Discipline

I have been giving discipline a lot of thought. When I was a teacher, discipline was what you did to a student when he broke the rules. In the context of gambling it is not the same thing.

By discipline I mean control. You have to have the reigns on what your doing. You can't let the gambling spin you out of control. Maintaining control is the key to success.

When losing: Discipline comes into play because you are behind. Maybe you had a plan and the plan is not working. Undisciplined thinking in this situation makes you do something you weren't going to do. The urge to play "catch up" is great and you start making risky decisions. Usually, this results in a deeper hole than the one you are already in. Never, has risky, come from behind behavior worked for me. My advice in this situation: get up, leave a loser, chalk up your losses.

When winning: Discipline here is in maintaining the winning position. My new mantra is: Once ahead, stay ahead, and leave a winner. If it's more about the gambling than the winning, then just back off a significant amount until you "have your fun". Then leave. The temptation when winning is this: Pressing your bet because it's "their money" and going for the big hit. This is reckless because the "big hit" can't be forced. It happens when it happens, and you can't control the timing of it. If pressing seems like a good idea and you want to do it, go on. But don't forget the mantra.

I guess sometimes I need someone to pull out that paddle I used to use 20 years ago when a student acted up in my class and had to be "disciplined". But you know what, the blog helps me stay focused and disciplined because I am smart and I know the right thing to do. It's just not always easy.

Getting Good Cards

My friend Mary is a poker player. This past May we traveled together to Las Vegas. She participated in a World Series of Poker event. She loves "Omaha", a version of poker that I have no clue how to play. I don't play poker. I have enough to handle with the track, the game rooms and the casinos. Anyway, I asked her how she did. Now Mary knows the game of poker inside out. She is very patient and never plays every hand. When she doesn't win (which is seldom) she'll tell me "I didn't get good cards".

The lesson here is all the knowledge in the world doesn't enable you to win. You have to have good cards.

I equate this at the track to the races. I am very similar to Mary in my game. I have learned from experience that you'll go broke trying to play every race. Some races are so up in the air that you might as well toss a coin to figure out who's going to win. Other races are set up so the "chalk" (race favorite going off at unreasonably low odds) is heavily played and in prime position to win. Believe it or not, these are the races I look for. I can skip races waiting for this race. Now the every race gambler will say "But it doesn't pay anything" That's ridiculous! Every race pays something if you have a winning ticket. What they mean is it doesn't pay astronomical amounts.

I figured out a way to make money on these races. Multiple bets. One time I hit a chalk race that paid $35 dollars on the dollar. Why bother hitting those, the other guys say. Well I hit that $35 five times and won $175!!! I bet a total of $36 so I cleared $139. Not bad!!! And since I didn't waste money chasing tougher races I ended up a winner!

Since I had the talk with my son, I have made a conscious effort to meet his needs. I have been home when he's here, and have made supper. I am providing some day time day care for his stepson for which he is appreciative. I have spent time with him having good conversation about other things on his mind that are bothering him. I like to think that I have helped him.

Life is good.

The Talk, Part II

The day after the talk went well. I had listened to my son and paid attention to what he said. He wanted me home. So I stayed home. I fixed a nice supper and made jokes. We laughed and communed. The meal was good and the conversation was excellent. He felt better. I think he is having some rough times right now and is generally feeling down on life. This magnifies other perceived problems: i.e. my gambling.

I do love him very much. But I believe in self responsibility. Only you can fix your problems. Shifting blame for them elsewhere is non-productive. I learned while teaching that you have to face a problem and make a plan. Set a goal that will solve your problem. Work out the steps to reach that goal and your problem will be solved. Of course no plan is perfect and along the way sometimes you have to modify what you're doing. Constantly monitor the effects of your plan and adjust as necessary. Ultimately, if you stick with it your goal will be reached.

The Talk

Yesterday my son came and had "the talk" with me. He told me I was sick and had a disease. He said I didn't care about my family and they were all depressed because of me. He dropped the F bomb on me several times and was generally very upset with me.

Gamblers are often ambushed by the people they love with "the talk". The people who love us know just where to stick the knife and twist. They know how to hurt and shame us. They know how to blame and degrade us. Because we love them, they have the power. They use it.

I was surprised that my child didn't listen when I tried to explain to him. I was a Math teacher for 30 years and I love numbers. I love the statistic and probability of gambling. I use my own money and I pay my bills. I haven't had a check bounce in three years. (My son cannot say this) There I go getting defensive, and my blog is not to defend myself.

