Lack of Sleep Cost Me More Than the Bet

[Sanitough]

Lack of sleep and emotionless betting really got me this time

I was betting on the NBA playoffs like usual. Most of the time I just place my bet, then sleep if the game is too early, because I don’t want to ruin my sleeping habit just because of a bet. But a few days ago, I drank too much coffee and I couldn’t sleep. Since I was already awake, I played some slots, lost a decent amount, and that made it even harder to sleep. So I just waited for the NBA game to start. At first I only placed a small bet on the Sixers to win, since they were down 0-3 already. But the game looked really bad, so I bet again in the 2nd quarter, hoping maybe they could still recover. But they still lost, and we all know how that game went, complete domination by the Knicks.

After halftime, I told myself, no, I’m not following the Sixers anymore. But I also didn’t want to take the high spread, so I went for over 232.5 in the Knicks game. That was basically all my remaining money, all-in, just trying to break even. Luckily, I won.

But looking back, what did I really lose? Sleep. Time. Energy.

I was awake from evening until morning, then I needed almost the whole day just to recover. I couldn’t do the things I was supposed to do, and I couldn’t work properly because my mind was just not there anymore. So even though I won the last bet, I still lost something. Maybe not money this time, but control.

And that’s the part people don’t always count when gambling. You can win the bet, but still lose your day, your routine, your focus, and your peace of mind.

Control is really necessary, because gambling is not only about money. Sometimes the bigger loss is what happens after the bet.

[Hispo]

Well, I am glad you are least managed to recover your money... It does not sound like a pleasant experience to completely lose your sleep time because of what happen to your gambling and betting session. Even if you had managed to get some money, it would have not been worth your sleep time either.

I have never spent the entire night gambling or betting, but I know what it is to suffer a sleepless night doing other things and still needing to go to work next day, so I can relate.

Also, how did you even manage to go for the rest of your day without falling asleep at work or while driving?
If I go through the night with no sleep I become practically useless the next day. Did you drink some energy drinks or something?

[Charles-Tim]

That is not all, what if when you played the last bet with all the remaining money that you are having and you lost the money? This is what will happen to most people, and that will mean lost of time, sleep and money, all together which will be very painful. Although, I get your point, but know that people will also lose their money in addition to the lost of time and sleep.

[alegotardo]

[....]

And that’s the part people don’t always count when gambling. You can win the bet, but still lose your day, your routine, your focus, and your peace of mind.

Control is really necessary, because gambling is not only about money. Sometimes the bigger loss is what happens after the bet.

That is why the money is just one of things we need to "put in the account" when we play gambling.

There are other things that are just important or even more that than money: Friends, Family and time...
Friends and Family is a precious asset that is very difficult to recover, because nothing is more valuable than good times spent with them.
And time... that is the worst of all because lost time never is recovered. We have an "expiration date", so... how are you making the most of yours?

In short, you post is sincere... someone who managed to recover the money but still realized ended lost.
Unfortunately, most gamblers do not have the same clarity as you.
Than... thank you for sharing your story and trying to raise awareness among others.

[Potato Chips]

Dang this kinda hit too close to home. Honestly, the gambling dopamine can also hit hard, and thus can make you up all night due to the rush. In addition, you also had caffeine.

It can also be dangerous to gamba when you're not in the right head space as lack of sleep can cause this. I'm glad that at least you've win some money otherwise, it would've been more dreadful.

Have you ever tried chamomile tea OP? sometimes I would drink this and it helps me fall asleep. I'm not a fan of some substances that could make me dependent. Otherwise if you still can't fall asleep, doing other things that require heavy focus could help you stray from gambling, for instance, fighting games lol.

[Charcol]

I personally agree with almost everything you said. Gambling does not only cost money, but also our time and sleep. Because some people focus so much on gambling that they forget their real life. Due to this, they lose mental peace and productivity at work. Your problems are also common gambling traps, where the problem started from sleeplessness. Therefore, we need to remember a few things about gambling, betting a certain amount, not chasing if you lose, and then taking an all-in type decision when breaking even.These need to be taken into account. Even if you were lucky enough to win the bet in the end, your decision-making style was not healthy.

[Charles-Tim]

Have you ever tried chamomile tea OP? sometimes I would drink this and it helps me fall asleep. I'm not a fan of some substances that could make me dependent.

According to what he posted, not that he is having sleeping problem or insomnia, he took coffee which is the cause of what makes him not to sleep fast as it contains caffeine. Caffeine can make people not to sleep fast and he said he took coffee too much that night. So the tea may not help.

[TedMosby]

-snip-

And that’s the part people don’t always count when gambling. You can win the bet, but still lose your day, your routine, your focus, and your peace of mind.

Control is really necessary, because gambling is not only about money. Sometimes the bigger loss is what happens after the bet.

Nice words, and people should be aware of it. Treat it as entertainment and never treat gambling as a way to make money. You should see the money in an entertainment way, money for fun, not money for fulfilling your needs or household needs. If it can’t entertain you, makes you feel worried, or anxious, you better take a break or completely stop.

In your case, the caffeine effect also takes a big role. Your brain wants to keep working when your body is already tired. If something like this happens again, relax your brain first. Drink water, do the box breathing technique, slowly inhale for 4s, hold for 4s, slowly exhale for 4s, then hold again for 4s.

I used to drink coffee a lot, like 2-3 times a day. Now I have issues with my stomach health. I’m not really allowed to drink coffee anymore.

-snip-

Have you ever tried chamomile tea OP? sometimes I would drink this and it helps me fall asleep. I'm not a fan of some substances that could make me dependent. Otherwise if you still can't fall asleep, doing other things that require heavy focus could help you stray from gambling, for instance, fighting games lol.

I was actually about to recommend that. Chamomile isn’t a coffee replacement, it’s more like the opposite. It’s good for releasing stress, relaxing, and making you sleepy. You can also try Moringa tea.

[Don Pedro Dinero]

I can see a lot of mistakes there. To begin with, as caffeine is the most widely consumed drug in the world, many people are unaware of the dangers it can pose. There are anxiety disorders and insomnia that can be cured simply by cutting out caffeine. Furthermore, gambling when you’re tired or stressed—or, generally speaking, when you’re not in the best frame of mind—is a recipe for disaster, even if it worked out this time. At least the OP is aware of the risk and seems to have learnt their lesson.

[jcojci]

Control is important in gambling to avoid losses although not many gamblers realize this. Just gamble enough and not trying to playing another games if you only wants to place a bet and leave the casino if you finish it.

That will avoid you from the will of playing another gambling games and you can control yourself not to follow the desire. Gambling can tempting you and browsing the games and pick one or two games and play it.

If you lose, you will lose control and will thinks of it or even you will chasing your losses. If you lack of sleep, you will feels tired and can't thinks clear so you need to take a rest and not just thinking about gambling.