You should probably seek some chemical remedy like naltrexone, which is used off label for compulsive gambling. It's pretty clear you have no bottom. You've been at the rodeo a long time.

Many here are borderline action junkies, but you're just profoundly ill. We fantasize of big scores for the lifestyle it could afford us. You make a big score, get back to your room, and realize there isn't a thing in the world you'd rather do.

I have to imagine your brain chemistry is pretty much shot at this point, and nothing is lighting up your frontal lobes like a Christmas tree short of this addiction. That's why I'd seek an unconventional remedy that is chemical,'or hypnosis, or something out of the box. You don't seem to really have the ability to do the whole 12 step thing. You have to be exhausted, and I'm sure you know it isn't going to end well. Try something different.

Well my thought that you took the 1st step of recovery by coming on here admitting your sickness just got flushed down the toilet with your admission you are going to continue to stay in Vegas and play more events.
All poker players that see Mike chip hustling at any casino report him immediately to casino security. If you see him at the airport scamming report him to airport police immediately.

does GA give out poker chips to celebrate milestones in recovery?

theres no chemical solution to a spiritual problem brother

It is both sad and entertaining to be witness to a trainwreck.

If you really want to stop gambling, at least in casinos, sign self-exclusion paperwork, that is available in any casino or card room.

One year, 5 years, or for good: your choice. A specific property, statewide, or the whole country.

There is plenty of work available, even for convicted felons. The money may not be what you want, but since it seems to have no value to you now, you will learn to live on a lesser amount.

Try to find some pleasure and happiness outside of gambling.

Willpower alone? Every casino I've ever been in allows you to self exclude. He could start right now and lifetime ban himself from CET and MGM properties in about 10 minutes. Add LVS, Boyd, Stations, you're gone from 80% of Vegas casino in about 5 forms.

If he wants sympathy, then he can start by banning himself from every casino in a 500 mile radius. It only takes a short window of clarity to do that.

The sad reality is, he doesn't want to stop gambling.

I find your victim mentality to be offputting. The guy who said you get a rush of of it hit the nail on the head. It'd be one thing if you were actively seeking help but to post all of this and say maybe I'll stop after the wsop is pathetic. That's on par with an alcoholic saying I'm gonna stop drinking after I finish this drink in my hand. I think thriving on pity is a sad existence. Talk is cheap, but your gambling habit isn't. You need to take meds like someone else suggested.

The guy needs help, pretty simple.

Your obsession with TPB might be the saddest part of this thread.

Leave Vegas and go home to your family. Ask them for help and ban yourself from all casinos forever. Go back to GA and keep going.

You may feel that you are too old to change but unless you do the above you will just keep the cycle going.

It is never too lat to change but you need help to do it. Go home and bare your soul to your parents and if needed plead for their help.

Gl.

I'm pretty sure he has been exposed to these AA-style dogmatic slogans before. Works for many, but clearly not him. Never understood calling something a disease and spiritual problem. Seems a contradiction. Maybe you mean spiritual in some different context?

Mike, sorry for calling you a POS earlier.

Gamboling is very similar to alcoholism. When I read that you rule out quitting because it's the series right now, it reminds me of my father who would never ever plan to quit drinking right before x-mas or any other major holiday. He'd always say it's "impossible", so he would just postpone it. Of course it didn't work and he still drinks to this day.

I don't think you are anywhere near the point where you want out. You're just buying some time. I really sympathize with you tho, it sucks to be like this. Hope you turn things around in your life dude. You don't deserve to degrade yourself like this.

no chemical can fix this problem...only cognitive development and a pair of balls

Lol. I was trying to be respectful, as those people are well meaning, but you got me.

I'll tell you what though, while you may be an insufferable trainwreck in the poker room (confirmed, as I have sat with you at The Borgata), if you have ANY future, it might be in PR (consulting on political scandals etc). You got out in front of this and spun this thread about 70 degrees towards you. So there's that.

I love all the armchair psychologists in this thread.

As far as i'm concerned, the fact that twenty people can read this story without any sympathy at all is a much more damning indictment of the poker community than the one guy who ended up scamming people and going to jail because of his addiction.

I absolutely agree that casino ban/whatever is needed.Actually prolly best would be going to australia(no record,english speaking, good salaries) or wherever you can get a normal job, with no driving, no casinos around,or it just wont stop. I mean just by reading the stories, the highly anticipated big score..then there is 100k and 150k and both times it gets blown immediately with the chance of saving it, actually being asked several times.
I know a friend(who owes me exactely because of such things that I didnt know) and used to work as a dealer, you can forget it, also you only know people gambling, thats obviously another incentive.
He got out and now works a totally normal 9/5 and seems to be in control, however, his addiction wasnt as "strong" for lack of better words and he doesnt have a criminal record, but I honestly see no other way.
What I also wonder is the long hard look maybe after wsop..I mean what did you think about in rehab/prison..gee I wanna play again??
I dont intent to blame or make you bad or whatever, but given that its a FIFTEEN YEAR Period repeating over and over I seriously dont think there is another way.
Also,as offtopic..I think at the roots is this false Belief that Money can and has to be made immediately without working for it, I honestly notice that with everyone having a gambling problem.Nah screw this/that I gotta play now with this and that to make money and pay you back.when in reality even if they once get money it still isnt enough, it still has to be quadrupled in a few mins.

should i have sympathy for Luis Suarez for biting Giorgio Chiellini? I mean, hes done it 3 times, he clearly has a problem.

Such a Classic Sad Case:
Penn State Chemical Engineering graduate at Age 24 completes program of intense study in a field of math, chemistry, biology, engineering and physics, sets out in life to make raw materials into economically viable products solving technological problems.

