Has anyone cut down or stopped gambling?

[vinylweatherman]

Do what I did - with some winnings a couple of years back I bought a good Garrett metal detector. Keeps you out in the fresh air, doesn't cost you money and you can spend hours doing it - all with the possible 'big win' if you get lucky. I must admit it's still in the box, unopened.

That's a nice option. There are many things that one can do in the better weather one hopes (often in vain) to get during the summer month (and yes, I intentionally typed the singular, I live in the UK )

I can understand that someone who works on computers for a living, and gambles on them for leisure, would not see yet another computer based hobby as "something refreshingly different".

The problem I have noticed here in the UK that even the so called "fresh air" is no longer free. I visited Cheddar Gorge back in the 1980's, and the town of Cheddar was a tourist trap designed to part one with one's cash. Even climbing a flight of steps had been turned into a paid for attraction!!! However, go into the gorge itself, away from the town, and one could park up and walk, taking in the scenery for free. On a more recent visit however, every conceivable layby, many created purely by the cliff formation in the gorge and road running through it, had had a few white lines marked on it and a notice put up advising of the parking charges. Even cheekier was the fact that it was so damn hard to apply parking charges this far out that one was instructed to drive all the way into Cheddar and buy the parking ticket from the "gift shop" associated with the caves and town based attractions. This was a couple of MILES from the farthest marked parking bay!!!! (There are, however, a couple of indents so far up the gorge and so small, that they have NOT been turned into chargeable car parks ).

They will start charging for the scenery next, even if you came by bike or on foot.

(Well, to be blunt, they DO in Cheddar, remember that flight of steps - it only leads to the PUBLIC FOOTPATH that runs along the top of the gorge, how cheeky is that!).

 

[mrmark21]

I bought a PS Vita with my winnings from 32 Red a week ago. I've been downloading and playing like crazy. I have a Playstation subscription and today I'll be able to download Rayman Origins for free. Beats running money through the slots and loosing in under twenty minutes. One game on the Vita will last over eight hours.

 

[mrmark21]

So anyone else had any luck with cutting down?

I don't think I realized just how much of a habit I had formed until I stopped playing all together. Which probably reflects in my lack of posts on this forum. I think the best way to stop is to slowly phase out. I've made about four-six deposits during the last month at various casinos (Guts, Betateu, 32 Red etc). I used to play every day. Which looking back does seem a bit excessive. I played out of boredom - and I'm never not bored

I can justify gambling, not a big deal, I'll still have the occasional (albeit rare) punt, we all have our little things we do that we probably shouldn't (gambling, smoking, drinking, drugs etc), but I wasn't getting anything out of gambling that I couldn't get somewhere else. The entertainment had gone, I certainly wasn't entertained by the fact that I kept busting out in under twenty minutes. The incident with having my winnings voided at an accredited casino (not going to mention which casino as that's not relevant) was just the straw that broke the camels back.

I think anyone that wants to cut down or stop playing should have their winnings voided (lol well it certainly stopped me). No I think anyone that want's to stop playing should consider slowly phasing out

Anyway just wanted to mention a few thoughts I had... Now onto my next obsession my brand new Google Nexus 10!

 

[ChopleyIOM]

I've slowed down massively this month, chasing the 3Dice Slotsmeister prize last month was bad enough, but I was able to box it off in my mind and vow never to repeat the attempt. (And of course doing a good chunk of the spins on the evilly dangerous Arctic Adventure didn't help either, although if I'd have got ahead of the curve on it by as much as I actually got behind it I may have been alright, but alas it was not to be.)

As such I'd already decided July was going to be a quiet month, but I'm off work this week and on the Monday just gone decided to have a play at Jackpot Party. Three £100 deposits later at 30p spins on the Life Of Luxury slots, none of which saw me above my starting balance, and I properly found myself thinking - 'You know, I really don't want to do this any more'.

I haven't deposited anywhere since then and TBH I haven't felt like doing so either, normally after a break of a few days I'd start to feel like having a little punt somewhere, but if anything it's going the other way and I'm feeling less and less inclined to deposit as the days roll by.

Early days yet but I may have quit online slots without making a conscious decision to do so.

Like you with getting your winnings voided mark, sometimes something just trips a relay in your mind and you decide you've had enough. It wasn't the 3Dice Slotsmeister chasing that flicked the relay for me, just the sheer pointless waste of time and cash that my play at Jackpot Party on Monday represented.

The truth of the matter is that I did pretty well last year, but looking back that's only because I was ruthless with bonus play and maximising any opportunity I could find to make a profit, this year my play has been much more 'normal', and when you're just grinding away at random games with a 5% house edge, that gets pretty damn painful, pretty quickly - and I've decided I don't like it very much.

 

[Balthazar]

I've had an awful past week (I don't even want to look at how much I lost) and I'm taking a break, too. Not sure how long but at least 7 days, hopefully more. When you're playing and you find it pointless and boring, it's time to stop IMO. It's one thing to spend a lot of money gambling online, but it's a whole other thing when you don't even enjoy it. My last few sessions I've found myself "stopping" the reels for extended periods of time in most slots (basically double clicking the spin button) because I was too bored to watch the spinning animation...that's pretty bad in my book.

