138 replies to this topic

[Bencrest]

I decided that this year I definitely want to stop gambling. Admittedly, I've had some really good machine wins leading up to the end of 2012, which resulted in me showing a profit (from machines). However, for me, this money often subsidised other forms of gambling, on which I made substantial losses.

 

For example, on the local DOND Red Mist clubber, I'd estimate I'm about £600 up from the 6 weeks running up to Christmas. However, compare this to my losses from the Pull-Tab tickets in the local club, online sports betting and online casino slots, and I actually ended up with a loss of about £500 just before Christmas. Not ideal.

 

So - why not just give up machines? Well, aside from the recent wins on the Red Mist, and a few lucky pub and arcade sessions, the previous 10 months of the year weren't so good - or the 15 years before that. Typically I've been losing about £5000 per year. Even this year, aside from the couple of major losses online, I've also had plenty of days where I've gone out with £100 > £300 and come back with nothing. They all add up

 

I won't be embarrassed and I'll admit that I've always been a problem gambler. Typically, my gambling arose from periods of frustration / anger. Angry gambling was my most 'self-destructive' gambling - I'd normally just put whatever I had available into a machine, try and punt out a jackpot, and come home as angry (or moreso) than before I left. I'd also gamble to 'escape' from things. That was part of my reason for getting a couple of interesting machines in the garage (a Bar X with a Chuzzy kit, and a Club Clouseau with all decals) - so I could 'escape' to there and actually play a 'real' machine, albeit with my own money and no chance to make money.

 

There were times when I'd make a loss in an arcade / pub, come home, and gamble 'all or nothing' on online slots. On one occasion, I lost £1500. I then made up for this a little by being £750 up the next time, and then ended up with another £1500 loss shortly after. This was also (and I feel like a complete turnip for saying this) done on a credit card. Serious facepalm moment. 

 

Also, gambling brings out the worst in me. When I win, I become overconfident - cocky. When I lose, I become withdrawn, aggressive, shy, or all 3 if that's even possible. I have the usual feelings of low self-worth afterwards, and following a major loss (or an 'important' loss - for example, money I couldn't really afford to lose) I'd often feel rough for a couple of days and not be motivated to do anything.

 

I'm determined not to touch any form of 'gambling' for this coming year. My last time gambling was just before New Years Day, I had a decent session on the Red Mist in the local club (£150 back from £100 stake), and brought home some Pull-Tabs - took £30 worth home, for a return of £4 (umm... yay?!).

 

So, since midnight on New Years Day morning, I've been feeling more edgy and stressed out than before, and have even had some machine-based dreams (seriously... dreaming about getting red boxes on the Red Mist?!), but am totally determined to kick this for good. No gambling since then. Dad is still gambling but has said he intends to cut down too - I advise him on machines (and have done for years) but will no longer be either going half-in with him, or playing them myself.

 

Anyone else pick this as a New Years Resolution? Anyone else just giving up the machines for some other reason? Feel free to join me in this thread. I may not be updating every day, but will be totally honest - if I end up playing a machine, for whatever stupid reason, I'll post it here. I have no intention of doing so, and I'm serious determined, but things do happen.

 

Apologies if the first post here seems a bit disjointed, it's 02:45

Edited by Bencrest, 04 January 2013 - 02:24 AM.

[russ8s]

pull tabs! jeez you can only win on them if you cop the £100... since theres only 2 in the whole "reel" of tabs and the total return is something like 60% its no wonder you don't win anything on them - bad as scratch cards with giving the slimmest chance of an actual decent win.

 

As or giving up somthing that its clear you really like doing(at times), though you say addiction at times, also must be hard. You will find out if you truely are addicted or not!

 

Essentialy you say you are giving up because of the financial implications, plus the lows and highs it causes. So its just the case of avoiding any gambling oppourtunities, the highs and lows can then not exsist... simple :-)

 

As for hanging around gambling, with your dad etc. I can't see how that really helps your cause?

 

Fruitmachines, if an individuals gambling is limited to that and the loss/spend is capped, then its just an expensive hobby... its what you have to treat it as if its what you like doing. Wuth no self control and playing with money you can afford to lose/borrow and then it leading onto other forms of gambling, resulting in lose chasing then its going to end up a disaster most of the time.

