I Have A Problem Gambling And I Have Lost Everything I Worked For

I hear the words “I have a Problem Gambling and now I lost everything I worked for” everyday from people around the world through their emails. I am amazed that only a year ago things seem to be less dramatic then they are right now when it comes to gambling addictions. The accelerated growth in this addiction is paralleled to the growth in the gaming industry. A significant amount of our population has now been exposed to this industry.Now that people are addicted to gambling, what should we do? This is a very difficult question to answer but I believe education and awareness to help those inflicted with this hideous addiction.I have received several emails from people who believe their solutions would help decrease the accelerated growth of those addicted to gambling. The following are examples of those emails:Outlaw all forms of gambling.Regulate the gaming industryRemove all ATM machines from gambling establishments especially casinos that have slot machines.No check cashing at the casinosNo alcohol allowed in casinosGambling establishments should not be allowed to use the postal service to send incentives for people to come to their place to gamble.No large billboard advertising.No commercials or sponsoring of the local news.The above email comments are from those to have suffered due to gambling. It’s not only the gambler but their family and friends who have also been negatively affected.Remember these words “I have a problem gambling and I have lost everything I worked for”, because this could be you. If you even have the slightest notion you have a problem gambling, face it straight on and you have a chance to recover before you lose everything you have worked so hard for.If you are one of the ones who have lost everything, you can rebuild your life and move forward. There are so many people who have walked in your shoes. I know this is very painful, but each day will get brighter and brighter.The good news is there is hope for people to recover from this addiction.

The Dangers of Gambling

GamblingGambling casinos for USA players was earlier only limited to the periphery of Las Vegas. Gambling is a very aggressive addiction that sneaks up and can ruin your life within a matter of seconds. Gambling, if not controlled, can destroy your life and everyone around you. Be careful and don’t kid yourself thinking you are that one exception that won’t get caught up. Gambling is to play a game of chance for money or stakes. Gambling may start out as innocent fun and later grows on you. Gambling is a minute bad habit, which turns into a devastating addiction. There are very few people, who can boast of the fact that they had gone to Las Vegas but never tested the blood of gambling. Whatever the reason might be, gambling is like an addiction. Once you taste the highs of gambling, it is very difficult to stop after that.The fact that technology was advancing by leaps and bounds helped gambling casinos for players to move to an online mode. They realized that the best way to play casino is to sit in the comforts of their home and log onto online casinos for gambling. I believe gambling is a dangerous addiction. These occurrences lead gamblers into their compulsive state, craving for more success and not realizing that gambling is a game of chance: luck or fortune. The little three percent of adults that are affected by gambling are also going to end up facing deep debts, job losses, family disruption, and suicide. Compulsive gamblers do not realize that gambling cannot be a way of life, it’s merely a bad hobby.In conclusion gambling is an addiction which can grow on you if not treated properly, which will eventually lead to ones demise. Most casinos have to display the dangers of gambling on all their advertising by law. There are many groups which provide support to addicted gamblers. Been an addicted gambler doesn’t mean all is lost, rehabilitation is a step away. At the end of the day “LIFE IS ONE BIG GAMBLE”

Problem Gambling and Gambling Problems Come in Varying Degrees of Intensity and May Worsen

