Why do you play poker?

[allthatremains]

Do you play poker to win money or for the challenge and entertaiment?

I have accounts on 4 different sites. I have always tracked exactly how much money I have deposited on each. I started each account with a sign up bonus and only make deposits when there is RELOAD to clear. I withdraw my original deposit/RELOAD deposit when I've cleared my deposit/RELOAD. Rinse and repeat.

I think most people who play have a love/hate relationship with this game and I am no different. Sometimes I look forward to playing and other times I wonder if the sites have just got me locked in the endless cycle of clearing bonuses or collecting FPP's, FTP's. Partypoints and Titan points so I can retain my level and receive the perks like freerolls and bonuses.

I have never cashed out actual winnings as I try to increase levels with winnings(Chris Ferguson style). My bankroll on all sites has fluctuated from $100. to $1500. after clearing sign up bonus but usually sits between $300 and $1000. I pour all points, rakeback,bonuses etc. back into my bankroll.

I swore I would close any account if I was a losing player at any point after clearing my original sign up bonus and I have come close, but fortunately or unfortunately never actually got there.

I'm not looking for advice here. I have spent a lot of time "going nowhere" playing poker online. That time could arguably be spent doing more useful things and I sometimes wonder why I play at all.

Why do you play poker?

[PointerJake]

For me it is simple. I play poker because it is my favorite hobby. I play mostly everyday to unwind after work. If I am losing in a session I quit for the night, and if I am winning I keep playing. When I get my account above a specified point, I cash out. I keep money on 5 different sites and move from site to site. It is that simple for me. I dont plan on becoming a pro, and I try not to let emotion get to me. Poker is just hobby for me and a nice way to make extra money for luxeries.

[gamer4life27]

I have a saying (I think someone else said it before, but I'm not sure). Poker is like chess, only there are no chess pieces. Meaning that it's a total mind game where you can make a person go on there knee's and call you daddy all with the power of your mind. You have total control of what you are going to do, and you can manipulate others to do what you want them to do.

Chess is a game that is simple to learn, but impossible to master. The same goes with Poker, simple to learn, but impossible to master. You could know percentages like the back of your hand, but when it comes down to it, it is luck based game. With that in mind, no one can ever 'master' the game of poker. They can become extremely good at it, even become pro, but after that, you have reached an impossible land where ponies with horns on there head fly, rainbows come to life and talk to you, and you control the luck in poker.

Many people may say they like poker because they make money off of it, or because they can socialize with there friends, or maybe just to do something new. But the truth be told, those are underlining reasons why humans in general love the game of poker.

The human nature is to figure out things, master them, and proceed onto the next thing, until there is nothing else left to figure out and you know everything there is to know. Since the human life span is so short, people will tend to try to learn impossible things. They will see if they can figure out things no one else has, and if they succeed, then they have done a huge accomplishment in there eyes and can settle for that for the rest of there lives.

Since poker is a game based on luck, no one can ever truly master it. People have spent there who lives trying to figure out the best way to win every single poker game is, when in fact, it is impossible. The rules are simple, have the best hand or force your opponent to fold to take down the money. But, put in the human aspect and the luck factor, it becomes a game based off the cards more than the rules. Pro's know it's the person, not the cards that makes the player, but in truth, you have to have cards as well.

Humans just can't get enough of learning, as much as they hate to admit it. Some people just like to learn different ways. Poker is just a main one that everyone can learn. Thats another reason that makes the game of poker so appealing. Anyone from anywhere from any background can pick up a book on the rules, learn to play and become really good in it and start to win money.

The whole money aspect and greed part of it is also another reason, but it's underlining meaning that if there was still no money involved, then poke would still be a good game, just not as good.

So all-in all, I like playing poker because I am a human. I like the challenge of not being able to master the game, being able to play with anyone, not just a certain group of people, and I can win money off of it. Anyone else agree?

[RiverstarsVictim]

My main reason for getting a computer was to keep me occupied and out of the pubs/bars at night and thus save money for a few luxuries in life I may not have otherwise afforded eg holidays abroad.

For a long time I had no interest in poker as I kicked my gambling addiction (those horrible slot machines) years ago until one day a friend introduced me to online poker. At 1st I was suspicious as to whether these sites were legit but then I also knew my friend was no fool so I eventually had a go at playmoney and enjoyed it, taking $1000 up to a couple million, ace rag ruled Eventually I got staked to play for a few weeks, if I lost so be it, if I won I'd keep some of the profits Luckily I won and I've been using that money ever since. My only ever deposit was to start my Neteller account and make a small deposit on the site to access my winnings.

I've now been playing for about 15 months (although sometimes it feels like I've aged 15 years in that same period). Just like opening post, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I done some bonus whoring to build up my BR and have basically bounced from site to site. There's still many sites I could chase bonus but they're now getting too difficult for the limits I play so I'm now just struggling along mainly relying on rakeback to balance out the odd bad beat. Sometimes I feel like quitting but then I also realise playing poker more than serves its purpose, it keeps me out of the pubs/bars and come November, just before my annual holiday abroad, I will be making a cashout

[BUILDMO]

My only goal is to win more money playing poker on line.
I have had the same problem of the fluctuations in bankroll, and realize that breaking even is not worth the time or energy.
But listen, If you have the desire to play, then play.
If you have the desire to supplement your income by playing, you must have the knowledge (not luck) to play to win the money.
By now you probably feel that the knowledge is there, 'but why can't I win more?'

I have the same mysterious life question, but am enjoying the journey to bigger payouts.

Consequetly my answer to your question:
I have a burning desire to win and win big! From there, bigger buyins, and bigger wins!

Best of Luck!

[gorden71]

If I didnt have poker, Id be spending a lot of money with no chance of any return. It keeps me occupied and I can control the cost. I also agree there is a certain amount of desire to "Master the game".

[liladypokerpro]

I play poker because my brain feeds and thrives on challenge. Poker is the only game that comes to mind that is always different, and never routine. It changes every time you play, every person you play, every hand you play. Point blank, I love it. The money aspect is just a bonus to the enjoyment. I look at it like this...if I lose, I paid for my entertainment...If I win, yay for me. LOL

[Fictive]

I play mostly because of the extra income. If I had to play poker with funny money, or if I was a losing player, I wouldn't play. Poker pays my bills, so that's the main reason. I did start playing all sorts of poker games at a very young age, simply because I find them extremely exciting, fun, and challenging. Not to mention that I love the fact that you can ALWAYS get better at the games. Great hobby/secondary source of income.

[XDRAGON]

I play now just to make money. To start with i played for fun but now i feel there are much better ways to enjoy your free time than playing poker so if i wasnt making good profits i probably wouldn't play hardly at all.

[Krahsami]

My wife rarely gives me sex so there ya have it.
So I have to have fun somwhere.

[allthatremains]

Originally Posted by Krahsami My wife rarely gives me sex so there ya have it. So I have to have fun somwhere.

LOL

Probably have another love/hate relationship there.

Good answers in this thread.

Gamer - I read your response a couple of times because it really made me think about myself.