why i am giving up poker

[posoo 0]

Dear Friends,I learned the game of poker three years ago. I came to like it a great deal...I devoured all the literature, from the sublime (Hold'Em Poker for Advanced Players, Small Stakes Hold'Em, Harrington on Hold'em...) to the ridiculous (Play Poker Like the Pros).I played in a casino near my house, and online at various different sites. Over the course of the last three years, I have been a reasonable success at 5/10 hold'em, winning about $6000 in periodic play.I have a friend who discovered poker at the same time I did. We read the same books, developed the same strategies, and essentially became equally capable players. There was one tragic exception to our similarities. He goes on tilt. Incredible, awe-inspiring tilt. He will make plays he knows are wrong. He will play WAY out of his bankroll. If he wins a little at 5/10, he jumps to 10/20. If he wins there, it's on to 15/30. And on and on until he loses. He once got to 80/160 on Ultimate Bet and ended up losing the $7000 he spent months building up.My friend did not know when to stop. He plunged his credit card into Net Teller, maxing out his bank account and his credit. He is a smart player, but like most poker players, he is a compulsive gambler, and does not know when to stop. And he tilts. He is now in terrible financial shape. His credit rating is declining by the month. And things are just not going his way.Now; I have come to realize that THIS is the type of person who makes me money. THIS is the type of person whom I love seeing at my table. What we call a "fish" is actually a good-hearted, reasonable person with a problem. A fish is an addict; a fish is a loser; a fish is a man or woman who is going to end up broke. And I am profiting from their miserableness.I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person. Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks, etc.), I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena. More often than not, the weak need some mercy.I believe that professionals should come out and caution American youths; poker champions lead glamorous lives, but more often than not, younglings with dreams of windfalls end up losing more than they can afford. At best, they end up grinding out a piddling income while investing far too many hours in front of the computer, at the exclusion of their friends and loved ones. I love poker...we all do...that's why we're here on this forum. But I am near positive that EVERYONE on this website could point to several specific examples where their poker habit interfered with their personal relationships in a negative way.Poker is a great game, but it can be destructive. And I, for one, will no longer be a part of it.That said; good luck to those of you who stay in the game. I wish we could all win.Blessings,Posoo

[Spademan 94]

Here is why I'm not giving up poker:your dumbass friend.

[JaysonWeber 0]

That's a very good post posoo... and something everyone should probobly read.

[NortonFan 0]

Here is why I'm not giving up poker:your dumbass friend.

[nicdenoc 0]

Excellent post.It is true the marketing and poker boom is exponential, from tv glamour to online heroes.So many people claim to be winning and playing for a living etc.In so many cases this is simply not true.I do worry about the negative impact this poker boom is having on many young players especially with online play.For every Eric123 and spiritrock there are 1000's of players losing money they cant afford.Poker is a game and should be fun to play,but theres no fun in being a degeneraye gambler.

[NortonFan 0]

I say that if they have such an addictive personality that if they did not play poker it would be drugs or beer. So I would rather them play poker so they wont buy drug dealers 20 inch rims but help pad my br.

[Spademan 94]

I had a friend that was a fucking psycho.He wanted to kill everyone's family...I came to realize there were a number of people like this in the world, you know, fucking psycho types, and that I should pity them. So I let them kill my mother, because locking them up would be wrong. So, I'm here to tell you that I no longer take any action against muderer types, it's not their fault.

[nicdenoc 0]

There are plenty of people on FCP(no names....teneight!)who talk a good game.Spends all his time on here talking the talk but when we get to see him in action he gets crushed playing $10 HU sngs.I ask you...does this guy have a job or college...or does he claim to be a "pro player"multitabling"all day the truth is he's a loser long term.