Problem Gambling and Gambling Problems Come in Varying Degrees of Intensity and May WorsenProblem gambling, also known as compulsive gambling, is recognized as a disease or sickness. But not all people who have a that problem would be diagnosed as being compulsive gamblers. As with any behavior, the degree or severity of the behavior determines the clinical classification.Therapists use different scales to assess a gambling behavior and base the therapy according to the assessment. Most therapists use DSM-IV or the South Oaks Gambling Screen for diagnosis.Just having compulsive or pathological gambling recognized as a treatable disease was a major accomplishment for the therapists who treat those problems. For many years gambling was looked upon as a character flaw or weakness, but not a true disease. Now that it has been accepted that out of control gambling is a disease that may be treated effective methods are emerging.One point that almost all clinicians agree on is that the best way to effectively treat the problem is to stop the gambling immediately. Some clinical studies have indicated that neuro transmitter deficiencies may be a cause of the problem and drug therapies are being tested while other forms of behavioral therapy, such as support groups and guided mediation or hypnosis are also showing some success.If you are wondering if you or someone you know has a gambling problem, here is a checklistthat is used by clinicians to assess for pathological gambling …”As defined by the American Psychiatric Association, pathological gambling is an impulse control disorder that is a chronic and progressive mental illness.Pathological gambling is now defined as persistent and recurrent maladaptive behavior meeting at least five of the following criteria, as long as these behaviors are not better explained by a manic episode:1.Preoccupation. The subject has frequent thoughts about gambling experiences, whether past, future, or fantasy.2. Tolerance. As with drug tolerance, the subject requires larger or more frequent wagers to experience the same “rush”.3. Withdrawal. Restlessness or irritability associated with attempts to cease or reduce gambling.
4. Escape. The subject gambles to improve mood or escape problems.5. Chasing. The subject tries to win back gambling losses with more gambling.6. Lying. The subject tries to hide the extent of his or her gambling by lying to family, friends, or therapists.7. Stealing in order to feed their gambling addiction.8. Loss of control. The person has unsuccessfully attempted to reduce gambling.9. Illegal acts. The person has broken the law in order to obtain gambling money or recover gambling losses. This may include acts of theft, embezzlement, fraud, forgery, or bad checks.10. Risked significant relationship. The person gambles despite risking or losing a relationship, job, or other significant opportunity.11. Bailout. The person turns to family, friends, or another third party for financial assistance as a result of gambling. “(from wikipedia at Compulsive Gambling Pathological Gambling)My own experience as a therapist has led me to believe that number 4. on the list hardly
qualifies as a gambling problem or an indication of a gambling problem since most people who
gamble recreationally do gamble to escape and have fun. On the other hand, the list is a good
place to start if you have concerns. Another suggestion is that you sit in on a meeting of
Gambler’s Anonymous and seek professional counseling. The sooner you address a
suspected gambling problem the sooner you can get it under control and stop the progression
of the illness.

How to Choose Casino Poker Chips That Are Right For You

If you are interested in playing various types of poker, it is likely that you are interested in how to choose casino poker chips that are right for you. It is essential that you know and understand, right up front, that poker chips are a gaming item that are not created equally. You should learn that they are typically composed of different materials, and varying amounts are needed to play when it comes to group gaming. In this how-to guide, you will learn how to choose casino poker chips that are right for you by learning more about the products in general.Step 1:As mentioned previously, poker chips are typically composed of many different types of materials. You can choose among clay poker chips, metal poker chips, wood poker chips, and even plastic poker chips. The first step in choosing the right type for you is to learn the differences between these types. Seeing that this step has alerted you to the fact that there are different materials used in the composition of the chips, the next several steps in this how-to guide will be used to introduce you to the main points of each type of material.Step 2:When purchasing casino poker chips, you will find that most varieties are composed of clay. Clay is considered to be a high grade material when it comes to quality, appeal, and ease of use in the poker industry. Many professionals and leisure players alike agree that these are among the “fanciest” that one can choose from. While composed of clay, there are usually mixtures of other materials as well, but only a small percentage. Casinos typically only use poker chips that are 39mm as far as diameter. Most clay options are this size. You can purchase them in grams from eight to approximately eleven and a half.Step 3:Metal casino poker chips are a great option for the player seeking quality and durability. These pieces are not composed entirely of metal, only a center core piece that is metal. The outside of the metal is typically surrounded by metal. Many casinos make use of these types of poker chips because of the fact that they have some weight to them and have a long life.Step 4:Wood poker chips are typically not very popular when it comes to playing chip sets. In today’s world, wood casino poker chips are generally only gathered by those who collect and are put on display. If you do elect to play with wood chips, it is important to understand that they are no longer very easy to find. In addition to this, they do not reflect the same quality and overall durability as types that are offered today.Step 5:There are many casino poker chips sold that are composed of plastic. These are not quite as durable as clay poker chips, or even metal poker chips, but they are reasonably priced and serve many very well! If you are shopping for poker supplies on a budget, you will simply enjoy the design and light weight characteristics of plastic poker chips.Step 6:Now that you understand what type of casino poker chips are actually available today, the next step is to learn how many will be needed in order to enjoy a game with your peers. If you will be playing with up to three other players, it is probably appropriate to have at least two hundred chips on hand. For games that involve a total of up to six players, having about four hundred chips is appropriate. Six hundred chips are great for games with about eight players. Larger games that integrate up to about ten players benefit from having eight hundred or more poker chips on hand!Step 7:Now that you know a few steps on how to choose casino poker chips that are right for you, it is important to know where to shop for these items. There are many stores both online and in communities around the nation that specialize in gaming supplies. However, I feel that you will benefit from a store with a lot of variety and discounted prices. For this reason, I highly recommend using Poker Stars Direct. This online store offers high quality, discounted prices, and exceptional customer service. Be sure to check out the “Resource” section below for direct links to this online gaming super store!

