Why do people play poker online .... survey or discussion

TruePoker CEO · #1 06-02-2003, 12:18 AM

My reason for posting has to do with people's reasons OTHER THAN a desire/belief they will win money.

The following situation arises on our site, Truepoker, where literally hundreds of play money players play every day. Clearly, they are not making money from it, so what other reasons would you posit they have for playing that much ?

1. Social interaction,
2. Competition
3. Boredom
4. Accessibility of the first two ?

Any others ???

Truepoker CEO

Inthacup · #2 06-02-2003, 01:31 AM

Some of my friends play XBox or Play Station 2, poker is my video game. This may tie in with competition, but play money is no different than a multiplayer video game.

rr2000 · #3 06-02-2003, 01:39 AM

My No. 1 reason: Comfort of sitting in front of my computer in any state I like (know what i mean) and able to multi-task while playing.

Billy LTL · #4 06-02-2003, 07:05 AM

Me, I play for the money, no other reason. I find playing online monumentally boring. It's only saving grace is you get a lot of extra hands dealt to you in an hour. That and the games have been very good of late.

The higher limit games are generally okay with players who are disciplined enough to hold their tongues when they have taken a bad beat, but any table below 10-20 is populated by at least one or two 20-year-old "experts" that can't resist typing in "I'm happy to feed you, fishie" or some other moronic nonsense like that when they lose.

So, social interaction? No way. Quite the opposite from a newbie's point of view I'd imagine.

I figure it's just a new way to chase a dream, without, in the minds of many, having to work hard at it. After all, when you run good in poker it's pretty hard not to convince yourself you're an expert.

Billy

SittingBull · #5 06-02-2003, 11:40 AM

provide entertainment and--in games like poker and backjack--competition and mental exercise. There are many who are trying to learn how to play games like poker and backjack.
For many people,after working a full day, playing these games are very relaxing.
They help to reduce stress.
Happypokering, [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img]
SittingBull

Bama Boy · #6 06-02-2003, 07:30 PM

I think the biggest reason wasn't mentioned.

The main reason is I think they aren't sure online poker is legitimate and are weary of putting their money into a place that could fold and take their money. Even if its just $50, its still their "hard" earned money. I know this was the case for me. I'd play at the play money table and watch the real money games go on. Just being skeptical overall of how things really work. When you are online you don't know who some guy named KGBRounders is. He could be part of a program designed to suck your money away! Not ever play money player reads forums such as these. I'd venture to say not many do. When I played in play money I met some people who I kept encountering and were decent players. (At the higher play money limits). We exchanged some MSN info and entered some free roll tourneys and exchanged real money stories. It made it real and it turned me on to these forums, where I could see a 3rd party source debate and conclude online is ok. (as a whole). I think some of the play money players may have gotten burned at real money and may be waiting check to check to put some more money back in.

Just my rambling thoughts...

Jimbo · #7 06-02-2003, 11:14 PM

I guarantee you that if they are playing at play money tables they must either be bored, underage or broke. If I had a casino within even a 2 hour drive of my home I would never play internet poker again. As it is I must drive either 4 hours to Kansas City, 7 hours to Tunica or hop on a plane. Convenience is my only reason or rather less inconvenience than required to reach a B&M casino.

SittingBull · #8 06-03-2003, 06:11 AM

zuluking · #9 06-03-2003, 07:10 AM

Jimbo, I've got 5 poker rooms within 1 1/2 hours of my house, and I still play online. Of course, I'm a tournament player, so I can play everyday online. I do hit the card room tournaments on the weekends though.

mrbaseball · #10 06-03-2003, 09:35 AM

I play ring games for money and only money.

I play tournaments for excitement and for the gamble in them. I have very little gamble in me. I feel tournaments have a much higher luck and gambling factor than ring games. So I play rings to supplement my income and tournaments for the fun of the gamble that doesn't creep into any other part of my life.

But online is the only game in town for me. There are one or two horrendous B+M options in the general area but I'd rather have my gums scraped. I play live twice a year in Vegas. Online is my main game and will likely remain my main game for many years to come. If it weren't for online I simply wouldn't play.