Why do you love poker? (1 Viewer)

[acezag]

It was about 3 years ago that I rediscovered that I actually loved the game.

For a number of reasons, I'd become a functional hermit, when my brother and a few of his friends got together for a casual Friday game and invited me. He and I had a regular home game back before kids a decade prior, but poker since then had been mostly a lonely thing I did very infrequently, and always with strangers at a casino. While some part of me really wanted to play, most of these experiences sucked for various reasons, and I wondered if I'd finally grown out of poker.

But the one casual Friday game became several, and then, very quickly, it turned into a monthly thing that the six of us who were "core" members of made a priority not to miss, along with a constellation of less regular folks who still made a habit of stopping by.

It became clear that the game filled some serious holes for all of us.

Last year, I decided to stretch myself a bit more and rejoin the adult world, and try out PCF meetups. I attended 3 really excellent ones (COTS, DiD, OhHiLo); they were such a blast, and just about every day since I've thought of something fun or crazy or memorable that happened at one of those. It strikes me still that, besides everyone being so cool, one of the reasons it was so meaningful was an obvious shared and enthusiastic love for the game.

So, philosophical Friday: what is it about poker that you all love so much? Why do we do what we do?

 

[TheOffalo]

I am an introvert and generally like my alone time. I'm usually the guy sitting in the corner (voluntarily) at big parties, occasionally chatting with people one-on-one. For whatever reason, I'm more social during poker (not way more outgoing or anything, but definitely more than in other social situations). I think it's because it's a mix of having a goal / distraction (making money, or at least winning, playing a game, following rules, etc.) and bantering with other players. It's easier to be sociable in that environment, at least for me.

That doesn't really explain why I love poker, but it does explain--to my extrovert wife, for example, who knows how introverted I am--how I could play poker with a bunch of people for hours and hours and have fun doing it!

 

[acezag]

My example is the equal mix of camaraderie and competition, which I miss from playing sports when I was younger. Most of my group has family and professional obligations that take up all of our time.

Poker is a way to get back into friendly competition that feels substantial, challenging and still pretty safe. We really get into the wild hands and pots, the crazy plays and players, the bad beats and shit talking. It's a place to let off some steam, be creative and experimental, and sometimes be a little irresponsible. All of that combo is something I've discovered I really look forward to.

 

[acezag]

I am an introvert and generally like my alone time. I'm usually the guy sitting in the corner (voluntarily) at big parties, occasionally chatting with people one-on-one. For whatever reason, I'm more social during poker (not way more outgoing or anything, but definitely more than other social situations). I think it's because it's a mix of having a goal / distraction (making money, or at least winning, playing a game, following rules, etc.) and bantering with other players. It's easier to be sociable in that environment, at least for me.

That doesn't really explain why I love poker, but it does explain--to my extrovert wife, for example, who knows how introverted I am--how I could play poker with a bunch of people for hours and hours and have fun doing it!

I can relate to this. Poker, along with a drink, is one of the areas I also feel being social is a lot easier.

 

[btbmason]

I was actually just thinking about the opposite of this.

I loved poker about 20 years ago, and everything in my life revolved around it. At some point, I fell out of love with it.

Originally it was a great source of income, plus I liked the mental aspect of the game and the competition. I had home games to play in too, for the fun aspect.

Now, I’m an introvert that has moved around a lot without any steady home games. Working from home has left me (even more) socially awkward and anxious. I’m out of practice, the money means more now, and I’m not as sharp as I used to be.

I haven’t sat down at a poker table in about a year and a half. The last time I did, even though it was a very friendly game with great people, I felt absolutely anxious the entire time. I found myself feeling very outclassed by a couple better players at the table. Then one of the final hands of the night, I made a terrible fold to lock up a smaller loss instead of potentially losing more. I haven’t sat back down since.

I think some day in a different situation I can get that love back, but right now I don’t love poker.

Rest assured though, I still love poker chips.

 

[TheJestyr]

I typed out a novel at first, detailing my introduction to poker and all the various steps along my journey, but then realized it was just waaaaaaay too long…so here’s my shorter version (which is still stupidly long…):

I love poker because:

1) It’s simple. Not the game itself, but the state of me playing in the game. I’m not a dad worrying about the safety or growth of my kids. I’m not a husband in a failing marriage that’s been ending for years. I’m not an aging musician trying to make it in an oversaturated market. I’m just a guy playing a game that I love and have played for years.

