JusSumguy
Chipmonger
Silver Level
D
dlam
Visionary
Silver Level
Jimmy, poker can be an addiction like drugs or alcohol if it gets carried away.
When someone spends 9-12 hours at it....sometimes it nolonger becomes fun....it's work....and then sometimes certain hands can make you go on tilt.......and make you play with blind risk rather than smart calculated risk........thats the fine line between a good calculated poker player and stupid blind risk player.
There some good responses here about poker then becoming an compulsion.....it not even trying to win...its trying to get a certain 'high" like in drugs and doing desperate things like gambling more money then you can afford....
careful my friend....stay level headed
When someone spends 9-12 hours at it....sometimes it nolonger becomes fun....it's work....and then sometimes certain hands can make you go on tilt.......and make you play with blind risk rather than smart calculated risk........thats the fine line between a good calculated poker player and stupid blind risk player.
There some good responses here about poker then becoming an compulsion.....it not even trying to win...its trying to get a certain 'high" like in drugs and doing desperate things like gambling more money then you can afford....
careful my friend....stay level headed
B
buzzz45
Rising Star
Bronze Level
its in your head
Addiction is not about what gambling drugs booze sex food etc. these things are symptons of the disease of ocd. Addicts are compelled to feed there addiction once they start they are obessed with continueing until either broke or in the case of gamboling the big win. Its not about will power many addicts wake up in the morning with a great desire not to do it again (willpower) and by the end of the day are betting useing dtugs alc. or whatever, feeding there addiction against there will. As far as learning the games \ odds at best that would only slow down the loss.
Addiction is not about what gambling drugs booze sex food etc. these things are symptons of the disease of ocd. Addicts are compelled to feed there addiction once they start they are obessed with continueing until either broke or in the case of gamboling the big win. Its not about will power many addicts wake up in the morning with a great desire not to do it again (willpower) and by the end of the day are betting useing dtugs alc. or whatever, feeding there addiction against there will. As far as learning the games \ odds at best that would only slow down the loss.
D
dlam
Visionary
Silver Level
If you are considering going from play tables to real money cash tables then the house edge is the rake......poker players are losers in the long run....when playing against oponents that have equal ability.
Find a table where your type of play matches up against players you feel you can exploit with your strengths......
Find a table where your type of play matches up against players you feel you can exploit with your strengths......
Kenzie 96
Legend
Loyaler
Them there dirty, rotton SOB's. I thought she was given me them free drinks cause she thought I was cute.
J
JimmyS1985
Enthusiast
Silver Level
Yea that swhat I dont like about the casino is the rake. I think its $3 or 10% whichever is cheaper. But thats probably for limit hold em, id rather have the bankroll to play no limit because thats what Im use to playing, and thats what pros who give poker tips out, usually play no limit hold em.
Really Im waiting for an online poker game, where I can have low dollar buy ins to develop skill before I move up to the higher limits, doesnt take out an enormous rake from the pots like the casino, and I dont have to go through shady money grams or whatever to get money between my bank account and my account at the website.
For now it seems that Im better off playing for play money chips, and going to sythe.org, a virtual gaming exchange, and selling them there for $60 per 100 million in zynga chips.
Also I heard from a poker professional on youtube, that online poker players have a sizeable advantage over regular live players, in that we've seen a million more hands and played them, than live players. The way he put it, he said give me any 10 live players, and any 10 online poker players, and 3:1 the online ppl will beat the live players.
His evidence behind this was young guys in their early 20's going against people who have been playing live poker for 50 years, and winning big tournaments. He also goes around looking for weak tables when he went to the casino, find weak players that he can exploit not just sit down at any table he felt like.
Poker Orifice
FoolsTilt
Platinum Level
Addicts will often look to find others who are worse off then themselves, helping them to stay in denial (I knew one friend, etc. etc.,.. there was this guy on internet 8-10hrs. per day.. lost his house, etc.). See... I don't have a problem > look at those guys.
If you have to ask yourself if you have a problem,... pretty sure ya do.
