what are you looking for from poker?

[Potomophobia 17]

After reading a number of posts, and watching the growing popularity of poker I thought I would pose a question to the board. What are you looking for from poker?I'm 50 years old and have played various forms of poker for quite a number of years in a number of circumstances. Casinos, the army, with friends etc. With the sudden popularity of hold-em and the number of internet sites, I think that it's a kick that I can find a variety of games and stakes 24/7. I mostly play lower stakes Hold-em and I prefer the SNGs and MTTs. I'm beginning to try other games as well and am venturing into the ring games.I look at poker as a hobby. One that I hope to make a little money at of course, but I enjoy just playing the game. I have no visions of grandeur or dreams of becoming a professional. I have a rewarding career and am doing well financially. Poker is just a way to relax on an evening, play some cards, have a drink or two and maybe get some extra spending money.What are your goals? Any future pros out there?

[Vade 0]

Howdy.I want to have fun, and make a little money at the same time.My goal is to be better then the average player so I can take their money, while realizing I'm not nearly cut-throat enough to be a great player :)I'm 22 by the way

[KingAustin 0]

My goal is to eventually have poker be my main source of income. Of course, I have many, many years to go.At this point, it's just like a second job (I make close to min. wage at a grocery store, not that tough to match the wages)

[fryer98 30]

STFU NEWBIE!! JUST KIDDING. It seems like I'm in the same boat as you, just half the age. Not a rip, just true, I'm 25. I'm a very competitive person, so I love the challenge of the game. I want to be the best player that I can, becuase that's the way I approach everything competitive. Golf, hockey, darts...to name a few other things that I have done this with.I am not in it to make money, but that comes with the game. If I become a better and better player, I should be making money while playing. I'm not in this to become a pro, I don't think that I'm cut out for that life. I'm a college graduate, with a good job. I found something that I enjoy and I will always be able to play, unlike hockey, where I have already had unjuries that threatened not being about to do that ever again.I'm also a social person. I like that it brings people together, some that I know, some that I never met, that have a common interest. What else would I do on the Tue nights that I have my home game?? Watch TV, go to the bar, who knows?? Instead, buddies of mine that I might not see often other wise come over and we BS, and talk sh!t on each other, all in good fun.

[Sushiman 0]

Actually I'm not sure. Until I caught the poker bug I really looked down on all forms of gambling. This is probably because all the thugs at my old high school played C-low and I labeled gambling as for degenerates. I guess it used to be purely for fun. When I started we'd be playing for $5 buy in, sometimes less. But now more money is involved and I'm really in it to pay some weekly expenses. My $5 mess around game with my friends is tons of fun and filled with creative (aka sloppy and loose) play on my part. But otherwise, I know that if I feel like eating out next week I'd better not play marginal hands and chase cards. If I had to have straightout answer: money, learning, and the emotional highs.

[wrto4556 0]

An ending to this downswing.

[pockets 0]

An ending to this downswing.

For serious.

[pbwl11 0]

What other activity can you play for 12 or 14 hours for a measly $150 buy in? It's a nice way to kill a Saturday here in Wisconsin when it's too cold to do anything outside. (It's May 5th, and like 45 outside right now!!) :roll: I look forward to seeing the friends I've made at the casino and catching up on the latest news. Of course, it helps that they are worse players who chase alot and play way too many hands, and usually leads to a winning session for me. The extra money buys me stuff like my ipod, cds, and dvds, so it's a win-win situation. God bless the fish!! :dance:

[PhishForChips 0]

Straight $$$ ho

[lokibeat 0]

I've been playing a lot since about a year ago. I'm terrible, but a quick learner and have improved. I have a LOT to learn in terms of decision making and mathematical prowess, but I think I have good instincts (that can only be honed further). (I'm 38). I've just started a new job that is a lot more hours than normal, but the upside is reminiscent of the dotcom era. I'm hoping to play a live game/tourney per week (locally they're anywhere from $20 to $100 buy-ins) and improve enough so when my company gets bought out, I'll be the Paul Phillips of the 200x decade.In the meantime however, it's catching games whenever possible and learning from the books as much as could be extracted.