How to Play Online Poker: Are Your the Only One That Hasn’t Learned How?

How to Play Online PokerMillions of poker players around the world dream of bringing down a high stakes pot worth hundreds of thousands of dollars in an online poker game. As the popularity of poker continues to improve, more poker players are turning that dream into a reality. However, even today’s top poker hotshots had to start somewhere, and most began by learning how to play poker online.Learning Texas Hold’emTexas Hold’em is the most popular Internet poker game, and if you’re interested in learning how to play poker online, you’re likely to be specifically interested in Texas Hold’em game play. Texas Hold’em unfolds in the following steps:A big and small blind are entered by the players to the left of the dealer. The small and big blinds are forced bets that must be made to start a game of Texas Hold’em. The big blind is the minimum bet amount while the small blind is usually half that amount.Two hole cards are dealt to each player. You keep your hole cards to yourself and will refer to them later on during the round.The first betting round will resume with the player who is left of the small blind. You will be able to check, make your own bet, match the previous player’s bet or forfeit by folding.The first three community cards dealt are called the flop and a second betting around occurs afterwards.The fourth community card, called the turn, is dealt face up and a third betting round commences.The final river community card is dealt and is succeeded by the last betting round.A showdown then occurs where the remaining players show their cards. You may combine your hole cards and the community cards to make the best 5-card hand that corresponds to the standard poker hand ranking system.Tips for Learning Online PokerFiguring out the game play structure of poker games such as Texas Hold’em is just the tip of the iceberg. The real reward comes in learning how to become better at playing poker through experience.For example, play a couple of rounds of poker online and you’ll quickly find out how important your starting hand selection really is. Receiving a good starting hand such as a pair of Jacks, Ace-Queen or King-Jack can automatically improve your chances of winning by 15 to 20%. Eventually, the true test of your poker knowledge and understanding will come from how you fare with mediocre or poor starting hands. Learning when to fold and how to make the best out of mediocre or poor hands in poker will go towards become a skilled poker player.You’ll also quickly realize the importance that table position has when learning how to play poker online. For example, you’ll always be able to make more informed poker decisions when you’re one of the last players in the betting round because you’ve been able to view the actions of the previous players. The betting positions rotate after each round of online poker, so you will ultimately learn how to play online poker while keeping your table position as well as your starting hand strength in mind.You won’t figure out any variation of online poker in the first couple of rounds. Nearly all online poker games are steeped in strategy, mathematical odds, probabilities and just plain old luck, so there’s almost always something new to learn from each round of poker online.

How to Play Winner Poker On A Mac

Winner Poker Mac – An easy solution for Mac players to enjoy.Winner Poker Mac is now available from Playtech. It doesn’t even require that much to set up and that means that Mac players can now enjoy this great online poker bonus offer. Just remember like everyone else to use the FREE600 coupon code and the 100% up to $600 bonus is yours.Instructions for Poker Mac PlayersMac players have rarely had online poker sites to call their own, but in the case and many other sites this is something that is a thing of the past. With the kind of technology that is available today, Winner Poker Mac is an easy thing that you can do with no problems whatsoever.If you take a look at the Poker software package requirements, you’ll see that they state Windows is required to run this particular online poker software package. Of course, that does not necessarily mean that Mac computers cannot run Winner Poker because these days that is something that is more of a small step-over hurdle than anything else.Mac users can use a Windows emulation device to get software running on their system. Additionally, there are rumours these days of Windows copies that can actually be licensed for use on Macintosh systems, giving people the chance to truly appreciate how great a computer can be when the universal compatibility of Windows is brought together with the various hardware pieces of unique creation that Mac computers bring to the table. This is something that can really help you out if you are on a Mac system and would like to run the Winner Poker software on that system.Of course, this is news that should seriously gladden most of the people that have been stuck on the outside looking in when it comes to the Winner Poker experience. Now, Mac players too can share in the great software package, the sweet traffic counts and the nearly unparalleled online poker gaming selection.Most of all though, Mac players can benefit from the great bonuses that are offered by them. If you are a Mac player, you can sign up for your real money account using the FREE600 coupon code. If you are a Mac player, you can actually go ahead and get the 100% up to $600 bonus credited to your pending balance. If you are a Mac player, you can play real money online poker at the cash games and tournaments on Winner Poker to clear that bonus and withdraw it into your own personal account.Now, all of the great opportunities that make Poker the fantastic online poker site that it is are available to players from all over the computing spectrum. Truly, this is definitely cause for celebration as it quite clearly means that all of these players will be able to get it done when they are playing online poker at WinnerPoker. With money and fun along the way, what other online poker site could you possibly want to play at instead?