 

I'm one for winning than spending it on other forms of gambiling, but over the years i've learnt that cutting out certain types of gambilng does not really work, since breaking even or winning only comes about from runs of good fortune or the odd big win, so it all levels out in the end... still end up with the same result just on a different time scale.

 

I'll prob drop in now and again to see your progress, but i'll say good luck for now.

Edited by russ8s, 04 January 2013 - 10:44 AM.

[carlosgee]

Good luck on quittin gmy friend you sure are not alone in this as i feel many people are. I was an addict at one point, still have a punt but i can stop now which is good, but i understand everything there is. In my honesty what helped me was buying machine, and (im after your bar x if you have it) that helped me because i used to alter between demo mode and normal mode and would note how different they play, i love the demo modes as its easier for gameplay, but not the same for everyone. But it takes courage coming out on here fair play to you ,good luck

[vectra666]

Well done bencrest for admitting you've a problem. I think 99% of us on here are addictive gamblers otherwise we wouldn,t be in here me included.
I think about the slots most of the day n night I play the emu's most nights and play online a bit too only because I've no time/ 2kids and big money to play the real things otherwise I still would be in an arcade most days.
the only real way to stop gambling is to cut ALL forms of gambling from your life here included just like robinhood75 (james) is hopefully still doing. The problem in todays society gambling,s everywhere online, arcades,scratch cards, betting shops, gala bingo lol, and it isn,t going away soon even more so with the tv advertising it as a glamorous past time which it certainly isn,t to many lives are ruining by so called amusements, a bit of a flutter can sometimes lead to massive debts leading to breakdown of relationships and even worse suicide, I admit I gamble still have done seriously for 25years wasting approx in excess of 50,000 pounds from playing the 2pound jackpot machines in chippy in early 90's spending all my savings/wages in the process, its a great feeling when you,ve had a good day BUT a trerrible feeling almost suicidal when you,ve lost.
The only Fix I get now every day is from the emulations on here so again thanks for providing us with the free fix if it wasn,t for finding out about emulation who know's I may have started major gambling again.
So back to bencrest I wish you every success in your challenge and don,t forget if you slip up which you will you,ve always the emu,s to get your fix, or come on here and talk your way out of spending a wedge on gambling GOODLUCK!!!

[carlosgee]

I echo Vectras comments, its great fun but just as destructive as drugs, and alcohol. Gambling is a drug when you get high. What does concern me is the mobile apps which add on your bills, cash machines in arcades, note changers, all designed to get the cash in

[Bencrest]

pull tabs! jeez you can only win on them if you cop the £100... since theres only 2 in the whole "reel" of tabs and the total return is something like 60% its no wonder you don't win anything on them - bad as scratch cards with giving the slimmest chance of an actual decent win.

 

As or giving up somthing that its clear you really like doing(at times), though you say addiction at times, also must be hard. You will find out if you truely are addicted or not!

 

Essentialy you say you are giving up because of the financial implications, plus the lows and highs it causes. So its just the case of avoiding any gambling oppourtunities, the highs and lows can then not exsist... simple :-)

 

As for hanging around gambling, with your dad etc. I can't see how that really helps your cause?

 

Fruitmachines, if an individuals gambling is limited to that and the loss/spend is capped, then its just an expensive hobby... its what you have to treat it as if its what you like doing. Wuth no self control and playing with money you can afford to lose/borrow and then it leading onto other forms of gambling, resulting in lose chasing then its going to end up a disaster most of the time.

 

I'm one for winning than spending it on other forms of gambiling, but over the years i've learnt that cutting out certain types of gambilng does not really work, since breaking even or winning only comes about from runs of good fortune or the odd big win, so it all levels out in the end... still end up with the same result just on a different time scale.

 

I'll prob drop in now and again to see your progress, but i'll say good luck for now.

 

 

The Pull-Tabs in the local club vary between £50 and £250 jackpot. I've had loads of each, but unfortunately did once get a bit sucked in to the £250 tickets... ended up losing £450

 

On some occasions we've been very lucky on them - £5 in for £250 out, £5 in for £150 out, that kind of thing. There's also a few small bits of info on some of the tickets and 'patterns', which you can work out. Helps that the local club don't shuffle the tickets (although I'm sure they have to by law?!). The thing is, I know they are stupid, the payouts are crap, and there's no guarantee there's even a winner left in a stack - so you are basically guaranteed to lose. However - especially when I've been short on cash - I've found the possibility of a quick raise incredibly tempting. 