I'm sorry he is unhappy. I will be home when he's home so that he can't say "I never see you". That seemed to be his main complaint. I can make him feel better by doing this.

I am not going to quit gambling. I love it and it makes me happy. I am financially secure and I take care of my other responsibilities. I wish he understood me.

Bad Karma

There are so many things I want to write about today. I thought I would pick this topic because of something that happened yesterday.

I'm cruising along at the track, playing a multitude of simulcast tracks, dogs and horses. I'm deep into "homework" making my bets, mostly losing. Right now since it is the end of the month, I'm "pretend" betting to hone those skills. Being at the track is advantageous because I'm on the spot and can analyze the outcomes, payoffs, and my thinking simultaneously with the running of the race. It was about 3:30, the matinees were winding down, and Bluffs run was fixin to start. I had just hit a nice WP and Exacta/Quinnella combination at Southland. I'm at the window cashing in my $45 and making the rest of my matinee plays all at once. I turn around, and there's my friend Carol.

"Hi" she says. We start talking and she asks if I want to go to the game room with her.

#1. This is the last thing I want to do at that moment, because I am rolling so to speak, and I'm still not finished with my "homework". But I am a "do for others" kind of person, so I agree. The game room we both went to had closed down a month ago. Another one I go to was 5 minutes away. So I jump in my car and she follows me. (We don't ride together because I tell her I'm coming back to the track and I want to leave when I'm ready) If she's not ready, then I can leave. We drive over to "R and R's". I have a card there and Carol doesn't. Usually at these places if you come with a "member" they'll let you in.

#2. They wouldn't let Carol in. They said they were closed to new members and she couldn't play. One strike. Carol suggests that we drive to Hitchcock where game rooms are as plentiful as Shell stations. "Let's go to the one across from the Catholic church". We drive there and it takes another 15 minutes.

#3. Carol tells me when we get there that I went "the long way" and we could have been there sooner.

#4. They wouldn't let either of us in. They didn't even answer the door when we went in. We discuss our next option, and decide to try "Joker's Wild" down the road. (like the next Shell station) We drive down the highway.

#5. Some guy in a black truck cuts me off. He pulls right in front of me. Now, I'm feeling the bad karma and my blood starts to boil. I'm pissed and it's leaking into my psyche. We go up to the door with several people.

#6. They wouldn't let us in. The room and parking lot is full and I guess they don't need our money. Someone there tells us that "Ocean's" is run by a friend of the owner of the closed one we used to go to. It's right down the road. So we get in our separate vehicles AGAIN. We drive down the road, this time I'm following Carol. I guess she didn't trust following me since I missed the "short cut" before.

#7. We pull into the WRONG driveway. Honestly, when you're not sure where you're going and you just have general directions, turn right at the game room seems logical. Of course it was a different one (another Shell station). There's a couple getting into their car, so we ask where "Ocean's" is. It's the next driveway. The karma is really feeling bad by now and I'm wishing I was in my cozy little carrel at the track. We park at "Ocean's" nestled down in a dip behind a driveway and go in. YEA!! The girl who answers the door is someone I recognize from a past game room. Ok, it's looking up a little. We sign in, sit down, get our $5 match, and start to play our games. We start chit chatting, because this is why Carol said I HAD to come with her.

#8. Carol hits the "Take Out" button and the girl has to come over and fix it for her. She tells her "Don't do it again because if you do I can't pay you. I'm going to do it just this time." Now this is Carol's bad karma, not mine, but I'm sitting right by her and karma will rub off on neighbors.

#9. I lose.

I knew when I sat down that I was going to lose. My psyche was in such turmoil that it was inevitable. I was in a pretty bad mood and not very friendly. By the time we left, Carol had started apologizing over and over. Bad karma is a sure sign that you are going to lose. Ignoring it only means that later I'm going to tell myself, "I told you so". From now on, when I feel bad karma, I'm hitting the door!!!!

Carol hit the "Take Out" button three times by mistake. I guess her karma was bad too.

Giving it all back

So, finally, after days, maybe weeks, even months you hit the "big one". All that extra money that seconds before you didn't have. Do you spend a few minutes pondering what you are going to spend it on? Maybe there's a pretty emerald bracelet with your name written all over it. Oh, of course there are those home repairs that could use a little extra cash. Maybe the Christmas fund could use a deposit. And the old stand by, give some money to the kids.

