Scary forum

[bolgenmod]

I check in with the Psychology Forum every week or so, so perhaps I am seeing something that does not exist. Or perhaps I am seeing a trend that more regular readers do not. So I ask: does it disturb anyone else that so many of the recent threads are about desperation in one form or another, either overt or masked?

I obviously have my own poker obsession (or I would not be reading or posting here), but I also hope that I have some perspective on my game. And it is a game.

I don't want to seem pretentious or flip. But it seems to me that poker is a great metaphor for life, but it is not life its ownself.

[Dov]

When played seriously for meaningful stakes, poker can be extremely stressful.

It is helpful to have a place to discuss these types of issues with like minded people, especially those who have 'been there' before, and can offer coping strategies to those currently affected.

In addition, it is often soothing to know that you are not the only one who goes through whatever it is that you go through.

One last point, which may not be so obvious, is that you may be able to gain a new perspective on someone else's play by better understanding the types of emotional responses to events that people go through regularly both during and as a result of playing poker.

I hope this made some sense to you, and good luck in your game.

[EightStuda]

I disagree, I think poker can be and is a life of it's own for many.

-Dimitri