Goodbye online gambling

Mossyman

So I just closed all my online accounts, was getting ridiculous with the amount that I was putting on and not getting back. They all said I can rejoin at any time (of course) just to contact the customer service team. I have no intention of doing that.

Any betting that I will have to do now, I'll have to make the effort to research it properly and make the conscious effort to get up and walk or drive to the bookies. The fact that I'll be putting money on from my wallet instead of "credit" like numbers will make me more reluctant to wager on silly bets that are rushed and have no thought in them.

So here's to being a bit wiser, sensible and perhaps a little better off in the monetary department!

Support always welcome!

Mthor5

Good luck to you,wish i had the discipline!Think i need to do the same, so easy to bet online and i've managed to get away with some ridiculous bets lately,it's gonna catch me eventually

okidoki987

silly bets that are rushed and have no thought in them.

Virtual racing

Mossyman

Mthor5 wrote: »

Good luck to you,wish i had the discipline!Think i need to do the same, so easy to bet online and i've managed to get away with some ridiculous bets lately,it's gonna catch me eventually

Cheers! It did with me too the past few weeks. I had such a great year in 2011, made over a grand in June which was my best month ever! Had some luck through it and its clear that its all run out now. I cannot win anything! Glad to have made the decision, hope it doesn't tempt me back!

heavyballs

Mossyman wrote: »

Cheers! It did with me too the past few weeks. I had such a great year in 2011, made over a grand in June which was my best month ever! Had some luck through it and its clear that its all run out now. I cannot win anything! Glad to have made the decision, hope it doesn't tempt me back!

well done and best of luck,i did the same about a year ago,i'm still betting but i'm a lot more diciplined and only have a deposit account with my local bookie
had an account with pp,when i closed it they gave me 2 options,suspend the account ,whereby i could start up again anytime or cancel completely which meant ,according to the pp rep, i could not re-open that account ever again
you should ring up and do the same,i'm not sure if you were with pp but the other firms should offer the same

3DataModem

If you ask to be "self-excluded" they may be able to block your account from reopening for a period (eg 6 months) in case you have a weak moment. Most offer this service.

THe very best of luck, your determination to only have a bet after doing your research is the way to go, good betting habits like that can really help eliminating lots of your poor bets and decisions.

Derek!

I had the same problem with silly bets mostly out of being bored.

What I do now is take all my money out of the bank when I get paid so I have to walk down and deposit money if I want to place a bet.

I kept my online accounts open though so I could get the best prices

abouttobebanned

That's a bit extreme Derek isn't it? It also doesn't look good on your banking record if you're taking money out as fast as its going in.

From what I can see from reading this forum and also a few PMs I've received, there are a lot of people here with serious gambling problems.

I believe that we need to use realistic methods of controlling gambling as a problem. By that I mean a few things really. Not many people are going to go to gamanon because the stigma attached to gambling is so powerful. They couldn't handle the shame..and for others they'd be embarrassed to admit that they are not the shrewdies that they have led their bookie friends to believe.

In your case Derek you need to put a limit on what you can deposit in a week. For the first step of this process, just take the decisions out of your own hands.

eh i dunno

Im a useless gambler but never deposit more than 20 a week so i wont end up hungry. Only do it for something to do really. But some people on here must be losing a fortune

UrbanSea

I no longer use online accounts. I make myself physically go to the bookies to do a bet, much better off because of it. No silly in running corner bets or other stupid bets I wouldn't usually do.

Mossyman

UrbanSea wrote: »

I no longer use online accounts. I make myself physically go to the bookies to do a bet, much better off because of it. No silly in running corner bets or other stupid bets I wouldn't usually do.

Exactly the same as myself so. And it will cut down on the amount of betting that I do. I'm so determined to stay away from it for a while.

Funny thing too when I was cancelling my accounts that Paddy Power were the only one that did not ask me why I was wanting to close it. All the other ones asked for what reason was I closing them and if there was anything that I could suggest to improve their service. Thought it was representative of the fact that they don't really look out for their customers, and I really don't want to be giving them any more of my money!

Derek!

abouttobebanned wrote: »

That's a bit extreme Derek isn't it? It also doesn't look good on your banking record if you're taking money out as fast as its going in.

From what I can see from reading this forum and also a few PMs I've received, there are a lot of people here with serious gambling problems.

I believe that we need to use realistic methods of controlling gambling as a problem. By that I mean a few things really. Not many people are going to go to gamanon because the stigma attached to gambling is so powerful. They couldn't handle the shame..and for others they'd be embarrassed to admit that they are not the shrewdies that they have led their bookie friends to believe.

In your case Derek you need to put a limit on what you can deposit in a week. For the first step of this process, just take the decisions out of your own hands.

