Inside the Gamblers Mind....

These casinos know, they are very smart, their tactics and advertising.. they know how to get what they want, give you what you want, and come out millions richer..

I love the sights the sounds, the thrills and excitement of it all, when i'm in the gamblers mind, i think of nothing else, like a world away.. doesn't matter if i win or lose, what catches me and leaves me heavenly is the game itself.

What is more important to you as a gambler, is it excitement, fun and thrills, trying new things, spending money for entertainment and recieving it so conviently or is it just about winning money, making money, taking that win and running being satisfied?

I'm curious to know what it's all about for everyone..

Appreciate any intake or comments you have or feelings about it..

Okay, I will give the psychologist's answer!

Yeah, there is the thrill of winning money.

But, deep down inside, gambling pushes ALL the impulsive buttons.  Every darn one of them.

My online playing is purely impulsive.  I win, yeah.  But, I do some VERY dumb things with online betting.  At land based casinos I love the "live like a big shot" feel.  My life is very hum-drum and no thrills.  But, at the casino I get to live outside that for a day or two. 

Well, it's always more fun to gamble, when you're winning.

Years past, the casinos in Reno were great, but fantastic for the food. At times I really wondered if my gambling was being denied, due to the casinos buffets!!

I do know if they had Shrimp, Crab or Lobster, my Mother would find me in the resturant, not the slots!

i like to play for the thrill, not knowing if your next spin will be the big one that wins you lots, thats my personal reason for gambling, of course its always good to cash out a big amount as well.

We all enjoy the thrill of gambling, the not knowing, the lights, the sounds, the action.

For me however, none of that would matter as much if it wasn't about the money. I am playing in hopes of winning. I do not play "Just for the fun."

Although it is a fun way to spend time, if I knew, beyond a shadow of a doubt I wasn't going t win, I wouldn't be playing.

                                                                PMM

I wonder sometimes, because when i'm in it, it's almost like i'm hypnotized, the impulse being a source like an uncontrollable commanding voice. Without it, it's like a drug you can't live without... dependent on it.

Its a form of escape - a way to forget your worries for a couple of hours.  Win or lose - doesn't matter but a win is a bonus for sure.

blue

You're right blue...Im not chasing after the money as much as I am the escape.

I wonder sometimes, because when i'm in it, it's almost like i'm hypnotized

Imagin....well, in many ways you are being "hypnotized."  The whole gambling experience pushes EVERY button which pushes you to gamble. 

Nice topic! Well…I'm a casino player who plays exclusively for fun. Of course, every player wants to win and earn some bucks while playing casinos.

I wonder if i'm addicted, if i can stop, if i will have withdraws. I know when i've been out hours gambling, when i come home to sleep, i still see the machines in my mind, behind my closed eyes.. and sometimes... i see a win, waking up out a of sleep thinking i won, realizing it was just a dream.. or was it. I get up grab my keys, get in car, drive to the casino, get out, start heading for the door.. ooops i'm in my PJ's... i don't care anymore..i just want to GAMBLE!

Imagin.......You describe it all well!  Like I said in an earlier post on this thread:  Gambling pushes EVERY button.  So, if you have anything resembling a compulsive personality, or worse, an addictive personality, then gambling will GET YOU. 

Personally, I am trying to stop online gambling, and just stick to land casinos...LOVE Atlantic City!  Plus, I win more at land casinos.  Online has too many issues and the compulsivity makes it easier to loose.  For example, at land casinos I rarely make a "dumb" bet.  But, online.....well.....ummm...ummmm....I make them all the time.  "Why, oh WHY did I hit the button again!?!?" 

I think that just about every gambler has questioned themselves at one point or another as to if they are addicted or not. I know I have, especially after hours of pushing that spin button. But I think what truly defines addiction isnt the frequency factor, or the strength in the desire, or even the enjoyment level but rather the compulsion to continue the activity DESPITE NEGATIVE CONSEQUENCES. IE (gambling above your budget, going into debt, borrowing money, putting gaming ahead of your health/family/work).
So...imagin, I dont think having strong desires that manifest in dreams is a sign that you are an addict. But that could just be my way of rationalizing it all.

Tyes....you get an A+ in Abnormal Psychology 101! 

Indeed, the TRUE test of addiction is the honest track record of damage:  Financial problems, damaged relationships, personal depression, decline in health, etc.

Well.. i have borrowed money for gambling (though i did so with knowing i can pay it back and did of course). Health.. well.. i have gambled for 4 days straight on the strip, no sleep and barely ate (only showered; and had the time of my life). I have maxed my creditcards on gambling and have gone the limit with my debit (waited til midnight for the limit lift). I have spent my rent money, my utility money, food money, cigarette money whatever money (though the only time i did it was when i knew i had a back-up; a paycheck was coming in). I have blown my whole paychecks too!

Though these days are over, it was hard to get out that rut, but i have to say i have been extremely lucky, and having this extreme luck is what keeps me tempting, yearning, thriving, itching, needing, pushing, desiring, dreaming to keep slamming that spin button!

I saw this post last week, and didn't even open it because I don't wanna talk about my mind lol.  When I first started at age 21, I got hooked hard and fast.  And I was lucky.  I became a tables junky, I loved to play blackjack, I once slept in my car outside an Indian casino that didn't have a hotel for a couple hours at a time, and gambled for days straight.  Actually I probably did that alot more than once.  I got 2 jobs then, both Mon-Friday, just so I would have a bigger bankroll for the weekend.  That's insanity.  I quickly ran into so many walls with the gambling (all land casinos) that luckily by the time I was 23 I was back on track working in an office, not gambling except maybe once every couple of months.  Then I would go at it again... I go in phases.  I am pretty good since having kids though, I don't mind risking my own security, but I would never risk theirs.  I would hate myself, my parents were gamblers who put their own needs ahead of my own- so I try NOT to emulate them.  It's alot easier nowadays also, since getting cancer lol, and I hate the local Indian casinos here.  Hate em.  I gotta make sure I don't let the online thing get control ...