Albin Counter Gambit doesnt work at all

Hey guys, idk if anyone else tried this, but the Albin Counter gambit NEVER works for me, for some reason my opponents are always prepared and don't fall into any traps or even any position that isn't really good for them, and then i usually lose because i am down a pawn. I am not really even that highly rated, i fluctuate between 1300 to 1400 and started playing like 4-5 months ago. Is there any  other gambits you guys recommend at my level that actually gives me some fun compensation? I only play the Stafford for gambits and absolutely love it, thanks. 

I personally don't like playing unsound gambits even when they have some practical value in fast time controls. But at 1400 level they should still be good enough as people don't defend that well in that range. Improve your tactics as these rely heavily on tactical opportunism. You could also play sharp openings instead. Those that are on the main line side of things. More work but better long term returns.

You just admitted your own guilt.  The stupidity of basing your choice of opening on relying on your opponents to fall for traps.

Chess is not about traps.  Traps simply exist.  They are not the basis for successful chess.

In basketball, the Hail Mary is often thrown across court at the end of every quarter.  If it goes in, great!  Three more points for the team via a little luck.  Do successful basketball players become successful by practicing and repeatedly attempting the Hail Mary?

That is what traps are.  Hail Marys!  If you rely on them, YOU WILL FAIL!

If one falls in your lap, based on something sound, then of course, by all means, take the easy point.

For example, I had the following correspondence game recently.  Black should play 7...O-O OR 7...a6 (not both) before playing 8...c5.  In the game, he plays both, falling behind a move, and then 9...c5?? Allows the Greek Gift Sacrifice.  9...f6 or 9...f5 is necessary.  But notice that I did not play some idiotic trappy line that is otherwise dubious at best and otherwise unsound.  I played a sound opening (I was White, of course) and Black happened to blunder early.  This is how you should be learning chess.  Screw the dubious trap lines.  Play something sound against 1.d4.  There are lots of options.  QGD, QGA, Slav, Nimzo-Indian, Benoni, Benko, King's Indian, Grunfeld, Dutch.

That's because the Albin is trash... there are many variations where White can just give back the pawn and get an overwhelming lead in development or alternatively he can defend it with all he's got and you won't have any compensation... if you play an unsound opening then you shouldn't be surprised if you lose

I think at your level there's nothing wrong with the Albin Counter Gambit.  (Don't play it against a computer though.)  You may just need to learn to play it better.

Setting traps is not a bad thing but it should ideally be done within the context of good play.  In other words, if the trap will compromise your position should it fail then it may not be a good idea.  On the other hand, if you have a lost game, why not set a trap?

All gambits are unsound except Queen's Gambit. Albin's Countergambit is not that bad, it is certainly better than Englund Gambit. You have to play accurately to take advantage of your pawn on d4, and use it like a thorn in your opponent's position.
Here is an example of how to play it
https://www.chessgames.com/perl/chessgame?gid=1913727 

And this is why that after 6+ months, 2700 games of speed chess, and playing hope chess youre a 1200 player.

the budapest gambit is sound

got sniped

It can be fun though.

I studied the Albin in my study here. Despite knowing what to do, I keep losing to it. It's like the Exchange French and I still lose even though I study it. 

Thanks everyone, its good to know that the opening generally is bad, and someone said that at my level they dont know what to do, you can check my games everyone always played the best move knight f6. Ill stick to a sound opening then. Also i only play rapid because i am trying to improve, id assume gambits are not good in rapid more than blitz and bullet. 

Stay away from gambits, will help you play solid chess which will lead to you getting better and then if you like try some gambits. Problem is here, not so much otb you will be able to get away with playing unsound gambits and beating people because the level of play is so poor. Eventually though that will lead you to stagnating in your development.

Excellent advice.  Which is why i dont teach fools mate, or scholars mate.  You teach them to a beginner and they fall in love with them.  I would rather they get caught in them and come to me and ask "what happened?"

And yet it's funny how that is like, the one line that loses for White, and yet, one of the best lines for White is the same move a move later, flicking in 4.a3! first and only then 5.e3! and White is significantly better!

Any opening is playable at levels below 1900-2000. Traps are for Dummies so is Blitz. The Stafford is just a YouTube thing so are traps.

Gambits can be very useful they help teach moving when you have imitative just don't play stuff that is talked about on YouTube every other looser has.

I just looked at youtube several "IM's" that play speed chess at varies chess sites talk about gambits traps cheating and other stuff (mostly with a bad smell) a lot of people watch them (they make a lot of money the more viewers the more money)

I play 3-5 days per move I'll play anyone most games I play are above my rating. I'll play anyone most blitz players will not play me 3-5 day games rated or unrated. The moral is if somebody offers you a Free Pawn if you can see no reason not to take it. Take it

Well... the Albin is borderline correct (if played a-la Morozevich), while the Stafford is total trash.

I wonder what sources you used to learn these openings.

Eric Rosen has not played this crap in a serious game. Not even once.