Is there a more frustrating and soul destroying pastime than poker? - Page 2

cpk · #11 08-07-2006, 03:46 PM

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Have other activities and interests outside of poker.

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Poker's a hell of a lot more fun if it isn't your sole source of income and you only play 10-15 hours a week, that's for damn sure. At this pace, I will never burn out on it, no matter how bad I run.

lemonPeel · #12 08-07-2006, 06:29 PM

Sometimes I think poker results are a matter of destiny. Like last night, I was drunk off my ass playing like a complete tool in a satellite, at one point accidently folding two jacks preflop which turned out to be great since UTG limped AA heh. Nonetheless, I went on to win a seat after said debacle even though I was limp reraising people with Q5 offsuit etc. In total, out of 7 satellite attempts to the sunday million, I got seats in 5.

A couple days before, I was playing very focused, determined, reading opponents well etc and lost every dollar I had in my account which were the results of 3 big hands where I had my money in with about an 80% advantage going to the last card. I think if you are meant to win, you just will... Hold'em is just so damn random, you can't really predict anything it seems.

Only thing that is for sure is the casino/online poker room always gets theres.

george w · #13 08-13-2006, 04:30 PM

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Have other activities and interests outside of poker.

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Poker's a hell of a lot more fun if it is your sole source of income and you only play 10-15 hours a week, that's for damn sure. At this pace, I will never burn out on it, no matter how bad I run.

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LeatherFace · #14 08-14-2006, 06:27 AM

Poker is very frustrating to me, but its just to much easy money. I can handle most bad beats but when I get a row of them on multiple tables it seems like everything is crashing down and I turn into some rabies infested maniac foaming at the mouth raising like crazy.

daveT · #15 08-14-2006, 10:45 PM

I see downswings as an opportunity to improve my game. I feel like the most badass player on earth when I am winning, but like a completely uneducated moron when I am losing. I guess it is like loving a whore, sometimes you win, but sometimes yo loose.

Pyro12345 · #16 08-15-2006, 04:55 AM

Dog just play hands and chill out

winky51 · #17 08-15-2006, 05:01 AM

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I feel like the most badass player on earth when I am winning, but like a completely uneducated moron when I am losing.

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Someone read my mind.

You have to have unbelievable mental fortitude to take the swings. 2-3 months you make 10k then the next 2 you make nothing. The worst part is when you do run bad for more than a couple days it starts getting to you. Now you feel frustrated and start making minor mistakes, not trusting your judgement. Then they escalate within the downswing and you get an all out BB dump. Mix in the continued variance downswing and it eventually turns into insanity.

When I get long bad streaks (like the current one running) I want to put my fist through a wall.

Its EZ money when you are winning only.

Buccaneer · #18 08-15-2006, 10:06 AM

Dante wrote in INFERNO that gamblers and card players we not punished in hell for these activities. Maybe he thought these activities honorable or saw involvement in cards to be its own punishment.

CommanderCorm · #19 08-15-2006, 12:30 PM

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Dante wrote in INFERNO that gamblers and card players we not punished in hell for these activities. Maybe he thought these activities honorable or saw involvement in cards to be its own punishment.

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Where exactly does he say so?

Quanah Parker · #20 08-15-2006, 01:26 PM

I think poker can be a guide for what how a person handles contradictions. One must be at peace with the seeming randomness of the universe. Not to take delight in the unexpectedness of a bad beat is a missed opportunity, regardless of which side of the table one sits on.
One must marvel at how random the game can truly be in the short term, and one must marvel at how random it isn't in the long term. How can these two facts both be true? Beautiful, ain't it?

I'd guess people who are not in touch with their inner hypocrite might not understand just how important this concept is.
I know there is saying about to be honest about yourself is the most essential skill in poker, as in life.
I would guess folks who find poker to be frustrating and soul crushing cling to deep seated beliefs in justice, fairness, and the value of hard work. Please notice these are all invented concepts which exist in fantasy only.