Dealing with the (sick) gambler

[davet]

I am having a bit of trouble dealing with a sick gambler: me.

I am a prop and I make my living on poker, but now that I am suffering a rediculous down- swing, I am loosing a battle with myself. I don't gamble neg EV games. I am simply under the impression that I am not as good as I would like to think, and that perhaps the pokers gods are out to get me. I know that this is all a wash, but I can't even begin to explain how cold I am right now, and it is not doing good for my mental state.

I read some of the articles in cardplayer magazine and a common theme among all the pros is that they are all self- destructive. I am starting to really see this in myself, and it is literally making me ill to fight this battle.

I would like to know how you all deal with the compulsive gambler inside yourself.

Porn and freshair

Just don't do anything stupid like blow your roll on -EV games (unless it's PartyPoker Sidebets, thoses rule).

I know that an downswing will make some people tilt even if it's only a little bit. Just remember that. Once negative emotions start affecting your play, just take a break.

I'm not sure how long you've been playing, but I think experiencing downswings and observing how you react is a good thing. The next time the downswing happens, it won't be as painful and you'll realize how stupid you were acting.

I don't play live, so I can only imagine how bad a live 10k+ hands downswing can be.

[Jeffage]

Many people won't admit this, but the VAST majority of professional (or semiprofessional) players have a little bit of degenerate in them just aching to get out that always has to be controlled. For example, I have done well at poker over the long haul, but that doesn't mean I'm not hooked on the game and the action it provides. It's usually a fine line pros walk btwn pushing marginal edges and spraying chips just for spraying's sake. Remember the Law of Least Tilt (Caro): Among similarly skilled contestants, the person with the most discipline is the favorite. If the cards beat you, fine. Don't beat yourself.

If there are holes in your game, PLUG THEM. Post hands, really work at it. Remember saved bets are the same as bets won. Just look at it from a long-term, professional perspective. Think of every big confrontation you get into and work through it to see if you missed bets or coulda saved some. Ever punish yourself at the table when you get mad at something in the game or in your life? STOP.

This is the life we all chose (or maybe it chose up). Hunker down, stay tough and make the best of it. Try to have non-poker interests and stay strong. Be the best you can be.

Jeff

[Rasputin]

[ QUOTE ]
I would like to know how you all deal with the compulsive gambler inside yourself.

[/ QUOTE ]

I seem to be odd. I don't think I have any compulsive gambler in me. It probably means I won't ever be a world famous poker pro.

I can live with that.

[JohnnyHumongous]

[ QUOTE ]
It's usually a fine line pros walk btwn pushing marginal edges and spraying chips just for spraying's sake.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is a very accurate and poignant statement.

Well first and foremost you should have enough $ set aside for atleast six months of non-poker related responsibilities, utilities, rent, food, et cetera, so your 'downswing' shouldn't mean you are starving. If it does, or you are close to it, maybe jump down limits and do some other work until you make back what you lost.

It's been truly hard at times to pull myself away from the game, particularly when I'm down $ because of bad luck. But it's a skill I'm trying to hone, cash games arent "supposed" to dent you if you have the "appropriate" bankroll, but let's be honest, we are all gamblers and if we continue to push the envelope on a day where the cards give you no help you can take a considerable hit.

If that's the case, maybe play some safer games. But to answer your question directly the only way for me to stop, when I am in that 'hooked' phase, is to seriously just stand up, and walk. A long vacation isn't always realistic and/or affordable to some players, in that case I'd just reccomend playing another game and re-fueling.

[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]

[onegymrat]

Hi davet,

Jeffage's reply is very good. I agree that we all have that compulsive gambler in us. I guess we overlook that when we are winning. When we are losing, then we start to doubt our intentions and skill.

One way I deal with my inner sick desires to gamble is to establish a life outside of poker. This gives me a way to be grounded and not go over the edge. Granted, I had a life prior to taking up the game seriously. I feel your first bad step was to take the prop job. There's plenty of money to be made playing cards even if you have another source of primary income and/or career. You need not make this a career. There are very few people in this world that can make this a long term success. I'm certainly not one of them. Now you're in a position where you don't have anything to fall back on.

You can look at the whole process of variance, like most others do, if you like. And wait it out and expect the beats to stop. But you're certainly not in the right state of mind, and most likely, you're not playing your best. How much more do you want to fall? For you to post this thread, it probably is pretty bad already.

My suggestion is to continuing playing cards if you like, but start something else so your focus shifts. Go back to your old job/school/whatever. But you need a regular income for focus and money. Then perhaps your game will improve, as will your outlook and attitude.

Use this thread as what the forum has intended it to do, to help you with your game. Don't use it as a reason to continue down the bumpy road that you've steered yourself into. Good luck.

[davet]

thanks alot guys, it is nice to make a post without getting reemed. it is good to see that others can relate.

[idrinkcoors]

Most of us can definately relate. It's cool that you are in a casino all of the time, yet you avoid the bj, craps and stuff. That takes will power, (for me). Not every professional is self-destructive, but they make for the more interesting stories.