Do you know anyone whose life was ruined by gambling?

[HeavyHeart]

I've taken a few bad beats in casinos that really screwed up my finances for the month, but I didn't have the monetary resources to just rebuy and circle the drain. I learned early on that losing is much easier than winning so it's important to be very careful.

I think bankroll management should be taught in high school.

A friend of my parents once gambled away her life savings playing video poker. If she had learned the mechanics of gambling in high school, she might have drawn the line at $1000 and called that a lesson well learned.

 

[okeedokalee]

No a guy, 61yo, totally broke, gambles on horses.I have more in my racehorse betting account than he has in the bank.The guy is about to inherit about 30k he will blow that chasing slow horses also.

 

[vinylspiros]

That's an interesting point dj. When I watch the UFC, all the time there are guys on there that say things like "if I wasn't fighting I'd be robbing banks" or something to that nature. And there's the story of Mike Tyson, a guy that'd probably be dead in the streets at an early age if it weren't for boxing. So I wonder how many people out there where gambling has been a positive influence in their life instead of a negative one.

you have apoint here man. to be honest sometimes i think that i may be spending too much time with poker,but as with any hobbie,obsession,whatever,it is something i really enjoy doing and has its benefits.
benefits:
-drink less cause im not going out to bars and clubs as much
-im actually not spending as much money as i used to before poker cause going out for dinner or drinks can cost 100-200 dollars . and ive been playing without depositing anything serious for quite sometime.

-keeps you in the house more so u can spend more time with relatives every 55 minutes past the hour for 5 minutes. LOL

 

[sylpoker1]

-keeps you in the house more so u can spend more time with relatives every 55 minutes past the hour for 5 minutes. LOL vinyl, that last line of yours really made me laugh. its especially true for fone calls, ask them to call back when have that 5 min break I dont do that, when its really important, although i know there are times, when i havent given a fone con
versation, my full attention cause of poker .(

 

[HoldOnTheRail]

Making money throught comunication is way more satisfying, but 8 to 5 is depressing too. Poker is not for everyone for sure, but people who works a lot and gets minimum sallaries. Poker player may look very glamorous for them. And thats the same thing with poker players. I think you should enjoy it if you can afford yourself. Poker definately made good impact on me. Made me smart, disciplined and stay away from drugs(in a way)(I spent 1.5k$ on weed when I cash big). I dont regret anything why should I?
But talking about slots n shit is stupid. Poker made me realise its total crap. Iv lost a couple of thousand dollars on slots, but I wasnt stuck. There is nohow I can affect machine and poker made good impact in this place.
Some weeks ago my friend gambler stole 20g of gold from his best friend just to gamble on roullete. That was sick. He was in his house and knew where a gold is. But what can you call him a robber or an addict??

 

[MAX101]

Yep poker for me is an addiction, I'm at work thinking how I should have played a certain hand,or I can't wait to get home to play a few hands, I even have 4 casino's within 30 min's from my house closest being 10 min's ,been to each one once, only played at one once won fifty bucs went out and bought me some sneakers lol with the money , but I like playing if I wasn't playing all I'd be doing is watching tv vegging,I've never bet the house at least not yet, but I've never made a deposit either, I did early on realize you have to keep it in perspective or it will get out of hand , I'm guessing something just clicks in peoples brains an they just can't turn it off,I like playing keeps my heart pumping my brain working not just sitting there vegging!!

 

[ChronicFish]

I am currently using poker to quit smoking ciggeretts and it helps tremendosly, i do situps and pushups in between hands lol...but i did hit a sick bad loose streak back in 09 on pokerstars..i can see how ppl loose their ass...but if you loose your bankroll, and it turns into multiple deposits thats when its time to tcall quits..

 

[burgdogky]

I have heard of addicted gamblers in my life, mainly slot machines, but never poker. I wonder why that is.

 

[bernotas22]

yeah i know a guy who was very very wealthy and lost it playing blackjack mostly and other games not sure if he played poker he was basically a blackjack and casino game guy

 

[rifflemao]

Friend of a friend inherited 100k and blew 30k+ on slots. When the wifey confronted him about it, he said it was his money and he was the man. Now the rest of the windfall is gone, and they're in danger of losing the house.