Free Poker Sites – Which One is the Best?

In order to play poker online you must first register as a guest player to any free poker sites of your choice. You can play without any cost for as long you wish and once you are comfortable you can start depositing funds in your online bankroll. But in order to do that, you must first learn the rules of the site you prefer by carefully reading the rules that may be specific to the site you wish to enter. Remember that although the poker rules may be identical in some ways some may be specific and exclusive of some free poker sites. The level of competition varies and may somehow be related to the population of the registered online players. With quite a number of available free poker sites you must know what you want and what to expect in order avoid some troubles. And for you to be helped with this concern reviews about poker sites is available, all you have to do is search online or continue reading.Poker Stars is tagged as the world’s largest poker site offering more tables and tournaments than any other free sites. It houses a number of world champions in the poker arena and is also offering bonuses for anyone who chooses to register with them. It also offers free innovative poker software downloads that is applicable to Windows and MAC. Carbon Poker is a site catering to many individuals around the world. It has free software that you may download and try for free. It also offers bonuses for their players like any other poker site. Carbon Poker also showcases other casino games other than online poker. At Full Tilt poker you will be given the chance to chat with poker pros and ask them for valuable information that will be useful for your own poker activities. It has many games that you may look over on for you to choose the game or games that suits you. It also offers a twenty four hour support to any customers or any one who is interested in being their player. In Bodog Poker you are given an option to download their free software and play using their play money or head straight to real time online poker game with a promise of Bodog poker bonus points. Pacific Poker has the same features and offering as other free poker sites but had you chose to register with them you are entitled for a welcome bonus even before your start playing.There are quite a number of free poker sites making the competition get tougher for this poker sites and thus leading to the higher standard of customer satisfaction. Online poker has reached its popularity and is even getting popular by the day. Despite the many controversies that are passed everywhere, it is quite undeniable that people get what the money worth they deserve once they have chosen the poker site they proffered and start to be a dignified poker player online.

Canadian Gambling Websites

If you are from Canada and are looking for a place to gamble online, you have come to the right place. There are tons of different sites out there that offer an online gambling service to Canadian players but there are only a handful that really top the list. Below we are going to discuss some specifics to look for when choosing where to start your online gambling when looking for a Canadian-friendly site.Obviously, the first thing that you need to make sure of is that the website that you are looking at accepts players from Canada. This should be a pretty easy thing to do, since the majority of gambling sites out there do. Canadian players have very few restrictions when it comes to gambling online. Unlike the U.S., there are not many complications when it comes to gambling legality. However, the Canadian government also doesn’t take the same stance as the U.K. in the sense of really being pro-gambling. What we do know is that it is not illegal by any means, so most gambling sites accommodate very well for Canadian players.Another thing that you will want to look for is whether or not the gambling website that you inquire about accepts the method of deposit that you want. Some sites have very limited options available, while others have a wide array of options for their players to choose from. The bigger and better gambling sites usually have more of a variety, since they are targeting many players from different countries.The last thing that we are going to mention is something that is based off of your own preference. Depending on what you are looking to do, whether it be sports/horse betting, casino gambling or playing poker, you will need to choose which site allows you to do that. There are several exceptional all-in-one gambling websites that allow you to do all of the above and even more. These sites are usually the best for people who are new to the online gambling or just want to try everything out.All-in-all the most important thing is to do your research and find out first, which gambling sites actually accept players from Canada and whether or not the accommodate for your specific needs. Once you find all of that, it will be pretty easy to find a site that gives you the opportunity to gamble the way that you want. Once you do that, you can begin gambling online as soon as you sign up and deposit at that specific site.

