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Might Bite

The Secret Life of a Gambling Addict

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Might Bite

By: Patrick Foster, Will Macpherson
Narrated by: Ben Higgins
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Summary

 Bloomsbury presents Might Bite by Patrick Foster with Will Macpherson, read by Ben Higgins.

'An electrifying account of gambling addiction ... compelling' – The Times

'Searingly honest ... should be in the hands of anyone who has eyed a bet' – Daily Mail

'A remarkable piece of work' – The Cricketer

With a foreword by Marcus Trescothick.

For more than 12 years, Patrick Foster lived a double life. Turning 31, a popular and sociable young teacher and former professional cricketer, he had a lovely girlfriend and a supportive family. But he was hiding a secret and debilitating gambling addiction from even those closest to him.

Huge bets had led to huge debts, thousands of lies, and consequences for his mental health that pushed him to the edge of the platform at Slough station, where he was moments from taking his own life in March 2018.

That month Patrick had turned a £30 bet into £28,000, then lost £50,000 on a single horse, Might Bite, in the Cheltenham Gold Cup, watching the race in a silent classroom as his students undertook a mock exam in front of him. In his desperation, he had taken out every possible loan, and borrowed money from family, friends and even the parents of children he taught. Although his life was unravelling around him, he could not stop.

You might think that this is just one man’s story. But problem gambling affects one in 200 people in the UK alone. Hundreds lose their lives annually as a result. The industry is worth more than £14 billion.

Might Bite is a shocking, cautionary tale of just how easy it is to fall victim to the insidious lure of ‘winning big’. And of how recovery is possible from the depths of addiction, no matter how inescapable it seems.(P)2023 Bloomsbury Publishing PLC Addiction & Recovery Mental Health Psychology Psychology & Mental Health Health
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Critic reviews

Powerful ... electrifying ... compelling … challenges deep-seated class assumptions about gambling ... [which is] still regarded as a problem for poor people, for losers. You only have to read Foster’s unflinching account of entitlement, self-hatred and degradation to know that is the biggest lie of all. (Melanie Reid)
[A] mesmerising, superbly written story of despair, decline and redemption ... Searingly honest ... compelling ... should be in the hands of anyone who has eyed a bet
I don't think any book has gripped me like Might Bite.
Gripping and harrowing ... enough to make any gambling enthusiast think carefully.
Reading of Foster's descent is itself compulsive
An extraordinary story … vital stuff (Adrian Chiles)
An in-depth testimony ... show[s] how anybody can fall prey to gambling addiction.
A powerful story that I know only too well – a no-holds barred journey through gambling addiction and into the hope of recovery. (Paul Merson)
A well written, ruthlessly honest account of gambling addiction (Jimmy McGovern)
As a society, we are only just getting to grips with gambling addiction. Patrick Foster is a trailblazer. His work will help many. (Marcus Trescothick)
A shocking insight into life with gambling addiction and proof that these issues really don't discriminate. (Tom Curry, England rugby player)
Foster’s compelling account of a once charmed life careering on a downward spiral proves [gambling addiction] can affect anyone.
A must read journey through gambling addiction and out the other side – ultimately uplifting. (Charlotte Edwards CBE, ex-professional cricketer and England captain)
This story will stop you in your tracks. (Sam Billings, England cricketer)
Might Bite is beautifully written (Charlie Baker)
A powerful read and a hell of a story (Paul Hawksbee)
A remarkable piece of work
You should all read Might Bite...a brutally candid, must-read memoir co-written with Will Macpherson, the Evening Standard cricket correspondent that ought to transcend the world of elite sport.
A brilliant memoir which exposes the scale of this addiction (Caroline Sanderson)
Astonishing…Might Bite is a harrowing tale of the final moments of a gambler’s descent to near destruction, but it’s a tale that demands to be told.
A must – electrifying confessions of a high-achieving public schoolboy who destroyed himself with a secret betting addiction (Melanie Reid)
All stars
Most relevant
A gambling addict or not, Patrick’s story can teach you a lot. Having already heard him speak at my school soon after his recovery it was great to hear the full story in this book.

Candid, powerful and honest story of addiction.

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This is an excellent, measured, helpful story. There are too few addiction memoirs relating to gambling and I found this really interesting. It's a shame there are a few production issues, some coughs included, and a lot of audio gaps especially in chapter 6.

Useful and interesting for anyone interested in memoirs, or addiction-lit.

Great story, issues with production

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After listening to Patrick’s talk I felt I had to listen to his story in full. I would definitely recommend this book.

What an honest account of a terrible addiction!

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Wish the guy who narrated it could pronounce words correctly! Really made me cringe!
Good story though, glad Patrick is contributing to the recovery of others.

Mispronounced words

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as an ex gambler(4 years) myself this book most definitely struck a cord. Great from start to finish

inspiring

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