I don't bet on games now but when I was in college I did. I bought my Christmas presents one year with money won.

 

Now, I play the occasional Texas hold em tournament with friends and we will get together to play poker.

I will go to the boat about 1-2 times a year.

I love to gamble especially cards but find a hard time to do it very much.

98, do you consider fantasy football a form of gambling?

 

I have a theory on this but I'd like to hear a few others...

 

 

I have got to hear this one.....spill it

I really enjoy the science of it. I like studying the trends, I love looking at 3 and 5 year windows for teams ATS. I love using factors like home-field, weather, motivations, etc. to draw conclusions and anticipate out-comes.

 

Again, the reason I stopped putting my money where my mouth is was because it truly ruined my viewing experience. That, and I hated losing money more than I enjoyed winning money.

 

 

I look at it a lot, but I have an interst in looking at it as much as I do, which you already know. I just wouldn't spend nearly as much time looking at it for recreation.

 

I know what you mean about not being able to enjoy the games. I had a hard time watching football last week and last year the NCAA basketball tourney was brutal, but I tried to learn how to watch it and worry about the rest the next day.

Not to mention, of course, I handicap the ponies several times a year.

You meanie! What'd they ever do to you! :madman:

I'm with hssb on this one. Tried it a few times and it made watching the games a chore. Plus with my chosen career path I think it is wise to stay clear...

but I tried to learn how to watch it and worry about the rest the next day.

 

For me, impossible.

 

Again, the main reason is this: I just hated losing money more than I enjoyed winning money. Simple as that.

When we lived in Memphis, PH and I always went to the dog track and bet on the Greyhounds. (Had to go to West Memphis Arkansas to do this). I was VERY lucky in this. I always picked the cutest dog for this LOL LOL. PH was amazed that I would do this and win...he thought at first it was really stupid, then, he started asking me which dog I thought was the cutest out there!!! LOL LOL

I use to gamble a little bit, When I lived in Cincy I'd hit the boats in Indiana 3-5 ties a year, but usually bet less than 200 each trip. (Usually won)

 

Now I very seldom bet, maybe an occasion one with my father or father in law for a couple bucks, but hardly anything to speak of.

 

Its in my blood and I love it, so I stay clear.

I bet daily and I do it all online. I am 30. I find that betting makes me really get into the games and its something that I find really enjoyable. The key is keeping it under control.

The first step to recovery, is admitting you have a problem.

I know of a bookmaker and he keeps players to a minimum (to avoid deadbeat payers) and I have only bet a handfull of times with him. I won the first few which gave me a taste and kept me going but the last 2 I lost put me in the negative and I swore I would never do it again and havnt. The juice is where they make their money as well as hedging bets made with them and placing bets with their own bookie. They wouldnt do it if they didnt make money, lets just put it at that.

 

The key to betting IMO is to keep it to a minimum of 2-3 games a week whether it be 1 college and 2 pro or vice versa. I know guys that bet like 8-10 games at $50 a piece and at the end of the day they either owe $100 or they win $40.....which to me isnt worth the stress.

 

Pick 2-3 games you really like and plunk down a Hundy on them and see where it takes you if you really want to do it. For me, I hate losing so I am done with it.

The first step to recovery, is admitting you have a problem.

Brings up an interesting question. What makes it a problem? I would assume it's only if you are losing outside of your means.

Brings up an interesting question. What makes it a problem? I would assume it's only if you are losing outside of your means.

 

Its a problem if it is cutting into your ability to pay your bills, keep your wife happy, spend time with your kids, etc. If you have disposable income and want to blow $400 to $500 a week on betting than that is your right. Just know the downside. I would much rather put that money into an investment. However, once in a while there is a LAYDOWN bet and I get the itch. For instance, the Patriots last week vs. the Jets. And that was before they got busted for cheating.

Brings up an interesting question. What makes it a problem? I would assume it's only if you are losing outside of your means.

Yes and the lure of easy money, often has the reality of strife and anguish for many.

Its a problem if it is cutting into your ability to pay your bills, keep your wife happy, spend time with your kids, etc. If you have disposable income and want to blow $400 to $500 a week on betting than that is your right. Just know the downside. I would much rather put that money into an investment. However, once in a while there is a LAYDOWN bet and I get the itch. For instance, the Patriots last week vs. the Jets. And that was before they got busted for cheating.

One could argue there are those that are good enough at it, and I'm not saying i'm one of those people, that they earn a better return gambling than investing.

 

Not as secure of course, but still....