Worst Sports Gambler Alive

I have betting on sports for over 25 years and have a pretty solid feel for all of the major sports (pro and college).  And the only thing that I know for certain is that I have gotten worse at picking winners.  I am completely aware that if you choose to gamble that you can expect to go through cycles of winning and losing and have had to endure through some rough patches but have always seem to have stretches where I am hitting a high percentage of plays and able to capitalize on those runs to help maintain a healthy bankroll.  I'm not sure what has changed over the past several months but I have turned into the most unlucky of gamblers.  I'm also guilty of the #1 rule to NOT do in gambling is to chase your losses.  I get overly competitive and pissed off when I lose a big bet and immediately throw money at the next available game (doesn't even matter what sport or if I have any knowledge of the opponents) but only that I want to get my money back.  And, as all of us that have chosen this hobby understands, that very rarely pays off and you ultimately dig major holes on shitty plays.  With all of that being said I have not made a sports book withdrawal in about 9 months - only deposits.  And I used to make withdrawals monthly when I was really active for many years.

So, I am torn between that rush I still receive having action on the games and the pure disgust and disappointment I feel following week after week of terrible luck and poor choices on my part as well as the thousands of dollars that I have lost over that time frame.

Because I know many of you are on this site looking for gambling advice or giving it... I am interested to know if any of you have experienced a lengthy period of losing and how did you handle it?  I have taken several different breaks throughout the past several months to see if I could "reset" and get back on a positive run but I simply cannot put together multiple winning days and/or weeks to build back up my bankroll.  

To be completely honest I would like to stop gambling all together.  While it is a fun distraction and I love the feel of having action on the games I know it is also a major source of frustration and depression and definitely affects other aspects of my life.  I'm probably addicted to gambling... I have managed to stop for periods of time but when I start betting again I usually go "all in" and end up betting on a lot more games then I had intended.

I know that you guys are on here looking for a tip on the games or to rant about players and coaches and NOT to read about a bad gambler but, as I mentioned earlier, I would be interested in hearing if other experienced gamblers have hit such a long dry spell.

Why not try free fantasy sports?  ESPN and Yahoo I believe have free leagues.  You may not win $ unless you do something like Draft Kings.  Why not try those things until you turn things around?  Try a free league there, you can still win a little..

@SOTA30. Thank you sir, for sharing.  I'm sure each one of us is dealing with our demons as best we can.  Good luck with whatever you decide to do. 

Gotta manage your bankroll, really what it comes down to..and if you can't then you shouldn't gamble.

Sounds like you're a compulsive gambler and should probably quit..and get a sponsor (GA)..only know because I am one myself and I'm sure many of us 

Do what you enjoy..If you like the pain and the action, just continue....

only live once....

Best of luck

@SOTA30

 See ya later tonight for Monday night football! Take the Saints plus the pts.!!! 

There's some good tennis matches going on from now thru morning too  head over to the tennis forum. That dude Wgomel always wins.

@Unstoppable Force

 I think you are right in that if I am being 100% honest that I definitely check the boxes for a compulsive gambler.  I am way too aggressive with my wagers and often times make bets out of anger from a previous losing bets (not clear minded).  I am going to try to step away from gambling for a stretch of time.  You mentioned GA... have you tried it before? 

@SOTA30

 Read what you just wrote 10x...It's time to stop and find a hobby to keep you from coming back.  After 25 years, if it's not working out and you're not happy, this shit won't change this year, next year, and so on.  Best of luck moving forward 

@aron25

 If I didn't feel completely cursed I would be all about the MNF game and I already am aware of Wgomel and the Tennis Forum... he is good, but in the midst of my losing streak everything I touch right now is a loser.  

However, I hope you have good luck with your plays.

Well said!!!

I've been there before & it sucks bigtime. It'll ruin your life & every aspect of it.

Discipline & moderation are key. If you can't control it, it will control you.

@TDHCentral

@Riderx

@SucculentNuts

@magiccarpetride

 Thank you for the input.  I know that message boards have a mixed population and fully expect to get some ridiculous responses but I appreciate your genuine feedback.  

As we all know, it is easy to say "just quit" but after a little time passes you begin to romanticize the idea of sports betting and the adrenaline rush that accompanies winning bets but easy to forget the agony of losing.  Discipline and moderation is essential.  And I certainly don't go crazy with the amount I wager or blow through life savings but also am way too overly competitive and don't handle losing very well at all.  It really bothers me to lose and I don't feel satisfied until I can "right" the "wrong" - which is a complete lack of discipline.  

Thanks again for reading through my long message and for the feedback.

Best of luck to each of you!

@SOTA30

 I feel the same way and I've been doing it as long as you.  I used to have monster win weeks sometimes months followed by monster losing weeks. Normally finish the year down a little nothing crazy but sports betting is a losing proposition like you said anyways.  I feel like ever since gambling on sports has become main stream its been so hard to win.  Lose then win to get almost even just to follow up with more losses its same thing every week. I normally go light first 4 weeks in NFL because its usually bad time to bet favs but man wow this year is nuts.  I did notice in the past the best way to come back out of a hole is to be completely settled with Book. Hell even pay off your credit cards and wait a few weeks once your calm and settled and then just pick your spot and fire hard. Thanksgiving probably a good time to start back up

If you "don't handle losing very well," you probably should stop.  Gambling is NOT your profession, and any of your hobbies and recreational activities should be enjoyable.

