You can’t be a keen gambler and not occasionally find yourself on a losing streak. It happens to everyone – a fact that can make the whole thing at least a little easier to deal with.
Still, there are some losing streaks that vanish almost as soon as they set in, while others linger far more relentlessly. In the case of the latter, you naturally find yourself questioning what exactly is going on. Or more importantly, what you can do about it.
Losing streaks are an inevitable element of the gambling experience, but this doesn’t necessarily mean they’re completely out of your control. Particularly when it comes to the more prolonged losing streaks, there is actually a pretty good chance you’re to blame.
You may not have gotten yourself into it, but you might also be doing little to nothing to get yourself out of it.
Of course, it’s never particularly pleasant to be told you’re the one at fault and it’s all down to you to deal with it. Nevertheless, accept your lot for what it is and the losing streak you’re in right now could be over and done with in no time.
So for those who prefer to take a proactive approach, here’s a quick rundown of seven possible reasons why you’re in a losing streak that seems to be going nowhere:
You’re Chasing Your Losses
First up, every gambler knows that chasing losses is a terrible idea. Even if you’re new to the game, it’s never a good idea to try and recoup what you’ve lost. Nevertheless, pretty much every gambler on the face of the earth occasionally chases losses. It’s almost impossible to resist the temptation to do so – especially after facing a heavy loss of some kind. The thing is though, the more you chase losses, the more you guarantee yourself an on-going losing streak. Walking away and accepting you’ve lost is never easy, but it’s so much more dignified than allowing yourself to lose a ton more! If you’re chasing losses, now’s the time to stop!
You’re Gambling Too Much
It could also be that your losing streak is attributed to the fact that you are gambling too much. Exactly what represents too much gambling will always vary from one person to the next. It all comes down to things like your available bankroll, your financial situation, your lifestyle, your appetite for loss and so on. In any case, some people who genuinely enjoy gambling take things a little too far, only to end up dealing with heavier and more prolonged losses than they can deal with. If you simply seem to be losing, losing and losing again with absolutely no mercy, maybe it’s time to cut down a little?
You’re Gambling for the Wrong Reasons
There are two types of gamblers in the world – those who gamble for fun, and those who gamble in an attempt to make a profit. Ask any expert and they’ll tell you that the latter is barking up entirely the wrong tree. With the incredibly rare exceptions of just a handful of successful professional gamblers worldwide, gambling should only ever be about enjoying yourself. If you get into any gambling activities with the intention of making profit, you pretty much guarantee yourself a losing streak. The reason being that sooner or later, the house always wins – ALWAYS! Meaning that if you measure your success purely on how much money you earn/win, you’re definitely going to lose. By contrast, focus more on the enjoyment and you’re onto a winner, every time!
You’re Choosing the Wrong Games
Many gamblers choose casino games in accordance with what they think is cool, what has the potential to win them the most money or what they’ve been recommended by their friends. In all such instances, this doesn’t mean that the game in question is the right game for you. If you don’t get a good deal of enjoyment out of the game, you aren’t going to be able to apply yourself fully. And if you can’t apply yourself fully and give it your total focus, you’re destined to lose. It doesn’t matter which games you choose, just as long as they’re the right games for you. Once again, be sure to focus on enjoyment above and beyond everything else.
You’re Gambling Under the Influence
Some gamblers spend most of their time at the tables intoxicated, only to wonder why on earth they’re walking away with empty pockets. The same also applies for online gamblers, for whom the fridge and its generous beer supply may be too close to hand and tempting to resist. For every alcoholic beverage you enjoy, your capacity to make rational and sensible decisions diminishes significantly. You may have fun at the time, but you also guarantee yourself a rather severe financial hangover. Gamble under the influence on a habitual basis and a losing streak is all you have to look forward to.
You’re Not Managing Your Bankroll
Unless you have a literally bottomless supply of cash to play with, you need to carefully and strategically manage your bankroll. Bankroll management is all about setting sensible limitations and ensuring you never overspend. In the absence of bankroll management, you’re free to make all the terrible decisions in the world and continuously throw your money away. When things just don’t seem to be going in your favour, it’s worth questioning how much time and effort you spend managing your bankroll.
You’re Blaming Everyone Else!
Last but not least, it’s natural to point the finger of blame at anyone and everyone you can think of, rather than accept responsibility yourself. It’s human nature and nothing to be ashamed of. Nevertheless, it’s also a bad habit you will need to break, if you’re serious about getting out of this relentless losing streak. Accept responsibility, carefully consider what’s been going wrong and make the necessary changes accordingly. The sooner you accept you’re the one to blame, the quicker you’ll be back in business!