[greggr 0]

I have a friend, who used to play in our home game. He was the wealthiest of us all by far.He was loosing 19 out of 20 sessions and managed to break even in just one. We have played over 100 sessions in a year and he has won in 1 or 2 of them.He was the "gambler" type of guy. It was not that he did not know poker, it was that he wanted to see our cards and payed good for that privillege.one day, feeling sorry for him we did not invite him to play and he became furious. I knew that i have made the right choice.... or not?Next day i learned from a friend of him that instead of playing in our home game and loose an amount, say, 200$ he went to the casino and lost 1000$ in the roulette.If someone is a compulsive gambler, he will loose his money one way or another. I think that it is better to give them to me than give them to an unknown or the casinos etc. If he looses them to me, i can even loan some him back without ever asking for them or buy him a few drinks after the session.Not to play poker because there are fish is like saying not invest in the stock market because some people are loosing in it

[wisky_VI 0]

truly lame, this is a poker( GAMBLING) site.bring on 'the fish', I'm there baby ! :twisted:

[BlibbityBlabbity 0]

Now; I have come to realize that THIS is the type of person who makes me money.  THIS is the type of person whom I love seeing at my table.  What we call a "fish" is actually a good-hearted, reasonable person with a problem.  A fish is an addict; a fish is a loser; a fish is a man or woman who is going to end up broke.  And I am profiting from their miserableness.I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person.  Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks, etc.), I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena.  More often than not, the weak need some mercy.

If you are thinking about your opponents like that, you should ABSOLUTELY quit poker.

I believe that professionals should come out and caution American youths; poker champions lead glamorous lives, but more often than not, younglings with dreams of windfalls end up losing more than they can afford.  

Poker pros have gambling problems (perhaps worse thank others) just like everyone else can. Mattusow for example has recently described winning at poker only to blow the $200,000+ on sports betting, etc, etc.No "save the fish day" for me

[PocketRocks 0]

I understand what you are saying about the kids being misled a bit. They do need to be tought the "other side" of gambling. I feel that is the parents responsibility. I know when my child is old enough to understand, I will let her know the good and the bad, and she will not play untill she is responsible enough to understand how to play within her bankroll. As far as quiting poker because some people have gambling problems, is like never eating again because people are obese, or never drinking again because people are alcholics, etc... I LOVE the fish, if they can't control their emotions, that is their problem, I will take their money everytime. I don't know about you, but I love money, and if someone wants to give it to me I will take it. :wink:

[kook04 0]

I had a friend that was a fucking psycho.He wanted to kill everyone's family...I came to realize there were a number of people like this in the world, you know, fucking psycho types, and that I should pity them.  So I let them kill my mother, because locking them up would be wrong.  So, I'm here to tell you that I no longer take any action against muderer types, it's not their fault.

Why is it that it seems like no one on the Internet has the ability to come up with a decent analogy? This one is idiotic.

[Royal_Tour 0]

That's a very good post posoo... and something everyone should probobly read.

i scrolled down quick first to see what was said.. and now tat i see this i'm NOT GOING TO READ!!STICKIN IT TO THE MAN!!

[CJHunt 0]

I had a friend that was a fucking psycho.He wanted to kill everyone's family...I came to realize there were a number of people like this in the world, you know, fucking psycho types, and that I should pity them.  So I let them kill my mother, because locking them up would be wrong.  So, I'm here to tell you that I no longer take any action against muderer types, it's not their fault.

Why is it that it seems like no one on the Internet has the ability to come up with a decent analogy? This one is a little extreme.

FYPit boils down to the same thing though.

[krup24 0]

I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person.  Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks, etc.), I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena.  More often than not, the weak need some mercy.Poker is a great game, but it can be destructive.  And I, for one, will no longer be a part of it.

I have no problem taking the fish's money none what so ever.Mercy is for the weak we do not train to be merciful here.