 

[mrmark21]

I can relate to allot of what you posted Chopley

I actually didnt set out to quit, i was just playing less and less until the deposits became kind of non-existent. I had the same kind of luck as you actually. The sheer inability to get above my starting balance really started to stand out like a sore thumb. Having my winnings consficated was as you said Chopley like a relay. I did find myself thinking that exact same thought 'I really cant be bothered doing this any more'. I was just over the whole thing, still am, I've only made four or six deposits this month and all of them have been for $10-20 nothing like the ammounts I used to spend. I just cant be bothered anymore. So many other things to do.

 

[incrediblestuff]

I've had an awful past week (I don't even want to look at how much I lost) and I'm taking a break, too. Not sure how long but at least 7 days, hopefully more. When you're playing and you find it pointless and boring, it's time to stop IMO. It's one thing to spend a lot of money gambling online, but it's a whole other thing when you don't even enjoy it. My last few sessions I've found myself "stopping" the reels for extended periods of time in most slots (basically double clicking the spin button) because I was too bored to watch the spinning animation...that's pretty bad in my book.

Typical end of a losing session for me ^^
Can add "/frustrated" to bored though...

 

[mrmark21]

I've had an awful past week (I don't even want to look at how much I lost) and I'm taking a break, too. Not sure how long but at least 7 days, hopefully more. When you're playing and you find it pointless and boring, it's time to stop IMO. It's one thing to spend a lot of money gambling online, but it's a whole other thing when you don't even enjoy it. My last few sessions I've found myself "stopping" the reels for extended periods of time in most slots (basically double clicking the spin button) because I was too bored to watch the spinning animation...that's pretty bad in my book.

Yeah sometimes I'd turn on turbo spin or whatever and just do stuff on my phone while I was waiting to loose my money I stopped playing Netent early on as I'd turn on automatic spinning and proceed to head down to the pub (okay that was only once). I dont want to bash any providers as I'm sure people do win there but I'm just saying thats what I found myself doing. I cant see the value in paying when I'm not actually playing.

 

[Balthazar]

Do what I did - with some winnings a couple of years back I bought a good Garrett metal detector. Keeps you out in the fresh air, doesn't cost you money and you can spend hours doing it - all with the possible 'big win' if you get lucky. I must admit it's still in the box, unopened.

Too bad that you're on the other side of the pound dunover because that's an activity that I'd really enjoy...I always wanted to try it but doing it alone kind of sucks. "Treasure hunting" and gamblers go hand in hand, I guess. Must be in our blood.

Last time that I quit gambling I bought an Xbox so I'd have something else to do (that was 1.5 years ago). Total playtime < 2hrs.

 

[Jasminebed]

Funny this thread got bumped today. I was gambling pretty hard for a long stretch early this year. I'd had a nice balance in Skrill, over the Xmas season, and had decided I could afford to lose this bankroll. I was hoping to run for 6 months with it, made it for about 4. Didn't deposit or play much, but I did have a great win from a small deposit I withdrew back to real life. Put some back in the next couple of weeks, but I had quite a bit of luck with some birthday chips and have been at it again quite hard past four weeks. Yesterday I decided to cash out almost all of my Skrill, made a few deposits with the rest.

I've got one deposit left, and if it's not a cashout, I'm going to try to stay away mostly for the rest of the summer. It's a short season, so much I wanted to do that seems to be undone still. It's not always the money when we are gambling, it's the time and the preoccupation with it too.

I'm planning another trip back to Cuba, want a overnighter to Montreal, there's a blues festival end of August, and I need to steal my oldest grandson to spend a day's adventuring with him.

Older we get, the faster times seems to run. Don't want to pass all of it in front of a computer screen or a slot machine.

 

[just play]

I've had an awful past week (I don't even want to look at how much I lost) and I'm taking a break, too. Not sure how long but at least 7 days, hopefully more. When you're playing and you find it pointless and boring, it's time to stop IMO. It's one thing to spend a lot of money gambling online, but it's a whole other thing when you don't even enjoy it. . My last few sessions I've found myself "stopping" the reels for extended periods of time in most slots (basically double clicking the spin button) because I was too bored to watch the spinning animation...that's pretty bad in my book.

This is exactly what's happening to me. I can't stand getting down to $10 then hitting something for $20, then going back down, etc, etc, etc...or having hubby say "you're done already???" Like Mark said, my deposits haven't been lasting for more than 20-30 minutes.

Being from USA, I of course don't have all the choices as you all, so it does get boring.

I find myself betting on horses now, perfectly legal here, a $50 deposit last for days! Checks come in a few days, banks give the money straight away, no waiting for it to clear.

The weather here has been SO HOT, we are on our 6th day of a heat wave, (but it's been HOT for about 3 weeks now) it's supposed to cool down Saturday after thunder showers, so I am excited to get in the driveway and beat my daughter and hubby at "horse" I almost literally haven't gotten out of the house for a week, I used to bring the dogs for a ride and walk them.

In the coming days I won't be online gambling, I'll be enjoying the cooler weather!!! I don't deposit as often as most people here anyway, maybe once or if I'm lucky twice a week.

 

[mrmark21]

This is exactly what's happening to me. I can't stand getting down to $10 then hitting something for $20, then going back down, etc, etc, etc...or having hubby say "you're done already???" Like Mark said, my deposits haven't been lasting for more than 20-30 minutes.

Being from USA, I of course don't have all the choices as you all, so it does get boring.

I find myself betting on horses now, perfectly legal here, a $50 deposit last for days! Checks come in a few days, banks give the money straight away, no waiting for it to clear.