Losing is an inevitable part of all types of gambling.  To make the losing less painful, I keep my wagers small (average $7 units).  It's not like I am a great handicapper trying to amass a pile of money because I am already retired and I certainly don't want to jeapordize my savings.

I suggest a 40-unit bankroll.  Even if you have a bad season and lose 10 units, you won't have to replenish.  If you have a good season, don't withdraw anything; just be glad you built up your bankroll and celebrate your season.

Good luck and play safe.

@Zman55

 Stick with alt lines for awhile or ML parlays. Stay away from the the closing lines. You have 45% win rate.  Change the odds to your favor until you get your confidence back. I just picked 19/20 alt line games right this week and the only one I lost I was Seattle. I changed the line to Seattle +3.5. They were down 3 and were attempting a fg to tie it for OT. I was covering and my 2 tickets paid $2600 off a $25 bet and a $10 bet. Well the Giants defender jumped over the center and blocked the fg and did they jump in the ball to end the game????  Nope they ran it back for a TD and win by 9. Probably the absolute worst loss in my entire life. However my point is I picked 20/20 pretty much and won 5 other tickets and doubled my bank roll. Good luck out there

95% of the public loses. Only 5% of sports bettors are win professionally. The public loves favorites and overs. Do the opposite.

There are hidden betting trends that can make you profit. Daniel Jones Giants has never won a game on Monday night and Thursday night football. If you faded the Giants ML on Monday and Thursday. You would be making profit. 

Draftkings and BetMGM has weekly public money listed for NFL and CFB. I fade the top 5 most popular bet by the public. Fade each game with a straight bet.

Super bowl losers never make it back to the super bowl next season. Fade the 49ers in the playoffs.

@SOTA30

 Follow @Leventis72 and @Brooklyncapper they'll get you back on your feet.  Leventis has nfl prop bets and it overs in baseball and football. Brooklyncapper has baseball unders and nfl picks, I believe soccer too.

Not to change the subject, but let say you’re still angry about your last bet, who would you put your money on tonight?

 I’m kidding!

same boat here. Lost in late minutes all day and night yesterday!

jax -3.5

buff

Cincy 

SF

Pitt to top off the night cap….

Best of luck going forward.

Iv been on a losing streak last few years. I’m surprised I still have money around me  All I can tell you is when you’re cold like that just try to survive and minimize your losses. Cash out when you know you have no chance hedge your bets if you can. and play small   Lately I survived 0-15 run and only lost around 2k. With that said bang New Orleans tonight 

I also think the frequency of betting is to our disadvantage. Like one post above said, If you bet against Daniel Jones on Mondays and Thursdays you make a profit but do you have the discipline to just bet those games?

I also think the frequency of betting is to our disadvantage. Like one post above said, If you bet against Daniel Jones on Mondays and Thursdays you make a profit but do you have the discipline to just bet those games?

Have been gambling regularly for 42 yrs, don’t know if this helps, but it all came down to what you care about the most. When I first started, I was in my teens, living with parents and would routinely lose my paychecks to bookies however, it did not affect me as I had no expenses, would still lose most even after moving out, barely made rent and ate, got married, still gambled, but my desire for a house and family overwhelmingly exceeded desire to gamble, eventually bought a house and had two wonderful sons, so to this day I always make the choice-Do I live the life I’m so happy with or do I revert to losing everything and have nothing-  the choice was obvious in my case.Still have the “ bug” but now it’s just $25- $100 per wager and the thrill is just as strong. I hope you find your way, enjoy life and not the misery

@Cowbeagle

 You are spot on. Making decisions based off those things you care about in life the most is essential to not allowing gambling to ruin a life.  I appreciate you sharing your story and glad to hear that you have a good grip on the "bug".  Best of luck for you!

I dont bet for a rush

I bet to make money

you need help if youre in it for a rush.

@skillahmang

How many times you can guess correctly on a coin flip

@SOTA30

 Here is a good rule to follow and be disciplined with. Never bet a side or total going against you.

I.E You love KC -5.5 and line drops to 5. You do NOT bet, you pass. If line drops to 4.5 or 4 You may want to jump on dog, but you dont bet KC. 

Regardless of outcome!! 

Another example this past Saturday, I was planning on Pounding Wake Forest +5.5(line all week). Line Friday went to 4.5 and then +4 on Saturday and i pounded at +4 and took my normal standard 25% on ML and made it 35% of total wager on WF. Both cashed. 

Another example of GOING AGAINST what i stated. I pounded South Carolina Wed when was +9 as i went elk hunting and didnt know if i would be able to get service. Line went to -10 Sat and i would NOT had wagered anything on SC IF i hadnt gone hunting. That is Life. Cost me 16.5k. 

By the depth of all the replies on here you can see we all struggle with the same thing you struggle with.

Find something to occupy game days and get away from this shit and don’t look back. If you think you are going to get your money back you are lying to yourself.

Go hiking, play golf, go shop, go to the beach, go hunting, go fishing. Get a hobby you can get consumed in and don’t watch any of the sports shows. Whatever you spend on your hobby is probably 1/10th of what you are paying to gamble.

Good luck Brother, it’s tough but you control it if you want to bad enough.