[Royal_Tour 0]

Now; I have come to realize that THIS is the type of person who makes me money. THIS is the type of person whom I love seeing at my table. What we call a "fish" is actually a good-hearted, reasonable person with a problem. A fish is an addict; a fish is a loser; a fish is a man or woman who is going to end up broke. And I am profiting from their miserableness.Hey good post. I've got a few problems with it however.Online gaming, and poker in general might be a big new boom, and everyone wants a piece of it. But tilting away money, making foolish moves and jumping to high limits way above your normal play is no ones fault but your friends.I dont think you, or anyone should feel bad for doing so. Do you know what this sounds like?.. Take a career for example. You spent years going to school, who went to interviews, you are finally making money at your new career, and then a young new female secretary starts work and you whip your unit out and start beatin off.We all have it in us to do things like this, but its our "responsibilty, maturity, and over all self awarness" which stop us from making these types of brain dead decisions.Your friend has a problem, he plays a game for money and doesnt know how to take it in strides. Poker is not to blame, his lack of respect for money is the issue.That is all.thank you

[bobonic 0]

every now and then I get a moral delema (sp*) when im on a nice winning streak.........but it abruptly ends when that so called fish gets runner runner spade to hit there flush...my blood turns cold real quick thenGood read though...i wonder if any pros think as you do.

[Ron_Mexico 4,219]

I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person. Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks' date=' etc.)' date=' I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena. More often than not, the weak need some mercy.Poker is a great game, but it can be destructive. And I, for one, will no longer be a part of it.[/quote'']I have no problem taking the fish's money none what so ever.Mercy is for the weak we do not train to be merciful here.[/quote]Cobra Kai?

[Timdog1010 0]

I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person. Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks' date=' etc.)' date=' I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena. More often than not, the weak need some mercy.Poker is a great game, but it can be destructive. And I, for one, will no longer be a part of it.[/quote'']I have no problem taking the fish's money none what so ever.Mercy is for the weak we do not train to be merciful here.[/quote]Cobra Kai?

YES SENSEI!

[Ron_Mexico 4,219]

I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person. Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks' date=' etc.)' date=' I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena. More often than not, the weak need some mercy.Poker is a great game, but it can be destructive. And I, for one, will no longer be a part of it.[/quote'']I have no problem taking the fish's money none what so ever.Mercy is for the weak we do not train to be merciful here.[/quote]Cobra Kai?

YES SENSEI!

GET HIM A BODY BAG YAAAAAAAAAAA.

[Timdog1010 0]

I finally decided; I cannot feel good about making a living (or even a pleasant side profit) from this sort of person. Although it is not ethically wrong (everyone knows the risks' date=' etc.)' date=' I have come to believe that the world would be better off if the strong would not prey on the weak in this particular arena. More often than not, the weak need some mercy.Poker is a great game, but it can be destructive. And I, for one, will no longer be a part of it.[/quote'']I have no problem taking the fish's money none what so ever.Mercy is for the weak we do not train to be merciful here.[/quote]Cobra Kai?

YES SENSEI!

GET HIM A BODY BAG YAAAAAAAAAAA.

You're the best around,Nothin's gonna ever bring you down!Oh, don't get me started...

[Ron_Mexico 4,219]

I know you read the Simmons piece on the Karate Kid series. That was good. I really like the take on III where the rich guy flies in Mike Barnes to take Daniel down to revence John Crease. This rich guy doesn't have anything better to do?Great stuff. The movies and the article.

[Timdog1010 0]

I know you read the Simmons piece on the Karate Kid series. That was good. I really like the take on III where the rich guy flies in Mike Barnes to take Daniel down to revence John Crease. This rich guy doesn't have anything better to do?Great stuff. The movies and the article.

Never got into III. To paraphrase Simmons: that movie never happened.

[Smasharoo 0]

Now; I have come to realize that THIS is the type of person who makes me money. THIS is the type of person whom I love seeing at my table. What we call a "fish" is actually a good-hearted, reasonable person with a problem. A fish is an addict; a fish is a loser; a fish is a man or woman who is going to end up broke. And I am profiting from their miserableness. This is the primary reason I play at all. The money is just gravy.