 

Hanging around with dad playing machines - that's an awkward one. The fact is that dad and I have always gone out and gambled together - well, since I was about 12 I've played machines with him in pubs, until I got my first job, then obviously we started going halves, e.t.c. What's a way of saying this without it sounding weird... I come from a very 'close' family, and I act as carers for both the parents (mum has Parkinsons, dad has so many things wrong with him I can't possibly list them all), dad and I are pretty much best mates. I know - that'll sound really weird to most of you

 

Thanks for the good luck

 

 

Good luck on quittin gmy friend you sure are not alone in this as i feel many people are. I was an addict at one point, still have a punt but i can stop now which is good, but i understand everything there is. In my honesty what helped me was buying machine, and (im after your bar x if you have it) that helped me because i used to alter between demo mode and normal mode and would note how different they play, i love the demo modes as its easier for gameplay, but not the same for everyone. But it takes courage coming out on here fair play to you ,good luck

 

Still got the Bar X with Chuzzy kit, note that that when it's cold it refuses to boot (known issue, if needs be check the MPU Mecca - several member's Bar X machines stopped working at the same time in Winter and it turned out to be when the temps dropped below about 8c). Sure it would work fine in a house, but in my garage it's not getting played as it won't boot in Winter temperatures. Anyway, if you are interested in it, let me know, It's got a Chuzzy in on Prog 2.6 but I've got the original ROMs too if you wanted to change it back to stock

 

Well done bencrest for admitting you've a problem. I think 99% of us on here are addictive gamblers otherwise we wouldn,t be in here me included.
I think about the slots most of the day n night I play the emu's most nights and play online a bit too only because I've no time/ 2kids and big money to play the real things otherwise I still would be in an arcade most days.
the only real way to stop gambling is to cut ALL forms of gambling from your life here included just like robinhood75 (james) is hopefully still doing. The problem in todays society gambling,s everywhere online, arcades,scratch cards, betting shops, gala bingo lol, and it isn,t going away soon even more so with the tv advertising it as a glamorous past time which it certainly isn,t to many lives are ruining by so called amusements, a bit of a flutter can sometimes lead to massive debts leading to breakdown of relationships and even worse suicide, I admit I gamble still have done seriously for 25years wasting approx in excess of 50,000 pounds from playing the 2pound jackpot machines in chippy in early 90's spending all my savings/wages in the process, its a great feeling when you,ve had a good day BUT a trerrible feeling almost suicidal when you,ve lost.
The only Fix I get now every day is from the emulations on here so again thanks for providing us with the free fix if it wasn,t for finding out about emulation who know's I may have started major gambling again.
So back to bencrest I wish you every success in your challenge and don,t forget if you slip up which you will you,ve always the emu,s to get your fix, or come on here and talk your way out of spending a wedge on gambling GOODLUCK!!!

 

I have had a bit of an online bingo problem before, but haven't played that for ages now, nor the mobile slots. It's really just been fruit machines, Pull-Tabs and online casino slots (plus some silly sports betting) that have done me in. 

 

I am planning on spending more time with the emulators than I did in the last year

Edited by Bencrest, 04 January 2013 - 02:25 PM.

[vectra666]

Them online slots are money suckers went on quicksilver yesterday yes I do win but rarely put a tenner in happy fruit and it lasted 10mins at 10p play gave 1win for a pound and jackpot parties a rip off too 20 in there another 10mins never had a proggy yet either
As for slots n pull tabs in club maybe just a suggestion when you goto the club either get your dad to buy the drinks etc and you owe him later or take enough for drinks and put it behind the bar, I know what pubs/clubs are like used to go while back if there,s no entertainment or things on it can get boring so to occupy your mind you play slots pull tabs how about playing cards with your dad instead something to pre occupy yourselfs without betting though lol,
Nice to see you're still gonna be on here at least it doesn,t cost to come on here etc, does that mean there's more to come as in layouts from you as look forward to them

Edited by vectra666, 04 January 2013 - 02:45 PM.