Maybe but I cant argue with what works for me.
I never put big money down on boredom bets anyway and I just wanted to stop wasting money on bets I hadn't researched properly.

dlofnep

Mossyman wrote: »

So I just closed all my online accounts, was getting ridiculous with the amount that I was putting on and not getting back.

That's the idea. It wouldn't be a viable business otherwise. You will never win more than you put in in gambling, bar the very unlikely exceptions like a 1000-1 race, or winning the Lotto.

Save all the money you waste on gambling, and at the end of the year you'll have a nice holiday for yourself.

UrbanSea

dlofnep wrote: »

That's the idea. It wouldn't be a viable business otherwise. You will never win more than you put in in gambling, bar the very unlikely exceptions like a 1000-1 race, or winning the Lotto.

Save all the money you waste on gambling, and at the end of the year you'll have a nice holiday for yourself.

This is true for many people, but to suggest that applies to everyone is ignorant.

dlofnep

UrbanSea wrote: »

This is true for many people, but to suggest that applies to everyone is ignorant.

Did you miss the second half of that sentence?

Juwwi

dlofnep wrote: »

You will never win more than you put in in gambling, bar the very unlikely exceptions like a 1000-1 race, or winning the Lotto.
.

dlofnep wrote: »

Did you miss the second half of that sentence?

Theres plenty of people who make a living from gambling who dont rely on getting up 1000/1 bets or winning the lotto which makes the second half of your sentence wrong aswell.

dlofnep

robbie1977 wrote: »

Theres plenty of people who make a living from gambling who dont rely on getting up 1000/1 bets or winning the lotto which makes the second half of your sentence wrong aswell.

There simply isn't 'plenty' of people make more money from betting, than putting into it. Over 99% of people who bet lose money in the long run. Sure, you might win a nice bet here and there with calculated betting - but in your life-time, you're going to lose more. That's the cold hard reality of it.

Which is why I never bet - I save. More money for me, and less money for bookies.

ft9

I often consider closing my accounts and just using shops.

By doing that though I'd miss out on all best prices, which always seem to be Hills, 365 etc shops that don't exist in my town.

dotsflan

Im probably in the minority ere by the sounds of things but online gambling has actually greatly helped me. When i was younger and very foolish i woul spend hours down the boookies backing horses, dogs and pretty much anything that moved, it wouldnt habe been for massive stakes but the average bet was 2e and they build up in the space of a few hours, i will gladly admit that i had a major gambling problem. Now i only back the odd horse and thats usually just the at the major jumps meetings.
My favourite things to gamble on are darts (mainly the 180 markets) and gaa(mainly hurling) as i feel i have a greater knowledge on these than the bookies. I have numerous online bookmakers accounts to get the best prices. But the major thing is that i can go days or weeks without having a bet. Im certainly not trying to say that im making a fortune from gambling but i certainly aint losing anywhere near as much as i used too and im up slighlty since the turn of the year.

mjp

Have to agree with Dotsflan post above. Whilst i can see the dangers of gambling online anyone who is looking to make gambling pay has to have online accounts and have accounts with a number of different bookmakers in order to avail of best prices and spot the value prices.
Whilst the vast majority of people who gamble loose in the long run there is a percentage of people who are making it pay and the key to this is DISCIPLINE and finding your niche and sticking to it.

Up until two years ago i used to gamble on horses, soccer, rugby and GAA but after breaking it down to a profit loss in each sport over a long period i found that i needed to stick to what i know best and what sports are working for me and that was GAA.
I knew that whilst i loved horse racing so much the numbers weren't adding up. There are so many unknown factors which 99% of ordinary punters don't know when backing a horse in a race and the sport is so corrupt whereby you don't know whether your horse or any other horse in a race is trying or maybe an "off day". You can study all the form in the book but its no good to you if a trainer hasnt prepared his horse for a win that day or if hes withholding any information. Nowadays i follow horse racing as a sport and not as betting medium or form of income. I will take the week off work for cheltenham like a lot of guys on here but just have small bets for the enjoyment of the racing.

Betting on rugby i have found to have become extremely difficult to make pay in last year. Was quiet succesful for a while playing in running on games but i find that bookies are so clued in at the moment and you only need to look at how close they get the points spreads in six nations and heineken cup. Things can change so quick in rugby i also find and you can go from being in a great position to loosing your bet in short space of time.


So i come to the GAA. Betting on GAA has grown hugely over the last couple of years and you have upto 30 markets on a lot of intercounty league and championship games now. Key to making betting pay is putting in your research. I look at it as a game of knowledge between you the punter and the GAA odds compilers and looking at where you can use your knowledge to gain an edge on a particular market.