Who da man? :stupido3:

 

[Misdir]

Vinlyspiros--they are not playing for the money per se, they are playing for the attention, fame, and the life-style the money affords them. that is the addiction.

 

[United]

My dad lost 50,000 that we couldn't afford to lose over a span of 5 years

Forced my family to be frugal as ****. Still frugal now that I'm in college.

We aren't in dire finances or anything. Just have to be frugal

 

[luckytvguy]

Too many of them.Gamble destroy people's life.Husbands with that addiction destroy lifes of wifes.So I often remind myself,dont play poker with gamble style.

 

[hrix]

I know one guy, who lost his house on casino. It seems, that everything is OK with him now. He doesn't play roulettes, slots and other games anymore.

 

[cotta777]

Do you know anyone whose life was ruined by gambling? This can be a dangerous addiction. Any older guys here who have seen the damage done by addicted gambling instead of just working a normal steady job?

Gambling destroyed my life a few years, I had a terrible roulette problem and I was under the illusion I had the ability to predict number patterns after having some big wins and winning 2 thousand or more a few times.... I ended up driving myself crazy obsessed lost my job on three different occasions, I couldn't even go to work because I had no money to get a bus - in addition their were times I was so bad off I couldn't attend an interview. And I had to take 6 months out of work to sort myself out because money triggered obsessive gambling thoughts and I couldnt handle the urges.

Its crazy when I say this but poker saved my life. I've been playing 3 years competitively online and live... And the learning of bankroll management and probability has cemented my mindset against playing roulette,

and I've learnt to channel my energies into something positive, I focus on my family, my career, Poker and training 'in the gym' So much happier I give up going out because Its not really a positive thing going out to clubs drinking etc. always an aftermath from this, whether its physical or pshycological

I already knew the math on roullette was well against me and knew I was sacrificing money to risk a big win... But thats the reason I played it..

I dont really know anyone who had as bad a habit as I did, but I can honestly say I dont know many people now who have the discipline I do.
I learnt a lesson and appreciate money and what you can do in life having money

 

[jocstarr]

Oh my goodness, my friend is casting a tv show about this if anyone wants to tell their story email jfillmancasting@gmail.com

 

[diegogs79]

I play every day the clear poker that I play the freeroll because I do not have money peros and that some day I am going to gain a big prize do not think to lower the arms

 

[RickAversion]

owning-mahowny? Movie about a gambler ?

Anyone ever watch owning-mahowny? Movie about a gambler ?

Any others you like?

 

[don1980]

I know a guy who lost his house, car, wife and kids to gambling. Now he's a bum on the street.

 

[don1980]

I mean people here it all the time about people with gambling problems. But, if you are winning at gambling is it considered a problem?

 

[IvanShovski]

Loved Owning Mahowny. It's a Canadian classic based on a true story. Philip Seymour Hoffman was brilliant as Mahowny. Very sad to hear about his recent demise.

 

[DaveE]

A really close friend of mine in high school jumped in front of a train over losing 2.3G on paper thru poker. Noone was ever going to force him to pay....but he went ahead and did it anyway.

Bad memory

 

[bernotas22]

A really close friend of mine in high school jumped in front of a train over losing 2.3G on paper thru poker. Noone was ever going to force him to pay....but he went ahead and did it anyway.

Bad memory

really? that is very sad to hear I am sorry for your loss

 

[DaveE]

really? that is very sad to hear I am sorry for your loss

Thanks....it was a looong time ago.

 

[akaRobbo]

This isn't answering the original question, but id just like to highlight how poker has already changed the gambling I take part in, even at the age of 22.

Before playing poker I would bet on the football here in England, 2-3 times a week sometimes, rarely winning, and also every now and then go to the casino with mates and play roulette etc.

Now, since I started playing poker for real cash online, I find myself having NO desire to take part in these gambling types anymore. Why would I gamble money on things that are in some cases 100% luck based, or VERY highly luck based, when I could be playing poker, a game that I love and want to improve at and knowing that the majority of the game comes down to SKILL. Its just a no-brainer for me now.

I hope you guys never get into any trouble with money, just be sensible and don't gamble what you can't afford to lose!