[Bencrest]

Them online slots are money suckers went on quicksilver yesterday yes I do win but rarely put a tenner in happy fruit and it lasted 10mins at 10p play gave 1win for a pound and jackpot parties a rip off too 20 in there another 10mins never had a proggy yet either
As for slots n pull tabs in club maybe just a suggestion when you goto the club either get your dad to buy the drinks etc and you owe him later or take enough for drinks and put it behind the bar, I know what pubs/clubs are like used to go while back if there,s no entertainment or things on it can get boring so to occupy your mind you play slots pull tabs how about playing cards with your dad instead something to pre occupy yourselfs without betting though lol,
Nice to see you're still gonna be on here at least it doesn,t cost to come on here etc, does that mean there's more to come as in layouts from you as look forward to them

 

Couple of things about online slots - the 'practise play' ALWAYS pays better than real play, I don't care what the operators claim. I've also found that upping the stakes normally results in a worse game. I've lost count of the amount of times I've been playing at 25p or so (1p per winline) and having  fun, then decided to up it to £1+ per spin (up to £20 spin (eek!!!)), and the machine has completely died.

 

RE The club : I used to play cards in there with mum while dad was playing machines, that was fun but she doesn't come out often any more. Dad is never going to give up gambling, but then to be fair he's been given a maximum of 12 months to live so I can't blame him - and he does have better self-control than me. When we went out on New Years Day, and I didn't even want to look at a machine, I played Angry Birds on my phone instead. If my laptop weren't in such a state I'd be tempted to take it out and play some MFME on it

 

Layouts? Not really sure about that. I did enjoy Juicy Jackpots but it did take up a fair amount of time. Then again, I'm not the sort of person who can put in 'a couple of hours here or there' - normally they take up pretty much all my 'free' time until they are done. I do have one that I want to do but I no longer own the actual machine (why why why didn't I take photos!?!!!!) and while I have the flyer, my scanner is crap. It's not something that really needs doing, there are layouts out there I just fancy my own version of it

Edited by Bencrest, 04 January 2013 - 02:59 PM.

[vectra666]

I,M sorry to hear about both your parents maybe that's why you gamble like you do to block it all out.
and yes the free play online does play better than real play.
as for the layouts I,m the same if I do a dx I like to carry on till its completed usually taking up all the free time whilst doing so as for the layout you want to do, do it I,m sure people won,t mind another copy of a certain layout, i do as I can,t see some on lappy and just think whilst you're doing them you're not gambling online so double result

[gemini17]

Good luck Bencrest with your quest to quit gambling.

Faceing the problem head on is the hardest,as is admitting you have a problem.And you have conquered both.

Many on the emu(including myself),more than understand as the majority of us have faced similar dilemas and problems.

 

Wish you well Bencrest

 

Jay

[Bencrest]

I,M sorry to hear about both your parents maybe that's why you gamble like you do to block it all out.
and yes the free play online does play better than real play.
as for the layouts I,m the same if I do a dx I like to carry on till its completed usually taking up all the free time whilst doing so as for the layout you want to do, do it I,m sure people won,t mind another copy of a certain layout, i do as I can,t see some on lappy and just think whilst you're doing them you're not gambling online so double result

 

It's pretty complicated, but my gambling has been a problem since I was about 16/17 so I don't think my parent's health comes into it. In fact, if anything, looking after them has given me more of a sense of purpose, and brought us closer.

 

Regarding layouts - I'm mulling it over. The one I was considering doesn't really need doing. What I might do is just see if there's a layout I like that could do with a tidy up (same as was the case with Juicy Jackpots) and have a crack at it.

 

I have actually modified a couple of layouts down to 1024 for dad's laptop myself, however really just hack-jobs (where I remove the tops / bottoms of the cabinets, remove the metal between the top and bottom glasses, e.t.c.). 

 

 

 

Good luck Bencrest with your quest to quit gambling.

Faceing the problem head on is the hardest,as is admitting you have a problem.And you have conquered both.

Many on the emu(including myself),more than understand as the majority of us have faced similar dilemas and problems.