The weather here has been SO HOT, we are on our 6th day of a heat wave, (but it's been HOT for about 3 weeks now) it's supposed to cool down Saturday after thunder showers, so I am excited to get in the driveway and beat my daughter and hubby at "horse" I almost literally haven't gotten out of the house for a week, I used to bring the dogs for a ride and walk them.

In the coming days I won't be online gambling, I'll be enjoying the cooler weather!!! I don't deposit as often as most people here anyway, maybe once or if I'm lucky twice a week.

Yep all those constant small wins that never really get you above you're starting amount or bust out in under twenty minutes. I did that again just then playing Microgaming (hay that's my only deposit for the week) although a new record ten minutes. Those ten minutes of play time reminded me why I haven't been playing.

Good luck with the horses, maybe I should look into that

 

[Przecinek]

Yep all those constant small wins that never really get you above you're starting amount or bust out in under twenty minutes. I did that again just then playing Microgaming (hay that's my only deposit for the week) although a new record ten minutes. Those ten minutes of play time reminded me why I haven't been playing.

Good luck with the horses, maybe I should look into that

That's why is better to increase bets and either play 3 minutes and bust or hit big and then play for 3 hours (or cashout if playing without a bonus). Going back and forth is a bit pointless really.

 

[immortality]

Things aren't going well as far as gambling goes as I am playing little this year, had a good run last year, so I figured this will be a bad year for me.

Only withdrew 3 times this year

 

[Andy Walker]

Things aren't going well as far as gambling goes as I am playing little this year, had a good run last year, so I figured this will be a bad year for me.

Only withdrew 3 times this year

Took a major hit on my bankroll today I think the word “decimated” would be apt and now the entertainment budget needs careful husbandry for the next few weeks, a long way of saying don’t dabble, I have a set budget though and this gives me a parameter to work with. Anything above the balance that I start with that exceeds it goes into my bank account swiftly.

I always consult the Mr. Benn roulette reel first though to decide which way to go lol



P.S. I have cut down through a simple budget management system, they sometimes call it skint in the UK

 

[Jasminebed]

I've got one deposit left, and if it's not a cashout, I'm going to try to stay away mostly for the rest of the summer. It's a short season, so much I wanted to do that seems to be undone still. It's not always the money when we are gambling, it's the time and the preoccupation with it too.

I'm planning another trip back to Cuba, want a overnighter to Montreal, there's a blues festival end of August, and I need to steal my oldest grandson to spend a day's adventuring with him.

Older we get, the faster times seems to run. Don't want to pass all of it in front of a computer screen or a slot machine.

Well, great price for Cuba today, $100 drop. All my cash, and my bank account, not even enough left for beer. Not to worry, nice cashout coming in, but those discounted ones go fast. Rose $20 while I went out and loaded the card even.

So the one deposit left got cut to 1/2 deposit, $25. Played it where I won't get paid until Monday, so this weekend is free.

I will not reverse, I will not reverse.

But the withdrawal is not quite enough to send to bank, guess the budget is not yet tapped. But I quoted myself to remember that time is important too.

Have a great weekend whether you gamble or not.

 

[Andy Walker]

Well, great price for Cuba today, $100 drop. All my cash, and my bank account, not even enough left for beer. Not to worry, nice cashout coming in, but those discounted ones go fast. Rose $20 while I went out and loaded the card even.

So the one deposit left got cut to 1/2 deposit, $25. Played it where I won't get paid until Monday, so this weekend is free.

I will not reverse, I will not reverse.

But the withdrawal is not quite enough to send to bank, guess the budget is not yet tapped. But I quoted myself to remember that time is important too.

Have a great weekend whether you gamble or not.

Even when a budget is tight it is I think a civil offence to be sober on the weekends here in the UK, you have to behave of course though.

There are guides online for travellers to the UK available:-

 

[ChopleyIOM]

Now well over two weeks since I made a straight deposit at a casino - (I've been taking EV+ bonus matches where offered, as random chance dictates they'll equal free money over time and as such I'm not classing them as gambling, plus that's only been at Jackpot Party and 3Dice anyway, no play anywhere else at all) - and the results are already in.

With the cash I've saved I've been able to make up the difference on my current car between what it's worth and what I owe on it (negative equity woohoo!), and arrange to move over to this rather nice specimen.

Should be ready to collect next week.

Now there was absolutely nothing stopping me doing this a couple of months ago, but whilst I was binning off hundreds of pounds a month at online casinos I simply couldn't justify changing my car, it was like I was already spending my 'entertainment money' and I didn't feel I deserved to spend it twice. With that removed from the equation I just thought 'Fuck it, why the hell not?'

Apologies for the crap pics as I drove it out to a deserted industrial estate in Peel on the test drive, and it's still got the dealer's sticker on the bonnet!

Kind of puts it into perspective when I think of how much money I spunked away chasing a big 5OAK in free spins on Arctic Adventure.....

 

[Przecinek]

- (I've been taking EV+ bonus matches where offered, as random chance dictates they'll equal free money over time and as such I'm not classing them as gambling, plus that's only been at Jackpot Party and 3Dice anyway, no play anywhere else at all)

I'm pretty sure at lot of use would like to think that way but gambling is gambling in my book

I think there's more to making money from gambling than just playing with bonuses in a same manner you would do normally (after reading bet-at thread one might start to think so , but at the end of the day we can't all be APs just because we play with a bonus).

Still I can see your point about extending gameplay, reducing the overall gambling costs etc, nice car BTW

 

[anniemac]

Went thru my computer and deleted all online casinos yesterday.

