Poker players and society

[Dynasty]

[ QUOTE ]
How do most professional athletes benefit society?

All I see are overpayed rapists and steroid users showing poor social behavior to young children.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're seeing what you want to see.

Just today, I read a story about Tim Wakefield signing an extension with the Boston Red Sox. This was included in the story.

Six times, Wakefield has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, presented annually to the Major Leaguer who best combines baseball skills with community work.

Naturally, upon his extension, Wakefield announced that he will donate $100 for every strikeout he notches for the remainder of 2005, with half the money going to the Franciscan Childrens Hospital and the other half going to the Jimmy Fund.

Wakefield Signs Extension

[purnell]

If only all athletes (or all anything) could set such a fine example. Imagine.

[Pocket Trips]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
How do most professional athletes benefit society?

All I see are overpayed rapists and steroid users showing poor social behavior to young children.

[/ QUOTE ]

I think you're seeing what you want to see.

Just today, I read a story about Tim Wakefield signing an extension with the Boston Red Sox. This was included in the story.

Six times, Wakefield has been nominated for the Roberto Clemente Award, presented annually to the Major Leaguer who best combines baseball skills with community work.

Naturally, upon his extension, Wakefield announced that he will donate $100 for every strikeout he notches for the remainder of 2005, with half the money going to the Franciscan Childrens Hospital and the other half going to the Jimmy Fund.

Wakefield Signs Extension

[/ QUOTE ]

wow $100 for every K a knuckle baller throws? that should reach 4 figures by season's end [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

No but seriously you are right... just compare the attention the sheffield incident got last week to the Alex rodriguez saving some kids life before a game last week

(apology for no poker content)

[timmer]

Poker and poker players are a cog in a huge machine that drives the economy of Nevada . This machine employs and through that employ feeds clothes provides health and welfair to millions of southern Nevadans.

Poker players are no different than a subcontractor suppling widgits to a Multi national corporation. It does its part in allowing that corporation to prosper and through that prosperity employ its workers and supplys profit and loss for its stock holders.

Through its profit and loss it does its part to drive the stockmarket and an provide profit and loss for an even bigger economy.

[tylerdurden]

[ QUOTE ]
Poker and poker players are a cog in a huge machine that drives the economy of Nevada . This machine employs and through that employ feeds clothes provides health and welfair to millions of southern Nevadans.

Poker players are no different than a subcontractor suppling widgits to a Multi national corporation. It does its part in allowing that corporation to prosper and through that prosperity employ its workers and supplys profit and loss for its stock holders.

[/ QUOTE ]

There are two seperate activities going on.

1) ALL of the players, winners and losers alike, pay rake or time charge to the casino. This increases GDP.

2) Additionaly, losing players transfer money to winning players. This does NOT add anything to GDP.

[Wally Weeks]

I had mentioned this same question to my father after a discussion of my new found hobby (as well as other professions). His answer: what difference does it make if you benefit society or not. What matters most is that it benefits you in some way. If something you do benefits someone else then all the better...

While my father doesn't understand poker or any other casino table games (e.g. he asked me what the difference is between poker and blackjack), he understands that people do things to primarily benefit themselves.

People play poker for a variety of reasons whether for the entertainment, social interaction, challenge, sense of accomplishment, money, etc. Everyone has different basic reasons. I'm sure that for many it's a combination of entertainment and the potential money (i.e. hopeful gambling) that populates most casinos.

To me, this seems to be similiar to the "my single vote doesn't really count, so I don't vote" argument. All that matters is individual self-interest...you vote on the side that you think benefits your beliefs the most. In a democratic society, what really matters is the overall vote which may or may not be the best selection. As an individual, all you can do is "play the game" with your single vote. If what/whom you voted for wins, then great...if not, then more people disagreed with your opinion.

Regards,
Wally

[wrto4556]

Your dad sounds like an Ayn Rand fan. I'm a fan, too...but she's got a [censored] that snaps.

HIJACK!

[timmer]

winning players start games . winning players keep games going. winning players have a much longer playing life than most losers. winning players play more hours than most losing players.

winning players buy all kinds of stuff with their poker wins

I think that is enough holes in your theory.

timmer

[RyGreen18]

[ QUOTE ]
winning players start games . winning players keep games going. winning players have a much longer playing life than most losers. winning players play more hours than most losing players.

winning players buy all kinds of stuff with their poker wins

I think that is enough holes in your theory.


[/ QUOTE ]

winning players pay taxes too (or are at least supposed to)

[tylerdurden]

[ QUOTE ]
winning players buy all kinds of stuff with their poker wins

[/ QUOTE ]

So what?

The winners didn't create that wealth. They didn't add any value. The players that lost the money would have spent it on things if they hadn't played poker. It just got transferred to the winners.