Hey there, indwen123-
Not sure what you're implying or asking. I suppose the easiest answer is that if you can walk away and not bet your last dollar on a race, perhaps you're not. The fact that you're posting here makes me think you may think you have a problem though. I had a real horse racing issue that brought me here and, frankly, I love horse racing, too- but I simply can't partake anymore. Also, frankly, I think that simulcasting played a huge part in growing my addiction. I can't say that if I just went to one track and played the field for the day I wouldn't have ended up here, but playing the all the fields in all the races all over the world- that caught up with me, and caught up big.
FYI, I've been posting 20 questions from GA over the past couple of months- take a peek, they're all headed with "Question X" if you can answer a simple "yes" to at least some of them, you might want to think this through a bit more.
Jay

dear indwen123,
I agree, if you are looking for addiction help forums then you might think you have a problem.
If you have been "lucky" unlike most here and not gotten yourself deeply into trouble then you for sure are a "lucky" one, BUT
whose to say that luck won't turn around anyday now and bite you and leave you as desperate and confused as some here.
Now is the time to investigate and ask questions to see before it gets too late.

Interestinf post indwen. I hope you continue to win. Best of luck

Iwind, just reread your post and saw you donated your winnings to a foundation.
Maybe you logged onto the wrong site and you are looking for the recovering philanthrophists site.

That's a good one........ Actually, those race horses go through so much and I felt like I should give something back to them........ Also, when I do play, usually take about $2,000.00 with me. On my worst day, I will go home with something like $1,200.00. I Never Ever go home broke. Last year I had a winning year year (+$4,000) and this is after taking some HUGE hits :( So far for this year I'm down about $1,200. It's not easy, but I don't simply go to the track, buy a racing form, and start playing. No, I study and study all year long. I follow all the two year olds and have a data base of more than 200 names of horses that I have been following. My goal is to qualify for the National Handicapping Championship which is held at the end of January in LV. Last year I came very close placing 5th in an online tournament. It's hard work but how many people can say that they LOVE hard work? Not too many.

Indwen

dear indwen123,
I wish I was in your riding boots.
I have lost more but it is the amount of time I spent and
the life I was avoiding and the enormity of how much
gambling became in my life.

There are some questions that are on the internet and in the GA books etc and you can tell by how many yes's you have if you are a compulsive gambler or not.
Only you can decide in the end if you've had enough and want to quit and become gamble free.

I don't believe I have a gambling problem. However, when I'm at the track, I see so many people just throwing their money away without having any real opinion or edge on what they're playing? It's really bad. I usually play during the weekends with Sundays off. If there is a big race, or if one of my listed horses is running, I play him/her. Last year I went to a handicapping contest at Gulfstream Race track in Miami. Well they had a casino there so I went in and put a five dollar bill in one of the slot machines and lost it within 5 minutes and that was that, I walked out of the casino knowing that I had a five minute thrill, and didn't need to bet more money. Like I said before, I really never wager on anything else but horse racing. I won't even buy a lottery ticket or scratch off ticket because I know I don't have an edge. It's not so much luck but decision making. That's what's important. Actually, I belong to another group in the forum (blood clots). I happen to browse all the different things that can hurt people, and I saw this group. And Jayd03, you're absolutely right about the simulcasting screwing you up. I usually research the tracks I'm going to play for the season, i.e., Saratoga in late summer. I always do great there.....

Indwen

Seriously, there are a lot of people here that their lives are in shambles because of gambling, whether it be cards, vlt's, sports, slot machines, lotteries, etc. We are here to help with recovering, not encouraging someone to research to go back to it. But the fact that you have spent hours, days and months researching it and you are still down so far for the year makes me wonder, is it really worth it for you?

I spent a lot of time researching slot machines too, but all that did was feed my addiction, which has totally taken me down a road that has nearly destroyed me and my family.

Are you truly happy with all of the time you spend on the horses, or could it be you are looking for something else that could fulfill you? Only you know the answer to that.