For your information, these kind of thoughts DON'T occur to you until you leave your gambling place of choice. Because if you are sitting there, another race comes along in about 7 minutes, then another one, then another one...you get the idea. For some reason (insanity maybe), you suddenly feel invincible. That was so easy, you think, you'll just do it again. So you try and try and try again and of course fail. (How many times do you get the "big one" in one day?) Before long you have "given it all back". Then you start chasing the elusive "big one" and lose all "their" money and your money.

You know it sounds simple. Get up and leave. Do not pass Go, collect your $200. (unlike Monopoly where you don't get to do that) This is possibly the hardest thing to do when your gambling. So next time, walk out the door. The ride home is a "cool feeling" as you think of all your options for spending your winnings.

I resolved my plan to leave a winner after living through the above scenerio many times. I resolve to "leave a winner" even if it is only five dollars. It's tough, but I'm working on it.

Playing with Their Money

Whenever we "get ahead" we like to say we're playing with "their money". I do have issues with that. I mean, isn't it your money when you have it? If I put it in my purse it's my money. If I walk out the door, it's my money. If I buy something to eat, it's my money.

Unfortunately, when we win and are ahead, we use this as an excuse to go crazy. To act stupid. To do something we wouldn't normally do. I mean, after all, it's "their money", right? What do crazy actions matter because it's "their money".

A long time ago someone said to me "That's your money. Put it in your pocket" I so started to see it that way. Yes, it's mine and I am not going to change the way I gamble because I have this extra money. I am going with a plan and I am going to stick with the plan. The #1 goal is to LEAVE A WINNER. I am never going to forget that!!!

Next blog: Giving it All Back (falls right into place after this one)

Dollar Bill Bank

On the heels of the "Baby Steps" topic, I'ld like to share the Dollar Bill Bank idea.

I was driving home from the dog track one night. I stopped at Mobil to put gas in my car. (Luckily Vance had given me a credit card so I didn't have to spend my cash) I noticed poking out of the trash can next to the pumps a large, about 3 feet tall, plastic bottle. It was a bank with a slit in the plastic bottle cap and a Texans logo label. My kids love the Texans! Richard was a freshman in high school at the time. So I came up with an idea. What if every night we saved our silver change in this bank? (baby steps) I especially wanted to teach Richard that wealth and riches are achieved over a period of time, slowly, not just in an instant. So each night we watched as the level of nickles, dimes, and quarters inched up. My original goal for him was to fill it up in the 3 1/2 years until graduation. At that time, we would buy him something for which all his hard work saving would be meaningful. To our surprise the bank filled up in less than two years!!! With this fill up he bought a game system. At the time this was $450. Wow! Upon graduation, we had filled it up again. This time he bought a 42" flat screen TV for $750. I hope he learned the lesson, but if he didn't, surprise, surprise....I DID!

Somewhere in there, the thought occured to me: If saving change is so significant, what would saving dollar bills each night be? So I started saving my dollar bills. My silver change still went to Richard's bank, but each night my dollar bills went to mine. I kept pennies, and whenever I spent money, I always gave the cashier the necessary pennies to get change. I saved both the silver change and dollar bills to their respective banks. (baby steps)

Richard is on his own now. Hopefully each night he still saves his change. My dollar bill bank has provided for me many times. One trip to Las Vegas was all dollar bill money...about $800. This year I opened a CD. Every three months I transfer the dollar bill bank into the CD. On an average, I manage to save $300 each month. Also, on those slim and lean days, the dollar bill bank pays for the little items I need.

I will always keep the dollar bill bank. It has provided a means of savings that is painless. It's nice to know there's something extra out there if I need it.

Baby Steps

Last year I taught my grandson William to walk. Ha Ha! Those cute little steps were precious. At first, he would hold his stance then fall down. Then he managed that first step before falling. As my son, daughter-in-law, and Auntie Debbie would take turns with me, William got the idea. In a matter of days he was taking 5 or more steps in a row. Eventually, once I had gone home, he learned to walk and run; now there's no stopping him.

In gambling I believe in baby steps. First you have to educate yourself in your game. Learn all the ins and outs. Learn all the twists and turns. Learn all the ups and downs. Some professionals say practice on paper (pretend) for a while before the real thing. I never could do this, so I just learned by making LOTS of mistakes. Once your educated in your game, then you have to learn how to manage your bankroll.

