When it's just to make ends meet to gamble, putting money on the lowest stakes is one of the best options. Because with a small bet the amount of loss will be more controlled. I will not prohibit someone from betting with a large nominal, if they can afford to do so then go ahead, as long as it remains under good control.
I'm not a believer of small bets before since I'm very lazy to gamble using small amount because I think that can't make real profit out of it before.
I experienced this first hand yesterday when I lose my 500$ bankroll after an 8hrs of Blackjack session. I was so down that time and just claiming my bonus rakeback before I leave the casino. I bet it on a ladder game by turbo games provider which is like a mines game. To make it short, My 4$ bonus that I collected on my rakeback turns into 600$ buy placing bet on this game and manage to win multiple high multiplier since I don't feel any fear that time on my bet.
I recover my loss and manage to win some profit. A really bad games turns into comback game with just a 4$ bonus from my losses.
Yes, that's how it works, when luck is on our side, then no matter how little money we bring will make us big. I'm glad to hear that you were able to recover the loss you felt at the time.
But if I may judge from what you have done, then it seems like you are targeting big profits. That's what I see from what you said about small bets not winning large amounts of gambling. I wouldn't say that's wrong, because after all it's your right to play the way you do.
But if I may give advice, you can control yourself more than that, I mean when you chase victory, then actually the amount of defeat that will be very potential for us to feel.
And again when you said you were sad when you lost the $800 it reinforced what I saw. I know who wants to lose money, but in gambling we should know what our chances of losing money are.