2) kinda adding to the first point, I feel like a baddass, self-sufficient cowboy. Like a Lone Ranger. Me against the table. Even driving to the game feels like I’m riding on my horse, getting in the right mindset, and strapping in for a 10-40 hour session.

3) I love the work. I love studying the game, dissecting hands, understanding the players, figuring out the meta game, etc. And then to be able to put my money where my mouth is is so rewarding.

4) I love the gamble. I love the highs and the lows of the game. (To be fair, this isn’t exclusive to poker. I also love the risk/reward in golf, business, life in general.)

5) I love the camaraderie and I love hosting. Inviting my friends or players to my space to play in a safe, fun, top-shelf environment. Making people feel special. And then discussing strategy over the next few days with my poker playing buddies.

6) I just feel cool doing it. Most of my favorite movies involve gambling or poker. Ever since I was a young kid. I love gangster movies and the gambling world.

However all of this comes with a couple things worth noting: I’ve seen friends and acquaintances ruin their lives because of poker/gambling. Some have been arrested, some lost it all, some died (in one way or another)…I believe I have a healthy respect for the lifestyle (see my post in the Knish appreciation thread) but I know many who get swept away in it.

And I HATE how prevalent gambling is in American culture today. I hate that my three young children can’t watch a sporting event without sports books running adds every few minutes. I hate that there’s a casino like an hour away from everybody now. It’s so easy to gamble a few dollars everyday, and not realize how that adds up over the long run. And not realize the lasting effects it has on our brains and our society.

 

[HughDrackman]

“I don’t. I hate this f’n game,” he said, holding the second nuts. “I call.”

It was then he got shown the nuts, which reinforced why he did, in fact, hate this f’n game.

 

[acezag]

I was actually just thinking about the opposite of this.

I loved poker about 20 years ago, and everything in my life revolved around it. At some point, I fell out of love with it.

Originally it was a great source of income, plus I liked the mental aspect of the game and the competition. I had home games to play in too, for the fun aspect.

Now, I’m an introvert that has moved around a lot without any steady home games. Working from home has left me (even more) socially awkward and anxious. I’m out of practice, the money means more now, and I’m not as sharp as I used to be.

I haven’t sat down at a poker table in about a year and a half. The last time I did, even though it was a very friendly game with great people, I felt absolutely anxious the entire time. I found myself feeling very outclassed by a couple better players at the table. Then one of the final hands of the night, I made a terrible fold to lock up a smaller loss instead of potentially losing more. I haven’t sat back down since.

I think some day in a different situation I can get that love back, but right now I don’t love poker.

Rest assured though, I still love poker chips.

I'm sorry man - anxiety in all its forms is a bitch. As I get older, I too find it rears its ugly head in unexpected ways.
This was me for about 10 years, when I would only play maybe once a year in some casino, my skills rusty and my money scared. Playing a bunch of sullen grinders at stakes I hated, always waiting for the inevitable bad beat. I kind of swore it all off for years as a result. For me, that kind of poker just plain sucks.

 

[acezag]

I typed out a novel at first, detailing my introduction to poker and all the various steps along my journey, but then realized it was just waaaaaaay too long…so here’s my shorter version (which is still stupidly long…):

I love poker because:

1) It’s simple. Not the game itself, but the state of me playing in the game. I’m not a dad worrying about the safety or growth of my kids. I’m not a husband in a failing marriage that’s been ending for years. I’m not an aging musician trying to make it in an oversaturated market. I’m just a guy playing a game that I love and have played for years.

2) kinda adding to the first point, I feel like a baddass, self-sufficient cowboy. Like a Lone Ranger. Me against the table. Even driving to the game feels like I’m riding on my horse, getting in the right mindset, and strapping in for a 10-40 hour session.

3) I love the work. I love studying the game, dissecting hands, understanding the players, figuring out the meta game, etc. And then to be able to put my money where my mouth is is so rewarding.

4) I love the gamble. I love the highs and the lows of the game. (To be fair, this isn’t exclusive to poker. I also love the risk/reward in golf, business, life in general.)

5) I love the camaraderie and I love hosting. Inviting my friends or players to my space to play in a safe, fun, top-shelf environment. Making people feel special. And then discussing strategy over the next few days with my poker playing buddies.

6) I just feel cool doing it. Most of my favorite movies involve gambling or poker. Ever since I was a young kid. I love gangster movies and the gambling world.

