The Robins Nest Forum

Interesting read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/a ... a93c4d3671" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I confess that I have very little sympathy indeed for people with gambling addictions. I can understand the buzz: we had an office night out at Newbury races a few months ago and I ended up £420 in credit (the most I bet on a single race was £30 in the last in which I picked the winner plus two others to place in three separate £10 bets) thanks to an astonishing run of good luck. The buzz was palpable. But anyone who gambles away £250k deserves to lose it. The rule is surely "don't bet what you can't afford to lose."

I've been in pubs with Irishmen betting £10 with each other over which fly will depart from the window, first. Or which table will empty first. Or stupid things like that. That, I will never understand - presumably because I'm not an addict.

asl wrote:Interesting read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/a ... a93c4d3671" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I confess that I have very little sympathy indeed for people with gambling addictions. I can understand the buzz: we had an office night out at Newbury races a few months ago and I ended up £420 in credit (the most I bet on a single race was £30 in the last in which I picked the winner plus two others to place in three separate £10 bets) thanks to an astonishing run of good luck. The buzz was palpable. But anyone who gambles away £250k deserves to lose it. The rule is surely "don't bet what you can't afford to lose."

I've been in pubs with Irishmen betting £10 with each other over which fly will depart from the window, first. Or which table will empty first. Or stupid things like that. That, I will never understand - presumably because I'm not an addict.

It reminds me of when I played roulette in a casino. I was doing small bets to build up enough kitty to place it all on red. I played for half-hour and while I was doing it I got bored. So at the first opportunity, I did it and lost it all. It assured me that I wouldn't become an addictive gambler.

The rule you quote was given to me by my brother 50 years ago when he was teaching me how to play 3 card brag. I have stuck to it ever since.

asl wrote:Interesting read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/a ... a93c4d3671" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I confess that I have very little sympathy indeed for people with gambling addictions. I can understand the buzz: we had an office night out at Newbury races a few months ago and I ended up £420 in credit (the most I bet on a single race was £30 in the last in which I picked the winner plus two others to place in three separate £10 bets) thanks to an astonishing run of good luck. The buzz was palpable. But anyone who gambles away £250k deserves to lose it. The rule is surely "don't bet what you can't afford to lose."

I've been in pubs with Irishmen betting £10 with each other over which fly will depart from the window, first. Or which table will empty first. Or stupid things like that. That, I will never understand - presumably because I'm not an addict.

Unfortunately, the buzz is different from addiction. Same as how you can have a beer and enjoy it, but do not have an uncontrollable all ecompassing need to drink in the face of mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms.

If it was as easy as just stopping, then addictions of any sort wouldn’t exist.

RegencyCheltenhamSpa wrote:

asl wrote:Interesting read.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/bbcthree/article/a ... a93c4d3671" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

I confess that I have very little sympathy indeed for people with gambling addictions. I can understand the buzz: we had an office night out at Newbury races a few months ago and I ended up £420 in credit (the most I bet on a single race was £30 in the last in which I picked the winner plus two others to place in three separate £10 bets) thanks to an astonishing run of good luck. The buzz was palpable. But anyone who gambles away £250k deserves to lose it. The rule is surely "don't bet what you can't afford to lose."

I've been in pubs with Irishmen betting £10 with each other over which fly will depart from the window, first. Or which table will empty first. Or stupid things like that. That, I will never understand - presumably because I'm not an addict.

Unfortunately, the buzz is different from addiction. Same as how you can have a beer and enjoy it, but do not have an uncontrollable all ecompassing need to drink in the face of mental and emotional withdrawal symptoms.

If it was as easy as just stopping, then addictions of any sort wouldn’t exist.

You say unfortunately, but I'd say fortunately.

Sorry yes, quite and odd choice of word. I spose I meant unfortunately for those who have an addictive personality who don’t find out they do until too late.