 

Wish you well Bencrest

 

Jay

 

Cheers

 

So far everything is fine, but I know from experience that the challenges won't come until something snaps - it's then that I'll have to divert my thoughts away from gambling and onto something else. 

[gemini17]

Control is the hardest hurdle,and true a multitude of factors can affect that.

People choose several paths to help with their addiction.And im more than sure all have there own attribute.

I had one blowout around 16years ago,which changed my gambling period!

I had around £2000 with me the xmas of 1997(the folk on here be thinking how he have that-well the usual loans,credit cards overdrafts etc  ),in I walked to my local Amusements! And in around half hour (on a £15 party time/30p play),I had lost just over £350!!!

 

And I poised and stood and said aloud WTF are you doing Jay.!!!!

I walked out the arcade(was xmas eve)with cash in my pocket-A first for well over 2year and I felt a weight lift from me.

And true I would be a liar if I said I havn't gambled since.I most certainly have,but the control I have now is so good.And it stems back to that day.

It is such a good feeling going into a gaming centre,bookies bingo hall etc and to spend a set amount,then walk away-With coins and notes left in my pocket.

 

My case is unique I know,but help is always at hand in many forms.And there are many good souls on the Emu too,always here to listen and help where they can.

 

Jay

[Bencrest]

Control is the hardest hurdle,and true a multitude of factors can affect that.

People choose several paths to help with their addiction.And im more than sure all have there own attribute.

I had one blowout around 16years ago,which changed my gambling period!

I had around £2000 with me the xmas of 1997(the folk on here be thinking how he have that-well the usual loans,credit cards overdrafts etc  ),in I walked to my local Amusements! And in around half hour (on a £15 party time/30p play),I had lost just over £350!!!

 

And I poised and stood and said aloud WTF are you doing Jay.!!!!

I walked out the arcade(was xmas eve)with cash in my pocket-A first for well over 2year and I felt a weight lift from me.

And true I would be a liar if I said I havn't gambled since.I most certainly have,but the control I have now is so good.And it stems back to that day.

It is such a good feeling going into a gaming centre,bookies bingo hall etc and to spend a set amount,then walk away-With coins and notes left in my pocket.

 

My case is unique I know,but help is always at hand in many forms.And there are many good souls on the Emu too,always here to listen and help where they can.

 

Jay

 

I've tried too many times to control myself when gambling - I can't even control myself on sims (hence how I ploughed £7000 into the Bullion Bars £70 sim over the past couple of days). I get absorbed into things, and it's like the outside world doesn't exist - if that makes any sense!!

 

When I'm out and gambling, it rapidly becomes all or nothing - and the times I do walk away up, I all to often consider that (subconsiously?) to be 'free money' and lose it all within 48 hours, normally with another stack of extra cash on top.

 

It just doesn't seem worth the hassle of trying to learn to control something which has caused me so many problems, it's just something I need to stop doing altogether. To give you an example, I had a VERY stressful job last year. I was working stupid hours (often 11am til 3am the following day, then back in at 11am, repeating for 4 or 5 days). A colleague (but to be honest he was a good mate) was in a similar situation to me - lived with his parents, did the same shift... he got another job and moved on just before the place got shut down - and with the money he saved that year, he bought a new Ford Fiesta, cost him about £12,000. I asked if he bought it on credit - nope, he bought it with the money he saved over that year.

 

So, he saved enough money to buy a new car (if it were me, I'd have probably gone for a nearly new car, a new PC, and some for a rainy day) - but I finished the year with bugger all, and having added £2000 of credit card debt? How?

 

Gambling. Don't like to think about it too much, but the fact is I've lost about £100,000 over the past 13 years. Admittedly not in one go (!!) but still, when I think about what I could have done with all that money, rather than making myself look like a tit, shovelling money into machines, or making myself feel ill over it.

 

Obviously I got myself a few toys during that year, but most of them came from selling existing assets and only putting a bit more on top (for example, my PC is pretty good these days, but I paid for it with a combination of selling other things, such as consoles e.t.c. - didn't put that much actual cash towards it).

 

As for good people on the forums - yup, although numbers have dwindled over recent years, there's plenty of awesome people about, I'm sure many of whom have either given up, or cut down on their gambling. 

