Addicted to Poker???

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Mercury2234

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Hey guys,

I have started playing online poker a little bit over 5 months ago. I lost a good amount of money in the beginning, but I did make everything back plus some.
I realized though that sometimes I would play poker ALLday and as strangely as this may sounds, I have dreams about playing poker. :banghead:

Being a student in college, I do have other priorities other than playing poker, but sometimes I can't manage to get myself from playing, especially since I am making money. Not life changing money, but good enough to not feel guilty about spending a good time in bars.

Anyways, did anybody ever experienced this? My original intent was to play poker maybe once or twice a week on a weekend.

HC
 
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RoadRash

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It's a fun game, but if I were you I'd concentrate on the area where you are going to make your living, which is college. I think it can be pretty addicting.

For instance, my 7 year old (I understand you aren't 7), anyway, we got the Texas Hold'em tournament game for our playstation 2. I played it for a while, then got bored, but my 7 year old sat there and watched me play, then he started to participate. Next thing we know he's playing nonstop. We couldn't get him away from the game. It was hard to get him out to go swimming, eat dinner, or whatever. I'd come home from work and he was on top of me wanting to play. Needless to say, we had to take it from him and redirect his energy to something else. I never understood how someone could get hook, but the kid was crazy over the game. Also have a friend who used to play in one of our groups who we just recently found out is in counseling over it. Almost lost his wife and kids after gambling away all of there savings and losing his job.

Be careful bud!
 
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MercilessKiller

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Well, I think you need to ask yourself if it's bad that you may be addicted?

If you were addicted I would expect that you'd carry on playing even when losing and being crap. When making money doing something fun of course you're going to be "addicted" to it. I was at one point. Then I lost a lot of what I won, and carried on with my studies and timed out for poker.

I thought I was addicted till I hit a rough patch. I easily parted for quite a while entering the odd multi table tourny, but as they say, the more experience the btter.

Just keep your other priorities top of the list and addiction should not be a worry. If you are worried, then just take a breather for a couple of weeks. Literally force yourself not to play for 2 weeks. After the first few days it becomes easier :)

Good luck.
 
Four Dogs

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Good first post Murcury. I can definately relate. I also have poker dreams. There's a fine line between addiction and passion. One you can conquer, the other you can't.
 
jeterkid925

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Four Dogs said:
Good first post Murcury. I can definately relate. I also have poker dreams. There's a fine line between addiction and passion. One you can conquer, the other you can't.
My parents thing I have I'm obbsesed, I might of played 20 hands in the past 2 days. I could stop right now if I wanted too, but I don't have a reason!
 
Four Dogs

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Jetermom: "Jetrkid, you've been in that bathroom with the laptop for ever! What are you doing in there?"
 
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S2kalltheway

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yeah, right now I'm on a really big winning streak i haven't lost in over two months(i play 2-4 times a week) and I'm winning a lot of money so I'm kinda addicted and always want to play, but if i were to lose i know i wouldn't wanna play as much
 
IrishDave

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As Four Dogs mentioned there is a fine line between addiction and passion. When I first started playing online I spent huge amounts of time at the computer. This was a new exciting activity and I was making money - wow this is great. Once the newness wore off I began to look at poker as just another activity I enjoy, like taking the jetskis to the lake. I try to find time for all the things I like to do and keep a balance in my life. I know addiction as I've been a smoker for years and I will not let that happen with poker. I've taken time off from playing simply to reinforce this belief of staying in control...
 
jeterkid925

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Four Dogs said:
Jetermom: "Jetrkid, you've been in that bathroom with the laptop for ever! What are you doing in there?"
LOL, I don't have a laptop yet, but I just got a computer in my room a week ago!
 
soadwes

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IrishDave said:
I try to find time for all the things I like to do and keep a balance in my life. I know addiction as I've been a smoker for years and I will not let that happen with poker. I've taken time off from playing simply to reinforce this belief of staying in control...
I feel the same way... When I notice I have been playing poker ALL day saturday and sunday, I try to stay away from it for most of the work week.

PS -> For all you intrigued about it.... Don't smoke... It's cool until you can't stop...
:puke:
 
rocka13

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Hey Mercury,
I can only endorse what IrishDave said and draw attention to the word BALANCE.
Even if you are a pro player you do not want to be playing to the point that you are neglecting the truly important things in your life like family and friends. A balanced life with time given to all the things and people you enjoy has got to be more rewarding in the long run than any streak.

Enjoy your poker and play it hard but remember the other things in your life that you enjoy.
 
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Mercury2234

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hey guys,

I appreciate all the responses, and I do know that maintaining balance on EVERYTHING is crucial for success, whether is working , studying and playing.
But my problem is, how do you fight the urge to play more than you should of.
I had finals yesterday, so a week before I cashed out. But throughout the whole week with no-poker, I had this huge want to play.
When my finals was over, I just ran into the computer and played for 5 hours straight...(which by the way, lost 40 bucks on a hand with pocket rockets going against pocket Jackets on an all-in)

Thanks!
HC
 
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joz84

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poker can do that to you. ITs a beutiful game that can be very addicting, although i love ot play it whenever i can, u do have to balance it into your liffe. There are some things that you might want to prioritze ahead, family, school etc., but make time and ull feel fine thast what i say.
 
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I agree its an addicitive game, but you have to ration how much you play.
I used to play every day, but I fill out my day with other things now, like work.
 
~~Shelynn~~

~~Shelynn~~

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I have to admitt a little over a year ago,I was on different poker sites off and on day or night. Think that's the only thing that kept me sane,my Son spent 14 months in Iraq and their were days and weeks we heard nothing from him. We knew sometimes the area he was approx. at, and being a Plat. leader,we knew he had a lot on his plate. Thank God he returned home safe and sound with all he left with he brought it all back. With my Son returning back home,I just play one or two sites,once a day and maybe none for several days. Found it very easy to get off when he got home. I would just loose myself in them,maybe the wrong way, but got me through it.
 
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JonSherwood

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~~Shelynn~~ said:
I have to admitt a little over a year ago,I was on different poker sites off and on day or night. Think that's the only thing that kept me sane,my Son spent 14 months in Iraq and their were days and weeks we heard nothing from him. We knew sometimes the area he was approx. at, and being a Plat. leader,we knew he had a lot on his plate. Thank God he returned home safe and sound with all he left with he brought it all back. With my Son returning back home,I just play one or two sites,once a day and maybe none for several days. Found it very easy to get off when he got home. I would just loose myself in them,maybe the wrong way, but got me through it.

There's an example where excess play is for the better of the individual. I'm glad he got home ok Shelynn.

Like Dave said, when I started I played ALOT. I still do play a fair amount each day, or should I say night. I usually will do all my daily things like seeing family and my girlfriend, and then I will get on at night and play for a few hours through the night. I hardly go a day without playing, but it's not an addiction. I play because I'm capable of making good money and I need that money for when I return to college in a few weeks. Some nights I don't feel like playing much, but I still do in order to make some money daily. (I don't have a job.) Some nights I almost regret getting on here. :p I still really enjoy poker though, and that's what counts.

Jon
 
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Eytch

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Me personally I set limits like how many times a week or even narrow it down to hours. You have to set your limits especially when it comes to games, money and the internet.
 
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