[Coffee]

Poker is a hobby to almost everyone who plays, winners or losers. How many other hobbies does one even have a chance of making money? Most hobbies are -EV to the bankroll...this one isn't, unless I'm having a bad run of cards. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

I would feel worse for the fish if they never won, bate. Then, that would signal some deeper problem in these people's psyche. Frankly, most fish are just gamblers who have figured out that you lose your money slower playing poker(which is typically correct, compared to other -EV table games).

[ QUOTE ]
that would also automatically make me one of those same few "lucky"/"able" ones who either directly or indirectly are the reason for the financial, emotional troubles of the rest "unlucky"/"unable" ones.

[/ QUOTE ]
What business of yours is it what they choose to do with their own money? No one makes someone sit down with you, bate. This is a point that many miss when feeling "guilty" over playing poker. No one is telling the fish that they HAVE to come lose money to you. They are not strapped to their seats. They can leave any time. You seem as though you understand this intellectually, but not emotionally.

Forgive me for asking, but why is it important to be socially responsible? What does this term mean, exactly? You seem to indicate a sort of paternalism that adults should embody when considering their activities...as though others can't be trusted to make their own decisions about their lives. I am trying very hard not to turn this into a political post, but this sort of thinking is what leads us down the road traveled by both sides of the political spectrum these days, which feels that we are unable to choose not to smoke cigarettes, ride a bike without a helmet, or legally marry people of the same sex. If those are concepts you hold dear, then I humbly submit that perhaps poker is too individualistic a game for you. Otherwise, SNAP OUT OF IT, and go win some money. [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]