 

Oh well, it's nearly the end of day number 4, will soon be able to put another cross on my calendar

Edited by Bencrest, 04 January 2013 - 08:49 PM.

[russ8s]

After thinking about this thread i'd like to think some day I could start a year and say no gambling for a year. Truth is I know I couldn't do it, whether I could go with out having the odd blow out degen session(basically a large losing run), where I look back and thing why the f*** did I do that!

 

Didn't realise you could get bigger value pull tabs, hmm interesting on the knowing the order, can see how that could be beneficial.

 

I've had some cracking online runs this year, some amazing bookies days/weeks, what I have not won on this year is online poker... I can only come to the conclusion that although theres still loads of money in the game its not half as loose as it used to be.

 

If you do 365 x's... which I assume is the goal. Whats the reward, or is it simply just having the satisfaction?

[Bencrest]

After thinking about this thread i'd like to think some day I could start a year and say no gambling for a year. Truth is I know I couldn't do it, whether I could go with out having the odd blow out degen session(basically a large losing run), where I look back and thing why the f*** did I do that!

 

Didn't realise you could get bigger value pull tabs, hmm interesting on the knowing the order, can see how that could be beneficial.

 

I've had some cracking online runs this year, some amazing bookies days/weeks, what I have not won on this year is online poker... I can only come to the conclusion that although theres still loads of money in the game its not half as loose as it used to be.

 

If you do 365 x's... which I assume is the goal. Whats the reward, or is it simply just having the satisfaction?

 

I feel confident about not gambling today, but know what you mean about a year-long endeavour (it's hard for me to believe I'll be able to do it).

 

The Pull-Tabs in our club are as follows - 1 column of £1 play £250 jackpot, 2 columns of 50p play £150 jackpot, and 1 column of 25p play £50 jackpot. The £1 ones are an 80% payout, the 50p ones are 72%, and the 25p ones are 60% (information taken from the Cowells Arrow website, which shows you all of the paybacks e.t.c.). The £1s were the most addictive, due to the fact there are typically 2 x £250 and 2 x £100 in a stack of 1000 in the machine. It's then just a case of knowing when they were last paid out (assuming the winners haven't been taken home). 

 

However, I'm f****g glad I'm not still doing them!!! (pardon the language there!!)

 

As for rewards - I hadn't considered that! I was just going for the satisfaction of knowing that I'll have more money to spend on myself throughout the year (or save up). Suppose I will be doing something to celebrate, probably a small thing every month and then a large thing at the end of the year - don't know what yet! Suggestions welcome

Edited by Bencrest, 05 January 2013 - 02:26 PM.

[richy1976]

I used to be bad on them when i was 16-18, i am 36 now, when i was around 18 a friend open an arcade & i got a job there for 5 years, i have seen it all, we never had a change machine so they had to come to me the cashier to get their change, some people would change their weeks wages, this bin man used to come in every thursday spend £280, people would spend their whole giros & live in poverty until next payday & do the same again.

I have not really been on fruit machines since & i dont gamble at all as i learned the odds were on the house.

Learned to repair fruit machines while i was working there, but im a bit outdated now as the arcade closed in 1999 due to bad profits as 2 more big boy arcades nobels etc opened near by, the place went from taking over £2000 a week to somethimes as bad as £600, so doors had to close due to overheads being higher than profits.

Edited by richy1976, 05 January 2013 - 08:19 PM.

[russ8s]

2k a week would of been a good gross profit back in the 90s, biggest jackpot mid 90s was £10 all cash 20p, £15/30p... but then I suppose an arcade would be more busy back then.

[Bencrest]

2k a week would of been a good gross profit back in the 90s, biggest jackpot mid 90s was £10 all cash 20p, £15/30p... but then I suppose an arcade would be more busy back then.

 

 I assume when he says 'taking £2000' he means that on defloat and refloat they had a £2000 surplus - that would be before taking wages, rates e.t.c. into account. £2000 profit would be awesome in those days! 

[richy1976]

£2000 was average gross takings before all outgoings, wages, licence, machine rental off a crapy company called primestart from preston £25 a machine pw we had about 10 off them.

Edited by richy1976, 06 January 2013 - 04:15 AM.

[russ8s]

Thats why I said "gross profit"