| If
you are going to gamble, you need to be able to
set limits for yourself and gamble responsibly.
This article will help you learn how to do that
whether you are gambling at a casino or online.
Gambling is a form of entertainment that can
be a lot of fun. It can also be profitable.
However, that is not the main goal. Your main
goal should always be to enjoy yourself. You
will probably enjoy yourself more if you go
to the casino with your spouse or a group of
friends. You can have a good time together even
if you lose.
While it is true that gambling can be fun,
it can also become addictive if you’re
not careful. Here are some tips to help you
fall into a pattern of problem gambling. Your
trips to the casino should be fun. These tips
will help ensure that they are.
1) Gambling should never be considered
a way to make money.
If you need money, find a way to earn it. It’s
true that gambling can be a business, but it
is only profitable if you are the owner of the
casino. Casinos are intentionally set up so
that the casino has an advantage over the gambler.
Never forget that.
When you see the pictures of big winners holding
up huge checks with large amounts of money on
them, remember that many people lost money so
that person could win. You are much more likely
to be the loser than the big winner. Don’t
get your heart set on winning that big check.
It is not likely to happen.
2) Never bet more than you can afford
to lose.
Your rent money is not gambling money. Neither
is your grocery money, gas money or the money
to pay the phone bill. The money you use for
gambling should always be ‘extra’
money. Before you use any money to gamble, think
about how you will feel if you lose it. If you
will regret it, then you shouldn’t use
it to gamble.
3) Limit the amount of money you gamble
with.
Set a spending limit ahead of time. Once you
have lost that amount of money, it is time to
stop playing. Never go over your spending limit.
If you can’t handle this, take the money
out of the ATM machine ahead of time and drop
your ATM card and any credit cards off at home
before you head to the casino. Only take the
cash that you have decided to use for gambling.
4) Limit the amount of time you spend
in the casino.
Set a reasonable time limit before you go to
the casino. Don’t let your gambling interfere
with your life. Make sure you leave in time
for any appointments you have, or to get home
in time that you will be able to get enough
sleep before you have to go to work.
5) Stick to your loss limit.
If you lose the amount you had budgeted for
gambling, leave the casino. If you go over your
limit trying to win back what you have lost,
you are likely to lose more.
6) Never gamble when you are upset.
Negative emotions make it more difficult to
make good decisions when you are gambling. It’s
hard enough to stop when you need to when you
are feeling good. Don’t make things more
difficult on yourself by playing when you are
depressed, lonely or angry. Even hunger can
adversely affect your decision-making.
7) Have a balanced life.
Your life should not revolve around the casino.
You need to have other things that you enjoy
doing for fun. Maybe you can join a gym, go
fishing or hunting or watch a movie with your
friends. Find a hobby that you enjoy, and spend
more time on your hobby than you spend at the
casino.
Following these rules can allow you to enjoy
gambling without putting yourself in danger
of losing more than you can afford. Be careful
not to let your gambling become an addiction.
It should just be something fun you do once
in awhile, and you should enjoy it. If it is
not enjoyable, find another way to entertain
yourself. |
