I started to write this article yesterday, but the call to an online poker tournament interrupted me. I did not win or place in the tounament, so I joined another and another. At any rate, I’m out of money now, at least until I deposit more from my bank account, which has made online gambling sites oh-so-easy.
I never put a coin in a slot machine until I was over 30. My sister, mom and I took a trip to Las Vegas. I took along $ 50.00. Fifty dollars 20 years ago was a lot of money, especially when you consider that I had a home, a husband and two daughters to support. I dropped 75 cents into a slot machine and won $ 1.25. From that point on I was hooked link nhà cái.
I live in Southern California and those days there weren’t casinos in almost every town. When I Wanted To Gamble I Had To Drive To Laughlin, Nevada Or Las Vegas. I didn’t get back to a casino for another couple years, so what little expendable income I had.
By the time I did get back to Las Vegas, the slot machines had changed. I was astounded that the denominations of coin one could play in a slot machine that had increased from penny, nickel and quarter to dollar. Of course, I tried my hand at dollar machines. I had some success, but of course, mostly losses. Nevermind, I was convinced that if I played them enough, I would eventually win big. I didn’t.
On subsequent trips, I learned to play Blackjack. It’s a great game, but didn’t hold the thrill and excitement of playing slots. Sitting in front of a slot machine, with nothing but free drinks and my pack of cigarettes to take away from me. The world belonged to just the machine and me. Once in a while, I’d hit a nice-sized jackpot, but overall, I still lost lots of money.
About 8 years ago, while on another jaunt to Laughlin, Nevada, I ventured into the “High Roller Room” at the casino I always stayed at. In this room I found that I could bet on higher increments. My machine of choice was a $ 5.00 slot where two tokens were needed to be eligible for the jackpot. So, at $ 10 a pop, I played my little heart out, and lost even more money.
When a Native American Casino opened in a town in California, not far from where I was living, I would drive for an hour or so. I continue to play slot machines, I continue to lose.
I knew that online casinos existed, but they were always fearful of trying them. I told myself that they might not be safe, but I think that in the back of my mind there was a nagging suspicion that I could not trust myself. I was right. I started playing online casinos about a year ago, and my life has changed. What started out as a fun diversion quickly became something that consumed me. I started out playing Blackjack. With live dealers through video feeds, I had the feeling of being in a live casino. I soon found myself gambling everyday, all day. Make it simple to tap into your bank account and continue to play – even when you’re losing. Seems all gamblers have the mentality that they need to make up for their losses. When you’re on a lucky streak, you keep playing. When you’re on a losing streak, you keep chasing.
I never heard of the Texas HoldEm poker until last year. I decided that if I loved Blackjack and casino environments so much, why not learn to deal? Blackjack, but also poker. I found myself so intrigued with poker that I started playing it online. It’s been a roller coaster ride ever since. I’ve had stunning wins, but also stunning losses.
About six months ago I admitted to myself that I am, in fact, a problem gambler. Admitting this fact and doing something about it are two different things. I keep thinking that if I could win just one big tounment then I could use that money to win some of my losses. I’m not stupid. I know this with deceiving myself.
I know there are resources available for problem gamblers, I just don’t know if I’m ready to quit. Will I Be Like an alcoholic Who has reached the bottom of the rock? Will I lose everything to this addiction? I’d say it’s even odds.
I’m Barbara and I’ve been selling and buying eBay for several years. I Love Pink Flamingos and American Art Pottery. I’m a serious collector of antiques and other collectibles from mid-century. I am also a photographer who intends to market some of my photos on my eBay site. Please feel free to visit me at Ebay under the use.