PSUMIKE99 is Bored out of his gourd! Finds the Casino.

Only fair to post the following repeated many times. PSUMIKE99 through his own admissions in this thread has followed the path either in truth or fiction. We never know on 2+2 if this is true or imagined. However in this case there are signs of at least partial truth.

"Gambling addiction is a serious disorder that destroys millions of lives every year." PSUMIKE99 is one.

"No less dangerous than a drug or alcohol addiction, gambling addictions have the power to strip individuals of everything they hold dear, including self respect and their will to live. Along with the problems of gambling addiction itself, the consequences and potential fallout of severe cases of gambling addiction can have wide spread and devastating effects on both the addict and their loved ones." PSUMIKE99 is one.

"How Does Gambling Addiction Start?
Gambling addiction can start just like any other addiction to drugs or alcohol. It all begins with one high, just one win. The progression of gambling addiction can vary greatly depending on several factors, the more obvious being personality type. One variation of gambling addiction seems to be linked to the kinds of games played. Many people who play more strategic and "skill" games like poker tend to progress much more slowly than those who play quick, immediate gratification games like slot machines and video poker tend to progress at a much faster pace. No matter what the speed of the progression, gambling addiction has three main stages which a gambling addict will experience during the progression to a pathological gambler." PSUMIKE99 is one.

"The Winning Stage of Gambling Addiction
The winning stage of gambling addiction is often considered to still be fun and innocuous, but the behaviors of someone in this first stage of gambling addiction are subtle signs of a decent into a compulsive gambling addiction." PSUMIKE99 is one.

"In the winning stage of gambling addiction, the addict begins to gamble more often. Although gambling may still be occasional, the time in between gambling begins to shorten. Gambling also begins to be a part of life as the gambler starts to enjoy the high or escape that gambling provides to him or her. The gambler also begins to talk about his or her gambling experiences more often, as winning streaks, or a big win become justification for more gambling. During this stage of gambling addiction, family and friends rarely see any problems as the gambling addict is still having fun and has not suffered any real consequences as a result of his or her gambling. The duration of this winning stage of gambling addiction varies, but is generally much shorter for the video poker gambler than for the race track gambler." PSUMIKE99 is one with Pai Gow.

"The Losing Stage of Gambling Addiction
The losing stage of gambling addiction is the stage at which problems begin to become more obvious and the fun and euphoria of the winning stage has begun to fade.

In the losing stage of gambling addiction, the addict begins to gamble much more often, often making gambling a ritual. Bets become larger as the addict needs to put more on the line to feel the same level of euphoria from the winning stage of gambling addiction. The gambler also bets more often, trying to win back losses as soon as possible. More free time is spent gambling, home and work life often begin to suffer as a result of excess time spent gambling. The addict begins to be preoccupied with gambling, often taking out loans to finance continued gambling. Often, because of losses and deteriorating financial situations, the addict will feel depression and/or anxiety and try to hide his or her gambling from family and loved ones. The losing stage of gambling is easily recognizable by an astute observer, but it still often overlooked by friends and family who have no reason to suspect that anything has gone wrong." PSUMIKE99 is one.

"The Depression Stage of Gambling Addiction
The depression stage of gambling addiction is the stage when the gambling addict experiences more extreme depression and anxiety over mounting financial pressures and continued gambling loses. The gambler will become increasingly isolated from friends and loves ones, feeling desperate to have a change of luck with their gambling. It is in this final stage that gambling addicts often try to steal or commit crimes to finance continued gambling after they have already sold all of their belongings. Once the depression stage of gambling addiction has taken effect, most all gambling addicts consider suicide, and about 1/3 of them attempt it. Many additional addictions can take root as a result of gambling addiction. While gambling may have been the escape to begin with, once it has become the very source of depression and anxiety, many addicts begin to drink or abuse drugs as an escape from their initial escape, which has turned into a nightmare. Many gambling addicts who turn to crime and robbery to finance their gambling addiction are arrested and charged with crimes to be permanently on their criminal records." PSUMIKE99 is one.

"The best time to address gambling addiction is in the winning stage, when things still seem to be fine and there aren't are glaring signs of a problem, but it is difficult to recognize the signs if one does not know what to look for. Generally, by the time a gambling addict gets to the depression stage of gambling addiction, there are additional problems to address, and the overall addiction and compulsive behavioral problems have become so complex, that it takes longer and more intense treatment for success. While relapse is a risk no matter what stage gambling addiction is treated, like with any addiction, it is always best to address it as early as possible for the best chances at success without relapse." PSUMIKE99 is one.

Gambling Addiction Treatment
If PSUMIKE99 or someone you know is suffering from gambling addiction and need help, please go to a treatment directory and search the database for "gambling addiction treatment centers".

Disclaimer: Not affiliated in any way with Gamblers' Anonymous. Not a Preacher. Thankful not walking in PSUMIKE99's shoes. Sorry about the length.

Make that 21

And what steps has this guy taken to do anything about his addiction? Anything? Anything at all? Doesn't seem like it. But he deserves sympathy why? For what reason?

BS rationalization to make yourself feel better. "I paid back some people when it was convenient for me, obv I'm not a scumbag."

What have you done to improve yourself in the past 10 years? You said the money doesn't have value to you, what benefit do you get from gambling? What do you enjoy about it? Figure that out then figure out how to get it somewhere else.

What if you took all the hours you spent begging/scamming and studied engineering? You'd probably have a phd.

If you aren't stopping at least liveblog itt your scores and losses in the pits and at the airport. It would at least make this thread better than reading posters take on addiction.