Gambler's Anonymous - 20 Question Survey

[alpax]

Though problem gambling awareness month is in March, based on a recent thread it is never too early to see if you are really in need of serious help like I think one person may need.

Here is the 20 question Link

Share your results regardless if you have it under control or not.

[billryan]

I answered yes to six questions, if I answer if I ever did something. If I answer based on my experiences after 1999, when I started studying blackjack, I'd say yes to four.

[alpax]

I answered yes to four as well, but a few years ago before studying video poker, I might have said yes to 4 more of them.

I am guilty as charged to be a fringe candidate for G. A. I looked up local listings are there are meetings 3 times a week. Coincidentally on the same block as a commonplace where seniors get bus tour rides to the tribal casinos about 1 1/2 hours away.

[FloridaPhil]

I answered Yes to 8 of the questions. I know I have a compulsive nature, that's why I intentionally play small to limit the damage.  The only thing that keeps me out of trouble is that I hate losing so much I will go to what some people think are extremes to keep from experiencing that pain even for a day.  I am positive that playing forever waiting for an edge to make me a winner would bankrupt me.  I think not having an off switch is where people get in trouble.I don't sky dive either.  Even if the odds say I will survive, I'm not taking testing the mathematics. 

[Come Back Kid]

I failed...

[FloridaPhil]

Well, at least I was honest in my answers.  

[pokerpokerpoker]

If absolutely honest to the "have you EVER" questions I said yes to nine.

For example, "do you ever gamble longer than planned?" - Yes, I intended to play for an hour, but I played 90 minutes.

Does gambling keep you up at night? A few times I had a bad loss on my mind while trying to fall asleep - yes.

[ukaserex]

I answered yes to 4 questions.

[rapidbison]

"Hello,everyone, my name is Rapidbison..and I'm a recovering dancerholic."

"HELLO, RAPIDBISON!"

[alpax]

This will be just a friendly bump as we are in the month of March which is indeed Problem Gambling Awareness Month.

Although it is late, I thank everyone who has participated and taken the survey from Gambler's Anonymous website. I heard some of the questions change over time from research of problem gamblers.

With regarding Gambler's Anonymous, I recall there was a past episode of Gambling With an Edge where the guest who is a skilled gambler (aka an AP) from the Midwest (I think Mr. Dancer refers to the person as "Sam"), but his wife is against gambling in general despite the fact.

In an attempt to please his spouse and save the marriage, the guest attended a local Gambler's Anonymous meeting. Here are 3 major points of what happened:

1. There are counselors that give the attendees a talk about how the casinos cannot be beat and the games are designed toward their favor.

2. They have the attendees make the pledge to put themselves on the state level self-exclusion list. Being self excluded means that the person is not allowed on any part of the casino property, even the parking lot. The guest does comply and put himself on the state exclusion list. The policy and length varies by state to state, but the state he was in made it hard to take yourself off the exclusion list once you put yourself on. The guest at least told his spouse that he did that for her, but did not exclude himself from Nevada where Vegas is.

3. They encourage attendees to transfer or allow complete control of the assets/money funds to the spouse. The guest did not do this part.

Ultimately the marriage did not last because of other reasons, despite the guest's commitment to G.A.

I know G.A. has been mentioned in a non-serious manner time to time, but once you feel you really need G.A., you would have to decide that you will no longer be playing Video Poker for money.

I will still play Video Poker for money.

http://www.ncpgambling.org/programs-res ... rams/pgam/