Gambling is very common in the pool world. As is gambling addiction. There was a recent video I watched...one of Canada's best players, placed in a tournament, but not winning. He won $5,000...not long after winning it, he lost it. On a coin flip! Some twisted code calls that "showing heart", to gamble big. It's not. It's gambling addiction.
(edit) Found the video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VFeaLbcJHl4
Ever noticed how often someone says that after spending time in a casino town, they broke even or came home a little ahead? Yeah, right...
I lost my shirt on my 21st birthday weekend in Reno. Had a long drive home to think about it. Winners didn't build all that glitz...losers did.
Yes, gambling addiction is an illness...one that can ruin a life as easily as alcohol or drugs.