Blackjack problem

[candyman718]

Not sure if this is the best forum to post this. If it isn't I'll post it wherever you suggest.

I have been a reasonably successful poker player for the last 5 years. (95% of my play on the internet). I have posted wins in the past 4 years and so far in 2006, I am down at poker, but not that much. My problem has been Party Poker Blackjack.

Party is my preferred place to play poker because of the ease in deposit/withdrawal, ease in getting a game and the level of competition. But since they have added Blackjack I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.

Sometimes I play BJ when I only have a few minutes to play. Most of the time it is when I am done with a poker session. If I have won money I'll pick a number that I want my bankroll to be before I quit and try to get there with BJ. If I lose I try to get the losses back. I've p*ssed away a few thousand dollars.

I have some patience and control at poker. Sure I go on Tilt every now and then, but overall it's a small leak. I have no control at BJ and it's upsetting me. I've never been an "online poker is rigged guy" but I have become an "online Blackjack is rigged guy". And the worst part is that I continue to play.

Just now, in an attempt to get my bankroll to an even amount after coming in 2nd in an SNG (I was $2 away), I proceded to lose a $2 hand, a $4 hand, an $8 hand , surrender a $16 hand, lose a $24 hand and win a $48 hand when my 13 won after a dealer bust. And right now I feel like an idiot.

Poker has become one of my favorite hobbies and earned me some nice money on the side. 90%+ of the time I play within my limits and 90%+ of the time I avoid tilt-like play. But, right now I feel like cashing out and uninstalling and taking a long break.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[Ignorant]

http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/

[toostoney]

Go to options and hide blackjack. Problem solved (at least for me)

As long as its not right in your face I would hope you can avoid it. If not check out that link.

[cwes]

[ QUOTE ]

I have been a reasonably successful poker player
...
I am down at poker, but not that much.



[/ QUOTE ]

You might not be a successful poker player.

[ QUOTE ]

I have some patience and control at poker. Sure I go on Tilt every now and then, but overall it's a small leak.
...
90%+ of the time I play within my limits and 90%+ of the time I avoid tilt-like play.


[/ QUOTE ]

Even if you are the most gifted player when not on tilt, you will never ever overcome ~10% play on tilt. Never. Ever. Write it down.

[ QUOTE ]

My problem has been Party Poker Blackjack.
But since they have added Blackjack I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
...
I have no control at BJ and it's upsetting me. I've never been an "online poker is rigged guy" but I have become an "online Blackjack is rigged guy". And the worst part is that I continue to play.


[/ QUOTE ]

You are a big step ahead of people who do not see this problem of theirs.

[ QUOTE ]

If I have won money I'll pick a number that I want my bankroll to be before I quit and try to get there with BJ. If I lose I try to get the losses back. I've p*ssed away a few thousand dollars.


[/ QUOTE ]

That won't happen. Party will win for sure in the long run and most likely in the short run too.

[ QUOTE ]

Just now, in an attempt to get my bankroll to an even amount after coming in 2nd in an SNG (I was $2 away), I proceded to lose a $2 hand, a $4 hand, an $8 hand , surrender a $16 hand, lose a $24 hand and win a $48 hand when my 13 won after a dealer bust. And right now I feel like an idiot.


[/ QUOTE ]

As you can clearly see your problem and seek help, you most likely are not an idiot.

[ QUOTE ]

But, right now I feel like cashing out and uninstalling and taking a long break.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sound like a recreational gambler whom the instantenous availability of online gambling leads to losing more money than you would in brick and mortar casinos (because they are far away most of the time).

This can easily make you a compulsive gambler, what you already realized.

Now there are two possibilities.

<ul type="square">[*] You can gain self control, and soon. Not tomorrow, not in a few hours, but now! Then you might leave your bankroll in your account and continue playing poker occasionally. Most likely you will continue to lose at poker. If you prefer 'playing AND losing a bit' over 'not playing AND not losing', this is the route to go. If you do not prefer 'playing AND losing' over 'not playing AND not losing stop it!
However you must not play blackjack, because you will lose at it. Put a sticky on your monitor saying: 'cwes said I cannot win at blackjack and he is [censored] right. Therefore I will not play it ever again'[*] You cannot gain self control. Then GA is good advice. Cash out your bankroll. Do it now. Maybe give it to your wife, children, parents, grandchildren. You will most likely create great joy opposed to it giving you a headache when it sits in that account.[/list]
If you don't like to lose money at poker, buy Poker Academy Pro and play against AI and against humans online, who play somewhat seriously for play money.

HTH

[candyman718]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]

I have been a reasonably successful poker player
...
I am down at poker, but not that much.



[/ QUOTE ]

You might not be a successful poker player.

[ QUOTE ]

I have some patience and control at poker. Sure I go on Tilt every now and then, but overall it's a small leak.
...
90%+ of the time I play within my limits and 90%+ of the time I avoid tilt-like play.


