Play to get better? Play to win money?

hi guys,

its a random thought that struck me, so i thought i'll post and see what the forum thinks about this.

For the serious players, are you currently playing to get better? or just playing to win money?

I'm currently playing $0.05/$0.10 NL and i want to play to get better, i read up more, i'm trying out things on the books and forums. I wanna become a better player, build up my bankroll and move up the limits, so i could play the better players and get better, i'm not aiming to become a pro poker player, but i do hope some day i'll be able to play as good as the pros and understand the finer points of the game.

If you're playing to win money now, am i right to say, you're simply making enough profit to live your life that you think there is no need to move up the limits? Almost every poker player's goal is to play the big game, isn't it so?

or are you lacking something that allows you to move up the level?

please feel free to comment. Thank you !

I was born the best, so of course Im playing to win!

Playing to get better = playing to get money (eventually) IMHO.

You can do both.Make sure you are rolled properly to play the games you're playing.You might start out losing,then as you get better find you are a break even player.Sooner or later you will master this level.In order to get better you will have to move up when your bank roll will let you.For the most part,more money= better players(or richer ones).Move up one level at a time,when you are ready.The more you play,the better you will get as long as you're always trying to improve.

Just make sure to keep reading,posting,and playing.

Surely they both happen at the same time? how can one play and get better without winning money? assuming that we all think poker is a game of skill

Well ive just read the full Bankroll thread (which i recommend for a new player)


One guy called Chris(think he created the thread?) started at 2k and in 40days or so turned it into 13k.


One point he does say tho is that theres fish on all levels even the high limits which hes playing on.


Good read for a new player teaches u a good bankroll and also shows success which motivates you.

i play for the love of the game.
i will get better with practice. i will win money when i get better(more than i am winning now!) It a cake, its a candy, its just plain fun

i started playing because i found it fun. In playing for fun i got better and started winning more money. So know i take it serious and win money since it is more fun when you are winning. But the main reason i still play is because i find it fun. Everytime you play poker you are learning, everyone is sitll learning new techniques and tricks of the trade as times go on.

an example of this is that now field sizes in tournaments are larger so people have to learn to play larger fields, also poker went through a big stage of EVERYONE slow playing big hands, but now the fast playing of big hands is coming the more modern way. Also the C-bet isnt as prolific as it used to be, so players have to learn new ways of approaching this.

So everyone is stil learning as the game is evolving

In "Your Worst Poker Enemy" Alan Schoonmaker encourages you to identify the reasons why you play poker. He gives a fairly comprehensive list in the book to help you out, so of which were talked about in this thread.

after reading the replies, i guess i didnt phrase my question properly, may be i'll adjust my question.

are you still trying to get better by playing? how do you actually know that you've become a better player? by moving up the limits? by analysing your play? or what was it? btw, i absolutely agree that money comes with good play eventually.

or have you become stagnant and is stuck at a limit now, where you're just playing to cause you're able to win. Eg. move up limit > lost > move down, where you repeated this umpteen times that you just give up on moving up the limit and is playing just to win money?

or some may find it easier to understand the question, this way
" Are you still improving? or have you become stagnant and you're no longer able to improve your play to meet the standards of the next level "

hope i did manage to explain myself better, apologize for the bad phrasing and bad english.

I still think most of the previous responses apply, which mostly consist of- You do both. Experience is the best teacher. Always view your "game" as a work in progress., and try and challenge your abilities without breaking your bank. To me, that means expanding your limits as proper BR management allows, but be prepared to backtrack some if you feel it's profitable. Moving up in limits is self defeating if you think you're either A) outclassed or B) underfunded.

In other words, challenge yourself to the limits of your comfort zone, but not beyond.

I play to get better.
I play to win money.
I play to get better and win more money.

That is the number one reason I play poker, is for the love of the game. Yes you want to get better and yes extra money is always nice, but it isn't a job to me, I don't want to grind it out, like any hobby it is only fun as long as you still love to indulge in it.