Lost Everything Casino
Ben Sanderson, a Hollywood screenwriter who lost everything because of his alcoholism, arrives in Las Vegas to drink himself to death. There, he meets and forms an uneasy friendship and non-interference pact with prostitute Sera. Director: Mike Figgis Stars: Nicolas Cage, Elisabeth Shue, Julian Sands, Richard Lewis. Votes: 113,777 Gross. In my 20's I went through a bad breakup right after college that led me to develop a serious gambling addiction for 8 years. Throughout that time I estimated I lost over 200K dollars but that wasn't even the worst part.
Paul Fung lost almost a million dollars in three weeks on gambling. Picture: SBS.Source:Supplied
PROBLEM gambling is often spoken about in hushed tones in the shadows, if at all. The stigma attached to it is so strong that there are those who still see problem gamblers as “weak” or using it as a “cop out”.
But problem gambling is like any other addiction such as alcohol or drugs with sufferers displaying characteristics including tolerance, withdrawal and difficulty controlling urges, according to the American psychology bible, the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual IV.
For Victorian Paul Fung, problem gambling is what tore his life apart.
Mr Fung had been gambling for more than two decades, betting on everything from horses to footy matches to casino games, before the catastrophic three-week period when he lost almost a million dollars. Anything he could win on, he bet on.
It all started innocently enough. Mr Fung was eight when he first gambled, betting with 10 cent and 20 cent pieces to spice up Chinese card games and mahjong with family and friends.
He moved on to horses by the age of 14, asking anyone who was willing to place bets for him. By the time Mr Fung was 16, he had acquired a fake ID and could stride into a TAB himself and spent every weekend studying the form guide and perfecting his ‘system’.
Paul Fung was betting on horse races by the time he was 14 years old.Source:Supplied
He didn’t think so at the time, but Mr Fung said gambling started to affect his school work. “I was in denial at the time but when I look back at my grades in the last few years of school, they definitely slipped,” he told news.com.au.
Once he turned 18, he engaged in more forms of gambling including the myriad games on offer at the casino. It was also around this time his parents started to express some concern. But they would still give him money whenever he asked for it, something that continued for many years.
“It was an adrenalin rush when you won, it was such a huge thrill,” he said. “I just wanted to gamble. It didn’t matter what it was, as long as I could put money down and get some back. But when you lose, you justify that bad feeling only lasted a short period of time. You look for the next win, which you convinced yourself will override that losing feeling.”
But as time went on, Mr Fung said the lows got lower while the highs didn’t get higher.
After school, he took on a jockey apprenticeship but continued to bet on horses despite strict rules against it. He said he never used his position to influence the outcome of any races.
Paul Fung said he would bet on anything he could win from.Source:Supplied
Over the next 10 years, gambling consumed his life. He said: “You’d forego almost everything to gamble. Eating, showering and work all came second.” Mr Fung couldn’t keep a romantic relationship going for more than a year. He started to see relationships within the same frame as gambling — the chase and the thrill and then deciding whether to ‘gamble’ any more time on that person.
The nadir came a few years ago. His brother put his mortgage under Mr Fung’s name and all of a sudden he had access to a massive amount of money. Up until that point, the most he’d lost in one spree would be $15,000 in a wild night out at a casino.
Starting off with bets of a few hundred dollars, within three weeks his gambling spiralled out of control to bets of tens of thousands of dollars. He had lost almost a million dollars betting online, drawing from his brother’s mortgage.
“I could transfer the money really easily. It was scary because I knew I was in the hamster wheel and I just kept hoping I could get back what I lost.
“For a few days I hid the loss but then my brother came back from overseas and I had to confess to my family what I had done. They were shattered. They knew I had this issue for so long but I had completely broken their trust with my dishonesty and deceit.”
Online gambling sites on a laptop computer.Source:News Limited
His brother lost his house which had to be sold to pay back the debt. His relationship with his family, especially his brother, is still strained but Mr Fung said he is working to repair it.
