We all know that gambling can be extremely addicting and sometimes even euphoric, but it is also important to understand that these games can have serious consequences. Follow these tips to avoid kinking - both on and off tables.
For many, the appeal of gambling is that it is a way to make money quickly and easily. This kind of thinking is sometimes almost impossible to resist. Unfortunately, behind games, chips and euphoria, there is a small chance that a person will develop an addiction to a game that no amount of hands or wins can satisfy. Such dependence is a very exhausting thing both for the person who is in its grip and for those around them.
Yes, we love poker and gambling, and we know how fun - and yes, profitable - these activities can be. But it's also worth noting that while these are just games, money is at stake. And money, as we know, can make people do some pretty crazy things. This is the main problem with gambling.
Gambling addiction is defined as “the desire to constantly gamble, despite the harmful negative consequences and despite the desire to stop”. In other words, it is defined as problem gambling, or addiction to gambling, when you have experienced the simple pleasure of gambling and cannot stop gambling after that.
If you are going to gamble, you should know how to minimize the risk of gambling problems. We've put together a list of tips to consider before heading to the checkout.
You had an incredibly stellar hand and the odds were in your favor until the river card was revealed and you lost by luck. So the next hand comes in, and although you don't have as many chances as you did before, you figure that karma should be on your side this time, right? Okay, maybe so. After a particularly unfortunate loss, it is tempting to spend twice as much money on the next “sure thing” to compensate for the failure. While this sounds like a smart game in theory, you are still not immune to losing because you play hastily, which often results in you losing twice as much as before.
When it comes to poker - or virtually any other game of chance, what happened in the previous hand or game does not affect the outcome of the next. Even on the roulette table, if Black has dropped out ten times in a row, in the next run he and Red have the same chance of falling out. There is an old theory called "Martingale System", the essence of which is that the player should simply double his bet every time in order to win in the end and get back the money spent. The trouble is that you may simply not have enough money for the next doubling, because it is not known when you will eventually win.
Caution for gamblers
I know you might be skeptical about this post, which has been written, written and supported by people who play poker professionally. But this is the point that we are professionals. And yes, although we are proud of it, we spent years of our lives studying strategies, odds and nuances of the game in order to reach the level where we are now. This absolutely does not mean that you have to be a professional to enjoy gambling. If you practice sparingly and see gambling as a way to make money, but more importantly, add a little extreme to your life, then it can be a wonderful experience.
Do you prefer jumping between multiple online hold'em tables, sitting down at a friendly winner, playing at the kitchen table with a few friends, or betting teams that you predict will be successful on Sunday if your job allows you to play (and the game itself won't be your job) - you can truly enjoy gambling and sleep well at night.
It is not uncommon for a person to be confronted with a chicken-or-egg scenario: you are not depressed when you start gambling, but if you lose a significant amount of money over a long period of time and find that you simply cannot stop, you may become depressed. condition due to their destructive behavior. According to the National Council on Gambling, there is a significant link between gambling addiction and depression, with one in five chronic gamblers attempting suicide. Therefore, it is important to recognize the signs of gambling addiction as soon as you suspect yourself.
The charm of money is something that can make even the most principled people suspect that something is wrong with themselves. Money should never replace what you truly value in life, let alone your responsibilities in life. Like tip # 2 (don't see gambling as a way to make a living), you can't put off doing real-life responsibilities just to play games or act out your last moments. Also, be aware of the loss that gambling can cause your family. Many of those who become addicted to gambling go to extremes that they would hardly dream of if they were in their right mind. For example, this is stealing from loved ones, such as spouses, parents or children. The real pain is the mistrust that can form, and how people close to each other become more and more distant from each other.
We know how fun gambling can be - which is why we decided to make poker our source of income. But more importantly, we also want to make sure you understand responsibility. So everyone will benefit.
If you think that you may be at risk of gambling addiction, we recommend that you contact the helpline.