People thinking I'm addicted to poker
I don't know of this happens to anyone else, but its starting to get really annoying. Every once in a while some friend or acquitance comments or asks if I'm addicted. I I think hese people are just ignorant about poker and assume that because I like to play I must have a problem. I don't blow off friends to play, I don't feel a "need" to immediately win money back after a losing session, and I don't even like gambling when it comes to -EV games like slots and blackjack. Yes, I play most days, but why is that different from someone who reads for a few hours every day or plays a lot of video games? Just because money is involved people assume the worst. I dunno, what do you guys say to these people if you experience the same thing?
Comments
Obsession- winning record, can do other things besides play, because when you play, you probably win!
I like to say I'm obsessed...
cocky too...
Either way the discussion is finished.
1. By beatable I mean blackjack, sports, horse betting and cards where skill is involved.
So...if you never admit it, it ain't a problem!!
It's like that joke...
I'm NOT an alcoholic...I'm a DRUNK...Alcoholics go to meetings.
Under that definition I am addicted to poker, since it is something I do a lot, and has become a habit. However, I am not addicted to gambling (meaning other forms of it), just poker. Your example of video games is a good one, as many kids are addicted to exactly that, and you can pretty much be addicted to anything. Most of the same people worried about your addiction gambling probably have other addictions of there own (like being a couch potato), so there concern is probably with the activity (poker) and not your addiction to it.
The other thing to remember is that not all addictions are bad. My son is addicted to the Discovery channel, and he learns a lot from it, so that's not a bad thing. If it stopped him from playing outside and reading, then it would be a problem. To me the critical point is whether the addiction is negatively interferring with the rest of your life. If playing poker is keeping food off the table or stopping you from playing with your kids, that's bad. But if it provides some extra income allowing you to spend more time with your family, that would be good. My perspective is that the object of addiction is not always the problem, it's the level of addiction and your ability to handle it constructively. Just make sure you're being honest with yourself when you make that evaluation...
Anyway, I found that th best way to deal with this is to explain bankroll management to people. I showed them how I kept separate bank funds for poker, and that they did not interfere with the rent, or with my ability to eat or attend to my responsibilities. People seeing that I was managing my poker "addiction" in a more financially sustainable and responsible manner then they managed their day to day lives opened some eyes up.
Cheers
Nice. Way to stick it to 'em. Day traders are "investors", whereas poker players are "gamblers". Right...
Why don't you just answer 'no' ?
If you say yes, your addicted.
If you say no.....your in denial.
Hobbes
I do, but I always get that "ya, right" response or look and they think I'm just denying it.
I'm surprised you pulled yourself away from "Survivor" and "American Idol" long enough to notice, but I really appreciate it. When you're done your cigarette, maybe we could clear your "Beanie Baby" collection off the couch and discuss my problem with addiction ... that is if you're sober enough today.
Or you can do what I do, I explain the mathematical reasoning behind why I'm a profitable gambler. After about 30 seconds, their eyes glaze over and they don't care anymore.
Seriously, people who don't understand will never be convinced. All it takes is one person who has 18 Credit cards and 158K in debt on them to make us all look like degenerate gamblers who just don't get it.
Personally I like Beanie's response the best......
LOL, good one Trevor!
when people ask me that question I respond with "well, yeah...and why do you have a puck in your eye?" Then I throw a puck at them!
In all seriousness tho, there are some very good responses here...and I truly believe that as long as you're not playing above and beyond your means (ie: poker money is separate and you're not betting with money you need to live, pay bills, eat, whatever....not calling in sick to play, etc.) then really, WTF cares? It's none of their concern...and tell them thanks for thinking of me but I have a handle on my shit.
Myself...I could play all day/night, I enjoy it that much...but I limit my time because I have a family and a life and enjoy that as well...am I addicted.....perhaps (in the way Trevor describes it) but I can control it....I pick and choose when to submit to my addiction if that's what it is, and when not to...for me wife/family comes first, then work, then me and when it's me time it's poker! (unless the wife wants to join in for me time...then poker is delayed 5 minutes?).
