy and enjoy getting money without having to work for it, but that isn't the only reason. I get a buzz from playing with money that I can only just afford to lose. That's why I only gambled $100 as a student but then $2000 as a doctor. If it was the game itself that I enjoyed (poker, blackjack, whatever) I would be happy playing for pennies.
I have 2 golden rules when gambling:
1) When you lose, have the cahunas to put more money in and stay in the game
2) When you are up and have reached your pre-determined target, walk away
It is hard to pluck up the courage to put more money into a losing situation, and it is even harder to walk away from a winning situation. If I want to win $200 back now, I'm going to have to go back in with around $500 to give myself a good chance.
I just found this on the internet and it is very worrying indeed:
Robert Custer identified the progression of gambling addiction as including three phases:
During the winning phase, gamblers experience a big win or a series of wins that leaves them with unreasonable optimism that their winning will continue. This leads them to feel great excitement when gambling, and they begin increasing the amounts of their bets.
During the losing phase, gamblers often begin bragging about wins they've had, start gambling alone, think more about gambling and borrow money legally or illegally. They start lying to family and friends and become more irritable and withdrawn. Their home life becomes more unhappy, and they are unable to pay off debts. They begin to "chase" their losses, believing they must return as soon as possible to win back their losses.
During the desperation phase, there is a marked increase in the time spent gambling. This is accompanied by remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends. Eventually, the gamblers may engage in illegal acts to finance their gambling. They may experience hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, arrests, divorce, alcohol and/or other drug abuse, or an emotional breakdown.
During the losing phase, gamblers often begin bragging about wins they've had, start gambling alone, think more about gambling and borrow money legally or illegally. They start lying to family and friends and become more irritable and withdrawn. Their home life becomes more unhappy, and they are unable to pay off debts. They begin to "chase" their losses, believing they must return as soon as possible to win back their losses.
During the desperation phase, there is a marked increase in the time spent gambling. This is accompanied by remorse, blaming others and alienating family and friends. Eventually, the gamblers may engage in illegal acts to finance their gambling. They may experience hopelessness, suicidal thoughts and attempts, arrests, divorce, alcohol and/or other drug abuse, or an emotional breakdown.
My gambling experiences so far have exhibited many of the features of the winning and then today the losing phase. If I sign back in to the on-line poker room will I officially be addicted? Where is the distinction between an expensive hobby and an addiction?
