Eight years. I’ve been playing online poker for almost exactly eight years. That’s longer than almost anyone I know. I had accounts on UB and PartyPoker before Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 WSOP and triggered the avalanche.In all that time, the longest I ever went without playing was six days. I’ve had stretches where I’d rarely play for months at a time, but the longest I spent with zero activity was six days. As a resident of the United States, I’m rapidly approaching that number now, with no end in sight. It feels weird. I don’t have an active “jones” to play, like an addict needs a fix.
But I keep asking, as I’m sure many of us are, “What do I do now?” Well, here’s what I’ve come up with:
Spend time with other people...
Every couple of weeks over the past few years, there were threads on PocketFives from people asking, “How do I balance poker with my job / school / significant other / kids / friends / hobbies / exercise?” Well, for better or worse, many of us don’t have to ask that question anymore. I’m guessing there are some people in our lives who are happy to have us back, even while we’re missing the game and wishing we could play.
Focus more on the other things that interest us...
I felt phenomenally in-tune with the Bulls/Pacers basketball game on Tuesday night. I was in rhythm with the ebb and flow of the game, in a way I haven’t been about a sporting event in years. And it struck me in the middle of the 4th quarter that I’d normally be playing poker while this was on, and pretty much missing the game.
Improve our health...
This isn’t just about working out, but taking care of ourselves better in general. I quit playing big MTTs a couple years ago, because I couldn’t stay up until 2 or 3 AM anymore. But my regular schedule of multi-table SNGs or cash games had me playing from 9 PM until midnight. I was in bed by 12:30 or so, then waking up at 6 AM to start my day at work. I feel tired most of the time, and I drink a LOT of coffee. If I’m in bed by 10:30 or 11 PM every night because I’m not playing, the extra sleep will help my body and my brain, and allow me to cut back on the caffeine.
Follow a new path...
Some people will interpret this as preachy or smug, and I don’t intend it to be, but since I’m not the first to make this observation, I feel comfortable approaching the topic. Over the course of the years in poker, I’ve met a lot of really smart, observant people. With the same focus and dedication they apply to the game, they could be anything in life. Help people, teach, cure cancer, run a business…whatever triggers their fancy. Instead, they’ve been clicking buttons on a screen, shut in a room for hours or days at a time. The game of poker is, by nature, selfish and materialistic, providing little direct, tangible benefit. Many online players will shift their grind to live card rooms, and that’s a fine choice to make. But this is a chance for some very intelligent, talented people to re-think their choices and investment over the last few years, and I think that will lead to some positive impacts on the lives of others.
Play live...
Most analysts anticipate there will be a decent-sized boom in live card room traffic from people who want to play but can’t do it online anymore. I’m probably one of those people. I won’t head out all that often, but I’ll definitely be more aware of when tournaments in local casinos are being run, and consider taking my bankroll (if I can get it off of FTP and Stars) and applying it in that direction. I’m also more likely to make regular Vegas trips if I can balance them with the rest of my life…and when I go, I’ll probably play more cards than I have the last few trips, just because I’m not playing every day anymore.
Work on our game...
I rarely have time to study hand histories, especially my own. I try to take time every day to participate in the Poker Discussion forum on PocketFives, but that’s the extent of my poker education, and I’m rarely in PD long enough to read more than a couple of threads that look interesting. Since I’m not playing, I have more time to learn about the game. We can make detailed responses to help answer other people’s questions. Most of the “1 word” responses in PD are because the poster also has a bunch of tables going, and didn’t have time to articulate their reasons. I hope to see more well-considered dialogue now, which will help all of us learn.
Help PocketFives grow...
The events of the past few days haven’t slowed the game down in the rest of the world. People are still playing and posting; life goes on. I’ll have more time to fulfill my oft-neglected duties as a user-moderator. Those of us who can’t play any more can live vicariously through those who can. I’d like to see the traffic and quality of PocketFives go up, defying first-glance logic, and I believe it can happen.
Most people I talk to say that the events of April 15th improve our chances of leading to oversight and legislation of online poker. Unfortunately, the path to legalization involves a radical change in the status quo, which is costing all of us money (and for some, their current livelihood). When we reach the end of this journey, I want to be a better person and player. Until then, while we suffer this change, it’s a good time to ask, “What do we do now?” Because, as we all should have known then, and are painfully aware now, there was never a guarantee we could play.
grapsfan
* The views expressed in this article and all member-submitted content do not necessarily reflect the views of PocketFives.
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