I only have a few months to play, but for those around me that it is disturbing to see me playing poker for hours. But when you sign up for an MTT and everything is going well you spend hours there to get a prize. So when from one day to the next we start spending hours playing, yes for others you can seem addicted, but for the moment I do not feel addicted at all. 🙄
None of my friends or family consider myself a poker addict, but I remember that when I started to play online poker 14 years ago I used to play a lot of hours (like 8 hours per day), which probably was not healthy because I still was in college.
I don't think so, because I didn't quit my job, I still have my normal life, but it's one of my favorite hobbies, also the pandemic makes me have more time to play, less time to do things outdoors like fishing, going to the park , etc
Escort3 said:
If I look at my life honestly, I have 100% been a poker addict/addicted to poker.
Even though I was a winning player rather quickly, and could justify what I was doing as a hobby/job/career because I was making money... I was still completely addicted to the game.
I spent day and night thinking about it, studying and working hard so I could win larger amounts and win more often. I definitely got a huge rush from playing and it's the same as other substances, games, and media that I've been addicted to in my lifetime.
I think many people who have become professional poker players could be considered 'functional addicts' and that's the nature of a game that has gambling and chance involved.
I think it's important for people to understand addiction, so that they can know when they are at risk vs when they are simply enjoying themselves and maintaining a good life.
The reason I knew I was addicted was that I would skip social gathering, sleep, even eating to continue to play. (dopamine is a heck of a feeling) And while I made a lot of money in the process I definitely sacrificed a lot as well.
Short answer yes, long answer, yes 🙂
Hi! No, I don't have a problem with poker. I have a sound assessment of my capabilities and abilities. I don't spend my money, I play rationally. My knowledge is not good enough, so I start with freerolls, and I also play low limits in less risky games. And I don't devote all my free time to the game.