Six months after the million dollar incident, Mr Fung was at a close mate’s house talking about his problems when his friend’s father walked into the room.
“It was by chance that I found help. His father asked me to go along with him to a meeting he ran. I was still in a lot of denial but I thought, realistically, what did I have to lose? Nothing in my life was going right at the time.”
Mr Fung said the Gamblers Anonymous meeting had an immediate effect on him and he continued with them and sought out other help from counsellors and support groups.
“At first I was frightened, anxious and scared but after talking to people I felt inspired. Because problem gambling is not something the community talks about openly, you feel alienated and isolated, like you’re the only one with this huge problem.
Up to 170,000 Australians suffer from problem gambling, according to a Productivity CommiSource:HeraldSun
“It’s such a huge stigma. You can’t tell a gambler, they could be a CEO or a plumber. You can’t physically see the signs on a person.”
Mr Fung shared his story last night on SBS’ Insight program, which looked at problem gambling and young people.
Mr Fung now volunteers with a telephone support service where he talks to other gamblers in the Chinese community.
“I tell them my experiences and it’s been a real help as part of my own recovery. For someone who’s lost a bit of direction, it’s a lot easier to talk to someone who understands and has been through it than a doctor or a family member.”
Asked if there are enough resources for problem gamblers, Mr Fung said the resources are there if you want them but you have to seek them.
As for the proliferation of online gambling platforms, Mr Fung said: “It’s quite infuriating. I find it hard to see and listen to these things. A few years ago, there were not many of them but now it’s total saturation. To me, the word horrendous comes to mind.”
Tom Waterhouse became the poster child for the online betting industry, with the communitSource:News Limited
The issue of betting advertising in sports was the subject of two parliamentary inquiries last year after significant community backlash over live odds and the integration of betting personality Tom Waterhouse into Channel 9’s NRL broadcast. Mr Fung believes there should be more government legislation to protect the community from excessive advertising from betting companies.
A month after embarking on the recovery path, Mr Fung had a relapse. But since then he’s gone cold turkey. But it’s not that easy.
“Of course it pops into your mind every now and then. Like with any addiction, once an addict, always an addict. It’s how you deal with the day-to-day. Addictions are caused by emotions and if you can’t deal with or cope with those emotions, then the chances of falling back into it are high.”
Today, he’s been ‘clean’ for 643 days.
A Productivity Commission report in 2009 estimated that there are between 90,000 and 170,000 Australian adults suffering from significant gambling problems and a further 230,000 to 350,000 people at moderate risk for problem gambling.
If you think you may have a gambling problem, visit Gambling Help Online or the federal government’s Problem Gambling website.
To catch up on this week’s SBS Insight program, click here.
It’s happened to every gambler.
You enter the casino full of hope and excitement. The machines are buzzing, the tables are hopping, and you want to get in on the action. You have a plan – or maybe you don’t. You put your money in the shiniest slot machine, or you pick a table that looks promising.
A few hours later, your pockets are empty, and you’re left wondering what happened.
If you find this happening every time you visit the casino, then it might be time to rethink your gambling strategy and approach. Bearing in mind that the house always has an advantage, you can focus on playing games that give you the lowest house edge.
You can also focus on managing the most important factor in gambling:
Yourself.
Here are a few reasons why you’re leaving the casino with empty pockets or a lighter purse:
You’re Picking the Wrong Games
Picking a game is part of the fun of gambling.
Will this game be the one that gives you that big payout you’re looking for?
Maybe.
If you’re hitting the same machines or table games and consistently losing, it might be time to change things up.
One thing to consider is the house edge. That’s a statistical prediction of how much (on average) you’ll lose on every bet over the long run. In the short run, anything can happen, but in the long run, your average will near the statistical prediction.
Generally, the lower the house edge, the better your chances of walking away a winner.
As table games go, blackjack offers the best odds in the casino. Typically, the house edge is less than 1%, and it’s often lower than that. This assumes that you’re using perfect basic strategy, though.
