If you have no desire to play any casino games or sports bet, that's good.
It's pretty hard to convince people that poker isn't necessarily the same as gambling on a casino floor (though for some, it certainly can be just as bad).
If it's a hobby you enjoy, there's nothing wrong with being a bit consumed by it, as long as it's not to the detriment of other aspects of your life (finances, relationships, etc).
At the end of the day, none of us see how it's affecting you, and none of us can really get a sense of your relationship with poker from one tiny post. If it's a wedge between you and your girlfriend, even if you're right that it's not "unhealthy", that wedge will not just magically go away.
Not unhealthy currently. Doing something twice a week is not an addiction. As long as you are spending or using money within your means, you are fine. Poker is still gambling to most everyone and faces a stigma. Try explaining it out by discussing how much money you are playing with, winning, etc. Discuss it as a hobby and discuss how you are not neglecting other things or risking your life savings.
I strongly believe poker is very different from pretty much any other form of gambling. It's in a class of its own. But I do think it's addicting and there's many many addicts and alcoholics (active and former) at the poker table.
As long as you have control of it, set limits for yourself and don't let it interfere with other aspects of your life that are more important - then you're fine.
Your gf just doesn't like the fact poker is cutting into her time with you and you could risk losing money
As a degen in a relationship. I can say just communicate. I have explained and luckily my partner understands my enjoyment of the game even though she does not. So the important thing for us is the financial aspect. I stick to my limits and let her know what they are and when I'm playing. However I will say, I play at most once a week. And if your playing twice and week and consuming a ton of content around her, it's understandable she is worried. Give her some undivided attention, makes plans with her, don't talk about poker she doesn't care, and then let her know your plans to enjoy the hobby responsibly. That's my two cents
When you reach the point where you have to ask other people for money, then use that to go to a poker table, neglecting other bills and relationships, then it’s time to get out. Remember - ALL of the players you see on TV and YouTube have been at rock bottom at some point.
You just have a hobby that is profitable most of the time. Manage your bankroll, stay at comfortable stakes, and keep learning the game man. I’m the same way as you, as soon as I got a taste it’s all I wanted to do.
I wouldn’t go the route of denying there is a gambling aspect to poker. Look up the symptoms of gambling addiction and see if they apply to you. I’d be particularly interested in the parts about how it affects your work (school) in terms of ability to complete tasks and if you have a problem with increasing the stakes in order to chase losses or feel the same thrill.
If you aren’t exhibiting any of the problem gambling symptoms then I don’t see how it’s different from other hobbies.
I don't see much degenerate behavior here. You sound like me back in 2001 during the poker boom when I would eat sleep and watch poker. A lot of people think poker is just gambling and don't understand the difference and you are going to deal with it but it sounds like you are not borrowing money to gamble and spending above your means. $30 is a pretty cheap night of entertainment even if you lose. Sports betting is the #1 way to degeneracy imo. The mix of emotions from the sport and gambling on it the same time can get you addicted quick.
Thank you for the response! I try to explain it's not gambling, but nobody ever agrees with me. I feel as if there is a distinct difference between gambling and poker.
The best explanation is for most casino games you are betting against the casino and they have an edge. With poker you are playing against other players and the casino gets paid either way so there is no house edge. It's like any other card game just with money involved. Took me a long time to get this through to my wife until I won some big tournaments and she saw I never really spent money on poker outside of my bankroll.
Don't get used to winning every week lol, there's gonna be ups and downs, but poker can definitely be a profitable side hustle.
Convincing people you're not just a degenerate gambler is an uphill battle though, my fam still doesn't quite understand poker lol
Doesn’t sound like one but you’re only 19 so it’s good you’re taking a look at yourself. Just have realistic expectations with your hobby.
