Life With Sports Bets Only

I am one of those to who you refer mate and I can assure you If I ever bet in the future it will not be because of tipping horses or talking about them either. It will only be that I have fallen down personally on my determination to not bet. This will have been caused by the return of my hopeless idea that I am close to a big win that will be great for my future when in truth even if I did win it would be merely a loan to allow me to bet further and ultimately lose big time.

I am not qualified to talk about 'chat' as I have never felt the need to get involved in it. Writing on here and reading of the misery caused by gambling to both c's and their loved ones is more than enough for me to retain my resolve at the moment.

As for virtually gambling--if it means I do not put my money or sanity at risk then bring it on.

Perhaps the fact that you have never really come to terms with the idea of 'quitting' is actually more to do with the fact that you may well be falling back in to gambling head first following your recent 'wins' or should I say loans from your 'selective' gambling.

Perhaps your post today is more to do with the fact that your football bet last night was a loser.

As for this site being the excuse for you starting to random gamble again--I would question as to who it is who is actually deluding themselves and needs to wake up.

I am pleased that you have access to such a large amount of money but would suggest that you put steps in place to safeguard it from today.

Rant over----I CANNOT WIN BECAUSE I CANNOT STOP

Stumper

Morning C,

I found your last post very interesting. I am not into horseracing ...thank god for small mercies lol but I can understand that all the racing "talk" on here could have made you feel vulnerable. Perhaps you need to look a little deeper as to why it has had a negative affect on you. I know I have had to look at myself closely in the past and try to understand why I felt so angry about stuff.

For now put all your available funds well out of reach C. Your plan isn't for me but in your case I hope you don't ruin what you were trying to achieve. Try to be strong.

What did you say to me once on my diary..."I Never Give Up On Anything". Stick to that mantra eh C.

Jas x

"Justify My Love".......I must be in the lead now?

pot kettle black springs to mind. . . i too am one of those you are referring too. . For weeks now i have deliberately left your diary alone because to me your encouraging gambling yet you ve got the cheek to have a go at us for trying to get through cheltenham bet free. . If thats the way we choose to get through it then thats the way we ll do it. . As long as we abstain thats the main target for us all. . Personally think you want us too fail but now you have made me even more determined to get through this week. . Thanks. . Now if memory serves me correct you were hammered in chat a few weeks back albeit gambling talk but these 4 days are a one off and not like your diary where you blatantly brag about your **** winnings. .your arrogance shone through a few weeks ago when you sla**ed off someone who was maybe manager in macdonalds. . We are all here for the same reasons whether it be 10k year wages or 100k wages and thats to fight our addictions. . Top tip for today. . DONT READ OTHER DIARIES TILL THE WEEKS OVER.

P.s your bet obviously lost last night but dont take your frustrations oot on us !!! That to me is a weakness in itself. .

Stumper/Jas/wp, thanks for posts, I have obviously created a bit of a hornets nest here.

Firstly I can assure you that my post this morning had nothing to do with my losing bet last night- I have divorced my football betting from random gambling. My football betting is done with stakes I can afford to lose and does me no harm. I am however determined not to go back to random out of control gambling and thankfully the strong urge I had this morning has passed and going to work with minimum cash was a great decision. Hope I can stay strong.

I think most gamblers would agree that gambling isnt just about the financial side but also the emotions you go through and the escaping to a different world and becoming a different person. wp/Stumper if you are doing all of this and tracking virtual bets but not handing over the cash I think its just like gambling but without the financial downside so still very harmful but I guess we'll just agree to disagree on this one. (I would add that Jeff has been doing virtual betting every week as part of his recovery but that is an ongoing tonic which is proving helpful to him.)

I am disappointed to read comments that I 'want people to fail'. This is simply laughable as I have been strongly supportive of everyone on here and will continue to be so to the best of my ability. Those who have got to know me well will testify to this.

I will also post honest comments though as others have done for me, thats all par for the course.

Let me also add that I have lost over half a million over the years so far from 'boasting' about winnings as was quoted, I am merely trying desperately to recapture the value of money and celebrating small success at my recovery in recent weeks.

Good on you skip. Just had a rollicking from the administrators so perhaps I too can learn something. None of us are right and none of us are wrong. What is right for one is wrong for another.

