How someone spends their hard-earned money is their decision.
For me, if I was constantly losing money, poker would be a waste of money. It would mean that I was not improving, not learning anything, not improving my game.
If I wanted to just enjoy playing poker without any financial gain, I would only play using play chips.
I also play for play chips and enjoy it but I am still trying to increase my play chip roll. These are games that are not offered on every site and for which I do not have a sufficient bankroll to play real money, or games I have little knowledge or experience in.
For me, if I was constantly losing money, poker would be a waste of money. It would mean that I was not improving, not learning anything, not improving my game.
If I wanted to just enjoy playing poker without any financial gain, I would only play using play chips.
I also play for play chips and enjoy it but I am still trying to increase my play chip roll. These are games that are not offered on every site and for which I do not have a sufficient bankroll to play real money, or games I have little knowledge or experience in.
You need to look at it like entertainment. I go to the casino, buy-in, grab my seat, and enjoy my time there. People watch, talk to the players, get the gossip of the day.
The fact that I lose a little, or win a little.... it's just adds a little bits of excitement to my day.
online poker... meh, that's a different story.
At the end of the day, it's a social game, and a past time... some people see operas, some go to the movies, I play poker.
The fact that I lose a little, or win a little.... it's just adds a little bits of excitement to my day.
online poker... meh, that's a different story.
At the end of the day, it's a social game, and a past time... some people see operas, some go to the movies, I play poker.
If you had recorded cash movements you would have answered that question.jumaischi said:
If a player has greater appetites than he can support with their skills and knowledge, playing poker will result in like a waste of money. It's devastating to push yourself into a stronger class than the one you really belong to, so in a cash game you are massacred every day by better players than you.
Even a bad player if he plays freerols and some tournament with a lower buy in, he will not have a waste of money.
Poker can be a waste of money, when it's pure gambling..
Poker, like any game of chance, can be a waste of money. If you turn it into gambling, bet huge and play every single hand, you can quickly become broke. You can lessen your losses by learning how to bet size, playing hands with best probabilities.
Best to play for the thrill of catching that "perfect" card, than any monetary gain or loss.
Poker, like any game of chance, can be a waste of money. If you turn it into gambling, bet huge and play every single hand, you can quickly become broke. You can lessen your losses by learning how to bet size, playing hands with best probabilities.
Best to play for the thrill of catching that "perfect" card, than any monetary gain or loss.
It all depends on how you yourself look at it. It can be a hobby where you can win some extra money or it could be some thing you like to do that can at times cost you money. Either of these choices are fine by me. I enjoy playing poker for the most part. I'm know I'm a losing player right now. Only down about three thousand dollars with live and online play. That's not that bad for playing for almost 14 years for fun not a job or grinding it out like a lot of you pros on this site have. One thing I have to say about myself is at least my ego doesn't get in the way. I know I a losing player, sure I need to tighten up a bit while playing poker and I'm sure I'm easy to play against. But let's get back to the question no poker isn't a waste of money if you look at it in an entertainment point of view.
I had a work friend that used to brag about this great hand he played, or he'd tell me he won hundreds the night before. One day he let it slip that he had never withdrawn any money from the site. Over time, he was losing his deposits.
I play for the fun of it. I started on freerolls and play them still. I sometimes play seriously enough to get deep (or even win) on freerolls, but mostly play for the fun. When I do get some bank from freerolls, I tend to become more serious on the cash tables. I lost $350 cash one hand in SnG on a bad beat. I was very angry at myself and the poker gods, until I remembered that the money was not my own. It was all from winnings that originated from freerolls.
My advice if you question how much you are spending is to play only freerolls or low buy tournaments for a while. Yes, the fish like me will get on your nerves by calling your 5X raise pre-flop with a 57s. Yes your AA will get called (and beat) more often.
While some people find it intoxicating to win big money, chances are you will at best break even over time. To me, the challenge of getting through 600+ players to the final table is a far better thrill. And sitting at that final table, you know you are then facing the best and you are one of them (even if you do only clear a few dollars for hours of play).
I play for the fun of it. I started on freerolls and play them still. I sometimes play seriously enough to get deep (or even win) on freerolls, but mostly play for the fun. When I do get some bank from freerolls, I tend to become more serious on the cash tables. I lost $350 cash one hand in SnG on a bad beat. I was very angry at myself and the poker gods, until I remembered that the money was not my own. It was all from winnings that originated from freerolls.
My advice if you question how much you are spending is to play only freerolls or low buy tournaments for a while. Yes, the fish like me will get on your nerves by calling your 5X raise pre-flop with a 57s. Yes your AA will get called (and beat) more often.
While some people find it intoxicating to win big money, chances are you will at best break even over time. To me, the challenge of getting through 600+ players to the final table is a far better thrill. And sitting at that final table, you know you are then facing the best and you are one of them (even if you do only clear a few dollars for hours of play).