If you have to ask yourself if you have a problem,... pretty sure ya do.
P
PotluckXXI
Visionary
Silver Level
Hmmm...am I a Poker Addict? Let's see I lost both my deposits because of bad play, and I do want to play again. I haven't played online in a month, and only one home game. I try to improve by reading and studying the game. Do gambling addicts work on their game when they aren't playing or just fantasize about making a big win? I know my game always needs to examined, studied, analyzed that is to say constant evaulation. I want to get better, I know I will not always win, I will strive to make the correct decisions and not go on tilt when I am drawn out on. So am I an addict? Do heroin users strive to be "better" heroin users?
JusSumguy
Chipmonger
Silver Level
OzExorcist
Broomcorn's uncle
Bronze Level
Whether or not you're an addict has nothing whatsoever to do with whether you're trying to (or even succeeding at) get "better" at the thing you're addicted to.
J
JimmyS1985
Enthusiast
Silver Level
I don't think Im a gambling addict because I average a visit to the casino about once every 3 months, and now I am going to drastically cut that in half or more since I've finally given up on ever winning at baccarat, craps or blackjack (I suppose I could count cards, but good way to get banned, since the hardpart is concealing that you're counting cards, rather than initially counting). Im also unemployed so I don't have a steady source of income to replace money lost at the casino. I didn't think that simply being a member of a gambling addicts forum to offer addicts advice on how to avoid the casino, automatically made me a gambling addict. I can see the association, but I don't feel an urge to gamble, some of these people, it drives them crazy not to be able to go to the casino once every 3 days or less.
I remember I sat down to play some video black jack and the woman next to me was afraid to go home because her husband knew where she was and would be very angry upon her arrival, it was 12 am, she had been there for like 8 hours and busted out long ago, she had been black booked from going to the casino but still came anyways, and had blown $200 from what she told me. Then my friend mentioned a story of someone they saw getting one last pull on a slot machine and winning $600 and her comment was "Why can't that stuff ever happen to me?" Yep, total gambling addict, they seem to be everywhere when Im at the casino. I always play minimum bets and usually go there for fun and to socialize, but some of these people are living day to day on a gamblers fallacy.
Its pretty rare that I gamble, and my main passion in life isn't gambling like it is with a lot of gambling addicts, mine is japanese import drag racing. Im looking for a means to an end, or a way to make money, to finance a drag racing hobby. I have a lot more time on my hands to take up hobby's such as poker than I use to, and if I can learn to get good at a game that can pay off money, I figure why not.
As for the person who said gambling was one of the few addictions not bad for your health, gambling addicts (usually after a huge loss) have much higher suicide rates than people who do not have a gambling addiction, so the possibility of suicide should be considered a health consequence from gambling addiction.
I remember I sat down to play some video black jack and the woman next to me was afraid to go home because her husband knew where she was and would be very angry upon her arrival, it was 12 am, she had been there for like 8 hours and busted out long ago, she had been black booked from going to the casino but still came anyways, and had blown $200 from what she told me. Then my friend mentioned a story of someone they saw getting one last pull on a slot machine and winning $600 and her comment was "Why can't that stuff ever happen to me?" Yep, total gambling addict, they seem to be everywhere when Im at the casino. I always play minimum bets and usually go there for fun and to socialize, but some of these people are living day to day on a gamblers fallacy.
Its pretty rare that I gamble, and my main passion in life isn't gambling like it is with a lot of gambling addicts, mine is japanese import drag racing. Im looking for a means to an end, or a way to make money, to finance a drag racing hobby. I have a lot more time on my hands to take up hobby's such as poker than I use to, and if I can learn to get good at a game that can pay off money, I figure why not.
As for the person who said gambling was one of the few addictions not bad for your health, gambling addicts (usually after a huge loss) have much higher suicide rates than people who do not have a gambling addiction, so the possibility of suicide should be considered a health consequence from gambling addiction.
