A rude awakening

So I was gambling one night at the Casino playing BlackJack, I brought $450, and I lost it, withdrew another $450, and lost it,withdrew $1000 and lost it, withdrew another $1000, lost it...keep in mind this was a matter of 3 hours...honestly I felt like growing myself in sorrow, that was $2900 hard earned dollars wasted, given to the casino, and I nearly stopped and cut my losses, but I was chasing my losses so hard, so I took out my last $2000 dollars, and this was an all or nothing moment.....


so long story short, I was able to utilize that $2000 dollars to get back all my money and ultimately with a return of $5300, although I won $300 dollars, I nearly lost all my savings.

That was a lot of steaks, clothes, shoes, gas, and emergency money that could've all been handed over to the casino, it was the longest 12 hours of my life...I will never ever step foot back in a casino. I almost got greedy and wanted to go up $10000 but I broke even two times before this and didn't walk away and ended up losing all my money, so once I broke even+300 I realize that was it, third times the charm. It was a big risk but worth it...I just want to let it out as there are those with similar problems I had...I VOW NEVER EVER TO STEP FOOT BACK, and want to help others...this forum is great..thanks for letting me vent..

...it was the longest 12 hours of my life...

Yes, that sounds very stressful. So glad you didn't lose your savings.
Best wishes and take care.
Jan

Here and reading your vow, TheRealist. I wish you all success in NEVER gambling again. Please keep posting here [or in other places in the forum] if it's helpful. And you might be interested in this blog blog/youneverknow/index_start-55.html by another forum member. Gambling addiction can be beaten, though it's so very hard to do.

Hi Realist -- I HEAR ya. I was not addicted to gambling when I first stated playing blackjack a little over a year ago. But when I stated losing, I went into tail spin and became an addict -- chasing losses.

Have you been successful at staying away from casinos? I find that hard. When I am in my right mind, when I am not not tired, and able to keep a count, and focused just on making money, I play bj and can quit while I am ahead. I make a mistake when I go to a casino for emotional reasons, like I did last night. Then it is difficult to leave, even when I am ahead, as I was last night. Because I don't want to leave, to go home and deal with my real feelings. I got ahead and then did not leave, and the shoes were too terrible for words, like a downward landslide. At one point, the dealer made seven blackjacks in the span of two decks. Instead of taking my money and hightailing it out of there, I kept thinking that things HAD to turn around, which they didn't. And the fact that I was exhausted and too tired to keep a count didn't help things either. Gambling is like self-punishment.

-- Sat Nov 17, 2012 8:33 pm --

P.S. Ada-- Louise Brooks is da bomb!!

Hey. That other member with the blog is me! Thanks for the recommendation Ada.

And Hi Realist. I know your story that you posted (I'll bet a lot of us do). Thank God you got your money back (and a little extra). I've had those days. I've also had the ones where I didn't get it back. They were horrible, unbelievably stressful moments. But I'm sure you know that too. Good on you for deciding to try walking away. It CAN be done.

In fact, I walked away for the last time after a surprise win, myself. I hope you have the same luck I've had. I'm 8 months (and some) clean now. Ada's right. It isn't easy, but it isn't impossible either. This site is a Godsend during the struggle. At least it was (and is) for me.

Wishing you all the best on your journey. You can do it.

Thanks all, it's tough and have been tempting but I am fighting it. A friend of mines gave me an invite to go tonight and it was very and I mean VERY tempting to go and play and "WIN" a few hands...but I said no.. it's Thanksgiving, no need to be miserable on this great holiday. I will continue posting, this is nice that I am able to let things out on here as many others out there do not understand.

@youneverknow grats on 8 months, let it be a lifetime

-- Thu Nov 22, 2012 5:41 am --

to add to my story...when I was at $5300, I was on a good streak and was so close, really close, to playing give hands, at $1000 dollars...that's how bad and compulsive I can get, but I did not...during the shuffle everything seemed to drag, the sun rose, I saw the light outside, and something hit me..something told me...GOOOOO before you lose all this $#%^.., honestly I wanted to go for $10K so bad....but you know what happens when we get greedy? we lose it all...thankfully I did not..I gave enough free money to the casino already no need to lose more...

Hi, my username is fishbum but my real name is john.
I have had an addiction to a couple of things in my 45
Years of living. And gambling has played me to the fullest.
I was on the web last night for more than 7 hours, reading
About my problem ;trying to narrow things down and see if I
Could do some self help. I realize I can't do it alone, so I am going
To try doing the same as you, stay away from the gambling, and
Not chase my lost money. Help with you, and others encouraging
Words; along with the help from my family and my higher power
as I know. Thank-you for your help, your feedback would be appreciated much. John