Why do you play poker?

[spadeclub99]

[ QUOTE ]
Who would bother to play more than once or twice if there was no money involved?

[/ QUOTE ]

Since Poker is a betting game, there is no poker without money, kind of like betting on sports without money. Poker is not a card game you can play for money (like Gin, Bridge etc.), it is a money game played with cards.

[cpk]

1. Social interaction.
2. Mental challenge.
3. Winning money.

Though I do beat the game for quite a bit, money ranks last of my three motivations. I'd play even if I lost a little bit, as the entertainment value of the game is enough of a draw. Making money is a happy side effect, which is why I prefer it over things like playing D&D, Go, and chess.

[mannika]

Other than the reasons listed above (the challenge, money, entertainment), I would say one of the reasons I like poker and strive to succeed is because of pride and success.

Don't know about you guys, but it's a great feeling to tell my non-playing friends about poker, and how I won X dollars last weekend, or about how I expect to make X dollars per hour. Kind of elitist of me, but it gives me kicks.

[r3vbr]

1. Money
2. Competition
3. I have natural skills that give me an edge at poker

[Boltsfan1992]

Hiya -

1. Challenge of figuring out the game
2. Competition (even when I play with those better than I...I hate to lose, but I'll suck it up and try to learn something from it)
3. Social aspect (live games only...not necessarily online)

My analytical skills have gotten better as a result of playing poker. The day after I play, work is less stressful and I handle conflict better.

As a strange side effect...my bowling game is improving...so I guess that's good...


PB

[Sponger15SB]

[ QUOTE ]
Money.

I hate poker.

Orange

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd say I hate poker like 80% of the time.

[FrankLu99]

[ QUOTE ]
So... why do you play poker?

It's time for dinner, so I'll post my response as a reply.

-DB

[/ QUOTE ]

i play poker so i can have hand histories to troll.

[dtbog]

Thanks for all of the responses. I've been curious about people's attitudes... there's an obvious choice between "playing for fun" and "playing for money", and the goal is to make the two as mutually inclusive as possible.

Example: see this thread for a hand during which I played poker as a person (not a ruthless BB/hr counter) and clearly lost 2 big bets.

Obviously, you're always playing to win money (... you're certainly not playing to lose...), but I like to be a winning player who still occasionally makes choices that reflect some sort of humanism.

Criticism welcome!
-DB

[FredJones888]

At this point I feel the same way.

[Francis]

Lots of good answers so far!

As for me, I play mostly because I enjoy developing skills. When I was younger, I played a fair amount of chess, then it was BJ for a time, and I recently took up poker (3 months ago).

I love studying and digging into new topics. The great thing about poker is 1) it's a skill first and foremost and 2) the 'measure' of success is very obvious, $ and 3) you can play at the level you find exciting.

I'm in my 40's and do very well for myself. I could easily play at higher limits than .5/1 where I'm at today, but I'm still learning, and developing my game. I'm surprised at how satisfying it is to play for a few hours at night, and log out of PP up 30BB... It's not the money, but the measure that you're getting better at this subtle and complex game...

YMMV
Francis