How to prevent Losing control? discussed in General Discussion/Off-Topic at Wizard of Vegas (2024)

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I needed x points for a promo.
i played $1 stp 9/5 JoB triple play ($18/spin, 98.65%). It's the best vp here.

i've played stp before and know it's volatile. you get a multiplier 1:14 times on avg but i've gone 70+ spins without one. on the other hand, i've also hit multiple multipliers within 10 spins.
i tracked it once for over 500 spins and the avg was 1:14.

Anyway, what set me off wasn't the lack of multipliers.
it was getting near minimal payout for the multipliers or whiffing on them completely, time after time.

I went on tilt.
After i earned enough points, i kept on playing. i was hell bent on getting a decent hit with a multiplier.
And decent hit became subjective.
5x with dealt trips but not improving didn't cut it. it actually made me more pissed off.

I'm down another $1500 when i got a 3x with dealt flush. yeah, that felt satisfying and i stopped.
the next day, I did the math. 5x with dealt trips paid $225. 3x with dealt flush also paid $225.
*facepalm*

So what can i do to stop from losing control like that?

Last edited by: 100xOdds on Jul 24, 2024

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

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Quote: 100xOdds

I needed x points for a promo.
i played $1 stp 9/5 JoB triple play ($18/spin, 98.65%). It's the best vp here.

i've played stp before and know it's volatile. you get a multiplier 1:14 times on avg but i've gone 70+ spins without one. on the other hand, i've also hit multiple multipliers within 10 spins.
i tracked it once for over 500 spins and the avg was 1:14.

Anyway, what set me off wasn't the lack of multipliers.
it was getting near minimal payout for the multipliers or whiffing on them completely, time after time.

I went on tilt.
After i earned enough points, i kept on playing. i was hell bent on getting a decent hit with a multiplier.
And decent hit became subjective.
5x with dealt trips but not improving didn't cut it. it actually made me more pissed off.

I'm down another $1500 when i got a 3x with dealt flush. yeah, that felt satisfying and i stopped.
the next day, I did the math. 5x with dealt trips paid $225. 3x with dealt flush also paid $225.
*facepalm*

So what can i do to stop from losing control like that?
link to original post

I once played a promo at Las Vegas Hilton on the Super Times Triple Play 8/5 Bonus. I ran so bad that I blew $5000 in less than an hour of play. I did not reach my promo goal but that was all the cash I had on me.

At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.

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Quote: SOOPOO

You either can control yourself in those type situations or you can’t. I don’t think there is anything tangible you can ‘do’ to change yourself. Can you teach yourself the needed discipline? Maybe…
link to original post

i guess my question boils down how to not go on tilt?

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

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Quote: 100xOdds

Quote: SOOPOO

You either can control yourself in those type situations or you can’t. I don’t think there is anything tangible you can ‘do’ to change yourself. Can you teach yourself the needed discipline? Maybe…
link to original post

i guess my question boils down how to not go on tilt?
link to original post

I know how I do it. I just don’t do it!

Set a plan. Stick to it. Remember each bet is an individual event. It either makes sense with your plan, or it doesn’t. Commit to only making bets that make sense.

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Quote: 100xOdds

Quote: SOOPOO

You either can control yourself in those type situations or you can’t. I don’t think there is anything tangible you can ‘do’ to change yourself. Can you teach yourself the needed discipline? Maybe…
link to original post

i guess my question boils down how to not go on tilt?
link to original post

I humbly suggest not euphemising what happened.
I lost my composure, I played badly, I didn't stop when I should have.

Most of the video poker machines I see don't let you suddenly jump your bet from $5.25 to $1050 a play in a fit of insanity.

May the cards fall in your favor.

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Loss of control whether in gambling or anything else tends to happen when overdoing it. Play less often and shorter sessions less chance it will happen.

If you have to grind daily for long hours then you had better not be the type to lose control.

I tell you it’s wonderful to be here, man. I don’t give a damn who wins or loses. It’s just wonderful to be here with you people. https://wizardofvegas.com/forum/gambling/betting-systems/33908-the-adventures-of-mdawg/

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You either have an addiction or are developing one, for argument's sake let's say the latter. There is a place in your brain that has begun to need to be fed. It will speak up and talk to you ... usually just when you realize you need to back off, it'll pipe in with something like " oh what the hell, go for it!"

It doesn't like death, and it starts to die when you don't feed it. You actually develop a sense of ill ease. It's clever and manipulative, and you're only real defense is complete honesty with yourself.

