Why do you play online poker?
 

I am asking because I am not sure what I want from poker.

I've already spent 9 months of my twenties (weekends and weeknights only) grinding away, and although I'm up a nice sum of money, I can't see myself in 10 years' time looking back on this as a particularly sunny part of my life, pretty much no matter how big I'll grow my bankroll.

So I'm interested in why you kind folks here in the Zoo keep playing . . . Thanks!

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I know many people play for more than 1 reason.So the poll is kinda useless from that perspective.
mine are: money, entertainment, competition, an outlet, and i just LOVE playing poker, especially B+M.
Jay

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Money, entertainment and perhaps a little addiction
[img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Definitely money purposes. Grinding it out is boring as hell.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

So for those of you who said you play for the money, what would you do, with respect to online poker, if you suddenly had your net worth multiplied by 1000 tomorrow?

(The implication being that your hourly win rate has significantly less utility to you than before.)

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I would start climbing in stakes and stop multitabling.I also would be playing alot more big online tournys. Just focus more on getting better rather than cranking out 1K hands a day
Jay

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I am playing for money, since I have just gone pro and thus money helps [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]. But I think I would play this great game even if I was a losing player. I think 2+2'ers are about as far as possible from a average poker player as possible. Here it is all about making money, +EV etc., I guess for the majority this is less important than the excitement and fun.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Can't vote for just one. Most of your choices apply to me.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
So for those of you who said you play for the money, what would you do, with respect to online poker, if you suddenly had your net worth multiplied by 1000 tomorrow?

(The implication being that your hourly win rate has significantly less utility to you than before.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, good question. Hopping into a bigger game would be stupid because I don't have the skill. So I don't know.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I'd play 1,000 times higher

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
So for those of you who said you play for the money, what would you do, with respect to online poker, if you suddenly had your net worth multiplied by 1000 tomorrow?

(The implication being that your hourly win rate has significantly less utility to you than before.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Since poker would no longer be needed to pay my bills, I would rarely play online.
My friends often invite me over for poker nights. I rarely go because spending an evening doing something I have to do every day isn't as enjoyable as it used to be. Without poker being a necessity it might bring back the fun of home games for me.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Money is the only reason I play online. Social aspect of playing a fun card game with (sometimes) cool people or friends is why I play at home games and B&M.

Now take a poll why people quit poker? I'd be willing to bet the number one answer is the same as the answer here. (although mine would be "wife", yes she is making me get a "real job" ) [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/mad.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/confused.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Money makes the world go round. Bonuswhoring helps put extra $100 bills in my bank. Every bit helps.

I play online because there are no casino rooms anywhere close.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I won't vote because I'm not able to select all of the first three options.

Post deleted by Mat Sklansky
 

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
So for those of you who said you play for the money, what would you do, with respect to online poker, if you suddenly had your net worth multiplied by 1000 tomorrow?

(The implication being that your hourly win rate has significantly less utility to you than before.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Easy. Retire, play for fun once in awhile. Do other
things that are 'more important'.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
So for those of you who said you play for the money, what would you do, with respect to online poker, if you suddenly had your net worth multiplied by 1000 tomorrow?

(The implication being that your hourly win rate has significantly less utility to you than before.)

[/ QUOTE ]

Go to the States, lose money in big cash games and tornaments ...

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Move to Monte Carlo and get a harem of supermodels!

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Equally between money and entertainment.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I'm not playing for the thrill of [censored] victory here. I owe rent, alimony, child support. I play for money. My kids eat.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not playing for the thrill of [censored] victory here. I owe rent, alimony, child support. I play for money. My kids eat.

[/ QUOTE ]

Thank you Knish!

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
To OP, Why won't you look back on this as a sunny time in your life ?

Poker is my only job. Sometimes I get tired and go about 3 or 4 days without playing but then I realize that I'd have to get a real job if I don't play poker and that is when I get right back to it. Real jobs (desk jobs, factory work, etc) suck big time. Dude, they are so bad. I'm not sure how old you are but you will realize what I'm talking about one day.

I used to work in a factory that was about 100 degrees in the summer. It was horrible and tough work. I've worked a lot of places and this is the best job I've ever had.

[/ QUOTE ]

It won't be a sunny time in my life because online poker is a solitary activity. This is important because I am not a naturally social person, and online poker only magnifies this problem.

I am in the fortunate position where the poker money I make doesn't have much marginal utility, and I am also lucky enough to have one of the few desk jobs in the world I absolutely love (I'm an electronic trader).

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I play to make money and I also like trying to get better at the game.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

Because I'm unable to find a day job that will pay me what I'm capable of earning.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

[ QUOTE ]
So for those of you who said you play for the money, what would you do, with respect to online poker, if you suddenly had your net worth multiplied by 1000 tomorrow?

[/ QUOTE ]

I think this technically puts me further in debt...

My whole life i've been into computer gaming. My wife says i'm addicted not to this game or that game, but gaming in general. So while i probably play because i am "addicted", i play poker as opposed to everquest/gang-wars/WoW now because i get money out of it.

Re: Why do you play online poker?
 

I would stop playing poker in my living room and start plating from whatever penthouse suite I happen to be renting for the week. I'll play from Paris, Germany, Italy, London, Hong Kong and all of the carribean resorts. Between poker and sex I'll be one happy guy.