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PotluckXXI
Visionary
Silver Level
OK so would we classify an addict as someone who practices their "addiction" to the exclusion of everything else? So "workaholics" are addicts? By that definition then yes they are. Even though their addiction garners positive results (financially) their personal life may suffer, just like a winning poker player may be an addict. Other addictions may have some positive results ( the Gym Rats and Health Nuts) but most seem to only have detrimental results, whether drugs, risk takers or whatever, there isn't any positive outcome to be gained from their addictions.
T
talmania
Rising Star
Bronze Level
My experience FWIW:
I'm a self-admitted addict and back in the early days of broadband and internet gambling '96 I took a path that almost led to divorce and destruction. Thankfully I pulled out of it (after loosing easily 50k plus). Carried a sports pager, invested in numerous information services (biggest waste of money ever), spent every waking minute trying to get action in on something. Sports gambling transitioned into poker.
When it disrupts your daily life or impacts your ability to enjoy other things than it's already way past the point of being a problem. It was so bad for me that my first thought after hitting a 5 team $20 parlay was "damn, I wished I had put 100 on it". You get to a point where the thrill of having $10 bucks on a game or hand isn't enough. At my lowest I was easily into any random days games for 3-5k.
Totally agree with Potluck as well---perfectly put.
I'm a self-admitted addict and back in the early days of broadband and internet gambling '96 I took a path that almost led to divorce and destruction. Thankfully I pulled out of it (after loosing easily 50k plus). Carried a sports pager, invested in numerous information services (biggest waste of money ever), spent every waking minute trying to get action in on something. Sports gambling transitioned into poker.
When it disrupts your daily life or impacts your ability to enjoy other things than it's already way past the point of being a problem. It was so bad for me that my first thought after hitting a 5 team $20 parlay was "damn, I wished I had put 100 on it". You get to a point where the thrill of having $10 bucks on a game or hand isn't enough. At my lowest I was easily into any random days games for 3-5k.
Totally agree with Potluck as well---perfectly put.
PaulThePokerCat
Rising Star
Silver Level
It isn't about winning. It is about the rush they get when they are gambling. If they are bad at whatever they gamble at it then becomes a vicious cycle to recover the losses. The ones that win just keep chasing the high and inevitably will lose in the long run.
T
tcummo
Visionary
Silver Level
For me the answer is ;
Never deposit on any site till you want to withdraw.
I know lots of players say freerolls are a waste of time but I've
built a BR on 5 sites just from freerolls then micro.
I have withdrawn over $400 from various sites and still leave a bit on there
to play with.
this is not going to get me rich, but it makes the game enjoyable with
no risk of losing any of my own money.
the highest I've played is $20 sng which i won ,but more usual for me
is $1 to $5 sng.
by grinding like this I've learned a lot about the game tho' I'm still no expert.
unless you spend time learning to beat low limits , you are not going to beat the higher limits.
this seems to me to be the best way to go about it, especially for beginners .
of course if you can afford to deposit and are not bothered about losing ,then that is up to you.
I enjoy my poker playing , smile at bad beats, practice good BRM and have fun
with no pressure.
I am in complete control .....
now , as for my wine drinkin' and pot smokin'........erm
Never deposit on any site till you want to withdraw.
I know lots of players say freerolls are a waste of time but I've
built a BR on 5 sites just from freerolls then micro.
I have withdrawn over $400 from various sites and still leave a bit on there
to play with.
this is not going to get me rich, but it makes the game enjoyable with
no risk of losing any of my own money.
the highest I've played is $20 sng which i won ,but more usual for me
is $1 to $5 sng.
by grinding like this I've learned a lot about the game tho' I'm still no expert.
unless you spend time learning to beat low limits , you are not going to beat the higher limits.
this seems to me to be the best way to go about it, especially for beginners .
of course if you can afford to deposit and are not bothered about losing ,then that is up to you.
I enjoy my poker playing , smile at bad beats, practice good BRM and have fun
with no pressure.
I am in complete control .....
now , as for my wine drinkin' and pot smokin'........erm
CuttleFish
Rock Star
Silver Level
This from people who KNOW about gambling and gambling addicts:
Are You Addicted to Gambling?