[/ QUOTE ]

Even if you are the most gifted player when not on tilt, you will never ever overcome ~10% play on tilt. Never. Ever. Write it down.

[ QUOTE ]

My problem has been Party Poker Blackjack.
But since they have added Blackjack I am drawn to it like a moth to a flame.
...
I have no control at BJ and it's upsetting me. I've never been an "online poker is rigged guy" but I have become an "online Blackjack is rigged guy". And the worst part is that I continue to play.


[/ QUOTE ]

You are a big step ahead of people who do not see this problem of theirs.

[ QUOTE ]

If I have won money I'll pick a number that I want my bankroll to be before I quit and try to get there with BJ. If I lose I try to get the losses back. I've p*ssed away a few thousand dollars.


[/ QUOTE ]

That won't happen. Party will win for sure in the long run and most likely in the short run too.

[ QUOTE ]

Just now, in an attempt to get my bankroll to an even amount after coming in 2nd in an SNG (I was $2 away), I proceded to lose a $2 hand, a $4 hand, an $8 hand , surrender a $16 hand, lose a $24 hand and win a $48 hand when my 13 won after a dealer bust. And right now I feel like an idiot.


[/ QUOTE ]

As you can clearly see your problem and seek help, you most likely are not an idiot.

[ QUOTE ]

But, right now I feel like cashing out and uninstalling and taking a long break.

Any suggestions? Thanks.

[/ QUOTE ]

You sound like a recreational gambler whom the instantenous availability of online gambling leads to losing more money than you would in brick and mortar casinos (because they are far away most of the time).

This can easily make you a compulsive gambler, what you already realized.

Now there are two possibilities.

<ul type="square">[*] You can gain self control, and soon. Not tomorrow, not in a few hours, but now! Then you might leave your bankroll in your account and continue playing poker occasionally. Most likely you will continue to lose at poker. If you prefer 'playing AND losing a bit' over 'not playing AND not losing', this is the route to go. If you do not prefer 'playing AND losing' over 'not playing AND not losing stop it!
However you must not play blackjack, because you will lose at it. Put a sticky on your monitor saying: 'cwes said I cannot win at blackjack and he is [censored] right. Therefore I will not play it ever again'[*] You cannot gain self control. Then GA is good advice. Cash out your bankroll. Do it now. Maybe give it to your wife, children, parents, grandchildren. You will most likely create great joy opposed to it giving you a headache when it sits in that account.[/list]
If you don't like to lose money at poker, buy Poker Academy Pro and play against AI and against humans online, who play somewhat seriously for play money.

HTH

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. However, You have taken a statment of mine out of context. Over my poker career I am substantially ahead. Among other things, I have paid for a vacation, a new computer, a new TV and a new mattress from my poker winnings. I am down about $1600 from poker so far this year. Overall I am way ahead.

[neverforgetlol]

you can easily disable blackjack and remove the buttons for it, problem solved. hopefully.

[cwes]

[ QUOTE ]

I am down at poker, but not that much.


[/ QUOTE ]

[ QUOTE ]

Thank you for taking the time to respond. However, You have taken a statment of mine out of context. Over my poker career I am substantially ahead. Among other things, I have paid for a vacation, a new computer, a new TV and a new mattress from my poker winnings. I am down about $1600 from poker so far this year. Overall I am way ahead.

[/ QUOTE ]

Sorry then. I thought the above statement meant 'down overall'. You can't tilt too much then. (Or you significantliy drop in stakes when you do. I usually go to .02/.04 at stars when I feel like tilt.)

So the only problem seems to be blackjack. Just realize you cannot win at it. You just cannot. Party will always win and they will give you nothing. No nice atmosphere to play in, no free drinks, no waitresses to look at, no nothing. All they rely on is someone feeling the urge to play, and they will rip him off. They don't even have to rig it. There's no need to be that losing guy. Try deactivating the blackjack symbol. If that doesn't work out --&gt; GA.

[wiper]

i had the same problem...

up playing poker for the year, but total is slightly below even because of party blackjack...

hiding the icon didn't really work, because i knew all i had to do was click once or twice to get it back up...

i don't really have any advice..i guess i just realized that i was having many winning sessions in poker, and then losing it all in blackjack, so i quit playing blackjack...

[RED_RAIN]

[ QUOTE ]
i don't really have any advice..i guess i just realized that i was having many winning sessions in poker, and then losing it all in blackjack, so i quit playing blackjack

[/ QUOTE ]

Only useful advice...but I know hard to follow

[RikaKazak]

Why is avoiding a -EV gamble so hard for poker players?

You wouldn't go all in pf with 2,3o would you? SO why the heck is it so hard to avoid other -EV gambles?


(I personally gamble -EV sometimes, but it's for entertainment and like 1/5000 of my bankroll)