I am planning a trip to Keeneland race track in October and am going to have a very good time on the money I have been wasting online.

 

[just play]

Kind of puts it into perspective when I think of how much money I spunked away chasing a big 5OAK in free spins on Arctic Adventure.....

My husband likes to remind me how much money I have gambled away in the 12 years we've been married. It's quite a staggering amount. Wonder if everyone added how much they lost in a decade of gambling would that make them slow down or stop all together? My husband is good with numbers, I bet he can come up with my exact amount within a hundred or two.

I haven't played since the weekend before last, but I will be doing a bit of gambling this weekend. Since we can't go out together and do fun things, we spend our one night alone gambling together, lol. He likes dogs, and now I like horses. I may give the slots a spin tomorrow.

It's especially hard for USA players, it sucks big time!!! That's why I am leaning towards horses now, like I said earlier, money lasts soooo much longer, it's a different kind of fun.

My biggest hit so far on horses has been a little over $500, on a $4 bet. The weekend before last I hit over $100 on a $4 bet around 5 times. My money lasted all week. My husband said to me on Wednesday of that week..."your still playing with your original $50-60 deposit?" I'm like yup He's much happier, I'm much happier.

 

[Andy Walker]

My husband likes to remind me how much money I have gambled away in the 12 years we've been married. It's quite a staggering amount. Wonder if everyone added how much they lost in a decade of gambling would that make them slow down or stop all together? My husband is good with numbers, I bet he can come up with my exact amount within a hundred or two.

I haven't played since the weekend before last, but I will be doing a bit of gambling this weekend. Since we can't go out together and do fun things, we spend our one night alone gambling together, lol. He likes dogs, and now I like horses. I may give the slots a spin tomorrow.

It's especially hard for USA players, it sucks big time!!! That's why I am leaning towards horses now, like I said earlier, money lasts soooo much longer, it's a different kind of fun.

My biggest hit so far on horses has been a little over $500, on a $4 bet. The weekend before last I hit over $100 on a $4 bet around 5 times. My money lasted all week. My husband said to me on Wednesday of that week..."your still playing with your original $50-60 deposit?" I'm like yup He's much happier, I'm much happier.

Although we need to keep the clothes on our backs that we live with there are no pockets in shrouds that we depart with

 

[gloria460]

I haven't played online in about four months. So much more money in the bank. I don't miss it and I've. only blown about 800 at hard rock where I used to blow that in a week online. happy lady!

 

[nisosbar]

I've cut WAY back. I try to occupy my time with healthier pursuits, like exercise or reading books or occasionally socializing with friends.

 

[LHofsdal]

I too have decided to cut way back, and I decided to put my money into something a little different. I bought 3 1920's peanut roasters, and started my own business selling fresh roasted peanuts and cinnamon roasted almonds. I have doing this for about a month now, and only on weekends. My first weekend in business, I made enough to pay myself back for 1 roaster. Not to shabby for 2 days of work. My second weekend, wasn't so hot... I will leave it at that. My 3rd weekend, (last weekend) I was asked if I were available for an event involving antigue tractors. I said sure, when I was researching this event I could not believe how many people actually went to see these old tractors that run on steam.

This lady also bought a bag of peanuts and 2 bags of cinnamon roasted almonds. Well she must of shared them because 2 hours before the event was over I was out of almonds and peanuts. I sold 450 pounds of peanuts, and 160 pounds of almonds and sold other item like popcorn and juice and waters. Customers were telling me that it was so nice to have a change of foods, because some people can't eat fried foods, or have dairy products and the peanuts and almonds were perfect for snacking while walking around checking everything out. So I have now paid myself back for 2 roasters, and have enough money to go to Vegas and do some major school shopping.

Now I know that every weekend is not going to be like the past few, but atleast now instead of sitting in front of my cumputer throwing money to any online casino, I am out looking for new places to put some product in, and working to make money. It is relaxing to me, and it is perfect for a young retired woman who was getting pretty damn board. Everyone I know works, daughter is in school and she is rarely home in the summer, and hubby works.

So for now, I will leave the online gaming for a rainy day, and enjoy myself as being the "Peanut Lady". And I will enjoy watching my bank account increase instead of decrease. LOL

LH

 

[ChillBill]

With MGS slots seeming to be a lot tighter this year and already 50K in the red, I've decided to give it a rest for a few months. I'd be far better donating this to a nominated charity each month (tax deducible in Australia), than flushing it down the toilet like I have been lately.

When you look back over 250 odd deposits @ $200 a hit and you haven't had a single cash-out. It's time to give things a rest for a while.

Excellent thread btw

 

[whodatrec]

Same for me must have lost 20-30 000 Euros in the past 6 months or so.. The last win was 10 k and after that it seams impossible to win anything. To be honest im sick and tired of playing online, and im starting to realize i have a gambling problem. Its just so hard to quit..

Sometimes my frustration is trough the roof. I cannot understand how i can lose and lose and never win for 6 months straight. Its insane right? Average deposites i make are 100-200 euros average beat 1-2 euros never hit anything anymore..

Im seriuosly starting to think these slots are operating on an account based system because it cant be random im sure of it... Its like rolling a dice 200 times and getting 1 each time..I think they are taking an advantage of people who bet hard and deposite alot.. Because it seams that when im new at a casino its easier to win. But if you start to lose you will lose and lose and never win if you keep depositing. Just makes me sick to my stomach... I think i seriuosly need help to stopp gambling its really fucked up my personal finaces and i have debt because of my recent losses. Just dont know what to do. Everytime i self exclude there is a new casino around the corner...