E.g when pricing up matches the odds compilers have to go on the information they have on the teams however if you are more clued in asto how different teams are doing you may spot where you think there is value to be got. This involves reading local newspapers,match reports trawling through online forums and using contacts you may build up from different parts of the country asto how teams are doing. The lesser information there is out there about the teams involved the greater the opportunity it gives you the punter to get an edge over bookmakers. If a bookie is pricing up 15 national league matches this weekend there has to be teams there who are in a better/worse position asto how they read so. They cant get every game spot on. Pricing up matches yourself prior to prices being released by bookmakers is a great way of picking your bets. Once bookmakers prices are released you can compare theirs with your tissue prices and back accordingly. E.g if you priced a team @ 4/9 and ladbrokes go 4/6 then its worth a bet at those prices.

William Hill and ladbrokes entry into the Gaa market over the last couple of years has also opened up great opportunities. Power's are the flagbearers and are the main players and will miss very little. If a team is punted with powers more often than not Hills/ Ladbrokes are much slower to change prices due to lower number of customers they have betting on GAA. This is where having an online a/c with a number of bookmakers is necessary in order to make it pay. One of most difficult things is getting bets on with these firms as your a/c tends to get minimised once you start winning but there are ways around this by having a number of accounts.


From putting in all the work there are opportunities out there betting on GAA but you must be disciplined. Other people have different sports which they trade on and make it work but finding the niche and being disciplined enough is what is the most difficult part.

Cartel Mike

What's your poison Mossy? I mean which sport would you normally bet on?

I did shops only for about 2 years. As I know nothing about horses or dogs , I just did footy accas mostly 16/1 or over.

The hard bit is when you spot a good live bet opportunity after 6pm and you know the shops are closed.
The other thing for me was that I always felt awkward putting €20 on a 10/11 shot or on a 6/4 double in the shops . No reason to just did, felt that it was a waste of a trip unless the odds and stakes were somehow bigger than the type of online bets.
I guess it just depends on what sport your backing.
You did the right thing though imo, I just want to give up altogether most of the time nowadays.
Win or lose I mostly feel numb either way and I can't be arsed studying teams/ sports or odds . Luck is a huge part of everything and what actually happens on the day of the event itself.

ft9

Ive just sent an email to PP requesting profit/loss figures for my account.

The account is open for 1 year approx and would be used for the 'boredom' or 'interest' bets.

Any serious bets I have go through oddschecker and I go with top price which is hardly ever PP bar once or twice

Will be interesting to see the result. Will post up the figure as soon as they email back.

Maybe this is a good idea for people who always reckon they are about even with their gambling. Might spring a few surprises

shocksy

ft9 wrote: »

Ive just sent an email to PP requesting profit/loss figures for my account.

The account is open for 1 year approx and would be used for the 'boredom' or 'interest' bets.

Any serious bets I have go through oddschecker and I go with top price which is hardly ever PP bar once or twice

Will be interesting to see the result. Will post up the figure as soon as they email back.

Maybe this is a good idea for people who always reckon they are about even with their gambling. Might spring a few surprises

I was wondering this about my account the other day aswell, wasnt aware that they would send me those figures. Im going to email them regarding this aswell. Good idea

ft9

If its PP you email support@paddypower.com This is what live help told me to do. I reckon I'm in profit

You can control what you can deposit per week into your account.

Most people leave it at default I'd imagine.

You can lower the limit with immediate effect. Increasing the limit takes a week (with betfair anyway)

shocksy

ft9 wrote: »

If its PP you email support@paddypower.com This is what live help told me to do. I reckon I'm in profit

I just emailed them requesting mine aswell, my account will be down, probably a few hundred anyway :mad: but it will be interesting to see how much i have lost in 2011, and then i can restructure how i bet for 2012.

I will post back my margins later.

dlofnep

dlofnep wrote: »

There simply isn't 'plenty' of people make more money from betting, than putting into it. Over 99% of people who bet lose money in the long run. Sure, you might win a nice bet here and there with calculated betting - but in your life-time, you're going to lose more. That's the cold hard reality of it.

Which is why I never bet - I save. More money for me, and less money for bookies.

No doubt 99% or thereabouts of folk who gamble lose in the long run, thankfully the majority of responsible folks who gamble realise that gambling is not a way to make money but is rather a pastime much like anything else.

Personally, I absolutely love gambling and plan on gambling recreationally for my entire life.

You never bet, you save, that's fair enough, you can apply that to idea to anything though. How much have you spent on martial arts etc so far in your life? €10/class wouldn't be out of the way for example, twice a week that's a grand a year.

