What keeps you playing poker in long term?

[Nesehorn156]

Most of us start because poker is fun or competitive, but what actually keeps you in the game over the years?
Is it the strategy and constant learning? The money? The social aspect? The challenge of improving? Or just the love of the game?
I’ve noticed motivations can change over time. Curious what keeps everyone here coming back to the tables.

 

[john_entony]

Poker helps me forget about many of the problems in my life. Poker is my antidepressant and, at the same time, my hope for a better future. That's definitely why I keep coming back to the poker tables.

 

[Roller]

There’s always a new adjustment, a new type of opponent, or a leak to fix. That constant problem-solving keeps it interesting long term.
At the same time, poker rewards discipline, not just strategy, but emotional control, patience, and honesty with yourself.
Improving at those things is what keeps me engaged more than the money

 

[tuitui]

Poker has became quite normal part of my life and I think it would feel weird not playing. So I guess it is mostly a habit for me. Motivation comes and goes but occasional lack of motivation has not stopped me playing.

 

[dariana Orasma]

I consider myself a poker lover. I've had my breaks, but I'm always attentive to the news and the most emblematic tournaments. I love the world of poker and I hope to continue playing for many more years.

 

[Aleksandr1991]

Большинство из нас начинает играть в покер, потому что это весело или интересно, но что на самом деле удерживает вас в игре на протяжении многих лет?
Что это: стратегия и постоянное обучение? Деньги? Социальный аспект? Стремление к совершенствованию? Или просто любовь к игре?
Я заметил, что мотивация может меняться со временем. Интересно, что заставляет всех снова и снова возвращаться за эти столики.

Poker implies its own strategic introduction. Players keep playing to develop soft skills : The game trains logic, memory, concentration and emotional control

 

[SPANKYSN]

For me, it’s the competition…I played sports as a kid, but now, at 72 years old, I cannot compete physically with elite players…in poker, I CAN compete…my age and size are irrelevant…I played at a table with Richard Seymour, an allstarand Super Bowl champion, who plays poker at major tournaments…we actually went head to head in one hand…I doubled up through him even though he is about 6’6”, over 300 lbs…at 5’2” and 250 lbs, , I won that hand….there is no other game or sport that you can do that.

 

[wushibala]

For me, poker is a great way to relax. It’s also a game where you can make some money if you get lucky. For me, poker is mostly a hobby — something I can spend a lot of time on without getting tired.

 

[ArmiSoo7]

I just love to win. It is amazing feeling, when you get in finnal table from 3000 players. I would say, I love competition.😎

 

[Kasztor007]

Right now my motivation has dropped a bit because of limited time. I can’t play as much as I’d like, so I’m focusing on staying active in the community instead reading, commenting, analyzing hands.

When I’m playing more seriously, what motivates me is learning, improving, and seeing results. I like noticing that my decisions are getting better and that I’m not repeating old mistakes. Long term, that feeling of progress keeps me in the game more than just the money.

At the moment I’m a bit in the background, but I know that when I have more time again, I’ll come back to the tables with the same hunger.

 

[Stringy]

i just like playing games and this is one that i enjoy, then there the added benefit of winning money from it

 

[Phoenix Wright]

Definitely the love of the game, but second is probably the learning aspect of it.

 

[Ch3tz]

Making that extra 'dough' for me

 

[dangbaonguyen93]

It's my most captivating game; I found my passion in it.

 

[5TR8 FLUSH]

What continues to keep me playing poker are the CC team league, and getting to know more people here at CC and in the local live tourneys. I don't do a good job in studying for the game, but I enjoy playing. Every summer I look forward to the wsop, D'negs vlog and also started following Lexy Gather last year. I got to meet Greg Raymer couple years ago, and got to see D'negs in person while he was playing a 2-7 tournament. All these are reasons along with the love for the game keep me playing.

 

[TulasMoreno]

The idea of winning money for sure, and in second therms its like a pending appointment that i have.

 

[23maxim88]

You could say I don’t really have a choice — the situation in the country isn’t great, and I need extra income. But honestly, I’d love to take a six-month break from poker, because the game doesn’t bring me the same enjoyment as it used to. I probably just need to cool off and get some rest.

 

[23maxim88]

I play every day, everywhere I can try to build up a bankroll for free — about 12 hours a day. I wasn’t this exhausted even when I had a regular job. Yesterday I didn’t sleep for 32 hours.

 

[Dushka]

It gives you the opportunity to earn from scratch.

 

[Tadi]

I play poker because I love, disconnect from reality, enjoy the game and spend my free time.

 

[dompoker]

It's out of passion, learning, hopefully in the future I'll learn something more.

 

[rufininha14]

I believe that the fact that I'm earning extra income, easily and from the comfort of my home, is a positive factor.

 

[anbu210]

For me, it’s the constant challenge and improvement.

Poker never feels “solved” — there’s always something to learn and refine.
The mix of strategy, psychology, and discipline keeps it interesting.

Also, the long-term battle of skill vs variance is motivating.

It’s not just about money — it’s about mastering a complex game over time.

 

[Ch3tz]

Winning, Profits, Keeping a ever running mind stable

 

[Jillychemung]

I'm in the same space that @SPANKYSN is in. I love competing and so enjoy being 'in the game'. I can no longer do that with physical sports (wrestling, soccer) but can do it with mental sports. Live poker gives me the best opportunities to regularly compete.