[scrawnybob]

hi

I would say that it's very common for people outside of poker to have a very slanted idea of what poker players and poker is all about

ie. they think we are all without exception degenerate addicted gamblers

personally I find this offensive in the extreme - we dont accuse golfers of being degenerate addicted people who walk round a field all weekend while not spending time with their family etc

nor do the rest of the population criticise fisherman for sitting by a river for hours on end

yet the vast majority of rec poker players - (who are generally marginal net losing players) dont loose anything like the cost of annual golf club membership + new clubs every 5 minutes

also people have a very odd idea of risk - because the risk element in poker is very tangable they seem to think they dont gamble themselves - yet everyone who has car insurance, some stocks and shares, a sickness / injury policy, a lottery ticket or a pension ...

is gambling - they just dont like to admit it

anyway I digress - I think the important thing is to ask yourself ...

am I actually happy spending my time playing poker ?

am I making anyone else unhappy ? ie. who I am responsible for / with / family etc

am I consistently winning or consistently losing ?

I am not a big fan of the nanny state - people should be free to make their own mistakes and equally not blame others which includes being responsible about gambling

but if your winning / your not upsetting family / its not affecting your commitments then I really think that playing alot should not be defined as an addiction

do people brand serial golfers or all weekend fisherman addicted ? no

if you enjoy it and your happy and your not hurting anyone - then just enjoy it

if it has become unhealthy for your relationships or bank balance etc - then seek help
or more importantly stop yourself if its taking over and you need to control it


cheers scrawnybob