lauestla
Legend
Platinum Level
Well poker is a game that can be addictive. If you get poker addict so poker becomes a bad habit. But if you can control the time you spend playing poker... so it's only a passion.
airxlns
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Well, a bad habit as you describe it, can be any activity that takes a lot of your time. Poker can be rewarding if you set some limits : time of play, money invested and emotional control. These three work like a charm for me and also allow me to do other things in life besides poker.
ghitocarcia
Rock Star
Platinum Level
It does not have to be a bad habit, as long as you can control the money you are willing to lose and not invest large amounts if you do not have another income, such as a secure job. previously I think it was seen as gambling. but it is not like that, poker is a whole science that deals with probabilities and mathematics where psychology and mental states enter.
Gallarado777
Legend
Loyaler
poker can be attributed a little bit to gambling if you can't restrain yourself, then any game related to money will be gambling so I think it all depends on the person but still it's a game of chance, many will say a habit but no it's gambling
exer888
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I dont think that poker is bad habit. You should enjoy at what ever thing you like and feel good about it, theres shouldnt be a rule or barier. No one should judge about playing poker.
GeckoAA
Legend
Platinum Level
For myself, I do not consider Poker to be a bad habit. I consider it to be a hobby, just like knitting, sewing, exercise etc. I consider bad habits to be something that is harming myself or someone else. I feel as long as I can stop myself at any time or have my bankroll in control, for myself it is a good habit and keeps my brain focused and thinking. For some people Im sure it is a bad habit - if you are using money for poker that should be used for living your life (food, shelter, bills), then yes that would be a very bad addictive habit. Any money I use for poker is strictly part of my entertainment budget money or is money I made only from playing poker and I never add or top up my bankroll, it just keeps growing because of playing poker 
.
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gena31
Legend
Platinum Level
Poker is not a bad habit, it is only possible for highly gamblers who think to earn a lot and quickly and therefore lose a lot of money. For me personally, poker is a very interesting and cool game. The ability to play poker develops a lot of good qualities in you, such as: discipline, willpower, quick wits, attentiveness and many many other qualities.
DiegoRamos
Legend
Loyaler
If you gamble and get no return, it's not just a bad habit, it's an evil addiction. lol
Baldy86
Legend
Bronze Level
it depends . if you abuse poker as a form of gambling and lose money that is important for you or especially for your family because you need the money to pay bills or buy food / water then it is definitely very bad
but if you play within your limit and see it as a game of skill and can control yourself then it is not IMO
but if you play within your limit and see it as a game of skill and can control yourself then it is not IMO
exer888
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Its more a passion then gambling i would say, learning process is a huge field and take a lot of time to master it, but its fun. So basicly u can call it hobby.
heguli82
Rock Star
Bronze Level
It depends, like members here seems to think.
I think there is some questionable moral aspect in poker,that bothers me more now, before i always think that it is every player own decicion to sit at the table and take a risk. And 95% of players keep doing it even they can see the results. Bad habbit?
But even i let myself forget everything about how addictions works, so ican forget example that actually long and bad addiction finally changes persons decisison making radically, even i know, that poker is a baaaad habbit to this fellow, i still track him down and take hes money.
My habbit is bad, i dont like to think taking advantage for this situation. Until i do again.
I think there is some questionable moral aspect in poker,that bothers me more now, before i always think that it is every player own decicion to sit at the table and take a risk. And 95% of players keep doing it even they can see the results. Bad habbit?
But even i let myself forget everything about how addictions works, so ican forget example that actually long and bad addiction finally changes persons decisison making radically, even i know, that poker is a baaaad habbit to this fellow, i still track him down and take hes money.
My habbit is bad, i dont like to think taking advantage for this situation. Until i do again.
I Live Poker
Legend
Platinum Level
Everything can become a bad habit, of course it depends on how important poker is in your life. If it's just a hobby and it's taking time away from other things you prioritize, then it becomes a bad habit.
BelFish
Legend
Loyaler
For players who regularly lose, but at the same time spend a lot of time playing poker, this is a bad habit. For others, poker is work.
Just like any other activity, which, with an irrational approach, can be a bad habit, and with a rational approach, it can be a good one
Just like any other activity, which, with an irrational approach, can be a bad habit, and with a rational approach, it can be a good one
Aballinamion
Sleeping with the Dark Lady of the Sith
Loyaler
We shouldn’t be playing too long for addictive purposes. We play because we had set a serious program which includes playing and studying.
If poker becomes an addiction we gotta step back and try to find a reasonable solution for this problem.
One of the solution is to stay away of the tables as long as possible and improve our mindset by studying and making courses.
If we cannot deal with the problem by ourselves we must look forward a therapist or a specialist in these matters.
bioluchin
Rising Star
Bronze Level
Is a bad habit without moderation, if you have too much free time. It´s probably you come into a bad habit, but it´s not Poker, or computer game, or whatever, it´s yourself inside the hole system. Doing Sports is the best way to being moderate in life in general.
Luvepoker
Lost in the twilight zone
Community Guide
I think the question would be can it become a habit. I say it could but for most people its not a habit but a game to have fun and play with. My wife was concerned about it in the early days with me as I really fell in love playing the game. She did also express her concerns about it as I was player 3 or 4 and sometime 5 days a week. I told here is was a entertainment expense to me. Before i got hurt i would spend $15 to 20 a night bowling a few nights a week. I get to play for about 1 to 2 hours for only $1.10 a night this way. What other form of entertainment is that cheap. She has never been worried since. Well a little I am sure. As long as you play for fun and entertainment and play within your means it should be ok.
infonazar
Legend
Loyaler
I don't consider poker a habit, at least it's not a habit for me. For me, poker is just entertainment, a good opportunity to have a good time. I play when I have time and my main goal is just to relax and distract myself.