Flipping through the channels just now, I stumbled on the final poker hand scene from Rounders. I never miss an opportunity to watch that scene when it happens to be on TV. Could be because I like the movie, but it is probably due instead to the fact that I used to have a gambling problem. Ok, well it wasn’t a problem exactly unless you call consistently dumb luck a problem.
I don’t gamble for real money anymore, but when I did, it was probably the most I have ever felt alive. I suppose that’s why gambling is such a hard addiction to overcome. I don’t know if I would say that I was addicted to gambling as much as I was addicted to that feeling you get before you win… before you lose…. it is like hanging over the edge of a cliff, holding on by sheer willpower alone rather than some athletic prowess.
It is intoxicating and it is a feeling a lot of people chase for their entire lives.