Ive sought help and im to start treatment next week. I really hope this can help me because i just cant take it anymore. Sometimes when i lose alot i get really depressed and just wish i was dead. No i have to take responsibillity and pay my debts back and its gonna eat a good chunk out of my paycheck for years to come... I can handle it for now but if it becomes any worse i might fuck up my life so bad that i might not recover from it finacially.

 

[chris87]

Same for me must have lost 20-30 000 Euros in the past 6 months or so.. The last win was 10 k and after that it seams impossible to win anything. To be honest im sick and tired of playing online, and im starting to realize i have a gambling problem. Its just so hard to quit..

Sometimes my frustration is trough the roof. I cannot understand how i can lose and lose and never win for 6 months straight. Its insane right? Average deposites i make are 100-200 euros average beat 1-2 euros never hit anything anymore..

Im seriuosly starting to think these slots are operating on an account based system because it cant be random im sure of it... Its like rolling a dice 200 times and getting 1 each time..I think they are taking an advantage of people who bet hard and deposite alot.. Because it seams that when im new at a casino its easier to win. But if you start to lose you will lose and lose and never win if you keep depositing. Just makes me sick to my stomach... I think i seriuosly need help to stopp gambling its really fucked up my personal finaces and i have debt because of my recent losses. Just dont know what to do. Everytime i self exclude there is a new casino around the corner...

Ive sought help and im to start treatment next week. I really hope this can help me because i just cant take it anymore. Sometimes when i lose alot i get really depressed and just wish i was dead. No i have to take responsibillity and pay my debts back and its gonna eat a good chunk out of my paycheck for years to come... I can handle it for now but if it becomes any worse i might fuck up my life so bad that i might not recover from it finacially.

I do sympathise with what you're saying. It's so easy to become addicted and so difficult to stop. Like you I've lost too much but try to have gamble free days. I had a bad session last Wednesday so had a break until yesterday when I got tempted by a VIP offer and ended up only very slightly down. There is a number of on line organisations and forums to help stop compulsive gambling but little medical help (in the UK anyway) as it's not really recognised as an illness.

As for the performance of slots, as a slot player on line for a number of years the patterns you outline are much what I've experienced, good wins when you first join a casino then a poor run. If you're then lucky enough to hit a big win invariably there is a long period of losing.

I know debates have raged on this forum as to whether the slots are "rigged" or as claimed each spin is subject to a random number generation (RNG), random meaning that each spin is purely unique of which the outcome can be a win or a loss. In my experience I don't believe that each spin is purely unique as there is certainly a correlation between your play history and your success or otherwise. For example after a withdrawal your luck doesn't seem to be as good. Also in my experience when your trying to hit a wagering requirement to release a bonus the slots seem much tighter.

I'm not saying the slots are rigged. What I believe is that every spin is not unique as a result of a random number. When you've being playing for sometime you start to see certain patterns based on your play over the weeks and months resulting from your previous play history. Either way given that all RTPs are under 100% the house always has the edge and in my experience some fall well short of the advertised RTP, so unless you have a big win and then give up completely I guess your paying for (expensive at times) entertainment.

 

[gokkie]

I have cut way down lately.
I miss the excitement but I do not miss the frustration of losing deposits. I used to play daily but after my disaster runs at 32red and guts I will only deposit once a week or so.
Just so sick of constantly losing without any playtime whatsoever.
I did not deposit for 3 days and deposited 90€. I played 200 spins at 0,90 cents and the money was gone. What a waste! No more deposits for me this month, just not worth it.

The advantage of playing less online is that I am way less agitated and spend more time with my family. Today we went on a picknick, that was nice.
Two weeks ago I started running/ jogging again, want to lose some weight (sitting down playing slots with beer and chips is not that healthy) and get in shape. Also I have started another old hobby again which is playing pc adventure games.

Much more entertaining, healthier and more money in the bank.

 

[ChopleyIOM]

Well that's four weeks for me, a full month in which I haven't made a single straight deposit into a casino.

Unsurprisingly, now that I'm back to being a disciplined bonus-only player (and only the best bonuses at that), what was a pretty bad losing run has turned into a profitable month, and that's before you factor in the nice wedge of cash I'm making out of the AWPs in the pubs around here.

(The bonus I took at Redbet the other day is by far and away the riskiest I've taken on all month, but even there my maximum exposure was only €50, and in the end it worked out OK.)

The weekend just gone for example I cleared £200 profit across Jackpot Party, 3Dice, Redbet, and Sky Vegas - and the only way I did that was down to laser-focused bonus play. There's no way I'm going to risk that profit with straight deposits and slots play, if the bonus offers stop coming then I'll just stop playing, simple as that. Sounds a bit ruthless perhaps, but that's where I'm at with the whole thing now.

But here's a thought, maybe the casinos are too damn greedy. The house edge on slots is appalling, MG nudged under 96% RTP with Playboy (95.8%), which for a high variance monster is seriously mean. Your standard RTP on slots is around 95%, with a lot of softwares nudging under that (many of the slots at Sky Vegas are 92-94%, which is dreadful). Even WMS slots, which I really like, are all pegged to 96% RTP, and 4% is a large house edge.

If Video Pokers such as Jacks or Better can be financially viable for casinos to offer (over 99% RTP), why can't slots at least get close to that?