Video poker machines have a house edge of 3%, and sometimes much less. This also assumes that you’re playing with optimal strategy.
Slot machines have a 5%-30% house edge. You don’t have to worry about strategy when playing slots, though.
Keno has a house edge of 30% or more. There’s no good strategy for keno, either.
It can be intimidating to switch up your game, but it’s worth the effort. You can make the transition easier by staying with a game that’s close to your comfort zone.
Here’s an example:You usually play slot machines. You switch to video poker. The lower house edge means that over time, it costs you a lot less to play.
If you’re intimidated by social gambling, try to find a table that isn’t crowded.
Or, go to the casino at a time when it isn’t as busy.
If you’re uncomfortable at a specific table, find a different table.
If you must play slot machines, choose machines where you can afford to bet the maximum. Higher bets improve your odds on some machines. Make sure to pay close attention to the denomination and your total overall bet so you don’t get over your head.
If you’re a keno player, keep your bets small. The house advantage is huge. You might win less, but you’ll also lose less.
You’re Picking the Wrong Casinos
Don’t get me wrong–the house edge on games is similar from casino to casino.
Some factors vary, though, and they could help you leave with money in your pocket.
When you have a choice of casinos, choose the one with the best rewards program. The definition of “best” varies, but you’ll want to look at how quickly you earn points. You should also think about how much free play you can earn with your points. Free play gives you more money to spend, and it’s always better to gamble with someone else’s money.
Also pay attention to what discounts you get with your card.
Do you get a percentage off from food purchases?
How often do they give you comps like free hotel stays?
If you’re spending money on food and drinks while you’re there, go where you get the best deals, and lower the cost of your overall casino experience.
One factor that varies from casino to casino is the table limits – your minimum and maximum bets. Some casinos may have higher minimum bets on table games than you might be comfortable with. Or, the slot machines may have higher maximums than you prefer.
Before you start playing, walk around and see what bets are offered at what limits.
If it’s more than you planned on gambling, you’ll be better off heading elsewhere.
Lost Everything At Casino
You Don’t Have a Plan
You wander into the casino. You sit at whatever game suits your fancy. You take money out of the ATM multiple times.
But you don’t have a plan.
Have a plan for how much you’re going to gamble, and how you’re going to gamble it. Ideally, you should withdraw money from your bank before you set foot into a casino. Casino ATMs charge ridiculous fees for withdrawing money.
Don’t take more money than you can afford to lose. Use money that you’ve allocated for entertainment – not money you need to pay the rent.
If you’re gambling with money you need, the whole experience becomes much more stressful. Gambling should be fun, not stressful. Keep your bankroll to a reasonable amount that you feel comfortable with.
If the temptation to withdraw more money is too much for you, get money from the bank before you go to the casino, and then leave your credit and debit cards at home.
Once you have your money, break it up into smaller bankrolls. It’s much easier to gamble away $100 if you’ve put $100 into a machine. Break up your bills into smaller denominations to manage your betting. Get smaller denominations of chips so you’re not tempted to bet beyond your means.
If you win, walk away. Don’t put it back. Get in your car and go to the bank. If you must continue playing, decide exactly how much you’re going to play and stick to it.
Most importantly, resist the temptation to deviate from your plan. It’s one of the worst feelings in the world to gamble more than you intended to, or to win a decent payout and give it all back to the casino.
You Don’t Know the Game
Blackjack is a strategy game, so if you don’t know basic strategy, you will hurt yourself in the long run. Knowing basic strategy improves your odds of winning and lowers the house edge. You can familiarize yourself with the game before you go by playing free games at an online casino.
If you prefer to learn in person, go to the casino when it’s not busy. Find a table that’s not crowded, and familiarize yourself with the game.
Although slot machines are random, it’s important to know the payouts on the machine you’re playing. If the payouts aren’t listed on the machine, look for the payout table on the machine itself.
It also never hurts to do a little research. Pay attention to how different slot machines are paying out. Simpler machines have tendency to pay more frequently, though the payouts might be lower. Look for 3-reel machines that are in a denomination you’re comfortable with.
