Starting to wonder if I have an addiction

Powder · #1 08-07-2006, 04:22 AM

Seriously, I'm trying to decipher if poker is just my new hobby or if its taking over my life. I'm still a beginner, I've only been playing at live tables for about 2 months. As of late, I play at the casinos here in town about 4-5 times a week, and usually for several hours at a time. Then sometimes when I get home, I play on the internet. Then I think about it throughout the day when I'm at work, how I should have played this hand differently, or whatever. I even have dreams about playing, but this isn't as far out of the ordinary as it sounds, as I have crazy dreams all the time about my everyday life. I'm not losing, so this isn't a situation where I just keep blowing money and can't stop. I'd say that ever since I started playing, I'm up a little, but not much. I started out playing $4-8, and was up and down with it. I got frustrated with it because people were calling and playing with everything, horrible cards. About a week or so ago I started playing no limit. It seems to be working out better for me. My last few outings on the no limit tables have been +$200, -$150, +$250, +$850, and then today I took my worst loss yet at about -$300. I think my game is getting better the more I try to learn about it. I'm currently reading the NL Theory and Practice book, which only through this first few chapters has taught me a lot. I beleive poker can be a supplemental income for me, but I have make sure I can keep my hands around it. Is this normal?

JP OSU · #2 08-07-2006, 07:00 AM

Do you have a family?... social life?... Other interests?

You say that you are not losing, but are you sure? Keeping records of your play helps immensely... You may be a small loser but just lying to yourself (as most poker players do)...

Your prime concern, if you are indeed winning is simply keeping a balance with other things in life.. If you find yourself neglecting other areas such as work or family or social life, that is a problem...

Just don't play above your bankroll and continue to focus on improving your game and you should be fine...

DeliciousBass · #3 08-07-2006, 07:47 AM

If you think you might be gay, you're gay.

But seriously, it could be the start of an addiction or...it could be that you really enjoy it, it's new, and you're spending a lot of time on it.

Remember when you got that sweet dirtbike for Christmas in 1983? Remember it was all chromed out? With pegs? Remember how you rode the chit out of that bike? Were you addicted or just excited to be tooling around on a bike?

It was probably the latter and that's probably the case here. It's just something new that you are enjoying...let it be that for a while.

Start to think "addiction" when it creates problems in your life without the fun...

dan100 · #4 08-07-2006, 08:22 AM

I think if you are playing and thinking about how you play, that is a positive thing, as soon as you start playing but don't care how you play then thats an obvious negative sign.

If you are enjoying it now, keep going, the novelty may wear off, or you may pursue it further.

I agree with the other points, start keeping records, play within your b/r and keep the other aspects of your life in balance.

There will be a lot of people in a very similar position to you, so I can say that it is normal. I can't however say if it's a problem, in my opinion it doesn't seem to be, but I'm not a proffesional. Just re-evaluate if you start to feel that it might be getting out of control.

Gildwulf · #5 08-07-2006, 09:34 AM

If an addiction improves your life, who cares if you are addicted?

Quanah Parker · #6 08-07-2006, 12:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If an addiction improves your life, who cares if you are addicted?

[/ QUOTE ]

Couldn't agree more.

Rehab's for quitters anway.

neverforgetlol · #7 08-08-2006, 12:30 AM

[ QUOTE ]
If an addiction improves your life, who cares if you are addicted?

[/ QUOTE ]

Usually if it helps your life it's an obsession, if it hurts it's addiction.

one_eye_mike · #8 08-08-2006, 03:03 AM

Powder, I don't know how old you are or how long you've been married but here's some advice from a guy married 20 years. Don't ever let a hobby, no what that hobby is, fishing, golfing, video games, poker, etc, take priority over your wife. This is an absolute recipe for divorce. Women want to feel they are your priority. Time for hobbies need to be negoitated. I wish you all the luck.

Powder · #9 08-08-2006, 09:29 AM

Oh yeah sorry forgot to mention, I'm 28 and divorced now. And since I know its killing your curiosity, the divorce wasn't because of any of my "hobbies." I agree with you totally though, it definetly never helped.

Gildwulf · #10 08-08-2006, 10:21 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Powder, I don't know how old you are or how long you've been married but here's some advice from a guy married 20 years. Don't ever let a hobby, no what that hobby is, fishing, golfing, video games, poker, etc, take priority over your wife. This is an absolute recipe for divorce. Women want to feel they are your priority. Time for hobbies need to be negoitated. I wish you all the luck.

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm all for spending time with your SO and treating her right, but negotiating your free time? Gimme a break. That's being pussy-whipped. "Can I play two hours of poker tonight pleaaaaase? I was really good tonight and did the dishes".