Galewind's slots are all running at 97.8% RTP, (over 98% including the cashback), so it can clearly be done. Some of NetEnt's higher paying slots are 97% RTP or better, but they chuck it all away with their utterly dreadful pay profile whereby it's basically impossible to win. (EggOMatic being a particularly stark example of that design philosophy.)

Anyway, whatever the reason or combination of reasons, I find myself at a point now where I simply can't imagine making a straight deposit into a casino to play slots, however much I may like them as games to play. (And in all fairness I did really enjoy my play at 3Dice yesterday, if at any point in the future I do feel like a straight flutter, it'll probably be there, but I'm certainly not in the mood at the moment.)

I'll carry on taking good bonus offers as and when they come up, and I'll most certainly continue to plunder the AWPs around here, but chucking my hard-earned money at random games with a 5% house edge? Not going to happen anymore, I'll miss the thrill of those occasional big wins for sure, but I'll miss the dreadful overall waste of money far less.

 

[dunover]

Well that's four weeks for me, a full month in which I haven't made a single straight deposit into a casino.

Unsurprisingly, now that I'm back to being a disciplined bonus-only player (and only the best bonuses at that), what was a pretty bad losing run has turned into a profitable month, and that's before you factor in the nice wedge of cash I'm making out of the AWPs in the pubs around here.

(The bonus I took at Redbet the other day is by far and away the riskiest I've taken on all month, but even there my maximum exposure was only €50, and in the end it worked out OK.)

The weekend just gone for example I cleared £200 profit across Jackpot Party, 3Dice, Redbet, and Sky Vegas - and the only way I did that was down to laser-focused bonus play. There's no way I'm going to risk that profit with straight deposits and slots play, if the bonus offers stop coming then I'll just stop playing, simple as that. Sounds a bit ruthless perhaps, but that's where I'm at with the whole thing now.

But here's a thought, maybe the casinos are too damn greedy. The house edge on slots is appalling, MG nudged under 96% RTP with Playboy (95.8%), which for a high variance monster is seriously mean. Your standard RTP on slots is around 95%, with a lot of softwares nudging under that (many of the slots at Sky Vegas are 92-94%, which is dreadful). Even WMS slots, which I really like, are all pegged to 96% RTP, and 4% is a large house edge.

If Video Pokers such as Jacks or Better can be financially viable for casinos to offer (over 99% RTP), why can't slots at least get close to that?

Galewind's slots are all running at 97.8% RTP, (over 98% including the cashback), so it can clearly be done. Some of NetEnt's higher paying slots are 97% RTP or better, but they chuck it all away with their utterly dreadful pay profile whereby it's basically impossible to win. (EggOMatic being a particularly stark example of that design philosophy.)

Anyway, whatever the reason or combination of reasons, I find myself at a point now where I simply can't imagine making a straight deposit into a casino to play slots, however much I may like them as games to play. (And in all fairness I did really enjoy my play at 3Dice yesterday, if at any point in the future I do feel like a straight flutter, it'll probably be there, but I'm certainly not in the mood at the moment.)

I'll carry on taking good bonus offers as and when they come up, and I'll most certainly continue to plunder the AWPs around here, but chucking my hard-earned money at random games with a 5% house edge? Not going to happen anymore, I'll miss the thrill of those occasional big wins for sure, but I'll miss the dreadful overall waste of money far less.

Yep, seconded. Except for the AWP's in pubs.

 

[ChopleyIOM]

Yep, seconded. Except for the AWP's in pubs.

I don't know where you live dunover or what sort of area it is, but I will say that my location is one of the major reasons I'm playing the AWPs on a regular basis and indeed am happy to do so.

Make no mistake, if I were back in Manchester - (and some of the rougher bits of Manchester as I lived in from time to time) - there's absolutely no way I'd even think about walking from pub to pub, by myself, with hundreds of pounds about my person, cheerfully dropping one AWP after another. A couple of weeks ago I got home with £500 in coins (which I had to carry around in a bag ), I just wouldn't do it in a lot of places in the UK - but in quiet little Ramsey on the IOM, on a Sunday afternoon where I'm a familiar face in all the local pubs, no problem at all, actually quite pleasant in fact.

I entirely respect your stance which is to give them a very wide berth and not bother at all, but please do understand that I'm lucky enough to be in a location whereby I can genuinely make some cash playing the buggers and even have a pretty nice time in the process

 

[dunover]

I don't know where you live dunover or what sort of area it is, but I will say that my location is one of the major reasons I'm playing the AWPs on a regular basis and indeed am happy to do so.

Make no mistake, if I were back in Manchester - (and some of the rougher bits of Manchester as I lived in from time to time) - there's absolutely no way I'd even think about walking from pub to pub, by myself, with hundreds of pounds about my person, cheerfully dropping one AWP after another. A couple of weeks ago I got home with £500 in coins (which I had to carry around in a bag ), I just wouldn't do it in a lot of places in the UK - but in quiet little Ramsey on the IOM, on a Sunday afternoon where I'm a familiar face in all the local pubs, no problem at all, actually quite pleasant in fact.

