You wrote: "Therefor an article about how good poker is for society, especially written by somebody that has earned so much from poker, is in my humble (well, maybe not so humble...) opinion very close to hypocresy (sorry if mispelled). Certainly Mr. Sklansky knows about the downside (addiction, etc...) of poker but choses nontheless to only write about hypotetical but unrealistic benefits to the large population."
David, Mason, and I are well aware of the downsides of poker. In fact, Mason published in the Internet Magazine my two part series, "Don't take poker too seriously." Those articles have been slightly revised and are in my most recent book, "Your Worst Poker Enemy."
Let me quote a little.
Ask Yourself: Why Do I Play So Much Poker?
This question is just another way to examine yourself and your life. You may find that your motives are unhealthy. For example, you may be full of anger, and poker lets you express it in socially acceptable ways. Perhaps you rely on poker to build your ego or to fill some sort of gaping hole in yourself. You may think, “I’m not worth much, but I can really play well.” Or you may be using poker as an escape in the same general way that people use alcohol and drugs. Until you understand why you play so much, you have little chance of gaining control over your play or your life.
Ask Yourself: Am I A Compulsive Gambler?
Some of you are compulsive gamblers, and others are in danger of crossing the line. Unfortunately, that line is not clear. A gambling addiction is not like AIDS or leukemia: You can’t just take tests and be sure of the diagnosis.
If you think that you may be an addict, go to
www.gamblersanonymous.org and take the test. It is not definitive, but it is suggestive: The higher your score, the greater the probability that you have a severe problem. You should also know that denial is a central characteristic of most addictions. People who are unquestionably addicted to gambling, drugs, or alcohol often insist, “I can handle it.”
If your score is high enough to suggest that you’re a compulsive gambler, consult a professional or attend Gamblers Anonymous meetings to get more information. If you are an addict or close to becoming one, get help before it destroys your life.
Set Rational Priorities.
Only you can say what is important to you, but you should also let your parents, teachers, friends, and others – perhaps even including professionals – help you with this step. They can probably help you to see things more clearly.
“Rational” refers primarily to the long-term consequences of various choices. Some of the actions you take now – including playing too much poker or letting it harm your self-esteem, moods, studies, or important relationships – will have immense long-term effects. For example, if you lose your girlfriend, don’t get your degree, or miss a promotion, you may regret it forever.
End of quoted material
We did not discuss the downsides because they have been endlessly discussed by others. ALL we are trying to do is to let the general public see the upside. Saying that we are hypocrites for not presenting the downsides shows that you don’t understand how the American political and legal systems work.
Our systems are based on the principle that all sides should be presented so that voters, judges, and jurors can make informed decisions. However, individuals are NOT expected to present both sides.
• Political candidates do not present the pros and cons of voting for them. They say, “Vote for me because…” The voters make the decision.
• Lawyers do not present a balanced position. They each present their own position, and the judge and jury make the decision.
Our entire system is based on maximizing the information available to decision-makers whether they are voters, jurors, judges, legislators, police, or even the president. When only one side is presented or is over-emphasized, those people make bad decisions.
The people who will make the ultimate decisions about poker have an unbalanced picture of our game. They have been inundated with information about the downside of poker. We want to correct that imbalance by emphasizing poker’s positive elements.
We would appreciate the help of everyone who is worried about poker’s future. Let’s get the word out about poker’s positive elements.
Regards,
Al