[Vade 0]

What other activity can you play for 12 or 14 hours for a measly $150 buy in? It's a nice way to kill a Saturday here in Wisconsin when it's too cold to do anything outside. (It's May 5th, and like 45 outside right now!!) :roll: I look forward to seeing the friends I've made at the casino and catching up on the latest news. Of course, it helps that they are worse players who chase alot and play way too many hands, and usually leads to a winning session for me. The extra money buys me stuff like my ipod, cds, and dvds, so it's a win-win situation. God bless the fish!! :dance:

It got to almost 75 here in Madtown...sucks for you lol

[finztotheleft 0]

I enjoy the mental challenge....I like to compete against others, but I also like learning more each day trying to better my game. Winning $ is nice, but limited by playing .5/1 limit HE.....I'm still too chicken to move up, hence the need to learn even more

[The Future 0]

After reading a number of posts, and watching the growing popularity of poker I thought I would pose a question to the board. What are you looking for from poker?I'm 50 years old and have played various forms of poker for quite a number of years in a number of circumstances. Casinos, the army, with friends etc. With the sudden popularity of hold-em and the number of internet sites, I think that it's a kick that I can find a variety of games and stakes 24/7. I mostly play lower stakes Hold-em and I prefer the SNGs and MTTs. I'm beginning to try other games as well and am venturing into the ring games.I look at poker as a hobby. One that I hope to make a little money at of course, but I enjoy just playing the game. I have no visions of grandeur or dreams of becoming a professional. I have a rewarding career and am doing well financially. Poker is just a way to relax on an evening, play some cards, have a drink or two and maybe get some extra spending money.What are your goals? Any future pros out there?

I just like funding my vacation addiction.

[KingJames 11]

I play for beer money. Being in college, there are an unlimited number of $5/$10 buy-in games. Most games are easy money and I make enough to buy cds, dvds and beer on the weekend.James

[looshle 6]

I play cause I love playing. I'm only 20 but poker has become my only source of income. I started playing about a year ago, started off with $5 SNGs on party and worked my way up. I 4 table 2-4 or single table 5-10 right now, with an occasional 20,30, or 50 SNG. I only really play holdem, but I'm working on the other games at lower levels so the learning process isn't that expensive. Sure, I make all of my money playing poker but I really do play cause I love it. I have a goal to reach everyday and I work until I hit that goal. A couple days this week I've reached it after only an hour or 2 of playing and I say now what to do with the rest of my free time? Play more poker obviously, so much for the goals. I love the game even without the money, but the money is extremely helpful and has made me more successful than I ever thought I would be, especially @ 20 years old. Skys the limit.

[No_Neck 0]

I like poker because it is a pure form of competition (sp) and you don't have to know english. Everyone plays by the same rules no matter how fast or smart or rich (nl games help) but the feeling of busting someone who has had 4x the chips you did and you can just get up and walk out with his money. It is awesome

[gcirons 0]

I just want to be the Sith Lord of Poker! :twisted: Everyone must suffer to feed my dark desire to go broke and have my girlfriend steaming mad that I can't pay the phone bill :evil: But also just to have fun and drink beer :cry:

[dms26 3]

I started playing it because I needed something to be competitive in since I stopped playing baseball.But now since I've been pretty successful I'm trying to work my way up and make a little money, enough to pay my mortgage every month plus add a little to my BR would be great. But for that to happen I need to start playing a lot more.

[RPGs316 0]

I play poker for many reasons, but I think that the number one reason is for the mental battle it wages every time you plant yourself into that chair. The constant thinking that goes on in this game is astounding, and it challenges me to better myself in order to survive. I also like being able to stare at my opponent and look at their very soul and know that I own it.Oh, the money is nice too. But then again, it's the hardest way to make an easy living.

[mikedshelton 0]

The ChallengeThe Scoreboard ($$)The Chicks (Evelyn NG, Clonie, Mimi Rogers, Mrs. Lee... there seems to be a pattern here -- BOOBies)To kick Phil Hellmuth's AzzTo Win (It's doesn't feel like winning if you haven't lost before)

[gcirons 0]

The ChallengeThe Scoreboard ($$)The Chicks (Evelyn NG, Clonie, Mimi Rogers, Mrs. Lee... there seems to be a pattern here -- BOOBies)To kick Phil Hellmuth's AzzTo Win (It's doesn't feel like winning if you haven't lost before)

Did anyone else hear "Eye of the Tiger" playing while reading this post?