If you want our support in you giving it up - we will certainly be here for you!!!

Your reason for posting still has me a bit bewildered. Being from Ireland I have friends who are like you- they love horses and are bettors, but they , as you do I think, bet very differently from me.
They love the animals, their blood lines and handicapping and putting some money on them.
But its more akin to professional gambling than compulsive gambling.
I am a compulsive gambler who loves horses but once I start betting I cant stop.It might start with a love of horses but It very quickly becomes about the action .
I think that is where you and I might differ.
I really hope you qualify for the National Handicapping Championship. That is not an easy feat and a feat I respect.
Best of luck.
I am still not sure if you are asking a question and looking for an answer.
John

John:

I'm not asking a question, rather, I am trying to say that I do gamble, and yes, I've been doing it for about 32 years. My father was a bookie in New York. He would have four television sets down in the basement of our home. On Saturdays and Sundays, he would literally be watching four or five football games at the same time (don't forget, this is in the early 70s). He had two telephones ringing night and day with guys wanting to make their bets. I was answering those calls and taking the bets for my father when I was about 15 yrs. old. Thankfully, I never got into betting sports, playing cards, or anything else but horses. I started working at Belmont race track for various trainers. I loved it so much. My father would always take me to the track when I was very young (7 years of age). I could read the racing form by the time I was about twelve years old. Like I said in previous posts, I've never gone home broke. NEVER. Yes, I lose more than I win, however, when I win, I win enough to cover most of my losses. No, I will not get rich from this, but I Love it and I'm good at it.

Indwen

Indwen,

It sounds to me like this is your passion more than an addiction.I think that you are pretty clear that you are not a gambling addict. I am most curious though as to why you would seek out this website and post.

I tend to think it is in your blood. The same way as the sons of musicians may become musicians from hearing and seeing music being played.
You see I don't see anything wrong with your lifestyle but I have a sneaking suspicion you do or else I don't think you would have posted to this site.
I don't know. I could be way off.

Yes, I see what your concern is with me: Why would this guy be on this site if he's not a gambling addict? Well, my father was definitely an addict. He played everything (poker, baseball betting, football betting, hockey games, boxing, and of course horse racing [was not very good at it]. As I posted earlier, I belong to a different group that has to do with health issues. I do know that many people have been totally wiped out by horseracing. I love it and I respect it. It's amazing when you've got it right. When Big Brown won the Kentucky Derby in 2009, I had him running about a 2:01 and change for the mile and a quarter race. Even though he was in the 20 hole, he broke from the gate cleanly and was able to take command of the race a little past the half mile mark. Well, Big Brown went off at 2-1 that day and I felt that his strength, speed, and endurance would certainly beat this great field of horses. I put $2000.00 dollars on him to win. I got back $6,800.00. He paid $6.80 to win. That was perfect because I believe Big Brown's time was 2:01 and 3. I could never go up to a slot machine and reason that this is the machine that will pay out. No, it doesn't work that way with games of chance. I don't believe that horse racing is a game of chance. Yes, there is a degree of "racing luck" but there is also the degree of skill, understanding, patience, and decision making that all can make it work. Now I'm not advocating that you should gamble on horseracing, nor am I trying to justify my love for horseracing and wagering on horseracing. I have my home, car, clothes, savings account, and checking account. I have never gone to an ATM machine at the track, NEVER. My money management is what enables me to survive at this very difficult and exciting game. And, with that said, I shall bid all the wonderful people on this board fair well and best of wishes in your recovery.

Sincerely,
Indwen

By the way, the picture you see on my profile is of Barbaro. What a wonderful horse he was. I felt so bad when he broke down in the Preakness. It was so horrible. So sad.............. If there is anything I don't like about horse racing is the fact that so many of these great athletes get catastrophic injuries during their training and racings runs. Ok, enough. Bye everybody.......

Indwen.

Best of luck indwen .