I entirely respect your stance which is to give them a very wide berth and not bother at all, but please do understand that I'm lucky enough to be in a location whereby I can genuinely make some cash playing the buggers and even have a pretty nice time in the process

I live in the Cotswolds as you can tell from my location in my header. No trouble here either if I wanted to walk about with 500. Probably more competition here than you would get though. Having said that, I seldom ever see a machine touched in a pub nowadays. I walked about on a Saturday evening once with a cloth bank bag (kindly given to me by the arcade) with 1200 coins in. The bastard was so heavy that after half an hour I was at the point on going home early leaving my mates, but one obliging landlady took 800 off of me for which I left a £20 tip for the bar staff. 400 I could just about lug about with a couple of bags in each pocket of jacket and jeans. I wouldn't do that in Salford though, big as I am. Actually, yes, I could have traded 250 of them for a 9mm handgun, to protect the 800 in notes and 150 coins remaining...

 

[silentvet]

Quit for one year

From July 1, 2012 to this July 1 I totally quit online gambling. Wanted to make sure I could.
Started back on July 2. Won $7,121 at Club World that evening.

 

[mrmark21]

Just a report back... I've stopped playing online all together (except for the odd occassion at 32 Red). Just a string of negative experiences with various casinos turned me off all together. As a result I havent visited CM for quite some time. I only play on the odd occassion these days.

I still play land based though, the other day I won $700 off a $1 bet. Something to see. I always enjoyed good bonus rounds although playing online I stopped seeing them and must have gotten used to bonus rounds that paid under 20 x the bet. Locally I play More Hearts, More Chillie, Lucky 88, and Wheres the Gold. All in the 87-95% range. Doing just about the same as I was doing playing MG

 

[ChopleyIOM]

I'm still playing but 100% ruthlessly sticking to EV+ bonus offers, my Neteller activity for the last couple of months is an absolute fraction of what it'd been every month for the previous 18 months or so.

The extra cash knocking around is undoubtedly handy, we've had a bad run on stuff breaking around the house in the last couple of months (washing machine, dishwasher, Mrs Chopley's monitor), the cost of me getting my new car and so on.

All out of the current account with money to spare, because there isn't that constant drip-drip-drip of money coming out of there to play at online casinos.

Also have some seriously good AWPs in the local pubs too at the moment, which is fulfilling my gambling desires and making me a nice wedge of cash too.

 

[Jasminebed]

Combination of bad luck, depleting previous winnings and an upcoming trip have left me without cash I'm willing to spare until after Cuba. I did dig up $25 to deposit last night with a generous offer from 32Red. A little luck in the beginning playing low stakes, but that disappeared. Was hoping for a modest withdrawal to fund more play. Was a little bummed to find the new Batman game was not yet available. I'm a little less bummed having read the related thread.

In the past couple of weeks, I've become completely obsessed with Candy Crush on facebook, to the point of not playing a couple of freechips or playing free tourneys.

Big win back in late April gave me a chance to help my daughter, visit NYC and my upcoming trip to Cuba, play a bunch, have a fabulous summer and a pretty well stocked bar.

I expect my usual pattern of spending my weekend deposits, and continuing to play, will resume in October when weather is colder.

 

[mrmark21]

Popped a $20 into Guts on the weekend. I've done pretty dismal at Guts with an 88% RTP. I wanted a change from 32 Red. Got my first withdrawal in ages a whopping $150 lol! You need a good sense of humour to play online!

Just a tip to share with other people: When you dont want to make a deposit how about take a break and play the social slots on youre mobile/tablet? Anyone else into those? I've found Slots Saga very addictive

 

[lotusch]

Just a tip to share with other people: When you dont want to make a deposit how about take a break and play the social slots on youre mobile/tablet? Anyone else into those? I've found Slots Saga very addictive

Yeah I do play slots on my phone also
And on Facebook I play the social slots but they even pay more crappy because they want you to spend money to buy fun credits...
It's all the same on the end...

 

[baleHead76]

I had fer sure cut down on my deposits earlier in the year, but then I went to vegas in july and did pretty horrible there so I came home and started making regular deposits, once a week. (im a low roller so 25-45 is my max) and my deposits went pretty fast... which is why I stopped earlier in the year.. I was tired of not getting at least an hours play time.

well just a few days ago I won a pretty good sum on $3.00 comps and so now I'm waiting it out to see if they will actually give it to me.. I've never won using comps before.. and just yesterday I had a $50 free chip and managed to complete the wager requirements and was able to cash out with the max. I think this will probably be it for my deposits for the year because either the terms and conditions will get ya or the wait for the check will get ya and for a U.S player its just a pain the ass these days.

 

[baleHead76]

Popped a $20 into Guts on the weekend. I've done pretty dismal at Guts with an 88% RTP. I wanted a change from 32 Red. Got my first withdrawal in ages a whopping $150 lol! You need a good sense of humour to play online!

Just a tip to share with other people: When you dont want to make a deposit how about take a break and play the social slots on youre mobile/tablet? Anyone else into those? I've found Slots Saga very addictive

I have tons of slot apps and they sure do help to satisfy my need to gamble and I was surprised on that cos its not real money, lol but I'm totally addicted to Titians Way slot game! its pretty cool and I really like the side bonus game they have within the game called blizzard king

 

[mrmark21]

I have tons of slot apps and they sure do help to satisfy my need to gamble and I was surprised on that cos its not real money, lol but I'm totally addicted to Titians Way slot game! its pretty cool and I really like the side bonus game they have within the game called blizzard king

Same here, I always thought that the possibility to win real money is what made gambling exciting. But when you go through an outrageous loosing streak such as the one I've had then gambling with real money kinda looses all it's appeal.