This kind of analysis can lead you to believe in possession by demons. I don't believe in that, but on the other hand that portion of your brain that has that going ... that can be a distinction without an important difference

the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder

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Quote: Dieter

Quote: 100xOdds

i guess my question boils down how to not go on tilt?
link to original post

I humbly suggest not euphemising what happened.
I lost my composure, I played badly, I didn't stop when I should have.

Most of the video poker machines I see don't let you suddenly jump your bet from $5.25 to $1050 a play in a fit of insanity.
link to original post

Yes, i lost control.
i didn't stop at the planned stopping point of when i hit my promo.
I was angry at the returns (or lack thereof) from the multipliers and i let my emotions get the better of me.

But what can i do the next time this happens?

Quote: MDawg

Loss of control whether in gambling or anything else tends to happen when overdoing it.
Play less often and shorter sessions less chance it will happen.

If you have to grind daily for long hours then you had better not be the type to lose control.
link to original post

I usually don't lose control.
Pre-covid, i've sat at the same $2 9/6 JoB single line machine doing 'Diamond in a day' at caesars for 6hrs (minus bathroom breaks) without a problem.

I could hit quads then lose the profit from the quads in the next 10min from a string of bad hands without a problem. I just chug along.

But for some reason multipliers affected me.

Last edited by: 100xOdds on Jul 25, 2024

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

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Quote: odiousgambit

You either have an addiction or are developing one, for argument's sake let's say the latter. There is a place in your brain that has begun to need to be fed. It will speak up and talk to you ... usually just when you realize you need to back off, it'll pipe in with something like " oh what the hell, go for it!"

It doesn't like death, and it starts to die when you don't feed it. You actually develop a sense of ill ease. It's clever and manipulative, and you're only real defense is complete honesty with yourself.

This kind of analysis can lead you to believe in possession by demons. I don't believe in that, but on the other hand that portion of your brain that has that going ... that can be a distinction without an important difference
link to original post

For me, 'what the hell go for it' usually comes from boredom.
the progressive is high but i know it's not high enough to be +ev but my other choice is do yet another lap around the casino.
(Incidentally, if the semi-high progressive wasn't there i would just do another lap around the casino a couple more times then leave out of boredom.)

In the case of my OP, i wasn't bored.
I was angry.
but you're right, it's a distinction without an important difference.
either way, my emotions got the better of me.

Now the questions is how to not let my emotions get the better of me?

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

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complete honesty

#1 you can't go home and say it's OK after one of these

when you hear the 'voice' tell you "what the hell" you can't chuckle along like a kid, amused listening to this clever fellow who has figured out you fall for it and will feed him

some people have to just quit entirely

the next time Dame Fortune toys with your heart, your soul and your wallet, raise your glass and praise her thus: “Thanks for nothing, you cold-hearted, evil, damnable, nefarious, low-life, malicious monster from Hell!” She is, after all, stone deaf. ... Arnold Snyder

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Quote: 100xOdds

But what can i do the next time this happens?
link to original post

(truncated, aggressively)

Philosophical reply:
You went to play the marketing offer, and got seduced into playing video poker.

Practical reply:
Every time you need to fund the machine again, stand up, walk around the chair three times ("for luck"), and then make the conscious decision to sit back down and load more money on the meter.

As utterly foolish as this sounds, it changes the decision from "should I stop?" to "should I go again?", which your brain may process in a way that you prefer. The little bit of movement might even be good to help reduce blood clots.

At $18/deal, I don't think I'd load more than $300 at a time - also reminding you that if the meter goes dry, you probably haven't connected on a multiplier in at least 14 rounds.

May the cards fall in your favor.

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Quote: odiousgambit

complete honesty

#1 you can't go home and say it's OK after one of these

when you hear the 'voice' tell you "what the hell" you can't chuckle along like a kid, amused listening to this clever fellow who has figured out you fall for it and will feed him

some people have to just quit entirely
link to original post

You're right, I wasn't ok when I went home.

If I lose control after not getting the expected results from a +ev slot and keep going, then I may quit entirely.

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

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Quote: Dieter

Quote: 100xOdds

But what can i do the next time this happens?
link to original post

(truncated, aggressively)

Practical reply:
Every time you need to fund the machine again, stand up, walk around the chair three times ("for luck"), and then make the conscious decision to sit back down and load more money on the meter.

As utterly foolish as this sounds, it changes the decision from "should I stop?" to "should I go again?", which your brain may process in a way that you prefer. The little bit of movement might even be good to help reduce blood clots.

At $18/deal, I don't think I'd load more than $300 at a time - also reminding you that if the meter goes dry, you probably haven't connected on a multiplier in at least 14 rounds.
link to original post

Wow.. getting off the seat is a great suggestion.

