Can a Former Addict become a good Poker Player?

[Al Schoonmaker]

Vince,

Sorry to hear you've been angry. It's a very destructive emotion for anyone, but it is particularly bad for a poker player. By chance I wrote a series of articles on Anger Management that you can read at cardplayer.com.

Hope to see you soon.

Al

[MediaPA]

I'll throw my 2 cents into the ring. As Al expressed in poker terms, this is very negative EV. I haven't walked anywhere near the road that you seem to have in life or poker, but I admit to having a gambling problem.

I'd love to feel the way I used to playing 2/4 or 3/6 in a casino when I first started, but those days are over. I played online and got a taste for bigger action (taking the shot-you name it, I played it). I had my downs, swore off poker only to return a few weeks later and lose more. I just needed the action because honestly I hated my life (still do).

Every time I came back to the game, I would start out disciplined as you plan to do. I'd win, gain some confidence, but there's always be a fall. The temptation and ease of joining a bigger game is ever present. Get sucked out on, go on tilt, move up to recover quickly. Or, just take a shot for 'fun.' Wash, rinse, repeat. Even if you are disciplined, all it takes is one slip and instead of being where you started, you're much further behind.

Can it happen? Yes.

Would you make a bet on yourself? I wouldn't. You are inviting the temptation every time you play. Sure, you may resist for a while, but eventually you will lose. Poor comparison, but imagine having AA every hand and getting your money in the middle preflop. Poker players dream, right? Well, 12% of the time you'll lose it all. I don't think you have those kind of odds with your admitted problems. Long term, you'll in all likelihood end up far behind where you started.

I don't think you invite your other addictions back into your life on a daily basis. Why poker? It's seemingly been pretty destructive, if not as destructive as your other addictions.

Just my 2 cents. Do with it as you will.

[mockingbird]

Your post is confusing to me. You say you are absolutley sure you are an addict, but by definition an addict is someone who can not control their gambling or poker playing.

You are in serious denial and are on the same path to despair and disaster that you have obviously tread before. If you know you are an addict why are you going down the same rabbit hole again? Why not give yourself a break and leave it alone.

You can enjoy life without poker. Get some help to let it alone and work on having a fulfilling life.

Good Luck

i dont understand how you're dropping hundreds of thousands without a job... while supporting a wife and kids

[m1illion]

[ QUOTE ]

#1) I am and have been a poker addict for nearly a decade, losing hundreds and hundreds of thousands of dollars.


[/ QUOTE ]

If you ever play poker again, you will deserve what happens after.