The gambling forum isn't really for folks who aren't into gambling, we are all entitled to our sand pit.

ft9

PP mailed back looking for some security question answers, have not heard from them since. Hopefully they will get back to me with some figures tomorrow.

shocksy

ft9 wrote: »

PP mailed back looking for some security question answers, have not heard from them since. Hopefully they will get back to me with some figures tomorrow.

Likewise, got the same reply from them.

ft9

Paddy Power got back to me.

Good news. I'm in profit of €1647.61 with another €488.78 in pending bets. Account open since may 2011

UrbanSea

Omg liar. No one can make profit from gambling.

eh i dunno

Got on to Powers for my account history :mad:
Dep 1766 (about 100 of this was bets for other people)
Withdrew 890
And im down about 160 from walk in bookies too.

This is based over 3 years and works out at about 6 euro a week loss. Thought it be worse

UrbanSea

dlofnep wrote: »

Did you miss the second half of that sentence?

No, I deliberately didn't refer to it as it was wrong.

shocksy

Paddy Power got back to me with the details of my profit/losses.

Opened the account in June 2010

And currently i am at a net loss of €1255. :mad::rolleyes:

So over the 20 months i have had the account it works out at roughly losing €60 a month give or take a euro

DB74

Why not keep records of your bets?

Then you'll know whether you are in profit or not without alerting a bookie to the fact that you are taking a more professional approach to your betting.

I have a record of every bet I have made since Oct-2007

UrbanSea

This is something I've been meaning to do

ft9

ft9 wrote: »

Paddy Power got back to me.

Good news. I'm in profit of €1647.61 with another €488.78 in pending bets. Account open since may 2011

Just home now and PP have sent me another Email. They gave me wrong figures first time round. I thought something was up with them alright.

It makes for better reading.

Total deposits €9084.54

Toltal Withdrawals €12,129.02

So thats profit of over €3000.

With €488.78 In pending bets, which I hope will return another few €k

The 1st figures they gave me had deposits of about €16,000 I was thinking I hardly deposited that in a year.

ft9

DB74 wrote: »

Why not keep records of your bets?

Then you'll know whether you are in profit or not without alerting a bookie to the fact that you are taking a more professional approach to your betting.

I have a record of every bet I have made since Oct-2007

Whats your profit/loss?

d-gal

It's seeky by a lot of bookies that you cannot see your P/L. This year I am up on my Bet365 account and down slightly in my Ladbrokes accounts. Up overall for the year tho.

Plus 10

mjp wrote: »

From putting in all the work there are opportunities out there betting on GAA but you must be disciplined. Other people have different sports which they trade on and make it work but finding the niche and being disciplined enough is what is the most difficult part.

Agree totally with your post - its all about trying to finds odds that you don't believe are priced correctly - as most bookies operate in the 105- 120% round it can be difficult so do. Any views on this weekends games - personally Derry at Evns & Laois +3 at Evns seem value. Also looking at fixtures/current table - bit controversial but Dublin at 10/1 to get relegated seems overpriced

DB74

ft9 wrote: »

Whats your profit/loss?

Profit of €3,750 from roughly €40k stakes

turbobaby

If you dont have the discipline to stop after losing bets it doesn't matter what prices you're getting... For me, i could never stay in a bookies. It felt wrong, but in the comfort of my own home with no eyes looking i could bet as much as i wanted to on whatever i vould until the balance hit zero and the cold sweat come over me.

That's why I think online bookies are v dangerous unless you are very disciplined.

Well done OP I say...

Speak Now

ft9 wrote: »

Ive just sent an email to PP requesting profit/loss figures for my account.

The account is open for 1 year approx and would be used for the 'boredom' or 'interest' bets.

Any serious bets I have go through oddschecker and I go with top price which is hardly ever PP bar once or twice

ft9 wrote: »

Total deposits €9084.54

Toltal Withdrawals €12,129.02

So thats profit of over €3000.

With €488.78 In pending bets, which I hope will return another few €k

That's a serious profit for mostly 'boredom' or 'interest' bets!

Lodging on average €750 per month. I wouldn't like to see your serious bets , i mean i would

Dodge

DB74 wrote: »

Why not keep records of your bets?

Then you'll know whether you are in profit or not without alerting a bookie to the fact that you are taking a more professional approach to your betting.

I have a record of every bet I have made since Oct-2007

I think it'd be safe to assume that no one who bets long term will make a profit without keeping records. How else can you learn what does/doesn't work for if you don't have the data to back it up.

Fair play to you OP for admitting your mistakes, and good luck with your future bets.

Good also to see some people having a bit of perspective of losing bets nad the enjoyment 'gambling' can bring.

As has been said there's many strands to this lark