Why You Should Never Play Online Rummy: My ₹4.5 Lakh Mistake
This is a true story. I am sharing this not for sympathy, but to warn others who might be making the same mistake I made. Between the ages of 19 and 24, I lost over ₹4.5 lakh by playing MPL online rummy games. It wasn’t just money that I lost; it was time, peace, friendships, and confidence. I am writing this in the hope that it saves at least one person from going down the same road.
How I Started MPL Online Rummy
At the age of 19, I was a student, full of dreams and energy. I came across an online rummy app that promised easy money. It looked simple. A few games here and there. A little fun, maybe earn a few rupees. I thought, "Why not?"
That was the start of a very dangerous addiction. I played more and more. I believed that my luck would change, that I would win big. But every time I lost, I tried again, chasing the lost money. The addiction was silent but deadly. I didn’t even realize how deep I was falling.
The Real Cost: What I Lost
The financial loss was huge, ₹4.5 lakh. But that’s not all. Here’s what I really lost:
- Time: I wasted 4 precious years of my youth that could have been used to build skills or gain work experience.
- Career opportunities: I missed out on preparing for a high-paying job. While others were learning coding, marketing, or freelancing, I was playing games.
- Peace of mind: I was always stressed. I couldn’t sleep properly. I was constantly anxious about money and repayments.
- My PF (Provident Fund): I even withdrew my PF savings to cover debts. That was my future savings gone in an instant.
- Friends: I lost good friendships because of money. I borrowed from them and couldn’t repay on time.
- Confidence and self-worth: I started hating myself. I couldn’t even buy new clothes or change my mobile phone for 7 years.
- Health and insurance: I skipped getting term insurance and didn’t take care of my health. I couldn’t afford even basic needs.
Mental Health Struggles
There were nights I couldn’t sleep. I had thoughts that I never thought would enter my mind, even suicidal thoughts. But I never gave up. I kept believing that if I worked hard and stayed strong, I could fix things. That little hope is what kept me alive.
The Loan Trap: Online Lending Apps
To recover losses, I made another big mistake. I started taking loans. I used apps like:
- PaySense
- Slice
- KreditBee
- Navi
- MoneyView
- TrueBalance
And when those weren’t enough, I borrowed from friends. All of this added up to ₹4.5 lakh. The interest kept increasing. I was sinking into debt and barely surviving.
How I Paid Back Every Rupee
It took everything I had. I took a 9 to 6 desk job. After that, I did food delivery in the evenings. Monday to Saturday, I worked double shifts. Sundays were full-day deliveries from 7 AM to 11 PM. No holidays. Just work.
I did this for 4 years. Slowly, month by month, I paid off every single loan. I cleared all my debts. It was the hardest period of my life, but I was proud. I didn’t run away. I didn’t cheat anyone. I stood up and faced my mistake like a man.
Important Lessons I Want You to Learn
If you are between 18 to 25, read this carefully. Your choices today will shape your future. I made mistakes, so you don’t have to. Here’s what you must do instead of online gambling:
1. Never Play Online Rummy or Betting Games
They are not games. They are designed to make you lose. These apps are built to addict you, not reward you. The only winner is the company running the app.
2. Start Investing Early
Instead of losing money in games, invest in mutual funds, SIPs, index funds, or even gold. Small amounts grow over time. Compound interest is real magic if you give it time.
3. Learn High-Income Skills
Use YouTube, Udemy, Coursera, and free online resources to learn coding, graphic design, video editing, digital marketing, or any skill. Skills will give you real money, not luck-based games.
4. Get Term and Health Insurance
These are not optional. Even if something unexpected happens to you, your family should not suffer financially. Insurance gives peace of mind and protection.
5. Build a Side Hustle
You can start a YouTube channel, learn affiliate marketing, sell digital products, or start freelancing. These side hustles grow slowly but give long-term results.
6. Avoid Quick Money Traps
If someone offers you “easy money,” run in the opposite direction. There’s no such thing. Quick money often comes with hidden risks and long-term pain.
Don’t Let Your Youth Go to Waste
These years will never come back. If you're reading this at age 18, 20, or 24, don’t waste time. Build habits, read books, learn, and work hard. Your future will thank you. If you have already made mistakes, it’s okay. I did too. But what matters is what you do next.
Final Thoughts
Online rummy destroyed 4 years of my life. But I fought back. I worked, suffered, and learned. Today, I’m slowly rebuilding my future, one day at a time.
You don’t need to go through that pain. Learn from my story. Don’t fall for online gaming or betting. It’s a trap.
Use your money to build a skill. Invest it. Protect your future. Say NO to online rummy. Say YES to financial freedom.