Life With Sports Bets Only

nice to talk to in chat this evening .

x

11 days without gambling and my mind is seriously bored. I need to continue to refrain at least until the new football season kicks in to protect my finances.

The weekend has been difficult not so much from not gambling but just from not having something to keep me focused, something to look forward to when I dont know when the next sports bet will be so nothing to study for, far less bet on.

Watching that Golf without a bet on it was just a nightmare, gave up after a while and just went for a walk.

In chat tonight the idea of me writing a book came up, not for the first time. During chat I wrote the first 4 paragraphs, its a start, and I intend to continue with it. I wont set any targets as to how much I'll write every day or how long it will take, but if it helps fill some time and there's a purpose to it, it will be worth it in the end.

Capt

Interesting in the debate about "random" gambling. As I commented tonight, to my mind all forms of gambling are "random" including sports betting and even football! Just that some forms of gambling are more "random" than others? Unless you are using arbitrage betting which i doubt very much you are?

Hope the book goes well. Was going to ask if I could act as your publicist? But understand you already have Max Clifford lined up for the job!

RayG

Hi Ray

Thanks for post mate, you are always game for a laugh.

I agree there is a 'random' element to all types of gambling, however the random gambling I refer to is where the event has no human involvement or limited i.e. any casino or line gaming, dog racing, horse racing, cartoon racing, random numbers games. Most of these events are fixed to lose more often than they win.

Sports betting on Football, Tennis, Golf etc etc is based on human involvement only. Yes there will be shocks and Yes there are some human events where fixing goes on but for me in the majority of sports events the competitors are doing their best to win, the form stands up quite a bit, and whilst I'm not saying you can make a living out of it (although some people do), if you know the sport well enough and do your homework and spend time studying, you can have a worthwhile hobby where you will not lose much money if any and may actually make a profit.

I'm away to talk to Max now !

Capt

As someone whom wishes you well with your method of coping with your gambling habit.

Make sure you don't end up entitling your book "My Life in the Gutter"!!!

I post this as a laugh but also with a serious message.

As previously, I know that you will deal with your cg in due course. But in your own time and in your own way.

But maybe be very wary? You wouldn't want a book titled "My Life in the Gutter" after you!!!

Best wishes

RayG

Hi Captain, you've not heard from me before but I've been keeping a track on your progress following a few posts you have made on other peoples diaries. For the record I'm over 120 odd days now without gambling and very much enjoying my family and life.

I think you need to wise up and stop deluding yourself. In the past I thought along the same lines as you. Only bet on things that are not random, using my skill to win money whilst still getting that buzz. The only problem was that I couldn't stop myself, just like you can't. You are a compulsive gambler. Compulsive gamblers by there very nature cannot do what you are trying to do.

The reason that I'm doing so well is that I have accepted that I cannot gamble at all....not one penny. Until you accept this you will keep on losing and losings. Forget the so called buzz.....I would rather not have the buzz and live a proper life.

The sooner you accept this the sooner your true recovery will start.

I genuinely wish you success in your recovery as everybody on this site knows what compulsive gambling can do to them. Others have not been so lucky.

Russ

Thanks for post Ray.

I do indeed hope that the title of my book will not be as you suggest mate! If it is I will need to sell many copies to make ends meet!

Hi Captain,

Firstly well done on not gambling whatsoever for the last 11+ days. Excellent stuff.

I agree to an extent with your post on my diary and i did chuckle at your reference to me turning from villain to hero by not placing a bet on the golf!

The thing is though mate that i think people who have read my various diairies and offered support can spot that i have a serious gambling problem. In such circumstances i would not expect them to support me if i chose to gamble and nor should they.

It's nice to know that i will always have your support whichever path i take and that is much appreciated.

I'm back in the gym by the way. Did 5km in 29 mins and 34 seconds tonight. Don't think i will ever hit the 23 mins mark.

Looking forward to the book and good to see the title change of your diary.

Keep up the good work mate.

2 weeks without gambling and as usual during any periods of abstinence I feel completely empty and time drags.

I will always find things to do, I dont just sit around and do nothing. I'm making some progress on my book but nothing stimulates me like Gambling.

I do find myself getting signs here and there saying ' You have to do this. you've had a lot of chances and you cant keep blowing them'.

Some diaries on here are a real inspiration.

Counting days (24) to the start of the new football season.

This is not my original post Captain,i have edited it after Jasmine pointed out to me that i had maybe mentioned a gambling site.....i hadn't as it happens,i mentioned a forum for people who liked to bet on sports (as you do),and i felt it may be of interest to you as you are planning to continue to bet.

Seano.

Captain,

Well done on your journey and the inevitable decision to quit gambling of any sort.

By staying away from all gambling joints, you have a much better chance of success. It sounds like such a silly phrase but if you can do it "One day at a time", then that's all you need to do ! I'm in the same boat as you. Best of strength to you.

Brian

Hi Captain,no i haven't given up on you,and i honestly don't think anyone on this forum has,it is only natural for people to have differing opinions on any type of forum,As you well know i find i can't gamble in a controlled way and i think that applies to most of us on the recovery diaries.A good few of us have lost so much due to this addiction Captain that we really don't want to see anyone else follow in our footsteps.

Like many others Captain i wish you could try to quit totally,i know you don't want to take that path,i do hope that you can find a balance that keeps you happy and free from gambling recklessly.

Seano.

Evening Captain.

I'm off to Ayia Napa in 2 and a half weeks and i will be hitting the gym hard next week to tone my beach body. I've decided that i am definitely going to run the 5km in 23 mins before i go.

Watch this space.

Cheers for the post Captain.

I've been lucky enough to afford a few foreign holidays despite my gambling problems over the years. When it has come to the time for paying for the holiday i've always managed to find a few quid or a bit of spare credit.

I have found that during recent spells when i have managed to abstain from gambling i have had much more cash in the bank.

I just need to accept that just like running the 5km i am also rubbish at gambling.

Have a good weekend mate.

After 17 days of no gambling there is football to bet on tomorrow - thank God for that.

I now need to get back to how I was January to May, just bet affordable amounts on Football only. Couldnt have done the 4 months without help from those on here who supported me, looking for that support again folks.

I I can get back to being ok myself I will hopefully be able to support others better than I have been able to recently.