This is really getting to me

BigSkiRace · #1 03-21-2005, 05:39 AM

I have been alluding to this post in some of my recent posts. As much as I love poker, and live and breathe it....I want to be a productive member of society, I don't see that happening through poker, and I feel like I am missing out alot in life. For example If I am in a really good game I play up to 40 hrs, playing 40hrs straight usually ruins my whole week beacuse after playing the rest of the week encompasses doing what I have to do and sleeping. There has been weekends when I have been in a casino playing or on the internet and not seeing day light until monday when I am back at school. This cant be right, I am also dealing with the morals of taking money from people that I know really should not be playing and rather be paying bills and taking care of there children. Should I just quit poker for good? Beaucse thats what its coming down to for me, jesus, I havent even hooked up with a girl in the last 3 months bc of the amount of poker I have been playing along with school, etc....

BluffTHIS! · #2 03-21-2005, 05:45 AM

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Should I just quit poker for good?

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Asking this question here is like asking the guys on the barstools if you should quit drinking. No matter what answer they give, you would have reasons to doubt their sincerity and intentions.

AngryCola · #3 03-21-2005, 05:53 AM

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Should I just quit poker for good?

[/ QUOTE ]

Asking this question here is like asking the guys on the barstools if you should quit drinking. No matter what answer they give, you would have reasons to doubt their sincerity and intentions.

[/ QUOTE ]

Yeah, you really shouldn't discuss anything related to poker on 2+2. The people here are always going to lie to you about everything, because that makes it easier for them to get your money.
That's exactly why I always play hands in ways that directly contradict everything written in 2+2's books. They never see me coming.

Trust no one.

TripleH68 · #4 03-21-2005, 06:11 AM

You say playing poker is taking energy away from essential parts of your life and causing you to have bad feelings...

You should consider quitting or at least setting some guidelines. Seeing a counselor could be a start.

LaggyLou · #5 03-21-2005, 12:03 PM

If the amout of time playing is starting to get to you, then you must reduce it. If the only way you can do so is by quitting then do it.

Good luck.

Mike · #6 03-21-2005, 01:09 PM

Take a few minutes between each hand and think of one thing that is very important in your life and write it down, repeat until you can't think of anything else.

Next think about sixty years from now laying in a bed in a rest home getting closer to death each day, knowing you maybe have six more months ahead of you. You are looking back on your life and thinking about the things that made a difference. What is in your mind at this point?

If what you look back and you remember those things on your list and you did them you will find contentment. If you look back and find your list still unused, your end will be bitter.

Go rent "Scent of a woman" and see if that changes anything.

Fitz · #7 03-21-2005, 01:29 PM

Whether you should quit or not is a question only you can answer. I'll let the philosphers in the group deal with the deeper questions regarding morality and such. I think certainly you need some time away from the game. I've been in a similar situation; I think most of us who have played seriously for any length of time have been.

Take some time away from the game; for God's sake spend some quality time with a woman. We're poker players after all not Star Trek conventioners!!! Do something other than poker that you enjoy for a while. Poker isn't going anywhere; there will be a game when you WANT to play again.

I don't think you need to decide whether to quit poker forever right now. Relax, recharge your batteries; see some of the outside world. After that, see how you feel in a month.

Good luck,

Fitz

toots · #8 03-21-2005, 01:39 PM

I don't know that going cold turkey is absolutely necessary, but as others have said, that's a decision only you are qualified to make.

But failing that, it seems that the most reasonable thing to do is to try to refocus on poker as something fun to do once in a while rather than something you have to do all the time.

wickedgoodtrader · #9 03-21-2005, 03:01 PM

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I am also dealing with the morals of taking money from people that I know really should not be playing and rather be paying bills and taking care of there children.

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Almost the dumbest thing I've heard. Think of it this way.. if you don't take it, someone else will. And about feeling bad about not seeing daylight. Start to work out once or twice a week. Running or lifting weights or something. It has to be the #1 stress reliever and will keep your mind fresh. I recently started playing soccer in a mens league and am now looking to join a couple more leagues. My poker game has never been better.

toots · #10 03-21-2005, 03:12 PM

Think of it this way:

If you don't roll that drunk, someone else will. That makes it ok.

I mean, just because someone else would do it (or the vicitim would do it back to you given the chance) doesn't make it the right thing to do from a moral perspective.

Not that we've established that taking money from someone in a poker game is "wrong." I just don't buy the "It's ok because someone else would" argument for a second.