The Upsides of Gambling

It is so far the quickest way by which one can get rich without breaking a sweat.Gambling can be broken down to the activity of staking money with the speculation of getting much more be it in terms of liquid money or as property. The sweetest part is that you do not have to wait for some time as it is immediate as soon as you wage whatever you have and accept the given conditions of the event.Gambling comes in a variety of ways but the current prevalent type is that of casinos. Casinos have a variety of gambling revolving around them. They include Blackjack card games, Bingo, poker and many others of which most of them are related to cards. What are the advantages of gambling in the current economy?• Gambling provides one of the easiest ways through which one can get rich without the consideration of education, background, beliefs, gender and so much more. It has no strings attached as long as the person engaging in is an adult and has the necessary knowledge of what he or she is getting into.• There is the extra advantage of speculation in gambling. You might literally look at it from the point view of no surety when you put your foot into it, but in contrast, what if it was one of those few lucky days? The sun may shine your way on any particular day and therefore no such skill as gambling is required to determine your fate by the end of the day.• In a given report; gambling accounted for about $335 billion in 2009, which makes it a vital backbone in international commerce. This means that many people, despite the continued worldwide skepticism, have embraced the trade and many are flying high on such accrued profits.• It is not all about the money where gambling is concerned. At times it’s about the fun, about that feeling that comes out of participating in such events. Everyone participates in what they enjoy doing best and it also takes place in a social place making it fun, transparent and worth the while.Casino gambling has taken its toll and its time that people learnt to appreciate the advantages that comes with it. Despite the absurd things that people associate gambling with, people should look at it at least from that brighter side. All in all we have the necessary knowledge with us which should put us at a better position and more so not leave out the fun involved as we take part in any gambling.Be sure to gamble only with money you can afford to lose.

Gambling – Going For Broke

Ever been in that self-destructive cycle of needing that win to make up for, and cover up all the stupid, mindless losses? Ever felt like you have to keep going?You feel so sure that any minute now, you’ll get that big win you so desperately need and deserve. But it doesn’t happen. So you throw more money after bad. You still don’t win, so you try again and again, and again…And you so deserve a bit of luck. Just for once, to have some money that you haven’t had to work your balls off for. That the tax man hasn’t already helped himself to. That the bills haven’t already wiped out. Some relief from the endless struggle to keep on top.But it’s just an illusion. And sooner or later we’re forced back to reality and the consequences of having lost yet again…When I started gambling, it seemed harmless enough, but I have to admit, over time it’s got more and more out of hand. When I stopped to think how the picture would look in another 10 years time, I felt physically sick. I imagined losing my house, my wife, my children, my job… Friends will have long left the scene…I’m not making a mountain out of a mole hill. It’s what happens to people who don’t know how to stop online gambling or any sort of gambling, come to that. There was no reason to suppose my future would be any different. I was already out of control. My internet gambling addiction was a reality. I was on my way.And that’s when I knew I had to do something about it.Fortunately for me, a friend (yes, I’ve still got them) pointed me towards Sounds Positive’s website. And there I found their self-help Stop Gambling product. Sounds Positive, based in Henley on Thames, says that it uses NLP, EFT and hypnotherapy for gambling addiction and to help people help themselves. Well, I had nothing to lose, did I?And I couldn’t believe the difference it made. I just don’t gamble any more. I really am a changed man. I shudder to think how much money I wasted. Nor will I take my family for granted again. What would have happened to them if I hadn’t got treatment for gambling? Doesn’t bear thinking about.Looking at the information on Sounds Positive’s website started me looking at why we like to gamble so much and why for so many of us it becomes a destructive lifestyle we can’t control.And I came to the conclusion that there was no point in beating myself up about what I’d done and what I couldn’t change. But I also realised that I could decide what happened next and that was a real turn-around for me and something I got from Stop Gambling.Stop Gambling consists of 2 audio tracks and also written material (all instantly downloadable from the Sounds Positive website) which use hypnotherapy, EFT and NLP to help you create a new, healthy life. Sounds Positive’s technology does all the work for you. All you have to do is relax.Now I get very angry at betting companies taking advantage of people like you and me. I lost a lot of money. But that’s all I lost, thank God. I’ve still got my family and my job.You’ve got to look ahead and see what life you’re creating for yourself and those you love. And if you can’t stop on your own, then get Stop Gambling. Maybe, for you too, that’s all you need for a new future.