I realized something the other day...

Demana · #1 01-08-2005, 02:50 PM

I do not play poker to win money. Not in the sense that others seem to mean it. Money is simply a way of tracking my progress.

I play poker for the game. For the challenge of besting the other players. For out thinking them and out playing them.

I enjoy watching the table and understanding how each person plays. What they are thinking, why they acted in a given manner. Knowing what they will do and then using it against them.

I don't know what advice I am looking for. It just feels... wrong... to not have money be the reason I play. Maybe it is better said that I don't know why I push myself to be a better player if money is not the reason that I play?

[img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img]

tek · #2 01-08-2005, 03:04 PM

Maybe you should play bridge and/or chess with the goal of becoming a Grandmaster or whatever the titles are.

Those games (although money may be involved) are good for people seeking challenge and ego gratification.

If you aren't playing poker 80% for money and 10% for Competitive Challenge and 10% for Sense of Accoomplishment for winning (according to Alan Schoonmaker), then you could be in trouble.

holdemfan · #3 01-08-2005, 03:29 PM

In my opinion you have the best chance to make money. Those who are focused on more money than game are much more likely to gamble, preserve and tilt, thus not playing optimally. Peter Adams wrote about this mentality in the first 2+2 Internet Magazine. I don't deny the money is a big issue but playing well is more important to me. I like to outplay the table and that causes me to win more $ in the long run. I also find less tilt when the cards are not working in my favor. If I play well and lose I know my time is coming so I just keep going. If I'm doing well $ wise I also know not to change too much (this does help change the psychological strategies).
I do feel money is a great way to keeps score.

BarronVangorToth · #4 01-08-2005, 03:40 PM

All due respect to Alan, but I don't believe you need to play 80% for money.

I play at the 5/10 and 10/20 limits primarily, with some occasions at the 20/40, and the money won at these levels is all but meaningless -- I'm not playing for a living and I get extra random pocket change so whatever.

Competition is the main reason I play games -- poker happens to be a game where you can quantify results easily (how much you win vs. how much you lose) and you can constantly find a barrage of new competition by simply sauntering over to Foxwoods or whatever your nearby casino is.

Whether you're playing poker, or other card games like Bridge, Magic, or Raw Deal, or playing board games like Chess, Puerto Rico, or Amun Re, or even video games / online multiplayer games ... you're playing for fun and competition.

It doesn't have to be 80% about money.

Barron Vangor Toth
www.BarronVangorToth.com

Demana · #5 01-08-2005, 03:41 PM

I did play bridge and I love chess, but finding quality competition 24/7 is not very easy, there isn't much social interation and admittedly, I get bored easily in chess because the game goes so slow.

Poker offers a continuing onslaught of strategy and options, plus I can put a table at ease and get people to talk about whatever interests them.

Talking in bridge and chess is frowned upon.

mostsmooth · #6 01-08-2005, 04:01 PM

[ QUOTE ]
I did play bridge and I love chess, but finding quality competition 24/7 is not very easy, there isn't much social interation and admittedly, I get bored easily in chess because the game goes so slow.

Poker offers a continuing onslaught of strategy and options, plus I can put a table at ease and get people to talk about whatever interests them.

Talking in bridge and chess is frowned upon.

[/ QUOTE ]
we can play some one minute chess at pogo or yahoo if you like [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img] (id prefer pogo)

Grisgra · #7 01-08-2005, 04:22 PM

[ QUOTE ]
If you aren't playing poker 80% for money and 10% for Competitive Challenge and 10% for Sense of Accoomplishment for winning (according to Alan Schoonmaker), then you could be in trouble.

[/ QUOTE ]

What's the trail of logic there? Not sure I follow it. I too am in more the "Money is Keeping Score" camp. Not that it isn't an extra-special way of keeping score [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img].

smoore · #8 01-08-2005, 06:38 PM

So do the posters in this thread that like the competition more than the money look for good games or bad games? If I wasn't in it for the money I'd probably play the toughest, nastiest opponents I could find.

holdemfan · #9 01-09-2005, 12:08 AM

[ QUOTE ]
So do the posters in this thread that like the competition more than the money look for good games or bad games? If I wasn't in it for the money I'd probably play the toughest, nastiest opponents I could find.

[/ QUOTE ]

The point is it goes hand in hand. Poker competition is much higher than most due to the money factor. I don't play basket ball against a group of 6'6'' guys that have played at a high level for a serious game. At that level they will far out play me and it is not fun. When $ is added its worse. I play a level I have a chance at.

Al_Capone_Junior · #10 01-09-2005, 01:25 PM

[ QUOTE ]
It just feels... wrong... to not have money be the reason I play.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is actually your chance for some kind of new age self-realization thingie here, even tho I don't much buy into that crap! [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

In "Psychology of Poker" there is a survey that asks you to be honest with yourself about the reasons why you play poker. While all of us certainly want to win money, cold hard cash is NEVER the absolute and only reason why someone would play poker (there are many easier ways to make much more money). Most of us have a myriad of reasons why we play, and cash doesn't have to be top of the list, or even second or third. For instance, I'll list some reasons why I play, in no particular order...

enjoyment/fun
challenge of trying to beat other good players
satisfaction of beating worse players
cash
I just plain like card games of all kinds
I like casinos and their atmosphere (as long as it's not too smoky)
application of math and statistics to real life
socialization

There are many more reasons why someone might play, I have just listed a few of my own. You should list yours and figure out percentages too, it might be "enlightening."

al