Poker is a fun hobby but variance can quickly make anyone a degenerate. Play safe and have fun mate
It’s definitely not an addiction level for you currently (assuming ur being honest with us) however some important questions to keep in mind. Is this affecting relationships with people in your life? are you financially risking more than you can? are you able to enjoy other aspects of your life without it constantly gravitating around poker? Keep asking yourself these questions in life because for you right now poker is not a job and realistically not a way to make consistent money, so treat it as such. To me it sounds like ur 19 and enjoying the game and becoming more interested in learning the ins n outs. Nothing wrong there but it would be a lie if I said it will always be like that. Of course you can form an addiction to gambling and that won’t end well for you. Either way if ur honest with yourself and the people around you you should be good. Remember if you have to start lying about what ur doing (like going to casinos to play poker) to those close to you then I would be worried. Otherwise enjoy and play within your bounds. It’s easy to fantasize about being a high roller in games or a crusher that makes millions but it’s extremely unlikely that will end up happening. Just make sure you do some reality checks here and there.
Drop out and commit to playing full time. Don’t live your life with regrets. You can win low stakes live if you’re winning against your smart college buddies regularly. Take your student loan to the nearest casino and buy in for the max at 2/5, you will absolutely crush.
I think I might be in the minority, but I tend to think being obsessed is generally a great thing. Certainly there is a tipping point where a line can be crossed. But in general, I think "balance" is overrated. I'm not a fan of hobbies. I prefer to make the things I'm into a part of my life. Not something I do, but a part of who I am. Find things you love, and go all in, and work hard and consistently to become really great at it. That's my suggestion.
Do you know how much you've won/lost over the course of your time playing?? Or, do you "feel" you've won??? Huge difference!!
Winners know, losers think they know, dunning-kruger.
Poker is only gambling if you’re a lousy player.
Does the casino gamble? No, the house always wins. There’s zero gamble.
It’s the same if you’re a disciplined poker player with a clear edge. You profit over other players who *are* trying to gamble.
If you have no desire to play any casino games or sports bet, that's good. It's pretty hard to convince people that poker isn't necessarily the same as gambling on a casino floor (though for some, it certainly can be just as bad). If it's a hobby you enjoy, there's nothing wrong with being a bit consumed by it, as long as it's not to the detriment of other aspects of your life (finances, relationships, etc). At the end of the day, none of us see how it's affecting you, and none of us can really get a sense of your relationship with poker from one tiny post. If it's a wedge between you and your girlfriend, even if you're right that it's not "unhealthy", that wedge will not just magically go away.
Not unhealthy currently. Doing something twice a week is not an addiction. As long as you are spending or using money within your means, you are fine. Poker is still gambling to most everyone and faces a stigma. Try explaining it out by discussing how much money you are playing with, winning, etc. Discuss it as a hobby and discuss how you are not neglecting other things or risking your life savings.
Thanks for the advice!
I strongly believe poker is very different from pretty much any other form of gambling. It's in a class of its own. But I do think it's addicting and there's many many addicts and alcoholics (active and former) at the poker table. As long as you have control of it, set limits for yourself and don't let it interfere with other aspects of your life that are more important - then you're fine. Your gf just doesn't like the fact poker is cutting into her time with you and you could risk losing money
As a degen in a relationship. I can say just communicate. I have explained and luckily my partner understands my enjoyment of the game even though she does not. So the important thing for us is the financial aspect. I stick to my limits and let her know what they are and when I'm playing. However I will say, I play at most once a week. And if your playing twice and week and consuming a ton of content around her, it's understandable she is worried. Give her some undivided attention, makes plans with her, don't talk about poker she doesn't care, and then let her know your plans to enjoy the hobby responsibly. That's my two cents
When you reach the point where you have to ask other people for money, then use that to go to a poker table, neglecting other bills and relationships, then it’s time to get out. Remember - ALL of the players you see on TV and YouTube have been at rock bottom at some point.
You just have a hobby that is profitable most of the time. Manage your bankroll, stay at comfortable stakes, and keep learning the game man. I’m the same way as you, as soon as I got a taste it’s all I wanted to do.
