Pleasure or earning?

flamenkit154 · Jan 4, 2026

We all want to make a lot of money playing poker. But at the same time, many of us take real pleasure (maybe we’re a bit masochistic 😄) in playing, bluffing, and hiding our intentions at the table.
What really matters most to you when it comes to motivating yourself to risk your money?
The pleasure of the game itself, or the goal of becoming financially successful through poker?

Alpha737 · Jan 4, 2026

For me, it’s a mix — but if I’m being honest, the pleasure of the game comes first.
The money is the scoreboard. It’s what keeps you disciplined, honest, and improving. But what really motivates me to sit down and risk my money is the intellectual battle: reading ranges, timing a bluff, controlling emotions, and making the right decision under pressure. That’s the part that never gets boring.
If profit were the only goal, the swings and variance would be unbearable. Enjoying the process — even the tough sessions — is what makes long-term success possible. Financial results matter, but they’re a byproduct of loving the game and playing it well.

martDdart · Jan 4, 2026

Enjoying to play poker is my main goal.As long as I enjoy playing I will keep on sitting down at the tables.

tuitui · Jan 4, 2026

Interesting question. For me is about the game itself. I treat money as kind of a trophy I get. This is my hobby and I don't want playing to feel like work. But anyway, there will be more money if I get better and that is nice but I don't want that to be the only reason for sitting in a poker table.Anyway, money is a good meter in poker.

hardongear · Jan 4, 2026

Enjoy the challenge, pleasure and for fun of it mostly. Doesn't mean I'm not serious when it comes to winning some extra money. In fact just ordered and going to read my first new poker book(Modern Poker Theory) in 15+ years.

Cheers!!!

phantoma69 · Jan 4, 2026

Hello guys im back! Both of them

Ivan Basic · Jan 4, 2026

flamenkit154 said:
We all want to make a lot of money playing poker. But at the same time, many of us take real pleasure (maybe we’re a bit masochistic 😄) in playing, bluffing, and hiding our intentions at the table.
What really matters most to you when it comes to motivating yourself to risk your money?
The pleasure of the game itself, or the goal of becoming financially successful through poker?

The pleasure of the game was initiator and was/is predominant factor.

I haven't thought about getting financially successful through poker, however I believe I can "score big once" - and see where it leads me...

Dejange · Jan 4, 2026

Only the pleasure of the Game could keep me playing online poker for 15 years already!
Keeping it serious of course, when trying to climb some ladders. Mostly unsuccesfully, but there were some blasts for me in the past, which even made possible to me to withdrow some money. But that is an exception in my opinion, and if I am still playing online poker, than it still brings me some joy

fernandofcp · Jan 4, 2026

The pleasure I get from playing poker is winning. If I lose, I don't feel any pleasure. In any game involving money, the pleasure is in winning, not losing. That's my point of view.

Cooking · Jan 4, 2026

To be honest, 95% of the reason why I play poker is because of money. When I started to play many years ago, I've used to love the game. But, I guess the game for me is not that exciting anymore.

KeyPatience · Jan 4, 2026

flamenkit154 said:
We all want to make a lot of money playing poker. But at the same time, many of us take real pleasure (maybe we’re a bit masochistic 😄) in playing, bluffing, and hiding our intentions at the table.
What really matters most to you when it comes to motivating yourself to risk your money?
The pleasure of the game itself, or the goal of becoming financially successful through poker?

Pleasure of Earning! 😜

LUKADONCICMVP · Jan 4, 2026

there is no joy at all playing against bots

Newzooozooo · Jan 4, 2026

flamenkit154 said:
We all want to make a lot of money playing poker. But at the same time, many of us take real pleasure (maybe we’re a bit masochistic 😄) in playing, bluffing, and hiding our intentions at the table.
What really matters most to you when it comes to motivating yourself to risk your money?
The pleasure of the game itself, or the goal of becoming financially successful through poker?

My goal is always money. Poker is great entertainment, poker brings me pleasure, but what makes poker so wonderful and exciting is the opportunity to win money.

TheniT · Jan 5, 2026

Without a doubt, what motivates me to play poker is the possibility of winning money, and the pleasure comes from achieving victory.

10gerka · Jan 5, 2026

The game itself is a pleasure to play, but one always chooses to play and win in poker; I think we all want that to happen because it will give us greater satisfaction.

Mag_P1e · Jan 5, 2026

When I first started playing poker, I really enjoyed it, just the fact of playing and competing. But then, micro-stakes and freerolls gradually turned that pleasure into agony.

choprav · Jan 5, 2026

flamenkit154 said:
We all want to make a lot of money playing poker. But at the same time, many of us take real pleasure (maybe we’re a bit masochistic 😄) in playing, bluffing, and hiding our intentions at the table.
What really matters most to you when it comes to motivating yourself to risk your money?
The pleasure of the game itself, or the goal of becoming financially successful through poker?

Definitely the goal of winning money first, then the skill element

austral · Jan 5, 2026

Financial success is the priority.
The love of the game is the fuel.

Money defines which decisions are made.
Love for poker defines who is able to keep making them well for years.

dreamer13 · Jan 5, 2026

Making money playing poker is an expensive hobby.Getting rich through poker is possible. But the price professional players pay is extremely high.Poker develops logic, mathematics, and strategic thinking, which can be fun to learn in itself.Enjoy the gameplay itself, not just the money, which helps you stay interested and prevent the game from becoming a chore.

thedarkman · Jan 5, 2026

Both last year, hopefully this year will be more of the same.

steve01991 · Jan 5, 2026

the pleasure of playing poker and the comradery with the players is why i love playing

Leandro Moecke · Jan 5, 2026

flamenkit154 said:
Todos nós queremos ganhar muito dinheiro jogando pôquer. Mas, ao mesmo tempo, muitos de nós sentimos um prazer genuíno (talvez sejamos um pouco masoquistas 😄) em jogar, blefar e esconder nossas intenções na mesa.
O que realmente importa para você quando se trata de se motivar a arriscar seu dinheiro?
O prazer do jogo em si, ou o objetivo de obter sucesso financeiro através do pôquer?

I believe it's a mix of the two things, it's a pleasure to play poker, but it also has to have a goal, which is to make a profit if it doesn't end up becoming something not so pleasant!

Pavelmiyah · Jan 5, 2026

Important earning for me

roberto51 · Jan 5, 2026

For me, poker is a pleasant way to improve my home budget.

flattershay · Jan 5, 2026

Cooking said:
To be honest, 95% of the reason why I play poker is because of money. When I started to play many years ago, I've used to love the game. But, I guess the game for me is not that exciting anymore.

100% agree. When I started playing poker, I was so excited to come home to play. I'd always watch some tactical videos, reviewing hands in my mind. Now it's all gone.

Pleasure or earning?

flamenkit154

Enthusiast

Alpha737

Enthusiast

martDdart

Visionary

tuitui

Rock Star

hardongear

Legend

phantoma69

Rock Star

Ivan Basic

Rock Star

Dejange

CC Delija

fernandofcp

Legend

Cooking

Legend

KeyPatience

Rock Star

LUKADONCICMVP

Visionary

Newzooozooo

Legend

TheniT

Visionary

10gerka

Legend

Mag_P1e

Rock Star

choprav

Visionary

austral

Rock Star

dreamer13

Legend

thedarkman

Legend

steve01991

Legend

Leandro Moecke

Rock Star

Pavelmiyah

Rock Star

roberto51

Visionary

flattershay

Visionary

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