[GypsyTea]

Originally Posted by 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

As usual Bob has come up TRUMPS and has got the prospective on this issue! TOP POST

Who are YOU hurting ? ? ?

GT