However all of this comes with a couple things worth noting: I’ve seen friends and acquaintances ruin their lives because of poker/gambling. Some have been arrested, some lost it all, some died (in one way or another)…I believe I have a healthy respect for the lifestyle (see my post in the Knish appreciation thread) but I know many who get swept away in it.

And I HATE how prevalent gambling is in American culture today. I hate that my three young children can’t watch a sporting event without sports books running adds every few minutes. I hate that there’s a casino like an hour away from everybody now. It’s so easy to gamble a few dollars everyday, and not realize how that adds up over the long run. And not realize the lasting effects it has on our brains and our society.

Love this - thanks for sharing; all of these resonate. As to reading a book - that's half the reason I come to PCF.
#2 is funny to me. Most of our games I drive to, usually about 30 minutes. As much as I like the game, that part of the ritual might actually be my favorite. Clearing my head of the week and its distractions, thinking about whatever aspect of the game I've been weak on lately and what I'm going to try differently, anticipating seeing everyone again.
#5 is becoming a thing for me as well. Finally hosted my first game a few weeks ago, and I love it.

 

[WedgeRock]

Why do you love poker?

@iLovePoker

 

[BobRod]

I love the chips, the cards, the atmosphere, the competition. The feeling you get when you walk into the casino, and the pain you feel when you leave.

Win or lose, there’s always “next time.”

 

[GamingWithChips]

I love poker and I love golf. I think the two go hand in hand, and the biggest reasons I love both are:

1) Hanging out with your buddies and relaxing and playing a game you love while talking about whatever and just having a good time. Also occasionally meeting new people invited to your group or you being invited to another group.
2) Knowing that there is a great balance of skill and luck. You can make the perfect play or hit the perfect shot, but it doesn’t guarantee a good result. (This works both ways ie being tilted and calling with 62o and winning the hand lol)
3) Using and trying out new gear and upgrading, constantly looking for something new, fresh or better (this being poker chips/cards/table etc or golf clubs/bag/clothes etc)
4) Knowing that you can always improve and there’s always another hand/game or another shot/round.

 

[Taghkanic]

For the love of a challenge.

 

[LowerBama1714]

All the hot babes…

 

[acezag]

All the hot babes…

I am fucking sick of just being meat at the table.

 

[Coyote]

I 've been brought up in an over-protective environmet, where wrong-doing was inconceivable.
Injustice has always been turning me mad, which is not functional, however righteous.
Poker is a nice school of life, that is injustice, because it is an unfair game on the short run.
A deck of cards is second only to life when it comes to the injustice it can produce.

 

[iLovePoker]

@iLovePoker

Thanks for the tag haha very fitting. I was actually thinking about this exact thing recently, whether I love poker itself or hosting poker games more. I think I love poker for the social aspect of it. I haven’t played in a casino in years and honestly don’t plan to. Everyone sits there looking miserable, barely talks and plays super tight.

When I host, it’s the complete opposite, tons of fun. I make some good food, we’ve got drinks flowing, everyone’s friendly and laughing, and sometimes the wives come just to hang out. I absolutely love it. It’s the thing I look forward to the most every month.

Honestly, if I didn’t have that social side of poker, I probably wouldn’t play at all.

 

[thePokerClub]

I love poker because life will always throw situations your way that are a test of sorts.

Test of your character, your grit, your ability to remain cool calm and collected under what could be intense pressure whether in social situations or in a work environment.

Like life, it is a game of 'least mistakes'.

 

[Kid_Eastwood]

Why do you love poker?​

Few reasons which come directly to my mind :
- It's one of the only sport where an amateur can beat anyone. No amateur can defy Verstapen in a Formula race and have a slight chance to win. Here, an amateur can defy someone like D. Negreanu and have a chance to win.
- It's a game which combines math, psychology, analysis, self control, ... and yet, there is still some part of uncertainty.
- Rules are simple, yet it's a game very complex to actually master.
- What's true today won't be necessarily true tomorrow. We always need to learn, adapt, ... to stay up to date.

 

[Rodog123]

Why do I love garage poker?

Has to be the friendships, the comradery. A chance to get away from work and hang with the boys. Crack jokes and drink a few bourbons and beers. The money gambling part just makes it all interesting. Some of the conversations and advice I've received on the poker table have been memorable.

• Watching someone win big for the first time (or lose big for the first time).
• Get to talk sports and guaranteed someone will have some action on a game we are watching.
• Calculating my odds, going all in and hitting my gut shot straight on the river is a feeling everyone should feel once in their life.
• It's a game that forces you to reconcile your risk tolerance, self control and patience.

Long live the home game!!