Poker - still enjoying the game, or just enjoying the money?

[Ten7offsuit]

I've been playing poker seriously for almost a year now, and for the most part I've enjoyed playing the game and learning how to become a better player. Lately, however, I realized that I don't really like playing poker anymore and I'm pretty much just in for the money now (Not like I make much, but it's a reasonable amount for me). When I first got into poker, I loved just getting with a group of friends and playing nickel and dime poker. Yeah, I never lost or won a significant amount of money to really care about those things but I just enjoyed the game and always had a good time. Now, poker is a drag. Instead of getting excited about it, it just bores me. The only thing that keeps me playing is the fact that it is an easy way to make some extra cash. I guess I'm just burned out...

So, to you serious poker players, do you still truly enjoy the game and constantly look for ways to improve? Or are you pretty much just enjoying the fact that it is easy money? Discuss.

[BigBaitsim (milo)]

I still enjoy the game, but admit that the grind of playing daily for the money gets old after a while.

[aslowjoe]

This morning I swam, then I went to work for a couple of hours, then I ran. Then I coached a baseball practice for my son. Then I played 500 hands of poker. When did all this fun become so much work. I need a vacation.
For me poker is like the rest of life. Drive, fun and then the money.

[Subfallen]

I couldn't say the money is of secondary importance, but it's close. I love this game. [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img]

[x2ski]

I look forward to playing every day, no matter what happened the day before; however, when it seems like it's taking forever to reach my daily quota, it gets to be a grind.

Regardless, online poker becomes a grind after awhile, but a good old-fashioned home game with choice nuggets is always a good time.

[bicyclekick]

I like playing the game...but I think a good part of that is the money.

[Evan]

[ QUOTE ]
I like the money.


[/ QUOTE ]
Stop bragging.

[mantasm]

I like thinking about the game more than I like playing it. Interesting hands don't really come along that often.

[Transference]

I remember reading Dr. Al's book and seeing that apparntly many people play poker to relax. I was incredulous. [img]/images/graemlins/shocked.gif[/img]

[masonx]

i love the game. money is good also