Plus the quality of slot apps tend to be really good, I've got Titan's way as well. So much fun and the good thing is that when you run out of coins you can just buy their smallest coin pack $3AUD easy to see what a saving it is compared to playing with real money. I've also got WMS slot apps that were really cheap to buy outright

 

[ChopleyIOM]

I was always playing online slots in free money mode when I was also playing for real on a regular basis, but that was because I'd use my experiences in free play to instruct my real play.

Now that I've effectively stopped playing for real I don't see the point of playing for free either.

I do still play my fruit machine emulators quite a lot - https://www.casinomeister.com/forums/threads/50379/

Got one running over on the other side of my screen at the moment, where in the past there'd have been an online slot of some description!

It's quite odd really, to have gone from playing online slots damn near constantly, to not playing them at all, and to not miss them in the slightest.

I suppose once you finally get your head around the concept of being guaranteed to lose in the long term when you're playing random games with a large house edge, then nothing but EV+ bonus play makes any sense at all.

Chasing 3Dice Slotsmeister in June was the craziness that finally finished me off I think, and looking back now I'm glad I went a bit nuts to win it, because it'll probably save me a fucking fortune over the rest of my lifetime!

 

[mrmark21]

I'm winning by not playing I defenitely have more money in the bank. I still have the occasional punt but I certainly dont miss playing as much as I was

There's something so hypnotic about seeing those reels spin... Time to play a slots app lol!

 

[007sam]

Bonus

Going have a break, just can't turn a bonus around anymore, had 4 100% matches this week playing on my winning. Spent about half hour getting through them, no wins no features, time for a break me thinks....

 

[tinybettor]

The thing that sucks is not just continually losing but when you can't even get a single bonus round in a decent sized deposit. It especially sucks when your on a set budget per week and then 10 minutes in the week its all gone and your left waiting another week to fight it out.

 

[mrmark21]

What I used to do (back when I actually used to play) was set a realistic gambling buget for the week, realistic because then I wouldnt break it. I'd divide the amount between seven so then I could play everyday. I wouldnt redeposit, even if I got next to no play time which meant most of the time.

I started taking a bonus on every deposit. I'd deposit small take a bonus and bet higher. I didnt mind the playthrough as I was depositing to play. The features were something that really annoyed me. 500 spins to get a low paying feature? Lol! I stopped enjoying playing. I was throwing my money away and not even enjoying myself. I waste my money on allot of stuff, stuff that I enjoy doing (video games, shopping, dominos etc). Spinning away without the possibility of getting past my deposit ammount was not enjoyable. I'm still surprised that I've managed to almost completely phase gambling out of my life because it had become a bit of a habbit as with everything you do daily.

I think many of the members on this forum have allot more patience than me, more power to them, I'm not a very patient person

 

[ChopleyIOM]

Gah! Not quite so ruthless with the EV+ play on my last VIP bonus at 3Dice!

Made wagering comfortably and could have withdrawn at £20 over my deposit, (Payola and Kyoko's Quest rolled nicely, looped round Kyoko three times to rescue Pon Pon but never got more than a three scatters trigger, but the game paid decently overall), then made wagering on Super Suits albeit having seen my balance diminish somewhat, but decided to just see it out to a couple more bonus rounds on nice tame 15p spins......

Well it then went on one of its feral patches, had a 500 spin feature drought, and when it did finally drop in it paid less than 20x stake (which is VERY bad for Super Suits), had a handful of other features with similar derisory pays, and watched my balance get slowly ground down.

With just £36 left in the tank and it getting late, I decided to do some silly roulette spins, a £30 spin on red lost, then a £6 spin on the first third won, I was just trying to get back up to £100 at which point I'd withdraw, but alas it was not to bed, and I soon bust out.

No one to blame but myself there, I made wagering with a £20 profit in the bag, and it was my own silliness that caused me to plug away at Super Suits in the hope of a decent bonus round. Even on tiny 15p spins that slot can do some damage when you're on the wrong side of its variance curve!

Oh well, onto the next bonus in due course! (3Dice is literally the only place I'm playing at now.)

 

[dunover]

Gah! Not quite so ruthless with the EV+ play on my last VIP bonus at 3Dice!

Made wagering comfortably and could have withdrawn at £20 over my deposit, (Payola and Kyoko's Quest rolled nicely, looped round Kyoko three times to rescue Pon Pon but never got more than a three scatters trigger, but the game paid decently overall), then made wagering on Super Suits albeit having seen my balance diminish somewhat, but decided to just see it out to a couple more bonus rounds on nice tame 15p spins......

Well it then went on one of its feral patches, had a 500 spin feature drought, and when it did finally drop in it paid less than 20x stake (which is VERY bad for Super Suits), had a handful of other features with similar derisory pays, and watched my balance get slowly ground down.

With just £36 left in the tank and it getting late, I decided to do some silly roulette spins, a £30 spin on red lost, then a £6 spin on the first third won, I was just trying to get back up to £100 at which point I'd withdraw, but alas it was not to bed, and I soon bust out.

No one to blame but myself there, I made wagering with a £20 profit in the bag, and it was my own silliness that caused me to plug away at Super Suits in the hope of a decent bonus round. Even on tiny 15p spins that slot can do some damage when you're on the wrong side of its variance curve!

Oh well, onto the next bonus in due course! (3Dice is literally the only place I'm playing at now.)

Hey, Choppers, try the £10 NDB over at netbet.com, highly recommended!

 

[ChopleyIOM]

Hey, Choppers, try the £10 NDB over at netbet.com, highly recommended!

I'm just reading your thread now funnily enough