Last Resort

I know poker all too well. And also made stupid decisions like that for a thrill/out of boredom.

The problem with compulsive gamblers can be that they need immediate gratification. I worked my way through every type of gambling, horse, dogs, football, poker and most recently casinos. Throwing in £2k on 45 and winning would have made you felt good, probably have tricked yourself into think it was clever move. You lost and reality kicked it, you made that move probably as you are a complusive gambler, nothing really to do with poker.

Poker really is a game of patience and doesn't suit a complusive gambler, part of you will want to beat gambling and come back to poker to try make money by playing it skillfully. My advice would be not too try, it's far more likely to be destructive.

Call it quits.

Get help, start a diary, tell family if you need support at home.

Hi, your right. It genuinely has nothing to do with poker anymore,it may have started off that way but even if I'd have won with the 45 I wouldn't have felt clever or quit,I'd have done the same the next hand with whatever cards came like you say for the instant gratification.I did it as Its compulsive gambling,not poker.Well it's 11.45 and so far not logged on.That probably doesn't sound big but I normally am chasing by now in the morning. Hopefully we can get through today because the urges in my head are astonishing to go gamble. Thanks for your comment mate.

Hi Steve - welcome to the gamcare forums - by signing up you've taken a very important first step.

I've been gambling for over 15 years and lost more than I care to remember but joined this site 4 days ago and so far it's keeping me away from gambling. Still early days I know, but coming on here and making a diary entry every day is helping me more than I could have imagined - give it a go mate - it keeps your mind focussed and sharing your thoughts and fears may help you as it has me.

Good luck - stay strong and think of those you love

Cheers Andrew

Thank you Andrew52. I've started the diary and hopefully beginning to head on the right track.Good luck on your journey too.Ill follow your progress as we're both new ish here.

hi Steve, get a blocker for your PC, that way you won't be able to access any poker sites. there's a free 28-day trial version of one at this link (uninstall poker sites first if you haven't already, get the full version when you can afford to):

http://www.plevna.f9.co.uk/block-gambling-with-txnogam.htm

Do you play on the ipoker network ? (as used by most UK bookmakers as they get huge rakeback deals) Be careful.

also check out www.gamblingfactsandfictions.com (click link twice as annoying popup first time) read section on internet poker.

Honestly, be careful with online poker; you have no idea whether other players can see the flop / turn / river before it's displayed; they may also be able to 'see' your hole cards; with games accessible by mobile devices these days collusion is rife, can be in the same room now don't even need to be on the phone to do it. Where there's money there's corruption.

hi Davey

We've had to remove a link in your post as it linked to a site discussing the merits of various poker sites, which could trigger urges in readers to try different sites in the hope of getting a better experience.

Thanks

Forum Admin

Hi Davey,yes I played on that said network as well as every other network going. I got a huge rake back deal which is how I made a living really before things got out of control.All been removed,and my partner has downloaded a K9 software.Not sure if it's any good....but she set up up with passwords etc for controls.Shes confident you can't go on anything and it stops downloads also.So fingers crossed.Thanks for your advice.