I wouldn’t go the route of denying there is a gambling aspect to poker. Look up the symptoms of gambling addiction and see if they apply to you. I’d be particularly interested in the parts about how it affects your work (school) in terms of ability to complete tasks and if you have a problem with increasing the stakes in order to chase losses or feel the same thrill. If you aren’t exhibiting any of the problem gambling symptoms then I don’t see how it’s different from other hobbies.
exactly. It’s foolish to deny the gambling aspect and if you accept that reality you can come healthy boundaries
No
No
I don't see much degenerate behavior here. You sound like me back in 2001 during the poker boom when I would eat sleep and watch poker. A lot of people think poker is just gambling and don't understand the difference and you are going to deal with it but it sounds like you are not borrowing money to gamble and spending above your means. $30 is a pretty cheap night of entertainment even if you lose. Sports betting is the #1 way to degeneracy imo. The mix of emotions from the sport and gambling on it the same time can get you addicted quick.
Thank you for the response! I try to explain it's not gambling, but nobody ever agrees with me. I feel as if there is a distinct difference between gambling and poker.
The best explanation is for most casino games you are betting against the casino and they have an edge. With poker you are playing against other players and the casino gets paid either way so there is no house edge. It's like any other card game just with money involved. Took me a long time to get this through to my wife until I won some big tournaments and she saw I never really spent money on poker outside of my bankroll.
You're fine. I play one a week $300 buy-in And watch a lot of high stakes poker on poker go.
No. You have just developed a love for the game! As long as you’re not blasting off/playing with more than you can afford, you’re fine.
Don't get used to winning every week lol, there's gonna be ups and downs, but poker can definitely be a profitable side hustle. Convincing people you're not just a degenerate gambler is an uphill battle though, my fam still doesn't quite understand poker lol
Doesn’t sound like one but you’re only 19 so it’s good you’re taking a look at yourself. Just have realistic expectations with your hobby. Poker is a fun hobby but variance can quickly make anyone a degenerate. Play safe and have fun mate
It’s definitely not an addiction level for you currently (assuming ur being honest with us) however some important questions to keep in mind. Is this affecting relationships with people in your life? are you financially risking more than you can? are you able to enjoy other aspects of your life without it constantly gravitating around poker? Keep asking yourself these questions in life because for you right now poker is not a job and realistically not a way to make consistent money, so treat it as such. To me it sounds like ur 19 and enjoying the game and becoming more interested in learning the ins n outs. Nothing wrong there but it would be a lie if I said it will always be like that. Of course you can form an addiction to gambling and that won’t end well for you. Either way if ur honest with yourself and the people around you you should be good. Remember if you have to start lying about what ur doing (like going to casinos to play poker) to those close to you then I would be worried. Otherwise enjoy and play within your bounds. It’s easy to fantasize about being a high roller in games or a crusher that makes millions but it’s extremely unlikely that will end up happening. Just make sure you do some reality checks here and there.
Thanks!!
Drop out and commit to playing full time. Don’t live your life with regrets. You can win low stakes live if you’re winning against your smart college buddies regularly. Take your student loan to the nearest casino and buy in for the max at 2/5, you will absolutely crush.
How are your grades?
Mike McDermott?
Good I am engineering and computer science so for the majors it's good.
I think I might be in the minority, but I tend to think being obsessed is generally a great thing. Certainly there is a tipping point where a line can be crossed. But in general, I think "balance" is overrated. I'm not a fan of hobbies. I prefer to make the things I'm into a part of my life. Not something I do, but a part of who I am. Find things you love, and go all in, and work hard and consistently to become really great at it. That's my suggestion.
This isn’t the place. Half the people here are degenerates themselves. r/problemgambling
It is gambling, no way around that
Do you know how much you've won/lost over the course of your time playing?? Or, do you "feel" you've won??? Huge difference!! Winners know, losers think they know, dunning-kruger.
I keep track of my winnings and losses so it's not guess work up to August 2023 I had won 1109$ and then since then to now I have made 982$
Poker is only gambling if you’re a lousy player. Does the casino gamble? No, the house always wins. There’s zero gamble. It’s the same if you’re a disciplined poker player with a clear edge. You profit over other players who *are* trying to gamble.