Can a problem gambling addict become a winning poker player?

MDMAzement

MDMAzement

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I am looking for people's opinion on problematic gambling and poker. I am a recreational player with a huge passion for the game and aspirations to one day to play poker for a living.

I mostly play live small stakes tournaments and 1/2 cash games. I usually play tournaments 3 times a week and cash every other night.

I have been relatively successful, topping the league and winning a ticket to the Irish main event (worth €1150) and sold it due to debts I owed from losing about 1200-1300 euro playing the roulette a couple weeks before.

So between that and the fact I have the league in the bag (€100 prize) and will get to play the league final which is a €1000 euro freeroll.

My point is poker has been profitable for me in the last 3 month's but all other gambling has left me in serious debt. I recently got barred from playing the roulette in the casino which is a huge help as I don't play any other table games.

The worst part is I haven't even been playing my best the last while as my discipline is lacking and I have been smoking cannabis whichI think really affects my game.

My question is had anybody else had a similar problem and could overcome their gambling?

I know in my own heart I have potential to be a great poker player but I'm worried my gambling problem will always be a block as the temptations will always be there.

This is my first post and feedback would be appreciated. :)
 
lorres1991

lorres1991

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In casinos? I doubt it. Online it's possible since you can self-exclude from the gambling games and set limits to how high you can play, so that can keep you from doing stupid things with your roll.
 
AlfieAA

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Ofcourse you could be a great poker player, but its prob worthwhile looking into why you keep doing the gambling...coz you don't want to use all your hard earned poker winnings on a 2 minute roulette thrill....

The gambling must fulfil some need and that's why you go back to it....
Then we get angry and frustrated with ourselves for being 'stupid'..maybe a good idea to remove the self criticism and look at it all from a different angle, while being abit more easy on yourself..

Because if you react the same way afterwards, it's going to be very hard to change the habits.
 
Kenzie 96

Kenzie 96

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I shall assume this is not a send up & answer. STOP NOW.
 
smallfrie

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I think Stu Ungar arguably the greatest poker player of all time and at least one of the best of his time was a habitual degenerate gambler and drug user so I would say the answer to your question is yes...

But his story ended very bad.

.
 
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freestocks

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Wow. I think only you can answer your own question.
 
detroitjunkie

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The answer is yes = a problem gambler can become a winning poker player

but that doesnt matter because you will still be broke unless you can control yourself with the weed and gambling. until this happens it doesnt really matter if you are good or bad, you will always be losing

good luck
 
MDMAzement

MDMAzement

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Thanks for all the great feedback (y)

I'm only 20 and I've bet a cocaine addiction, as well as many other drugs.
I'm also concerned MDMA has out permanent damage on my concentration.

The answer is yes = a problem gambler can become a winning poker player

but that doesnt matter because you will still be broke unless you can control yourself with the weed and gambling. until this happens it doesnt really matter if you are good or bad, you will always be losing

good luck

Thanks for the feedback. Sound man.

I shall assume this is not a send up & answer. STOP NOW.

Explain?

Ofcourse you could be a great poker player, but its prob worthwhile looking into why you keep doing the gambling...coz you don't want to use all your hard earned poker winnings on a 2 minute roulette thrill....

The gambling must fulfil some need and that's why you go back to it....
Then we get angry and frustrated with ourselves for being 'stupid'..maybe a good idea to remove the self criticism and look at it all from a different angle, while being abit more easy on yourself..

Because if you react the same way afterwards, it's going to be very hard to change the habits.

You seem to know what your talking about, thanks for the feedback.

It's something I have to plan out. My mind is just torn towards really wanting to get rid of this sickness altogether, but having a great desire to work on my plan of becoming a winning player.
 
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Kenzie 96

Kenzie 96

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Poker involves gambling, you have a problem, which you recognize, with gambling, yet you still think you need to work on getting better at the poker, rather than focusing on the more serious issue of your gambling addiction.
 
MDMAzement

MDMAzement

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I see what you're getting at. Maybe a good break away from the table of absolutely no gambling and ease myself back in to cards

Poker involves gambling, you have a problem, which you recognize, with gambling, yet you still think you need to work on getting better at the poker, rather than focusing on the more serious issue of your gambling addiction.

I need a stricly just poker policy and avoid any more slip ups like what has happened already
 
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wilpinsi

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I believe we all have a good chance of becoming a great poker player, be profitable.
everything in life comes with a lot of willpower, if this dream and fight for it.
 
wagon596

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I'm a recovering Alcoholic and Drug Addict. been clean and sober for 27 years. Never had a problem with poker. Not sure what the answer would be in your case.
I have had two major surgeries and was on morphine and then on hydrocodone at home, but had no problem coming off them after the pain stopped. So I guess frame of mind has a lot to do with it. I wish you the best in what ever you decide.
 
