Hi all,
Just registered and thought I would make a quick post before I go to bed.
I ended up on this site after I e-mailed *********** and asked to be excluded from their Poker site, not that I play a lot there, but I was excluding from a number of places and it didn't seem to be an option to do that via their software. So, I e-mailed them to request it, and they are obliged to refer people to sites like this.
The reason why I have chosen the title I have is because I am not totally sure that I have a problem as such, I have a creeping suspicion that it might become one, if it isnt already a problem.
I'm not a sports bettor, although, I do put bets on at certain occasions but this is low risk. I'll not say much more about that because its not the problem.
I play Poker, mostly at *********, a few other sites too. Lately I have been playing a lot, watching a lot of videos, thinking almost non-stop about poker. When I am at work, I am thinking about whether I will play later, and then I inevitably do play, watch and post on forums about poker.
Its getting to the point where I think it is almost an obsession. The hard part is, I have made money from the game, but I fear I am losing any life I had outside it. Its an all consuming game.
I've excluded from most sites, and e-mailed ********* to ask them to remove my playing privileges for a week to give me space to think.
I think I probably do have a problem.
Hi basketcase I don't know If I can help you very much but your obviously thinking straight to take the step of doing this now just in case.
Gambling for me became my life my morning noon and night all I can think about quite sad really considering I have a good family life and two beautiful kids I like you was not giving 100% at work and neglected friends and other aspects of my life.
good look to you and I hope you find the answers your looking for and this horrible thing does not get a grip of you
Ste26
Hi Basketcase, welcome to the Forum; a very thought-provking initial post my friend,
It is very positive that you recognize that, whilst you have a relative amount of control, you understand where you could potentially be headed.
The problem with gambling is that you don't know how it will manifest itself. There are many people who come here, gambling at a certain level within their means, and then find that their life circumstances change through relationships/redundancy/having children etc - suddenly, they find they need every single penny but can't bring themselves to stop completely - you have to ask yourself whether you could do the same my friend.
Poker can be all-consuming, and it can be a huge drain on your valuable time. There are poker players who can make money short-term, but the odds of you making money over five or tens years is extremely, extremely, extremely slim; you have to ask yourself whether it is worth devoting so much of your time to something where you are going to end up a loser at some point or another.
Not only that, but you don't actually achieve anything through playing it, and neither will you gain any respect or admiration from others; you clearly are an intelligent, driven person - if you can channel this in a different way, where you were studying for a qualification or spent this time helping others for instance, then it would give you happiness, respect and fulfillment which poker, or any other form of gambling, ever could.
You did the right thing my closing your accounts for this time my friend - use it to judge for yourself as to how much of a hold it has on you, use it to explore other options.
JamesP
Hi guys,
Thanks for the awesome replies.
I'm a couple of days removed now from my original post and the event that caused me to take the actions I did, contacting poker sites and making a post here, and things are a little clearer in my mind now than they were at that time.
First off, I do think I have a problem, but I think it is much wider than playing too much online Poker. I think I play so much Poker because I basically have nothing else to do with my time right now. I have no activities, and no interests, that are getting me enthused about life. So when I come home at night I am basically left with my TV, my computer and not a lot else.
I'm financially sound, have a job, but little else.
The amount of money I play with is actually fairly minimal, its not going to make me go broke, especially given steps I took this week.
On Monday, what happened, was that for a short amount of time I lost my discipline and played slightly higher than I should have been. Once I cottoned on to what I was doing, I immediately stopped, excluded from most major sites that I have accounts on, and made a post on a Poker forum about what I had done (No-one tried to tell me that what I had done was reasonable or anything, its actually a fairly responsible site).
I didnt play again later that evening, or yesterday, but when I got home from my mums I e-mailed the main site I play at and asked them to restrict the limits I am allowed to play at, and they have imposed this (I cant lift the limit) until the end of April (I specified the date). So there can be no repeat of Monday for at least 50+ days, not that I think I would do it again.
So I guess what I am trying to say is, I am glad I posted here, I think I know where I am going wrong, I AM playing too much poker, its because I have nothing else to do, I need to find more varied interests and get out of the house.
I'm going to stick around the forums and read peoples posts, keep myself aware of major pitfalls, if I can ever help I will certainly try.
Thanks again guys, writing what I just did has helped reinforce things in my mind.
Hello basketcase and welcome to our Forum.
Having a big win can be the reason for many people developing a gambling addiction, so well done for recognising the signs of developing a problem with gambling and taking measures to stop it before you completely lose control over it. I am glad you found posting on the Forum helpful.
Also, keep in mind that at GamCare, we offer in the moment emotional support and practical advice. There is also face-to-face counselling, if you find that you are struggling with managing your urge to gamble. It could also give you a safe space to explore the issue and discover alternative ways that may work for you.
You're welcome to contact the GamCare advisers on our freephone 0808 8020 133. We're open from 8am until midnight, 7 days a week. Alternatively, you can use the Netline
http://secure.gamcare.org.uk/netline
Best wishes,
Ana
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