anxiety while playing poker

[MatusowIsBald]

Yep. I get the exact same way. I'm probably in the minority here because I spend a lot more money on sports betting than I do on poker. I can't speak for anyone else but for me the anxiety has absolutely nothing to do with the amount I'm wagering. Hell, when I played sports in high school I would get so nervous beforehand that I would throw up before every game and there was no money involved in that at all. I've never put myself in a situation where losing a bet or a losing night of poker would put me in any kind of bind. I think what you touched on could be correct... fear of losing. I'm ridiculously competitive and the thought of putting my all into something and not coming out on top makes me very nervous. I think another thing that gets me worked up is the randomness of poker/sports betting. I don't care how good you are, there is still a TON of luck involved in both. Knowing that I don't ultimately control my own fate also makes me anxious. These are just the things that contribute to my anxiety. I don't know if that helps you or not. I just think a lot of people assume that whenever someone is nervous when they play it's because they're betting/playing above their means. I think a lot of times there are other factors at play.