Prophet
Rock Star
Platinum Level
"Poker as a hobby"
reads like burning money for fun and having a montly set amount, for it.Instead shoud see poker as a way of making money , and hate it like you would any other job
) Seeing poker as an unnecessary obligation, might be better - dedicate 3-4 hours a day if you play cash games or quick SNG (CardsChat tournaments), and 2 days a week spend +/- 10 hours on the site playing some long tournaments with a chance for a big payout.
Set your limits and never spend time "online" more than you should.
For a hobby read some self improving books , or learn how to play an instrument, join an amateur team sport and move your body, or just go in holidays and visit new places.
A
AllenDP
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I think it really comes down to your mindset. For some people poker is just a hobby with a fixed budget, like going to the movies, while for others it’s closer to a job. The important thing is not to mix the two and to be honest with yourself about what you’re trying to get out of it."Poker as a hobby"
reads like burning money for fun and having a montly set amount, for it.
Instead shoud see poker as a way of making money , and hate it like you would any other job
Seeing poker as an unnecessary obligation, might be better - dedicate 3-4 hours a day if you play cash games or quick SNG (CardsChat tournaments), and 2 days a week spend +/- 10 hours on the site playing some long tournaments with a chance for a big payout.
Set your limits and never spend time "online" more than you should.
For a hobby read some self improving books , or learn how to play an instrument, join an amateur team sport and move your body, or just go in holidays and visit new places.
More interesting stuff here
WladiYoga
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Hey there, I limit myself to 5$/month and only play freerolls. Good thing is that GGPoker has the daily freebies so you get a new chance to build money everyday. Today I won 2,50$ with a freeby ticket. If I wouldn't limit myself I probably would spend between 50 and 100$ every month. But don't forget - one can win too, right?
Acechador
Visionary
Platinum Level
I usually spend around $30–$60 per month on poker, mostly small buy-in tournaments and the occasional cash game, this money comes from free-rolls.
I do have a fixed monthly budget and try to stick to it strictly. If I run bad, I don’t reload impulsively—discipline matters more than chasing losses.
I do have a fixed monthly budget and try to stick to it strictly. If I run bad, I don’t reload impulsively—discipline matters more than chasing losses.
Kasztor007
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Interesting perspective, and I think you’re right in many ways.
For me, though, poker is still a hobby mainly because I can’t currently dedicate enough consistent time to studying and grinding it like a real job. Until that changes, it wouldn’t be honest to call it a fixed income source.
I actually treat it very similarly to going to the movies or playing console games: I put in $10–20, and that gives me entertainment for days or even weeks. Sometimes it turns into a small result, sometimes I lose it and I’m okay with that.
I’ve also learned that I really dislike long, endless cash-game grinds 😄 so I try to keep poker enjoyable and within clear limits. If one day I can invest more time into proper learning and structure, maybe my mindset will change but for now, this balance works for me.
ODRAGD3
Rock Star
Bronze Level
Do you spend money on poker? I have a constant struggle with whether to deposit or wait to build a good bankroll with freerolls. Sometimes I deposit $10 and lose it. In a week, I build up a bankroll of $10 and play $5.50 or $2.50 tournaments to try and grow it. That's poker as a hobby for me; otherwise, I'd play PS5 to unwind.
Alpha737
Enthusiast
Bronze Level
As a hobby player, I treat poker like entertainment with discipline. I set aside a fixed monthly budget that I’m fully prepared to lose, usually around $100–150. I mostly play low-stakes cash games and the occasional tournament or freeroll add-on.
Some months I play less, some more, but I never chase losses or dip into money meant for real life. Any profits stay in the bankroll and fund future sessions. Keeping it structured like this lets me enjoy the game, manage variance, and avoid unnecessary stress.
Some months I play less, some more, but I never chase losses or dip into money meant for real life. Any profits stay in the bankroll and fund future sessions. Keeping it structured like this lets me enjoy the game, manage variance, and avoid unnecessary stress.