Are you addicted? 20 questions courtesy of GA

[TGoldman]

Since many people on here have argued poker is gambling, I took the 20 Questions from Gambler's Anonymous and simply replaced the words 'gamble' or 'gambling' with 'poker.' By their estimation, most compulsive gamblers answer yes to at least seven of the questions. Looks like I have a problem! [img]/images/graemlins/blush.gif[/img]

1. Did you ever lose time from work or school due to poker?
2. Has poker ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did poker affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after poker?
5. Did you ever play poker to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?
6. Did poker cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often play poker until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your poker?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance poker?
12. Were you reluctant to use "poker money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did poker make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your family?
14. Did you ever play poker longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever played poker to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed, or considered committing, an illegal act to finance poker?
17. Did poker cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an urge to play poker?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours of poker?
20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your poker?

[Jurollo]

Haha, I have taken this before and answered like 13 Yes. Ooops!
~Justin

[TGoldman]

My favorite was #12. What most poker professionals consider prudent advice could also be regarded as a sign of an addiction.

[vegasforest]

Hello, my name is ______. It's been seven hours since I played a hand and left the house to go to work.

[bdk3clash]

I think the GA model kind of breaks down for people that are capable of playing poker profitably, like many of the posters here. I'm sure plenty of poker players kid themselves and fit the characteristics of a traditional problem gambler, but for winning players it's a lot more complicated. Some of the problem gambling symptoms might be present, but the fact that someone is winning money as opposed to losing it shouldn't just be brushed off.

I wouldn't play poker if I wasn't making money at it. It's not that much fun.

[Caruso329]

1) Yes
2) Yes
3) Yes
4) Yes
5) No (But yes soon, looking to play pro over the summer)
6) Yes
7) Yes
8) Yes
9) No
10) Yes
11) No
12) Yes
13) No
14) Yes
15) No
16) No
17) Yes
18) No
19) No
20) No

11 and a possible 12...
I have a gambling problem, nothing I didn't already know.
But like someone said above, I'm not a losing player, so what's the big deal?

[TGoldman]

Are you saying poker isn't gambling?!!?? Just kidding. You're right, the post is mostly tongue in cheek. It does, however, point out that even though poker is a form of gambling, there is definitely a difference underlying the mentality between a serious poker player and your run of the mill gambler.

[Uglyowl]

This is crap. GA puts questions everyone will answer yes to so they get more business.

Take for example:

8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?

14. Did you ever play poker longer than you had planned?

20. Have you ever considered self destruction or suicide as a result of your poker?

I mean who the hell doesn't want to win more and who doesn't think of jumping out the window when you take a bad beat and realize poker is rigged.

-Joe

DISCLAIMER- I was kidding about #20, it is a joke [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img] Don't worry about me folks.. I am a whore and loving life!

[Voltron87]

I had a gambling problem by question 8. I answered yes to all but 7, 10, 11, and 20.

[bholdr]

fun post. i aggree that i have a big problem, if this does apply. but, it doesn't. I'm sure the good folks at GA would include poker under gambling, though.

5. Did you ever play poker to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise solve financial difficulties?

all the time. poker is beatable. this question implies the assumption that it's not.

12. Were you reluctant to use "poker money" for normal expenditures?

i think this would show good money managment, not problem gambling.

14. Did you ever play poker longer than you had planned?
only if the game's good.

I think the basic problem with these questions is the assumption that poker is gambling, in the same way slot machines and roulette are gambling. they ignore the fact that poker is only gambling to those that don't understand it. there are definitly people out there that have a big problem with poker, but the best question to ask them to find out if they have a problem wasn't even asked:

1A: do you continue playing poker even though you lose far more money than you a: win, and b: can afford to lose?