But Going around the chair 3 times might be too much though.
I'm going to stand up to reach for my wallet when I reload and see how that works.
Thx!

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

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Quote: 100xOdds

I needed x points for a promo.
i played $1 stp 9/5 JoB triple play ($18/spin, 98.65%). It's the best vp here.

i've played stp before and know it's volatile. you get a multiplier 1:14 times on avg but i've gone 70+ spins without one. on the other hand, i've also hit multiple multipliers within 10 spins.
i tracked it once for over 500 spins and the avg was 1:14.

Anyway, what set me off wasn't the lack of multipliers.
it was getting near minimal payout for the multipliers or whiffing on them completely, time after time.

I went on tilt.
After i earned enough points, i kept on playing. i was hell bent on getting a decent hit with a multiplier.
And decent hit became subjective.
5x with dealt trips but not improving didn't cut it. it actually made me more pissed off.

I'm down another $1500 when i got a 3x with dealt flush. yeah, that felt satisfying and i stopped.
the next day, I did the math. 5x with dealt trips paid $225. 3x with dealt flush also paid $225.
*facepalm*

So what can i do to stop from losing control like that?
link to original post

It sounds like the (lack of) multipliers is a trigger for you. If you don’t tilt on standard VP, then just play for 5-coins per line…

It’s a dog eat dog world.…Or maybe it’s the other way around!

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These people may help you. Give them a call.

1-800-GAMBLER

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Quote: FatGeezus

These people may help you. Give them a call.

1-800-GAMBLER
link to original post

Get a service dog.

tuttigym

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Quote: tuttigym

Quote: FatGeezus

These people may help you. Give them a call.

1-800-GAMBLER
link to original post

Get a service dog.

tuttigym
link to original post

Why do service dogs get to fly free with their patient? Should my psychiatrist get to ride free with me on the plane?

At my age, a "Life In Prison" sentence is not much of a deterrent.

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Quote: DRich

Quote: tuttigym

Quote: FatGeezus

These people may help you. Give them a call.

1-800-GAMBLER
link to original post

Get a service dog.

tuttigym
link to original post

Why do service dogs get to fly free with their patient? Should my psychiatrist get to ride free with me on the plane?
link to original post

Is your psychiatrist going to curl up under your seat?

May the cards fall in your favor.

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In poker, players really worry about going on tilt, because there are so many outrageously bad beats. What they often recommend doing is standing up and walking away from the table and collecting your thoughts. Or simply cashing out and deciding to play tomorrow or the next day.

Emotional IQ and emotional control is something that most of us keep developing all our life. Being conscious of the need to react differently, i.e., not go on tilt - is a healthy first step towards improving.

So many better men, a few of them friends, are dead. And a thousand thousand slimy things live on, and so do I.

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Quote: 100xOdds

I needed x points for a promo.
i played $1 stp 9/5 JoB triple play ($18/spin, 98.65%). It's the best vp here.

i've played stp before and know it's volatile. you get a multiplier 1:14 times on avg but i've gone 70+ spins without one. on the other hand, i've also hit multiple multipliers within 10 spins.
i tracked it once for over 500 spins and the avg was 1:14.

Anyway, what set me off wasn't the lack of multipliers.
it was getting near minimal payout for the multipliers or whiffing on them completely, time after time.

I went on tilt.
After i earned enough points, i kept on playing. i was hell bent on getting a decent hit with a multiplier.
And decent hit became subjective.
5x with dealt trips but not improving didn't cut it. it actually made me more pissed off.

I'm down another $1500 when i got a 3x with dealt flush. yeah, that felt satisfying and i stopped.
the next day, I did the math. 5x with dealt trips paid $225. 3x with dealt flush also paid $225.
*facepalm*

So what can i do to stop from losing control like that?
link to original post

I have a really easy way to stop from going on tilt.

When I start to I just ask myself “Do you like money?”

If my answer is yes, which it always is, then I leave & either go home & don’t come back until my head is straight, or if I’m staying at the casino I go to my room, watch some movies, order the most unhealthy highest calorie meal & desert from room service & don’t go back into the casino until my head is straight.

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One of 1800gambler type screens at a casino said:
If you're feeling stressed, don't play

Easier said than done, especially when you weren't stressed when you initially sat down to play

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)

• Threads: 650
• Posts: 4403

Joined: Feb 5, 2012

One of 1800gambler type screens at a casino said:
If you're feeling stressed, don't play

Easier said than done, especially when you weren't stressed when you initially sat down to play

Craps is paradise (Pair of dice).Lets hear it for the SpeedCount Mathletes :)