Sports betting isn’t just a hobby for a lot of us; it’s a lifestyle choice. Naturally there are bettors that approach gambling with different levels of skill and commitment much like golf. The dude spending 4 nights a week at the range taking lessons probably has a better handicap than the family man playing once a week on Sunday mornings. Everyone comes to grips with who they are as a weekend warrior or an aspiring amateur. For sports bettors there are a few milestones along the way that make you realize just how big a degenerate you’ve become.
This article may or may not be autobiographical; just don’t judge yourself too harshly if this list resonates when you look in the mirror.
10) Remembering major life milestones are recalled by the bets you made that day; not the date on the calendar.
9) Rooting for favorite childhood teams is out because your coach doesn’t cover the number more than 52% of the time. He’d rather show sportsmanship than run up the score when listed as a 42 point favorite.
8) Social calendars are built around the sports schedule. Spending a weekend without Wi-Fi isn’t even a consideration knowing live betting is completely off the table that way.
7) Sending money to Carlos Hernandez in Belize City, Belize happened more frequently during college than depositing into your savings account.
6) Dating is confined to summer months. If a girl isn’t already in love by the time football season starts odds of making the relationship work long-term slip below 5%.
5) In reference to real world purchases you’ve applied the term units, nickels, or dimes. All major financial decisions are governed by “how many bets” it will take to pay something off: movies, dinners, cars, etc…
4) Your bookie was in your wedding party.
3) Every website you visit at the office is blocked by your employer.
2) Diversifying a portfolio no longer means investing in a balance of stocks, bonds, and mutual funds but rather soccer, baseball, football, basketball, and snooker.
1) When friends in the financial industry talk about having offshore accounts you automatically ask them what sports books they recommend.