When Poker Becomes More Than Just Poker

The other night some friends and I were discussing our ups and downs playing online or even live for that matter. We also started talking...let me rephrase that gossiping...because that's what it really was, about others who don't seem to see what is right in front of their face. They ignore the signs, and ignoring may not be even the word for it. They are disillusioned when it comes to playing poker so much so that it has now taken control of them. This is what we were discussing when poker is no longer poker but straight up gambling.

So how does someone even begin to understand the habitual gambler or even recognize if that's you? Comments made about this were he's a complete ass, what a screw up and how can you lose that much money, when in fact I don't think anyone can begin to comprehend what that persons thought process is.

You see them go to the casino and they play cards, grinding away at the tables than all of a sudden it's as if that's not enough anymore. Winning a couple hundred is not enough to make them stay at the table and play the game they were winning. They move up the and the thought of fast money just takes over.

A person once said to me that she can literally visualize winning big, it's there and she knows it's there just waiting for her day to hit it. She is due.Reality is she is not due!If anyone owes her anything it's herself.

It's way to easy for people to pass judgement on others who literally are habitual gamblers, when their perception of what's going on is foggy to say the least. I think everyone who plays poker, or gambles at one game or another whether it is skill or not has been in the same mind frame at one time in their life. Those who deny it are lying.

I have even sat at the table and lost a huge pot with people chasing a two outer and hitting the river. I have been to the point of being so pissed off that I cam close to saying something in the casino. This led to betting more, chasing more and trying to get what I felt I was robbed of back. I have played online and lost due to a player's not understanding what folding means, than due to immense frustrations move up to the next level. Why? For the simple fact of winning it back, going to the other tables to take back what I thought should have been mine.

I have never blown a huge amount but needless to say what I did was no different from the person who decides they will hit the craps tables, or blackjack or VIP room where minimum bet is $100 and they only have $2000 in their pocket. I know people who are in such a rush to win big, double up that they forget they can lose, people who have lost 10K playing Blackjack in the casino and it's hard to relate to how that could happen and why.

It's human nature to want to win, and the emotional roller coaster that comes with it can either help you or hinder you but you need to be able to grasp your emotions and put them in check. Take control of your game and see where your flaws are. If it's action you are after than stay away from the risky games. Even in everyday life people know what their weakness is and just like in life as in poker you should never overlook this, never ignore it. Or you can easily find yourself playing a game that has no longer become just a game but a liability to yourself.