I think as soon as you lose that control you're done......if you are serious about poker then you track everything, bankroll, sessions, etc....sit them down and show them that, I'm sure they'll change their mind about it then.
I'm addicted to caffiene. I know it's not good for me, I know I should quit, but I'll be damned if I'll start my day without it!!
I enjoy the odd beer once in awhile, or even a good healthy snort of 12 yr old scotch, but I definitely wouldn't say I NEED it.
I enjoy poker not only for the buzz of taking down a pot or winning a tournament, but because I enjoy the social aspect more so. I've met some damn fine people since I picked up this game and although I don't necessarily NEED to play, I enjoy playing because of it.
Although I could live without all these things, it's only the top two I would call addictions. The rest is my CHOICE. If somebody wants to 'help' me by preaching the sins of gambling, go ahead, I won't listen. It's MY choice to make and it doesn't affect them in any way, so I couldn't care less.
stp
I do try to manage my on line play a bit better, I occasionally find that I meant to do yard work on a beautiful day but 5 sit and go's later I have to go to whatever commitment I had and the yard work gets pushed back a day. But really, I've used lot's of other excuses to avoid house chores that I'm definitely NOT addicted to, so it's probably my dislike for chores and not my so called addiction to poker.
My response to the people who ask though, really depends on who it is, people who I don't care what they think, I'll make some smart ass or humorous comment and get another subject brought up. People who I DON'T want to think I'm a degenerate gambler (like grandparents, parents and non poker playing friends) I take the time to explain my separate poker money, the math involved in the game, the standard "if poker were all luck, why are the same pro's so frequently on final tables?" argument. Then I remind them of how much time I do spend on other interests, of which I actually do have many.
I will now start adding the video game or reading a few hours a day argument also. I thought they were very valid points.  But for the TV addicted dummies that so often ask....I think I'll work on memorizing Beanie's response!
Sean
One example of why most of us aren't addicted to poker: When the going gets rough, we pull back from the games for awhile to take a break. I have seen several players (me included) do this.
We pause, refeclt, re-educate ourselves, then make our return. Could be for a few weeks or for 3 whole months!!!
And when we return we usually to find a RAMPAGE right around the corner.
JohnnieH
Excellent point. I don't know how I didn't even think of that...
I think the commercials on T.V. and ads in bars should be taken seriously and that you guys and gals should be thankful that you have friends who care. I mean, maybe they aren't extremely polite about it, but they are your friends, they just want to see you succeed, educate them don't exacerbate them
Just think about it, if you saw your friend drinking a lot, even if s/he was still making it to work and stuff, wouldn't you worry...the 'just in case' factor is a friend's job to notice.
(Just another angle this thread is missing.)
Josh...I've been meaning to talk to you about that bottle of JD in your pocket...
Just kidding man...I look forward to having a drink with you again next time we play. You added some good points though, If someone IS addicted, you would assume that good friends would try to help, so we can't be too harsh on them.
Sean
I am a walking vice, let alone having a few. But I have made my life able to support such vices.
I would love to say, "hey, mind your own business!" to any friend who comments on my drinking, sloth, gambling, video game addtions...but these are the people who will be there if our profitable passtime ever becomes a vice.
Just do your thing, have fun, don't chase cards and treat your friends with respect.
If the conversation continues further I explain about the records I keep. I play the horses more ser iously than I play poker so the bulk of my "gambling records" are related to the horses, however, I've purchased Poker Tracker this year and I'm determined to simply play this year as I would have and then sit down at the end of the year to really evaluate my play once I have a larger sample size.
Just the fact that I can show my wife (or any other concerned person) these records indicates that I'm disciplined about the gambling (I like to refer to it as investing, actually) and they needn't worry.