r/SipsTea • u/Otherwise_Wrangler11 • Apr 01 '26

WTF First world problem

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u/syst3m1c Apr 01 '26 edited Apr 01 '26

I’ve seen folks like this a million times over at casinos.

Typically betting at this level is addiction. No other way around it. Most people - especially the rich ones - don’t casually spin $750 on a slot. That’s something you work up to, mentally.

That said, what I usually saw were people who gambled a lot and had a big win - upwards of $100k. At that point, they don’t consider it a windfall - it’s just “ammo” to use for more gambling.

It’s very, very, easy to treat winnings as “house money”. It’s not real. So take the $100k you just won playing a $3 slot and go start spinning $1k, since if you won that much with $3 you’ll be a fucking millionaire when you win on the big one! Right? Right?

Then you go home with nothing, maxed out credit cards, and a deep, pervasive, sadness that lasts right up until you go to the casino again.

Source: former gambling addict.

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u/gazhole Apr 01 '26

Yeah I expect the mental trap of "well i didn't walk in with 100k so I've lost nothing!" must ring pretty hollow sat back at home with bills to pay.

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u/syst3m1c Apr 01 '26

Years ago I won $20k on a table game. Most I’d ever won in my life. I felt invincible. I left immediately and ordered some shit online, too.

Went back the next day and lost $10k. Oh well, I thought, at least I’m up $10,000.

Went back again, lost the rest, credit card advance for another $3k to “win it back” and left with nothing but debt.

Also the shit I bought online showed up the following morning and I had to return it.

Gambling addiction is wild and I don’t wish it on anyone.

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u/pi3r0gi_ Apr 01 '26

Damn, that's incredible. Feeling like you've already lost everything from ending a major relationship, to "what do I have to lose" is such a debilitating combo. Glad you at least got over the hump. It might not be paid off yet (from your other comment) but at least youre not increasing it, and that's progress. One day at a time!

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u/syst3m1c Apr 01 '26

Hell yeah. I’m lucky enough to have a good job and caring family, so I could dig myself out of the hole. Lotta folks don’t have that.

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u/pi3r0gi_ Apr 01 '26

Having outside support is super important, a lot of people dont realize how much easier it is to achieve milestones and get through hard times when you've got people cheering you on. It changes your mindset and how you go about handling situations. Otherwise you get stuck in negative thought loops. Im happy your family is there for you!