Gambling, while entertainment for some, is an addiction for others. Like drugs and alcohol, gambling can significantly alter your behavior and your life.
Have you ever done or experienced the following?
Are You Addicted to Gambling?
Gambling, while entertainment for some, is an addiction for others. Like drugs and alcohol, gambling can significantly alter your behavior and your life.
Have you ever done or experienced the following?
- Used money intended for rent, utilities or food for gambling
- Experienced remorse after gambling
- Experienced depression after a losing streak
- Lied about spending your time gambling
- Lied about how much money you lost through gambling
- Needed to return as soon as possible after a big loss to try to win it back
- Gambled until your last dollar is gone
- Borrowed money or used credit to finance gambling
- Gambled to try to pay debts
- Dreamed of solving your financial problems by making a "BIG WIN"
- Had a strong urge after winning to go back again and again.
Poker Orifice
FoolsTilt
Platinum Level
idk... sitting in a chair for 12hrs/day, eating fastfood, not going outside, isolating, etc. etc. Wouldn't say it's the healthiest either.
Workout addiction was a tad healthier.
Poker Orifice
FoolsTilt
Platinum Level
Pretty sure you're not going to get there playing Facebook poker.
B
baudib1
Legend
Silver Level
I'm totally a gambling addict and I have it under control. Have not played a table game in a casino for over 15 years. I never actually lost a ton of money gambling but I recognize the signs of being an addict.
I can remember vividly the times of playing roulette and the rush from the action was just ****ing incredible. I thought to myself that if I had all the money in the world on me I could totally blow through it all at this table and not even give it a thought.
Luckily for me I really despise being in casinos. I can't really explain why but I don't like the people there, everyone reeks of desperation and few people seem to be having fun.
For the most part it's not a problem in poker accept for the times that I KNOW I have to leave the table because I've been there for 12 hours and the fish lost their stacks and the game is rough and I'm tired and tilty but I stay anyway.
I can remember vividly the times of playing roulette and the rush from the action was just ****ing incredible. I thought to myself that if I had all the money in the world on me I could totally blow through it all at this table and not even give it a thought.
Luckily for me I really despise being in casinos. I can't really explain why but I don't like the people there, everyone reeks of desperation and few people seem to be having fun.
For the most part it's not a problem in poker accept for the times that I KNOW I have to leave the table because I've been there for 12 hours and the fish lost their stacks and the game is rough and I'm tired and tilty but I stay anyway.
P
poker d player
Visionary
Silver Level
I would disagree with this point. You can beat the odds at the black jack tables if you play correct game strategy including bet size depending on remaining cards in play. This is why casino's don't like and will often ask you not to play if they observe you are winning in this manner. This as well as good poker players are possibly the only examples where a players' skills can overcome the house's advantage.
fletchdad
Jammin................
Loyaler
This from people who KNOW about gambling and gambling addicts:
Are You Addicted to Gambling?
Gambling, while entertainment for some, is an addiction for others. Like drugs and alcohol, gambling can significantly alter your behavior and your life.
Have you ever done or experienced the following?If two or more of these statements sounds like you or a loved one, consider talking with a counselor at one of Lutheran Family Services'
- Used money intended for rent, utilities or food for gambling
- Experienced remorse after gambling
- Experienced depression after a losing streak
- Lied about spending your time gambling
- Lied about how much money you lost through gambling
- Needed to return as soon as possible after a big loss to try to win it back
- Gambled until your last dollar is gone
- Borrowed money or used credit to finance gambling
- Gambled to try to pay debts
- Dreamed of solving your financial problems by making a "BIG WIN"
- Had a strong urge after winning to go back again and again.
While the points made sound logical, "Lutheran Family Services"??
http://www.gamblersanonymous.org
^^^^ These people are one of the leading groups for gambling problems
20 questions: http://www.gamblersanonymous.org/ga/content/20-questions
I answered yes to 4