Personally after 36 years of torment I feel that I have somehow managed to get a different mindset. I cannot put my finger on why or how this has occurred I am just glad it has. Where I would be in the bookies everyday I have now not been in since 1st December. Like you I would love to think I could bet in a controlled manner as I used to love the betting side of it--it was the losing side that was hard to take. By joining my friends in our annual tipping competition I feel like I can still join in the excitement without the risks and costs. I have enjoyed the 1st couple of days immensely to the extent that I shall drive 60 odd miles each way to visit some old friends in a pub near the course. I may get dragged to the races but if I do I will do my best not to bet unless I want to---if I do it will be controlled rather than like it used to be.

I am probably not far behind you in my overall losses over the years but I am determined that if I ever line the bookies wallets again it will be on my terms and not theirs--if that makes sense.

I really do understand what you are trying to do mate and who knows that may be the way I end up going in the future but at the minute I will try to abstain from physically going into a bookies and betting--I am happy to stick with the tipping. It cost me £20 this week but my return is £30 already and the difference there is that I will never be tempted to play up my 'winnings'

I sincerely wish you all the best and like everybody else on this site it would be great if we all actually knew each other as I would love to buy you a pint and chat about the bad old days and how they can still become good days ahead.

all the best

Stumper

Hello C,

Thanks for posting on my diary. This dam recovery is an emotional rollercoaster eh?

I can sort of see what you are doing in your recovery and I will support whatever makes a positive difference for you, I think you know that C. If it goes good then that's fine but if it goes pear shaped then that's fine too. The support is here, that's all we can do for each other I think.

Anyway...thought of another comp...it may or may not work but will give it a go. Cockey rhyming slang. If you think it is a s**t comp then I am sure you will say lol.

Jas xx

"Alright Me Old Fruit Gum"

Hi C,

Don't do emotions ha ha ha....oh yeah forgot you are hard like him off the sweeney lol. You are funny!

Keep up the hard work C. Hide your cash.

Jas x

OK.....so "fruit gum = chum" and "beans on toast" = post. So one up to little 'ol me.

"Bag of Sand"

ok mate. ..... Maybe i was tad harsh saying you wanted us to fail. . Al take that back and apologise. . . Your right as well about emotions mate i have been just itching away to bet this week but so far done remarkably well.maybe that was for the outburst. . As for you losing nearly half million. . Why do you still do it ? Dont think you ll ever get that back mate. . Credit where credits due though you ve stuck at it and are coping well. . Best wishes in your continued quest. .

Hi Captain

I havent been on for a week or so kid.Ive missed loads by the looks of things.All i will say is different people have different ways of dealing with their addictions.Whether it be horses, fobts,bingo ,poker or any other form of gambling.For instance like you say i watch racing but when i write this on my diary i also put it may not work for others .I have written lots of times on my diary that my trigger is boredom. i watch so im not bored. It may be someone elses trigger.You have managed to cut down on your betting and i must say i have got to admire you for not caving in altogether. I myself and i think many others on here would crumble if we had one bet.You can please all of the people some of the time and some of the people all of the time but you cant please all of the people all of the time.I think we all need to stick together kid. All the best Jeff.

Ps you dont go through the same emotions when you virtual gamble.Your brain knows the outcome doesnt matter.I hope that helps.

Hi Capt

Actually went to Cheltenham today and tried some of your controlled gambling with my mates. Must admit it has not made me want to run down to the bookies when I got back to bet on cartoon racing etc. I had a good day and will hopefully not bet again until I go racing again--whenever that may be.

All the best

Stumper

In and out of chat like a yo-yo. I hope you are ok...or "not bad" :-))

Jas xx

Tomorrow I will be 9 weeks random gamble free.

Home from work early today, shattered, difficult week. Need to just relax and chill out this weekend.

Gather my thoughts, come to terms with who I've been and who I am and where I'm going.

Next week must be easier.

Hi Captain. Like you I have had a stressful week and hope we can both have a stress free and gamble free weekend.

All the best

Stumper

captain captain!!!

i can so relate to you.

i hope you sort out whatever option is best for you.

i think that is the key.

GA can tell you how they do it,but is that the right way?? always living on the edge of a cliff.

i think GA is more geared towards the fruit machine gamblers.knowing you will never win.

we are not putting money in a machine blindly ,knowing we are never going to win,

people say all gambling is the same i strongly disagree

i enjoy watching the racing without betting.

i believe i could make a steady income if disciplined.thats what annoys me.

why why why cant we do it.