There's lots of falling down here. (William can identify with this) But, just get up and try, try, try again. The big hit is always there, but getting to one takes a lot of time and effort. I'm not afraid of the effort and now that I'm retired, I have the time. I love the study, the practice, the implementation. That's why I love being a professional gambler.

Leaving a Winner?

I wonder about gamblers sometimes. Why do we do it? The obvious reason is to win money? Right? Then why when so many of us win, we turn around and "give it all back". I mean, weren't we gambling to win? So if we win then we quit and say "Yay I won". Right? Wrong!!!!

This dilemma has concerned me for quite some time. I ask myself what's important? The gambling or the winning? Because if it were the winning and then I won, wouldn't I be right out of there? No. So many times this has happened and I am not right out of there. So I came to the conclusion that the gambling is more important. It's important to have play, action... Given that case my solution is to back off my bets to a point that I can't take myself out of the winning column. The goal I set for myself was half of the winnings so that I could leave with more than I came with.

In theory, this is a great idea. In practice, not so great. Here's what happened to me yesterday:

I had decided to start betting horses. I know nothing about them, not really. So I went to a web site and gathered some information on five tracks running at my simulcast venue. Armed with my "horse stats", a win/place strategy, I began. Things were deteriorating. All of a sudden, I caught an 11-1 and the exacta in the same race. The $5 WP netted me $87.50 and the $1 Exacta $65.00. There it was! The big hit! That race put me ahead around $80 after fighting them all day. I then gave most of it back. The thinking was: I'm going to hit another one. This describes it in a nutshell. I ended up down for the day. Not a good feeling. Oh, to learn from one's mistakes.

Tonight: Better. I was ahead $30 gave $15 back, and walked out ahead $15. This is so do able! More later!

Right Place Right Time

Last night I spent a session doing four tracks. I had a specific plan. To win 3 in a row and parlay. Well, my dogs didn't cooperate and I got my 3 in a row once. That's ok. Lost and only broke rule 3 by $10. So, yesterday goes down as a losing day. I didn't really go for the big ticket because I was going for the parlay. It was pretty fun. I used 18 points as my criteria for picking my dog. I picked 27 and 18 finished. It was harder than I thought. Derby Lane was the only cooperating track to provide 3 in a row. Modifications necessary:

1. Look at the races more carefully. Just because a dog has 18 points (or even fewer) doesn't mean he is viable (not viable). Be selective.

2. Don't parlay more than is won

3. Since two in a row was successful, go for that. Instead of starting with $2, then start with $3 or $4.

I am going to share a story of something that happened a while back....Once in a while someone else's misfortune is our fortune. I was walking to the counter and as always my head was turned to the ground. My eye saw a folded up one dollar bill. I picked it up and put it in my shirt pocket. Now let there be NO misunderstandings, I DON'T STEAL!!! But hey, if I say "Did anyone drop a dollar bill?" in the track, fifty losing gamblers come running up to claim it. Now if I find more, then I ask them to identify exactly how much it is, and I will gladly return their money. So meanwhile I'm betting, I'm losing. At some point (an hour?)later I get thirsty and go to buy a coke. Hey, I'll use that dollar I found and my coke is "free". As I pull out the folded one dollar bill to pay for my coke, I find a hundred dollar bill folded inside!! Wow! Sometimes you just have to be in the right place at the right time!

Blogging Begins

Today I begin to take this serious!

Funny, huh? I had some insightful thoughts and I'm going to share. I told you I am really going to take "professional gambling" seriously now, read up, plan, etc. So today I was thinking and this is what I came up with.

1. The "big hit" is seldom going to happen. I had one today, but I know it doesn't happen often. So, I am not going to take myself out of the game for the big hit, but I am going to be realistic about its (infrequency. No more chasing it.

2. The important thing is to finish up a winner if at all possible. I interpret this to mean that any time I am ahead, I am going to leave a winner, even if it is five dollars. No more "giving it all back" when I win something good.

3. The opposite of winning is losing and we know we cannot win every day, so for those days when I NEVER get ahead, I am going to gamble for fun and cut my loses short. No more writing a check, pawning jewelry, going to the bank for more, using the credit card, dipping into the dollar bill bank. Whatever I bring for the "fun" is IT!

Finally, I am going to track winning and losing. Being professional doesn't automatically mean winner. I promise honesty no matter what.