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zkel1980

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The feeling you get from beating addiction will always beat the feeling the addiction gives you. If you can take that, turn it in to a positive and go on to do well at poker then you'll get the best feeling. I believe you can do it. My story and point in life isn't much different to your own, PM me and we'll talk. I'm interested to find out how you get on. Best of luck no matter what.
 
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plantendienst

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Ask yourself the question if YOU want to be that our advice is to quit or that we advice you to play on. The answer will tell if you want to play poker or not. I would recommend to quit the losing games like roulette etc., and play more poker instead, especially if you win more in poker. On top of that, Manage your bankroll as good as possible and your chances to have less huge swings will be smaller.

About the cannabis, that's a very individual thing. I think one person can be influenced in the good way( focused f.e.) and an other one can turn crazy or become confused. Self knowledge is key
 
pescaofish

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Ludopathy

Listen, you can become a winning poker player but the Ludopathy will be with you unless you get serious about it. Until then there is nothing worth doing kid.
Wish you get advice. :deal:
 
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seghill

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you recognize the problems but do nothing about them.
In the short term you are possible a winner - in the long term NO WAY.
The solution is still in your hands - you do know the answer
 
MDMAzement

MDMAzement

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you recognize the problems but do nothing about them.
In the short term you are possible a winner - in the long term NO WAY.
The solution is still in your hands - you do know the answer

U can't I achieve what i want? There's no readon i can't overcome these problems I'm 20 years old I can make mistakes it's just a matter of learning from them.

I know I haven't been doing squat about it but does the fact that i created this post show im truly motivated to break these terrible habits.
 
MDMAzement

MDMAzement

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Ask yourself the question if YOU want to be that our advice is to quit or that we advice you to play on. The answer will tell if you want to play poker or not. I would recommend to quit the losing games like roulette etc., and play more poker instead, especially if you win more in poker. On top of that, Manage your bankroll as good as possible and your chances to have less huge swings will be smaller.

About the cannabis, that's a very individual thing. I think one person can be influenced in the good way( focused f.e.) and an other one can turn crazy or become confused. Self knowledge is key

That is some quality input I will take it on board. Cheers Bro (y)
 
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MikeyE8

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Firstly, stop playing other gambling games and just stick to Poker. I think you can be a good poker player if you study and concentrate on being the best game you can be. Try to stop smoking cannibis while playing poker, it probably causes your game to go downhill. Also if you can't stop or the problem gets worse go see a psychiatrist or call a help phone number. Good luck, I hope your dream comes true.
 
MDMAzement

MDMAzement

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Firstly, stop playing other gambling games and just stick to Poker. I think you can be a good poker player if you study and concentrate on being the best game you can be. Try to stop smoking cannibis while playing poker, it probably causes your game to go downhill. Also if you can't stop or the problem gets worse go see a psychiatrist or call a help phone number. Good luck, I hope your dream comes true.

Thanks man I had serious doubts in my mind about myself before receiving positive feedback like this (y)

I hope I can come back to this thread one day proudly having defeated my demons.
 
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joe777

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It is much better to play poker than roulette because in poker you still stand some chances to be profitable in the long run.
 
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Tman300

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I don't think a problem gambling addict can be successful in poker because he/she will eventually start playing slots and other table games and I know for a fact that most games will have you spend more money to win back or break even
 
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nyolcas

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I am looking for people's opinion on problematic gambling and poker. I am a recreational player with a huge passion for the game and aspirations to one day to play poker for a living.

I mostly play live small stakes tournaments and 1/2 cash games. I usually play tournaments 3 times a week and cash every other night.

I have been relatively successful, topping the league and winning a ticket to the Irish main event (worth €1150) and sold it due to debts I owed from losing about 1200-1300 euro playing the roulette a couple weeks before.

So between that and the fact I have the league in the bag (€100 prize) and will get to play the league final which is a €1000 euro freeroll.

My point is poker has been profitable for me in the last 3 month's but all other gambling has left me in serious debt. I recently got barred from playing the roulette in the casino which is a huge help as I don't play any other table games.

The worst part is I haven't even been playing my best the last while as my discipline is lacking and I have been smoking cannabis whichI think really affects my game.

My question is had anybody else had a similar problem and could overcome their gambling?

I know in my own heart I have potential to be a great poker player but I'm worried my gambling problem will always be a block as the temptations will always be there.

This is my first post and feedback would be appreciated. :)

I had a similar problem in the past , and wrote some sentences about that. I've mixed up the poker and the online betting . I was successfull in poker , earned a lot of money, but lost everything with sports betting. My recommendation is very simple. Do not mix them. Yes I know this require a hard self control, but if you are good in poker play only that.
 
maniaka68

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Yes offcourse i tell ou like a ex gambler its sucks tobe a gambler.
 
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Rumme1

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gambling is not a problem, if you are a winning gambler :}

its only a problem if you are a losing player.
 
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