Craps can seem complicated. It has multiple bets that you can make. There are pass line bets, odds bets, and come and don’t come bets. You can familiarize yourself with craps via an online casino, or, better yet, find an experienced player who’s willing to explain the ins and outs of the game.
If you stick with the simplest craps bets, the house edge is surprisingly low.
When betting on sports, do your homework before you bet. How has the team been performing? Who’s not able to play in the upcoming game?
Knowing how a game works helps with your planning. It also makes sure that your odds are the best they can be. That, in turn, increases your odds of leaving the casino with money in your pocket.
You Bet Too Much
It can be tempting to bet big.
After all, if you want to win big, you should bet big, right?
That can happen, but it’s much more likely that you’ll be heading home sooner than you planned because you’re out of money.
Consider how much you’re planning to spend overall.
Here’s an example:You plan to gamble $300. You could play a dollar slot machine, with a max of $3, and you’ll have at least 100 chances to bet.
Or you could play a $5 machine with a max of $15, and you’ll have 20 chances.
Even though you may not win as much playing the smaller maximum, you probably won’t lose as much either.
You can keep playing longer, and that’s the fun part, right?
Similarly, find a table game with a minimum you can handle. Give yourself the best chance to win. The more hands you can play, the better.
Resist the temptation to increase your bet sizes just because you’re winning. Slot machines are random, and what you won before has no effect on what you’re going to win on the next spin. Dice are also random.
It might seem like the game is hot, but that can change in an instant. Stick to your plan, and keep your betting steady.
With blackjack, if you’re a more advanced player, you may be able to count cards and know when to bet bigger. But if you’re a newer player, resist the temptation to increase your bets.
You Play to Recover Your Losses
You’ve been playing for a while, and you’re down. You’ve got to make up your losses. It can seem like the logical thing to bet bigger.
After all, you need to recover what you’ve lost, right?
This is another time you need to use logic over emotion.
The game doesn’t know you’re down, and it’s not going to pay you any better because you’ve lost some money. The odds are still the same.
To minimize your losses, you need to stick to your plan. Keep your bets at a level that you’re comfortable with.
If you must make a change, move to a different machine or a different table, but not one with a higher bet.
Lost Everything Now What
Better yet, take a break. Walk outside, get something to eat, or have a drink. Then return with a clear head and see what happens.
You Don’t Take Care of Yourself
Lost Everything Gambling
It’s so easy to get caught up gambling. Before you know it, the sun’s gone down (or come up), and you haven’t eaten in hours. Your throat is dry and your head hurts.
To make good decisions while gambling, you need to take care of yourself. If you need to, set alarms on your phone to remind you to get up and get something to eat. Have a drink. Take a walk outside.
Lost Everything Song
Sitting for a long time isn’t healthy, either. Stand up, stretch, and sit back down refreshed and ready to play.
If you’re drinking, keep an eye on how much. Intoxication will not help you make good gambling decisions.
If you’re tired, hungry, and cranky, you can get erratic in your play. Your blackjack strategy might slip. You might not hold the right cards when you’re playing video poker. Most importantly, you stop having fun.
Take care of yourself and keep your gambling experience fun.
Conclusion
Even the most seasoned gamblers can sometimes get caught up in the game. Don’t beat yourself up for coming home empty handed. It happens.
What’s important to consider is your overall gambling.How much did you win or lose over the past month?
Or the last 6 months?
If you review your gambling and find your losses to be more than you anticipated, consider changing things up. If you’re uncertain of what games you might enjoy, try an online casino to get a sense of how different games work and what strategies work the best.
Do your research. Ideally, do this before you head out to the casino. If you bet on sports, check stats on the internet before you place your bets. Most casinos also have their rewards programs online, so you can see what they offer and take full advantage of it.
Most importantly, stick to your plan. Keep your betting steady, and don’t take out more money to win back what you’ve lost. It’s better to take some time and return with a full stomach and a clear head.
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