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Does anyone think playing this game will ever lead to long term health problems?

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  1. litlebullet litlebullet is offline

    Albuquerque, NM
    United States

    Posts: 614
    Joined: Nov 08

    Mar 10th, 2011 (3/10/2011 11:00am)

    I'm sitting here at 4 am and right now I'm sad. It's probably not poker related but it got me thinking

    I was really debating whether or not to go through with this post as I wasn't sure what the general reaction to this thread would be but I was just thinking that so many of poker players start playing from their late teens onward where most of us aren't used to the amount of stress and frustration that you go through trying to grind this game seriously. Honestly I can't think of another activity that anyone would ever do for 5+ straight hours that leads to a separate feeling of disappointment every minute during that said activity. I don't call it tilt, I dunno what to call it. I'd like to think I've built semi immunity to feelings towards how the cards fall. I've played this game for years now and although I've made leaps and bounds towards what we call tilt control, it still hurts inside a lil when I miss that huge draw, bubble that sng, get that hand cracked. I don't want to care but I still do no matter how much I try and it doesn't matter how well I'm running either. I could be up mid-4 figures that day and the moment I bubble a sng to a big stack abuser that smashed my pckt 10s it's just like ugh. I'm gonna wrap this part of the thread as I think I've made my point.

    We humans just aren't designed to be disappointed... If we get disappointed we would naturally try to distance ourselves from the event that disappointed us or try something different . Well you can't really do that in poker- we gotta keep at it whether we want to or not- atleast if you depend on the game to make $$$. And I'm not saying being disappointed in poker is the same thing as being disappointed in life. Being fired, being rejected, having a friend screw you over, it sucks a whole lot more but usually makes us stronger in the end. You just pick up the pieces and try again. But being disappointed in poker seems to wear me down- it's the combination of all those little things, those many many heart breaking moments and I hope it doesn't lead to anxiety/heart problems/depression maybe down the road Maybe I'm alone in how I feel and I'm just a puss idk
  2. survivor2331 survivor2331 is offline

    Bloomington, IN
    United States

    Posts: 80
    Joined: Apr 09

    Mar 10th, 2011 (3/10/2011 11:20am) in reply to litlebullet

    Made me lose my last girlfriend. Tends to put me in a mood that isn't me. Just kinda bitter. I don't play too much anymore and I won't play while I'm in a relationship anymore.
  3. wackyJaxon wackyJaxon is offline Admin X

    Vilnius
    Lithuania

    Posts: 12,260
    Joined: Apr 06

    Mar 10th, 2011 (3/10/2011 11:54am) in reply to litlebullet

    There will always be excuses as to why your health or social life might be affected by any 'job' or 'hobby' you do. The key to everything is balance. Put in an exercise schedule and eat healthy and a regularly scheduled times. Don't put poker ahead of other things that are important to life. In regards to gf/wife, find one that understands your hobby or job and also make concessions where necessary to your schedule (i.e. playing on valentines day instead of paying attention to your partner not a good idea).

    I had a job for many years where I worked 60 hours a week. I had trouble keeping the serious girlfriends I had because I couldn't dedicate enough time to them. I had problems finding time to eat properly and exercise. I found when I stopped working, my social life improved as well as my health. It might be easier for me to play poker since I play mostly cash games, but make sure that anything important to my wife is a priority and work my poker schedule around that. I am lucky she is understanding of what I am currently doing even if she would prefer me to work a 'regular' job.
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  4. mcandrews3rd mcandrews3rd is offline

    United Kingdom

    Posts: 1,173
    Joined: Apr 09

    Mar 10th, 2011 (3/10/2011 11:54am) in reply to survivor2331

    poker isnt for everyone, yeah i can get angry at bad beats or 10-18 palce finishes but within hours or the next day its all forgotten an iv moved on, if this isnt the same i suggest a new hobby
    183 1
  5. famous5ives famous5ives is offline

    Elkhart, IN
    United States

    Posts: 1,564
    Joined: Jun 07

    Mar 10th, 2011 (3/10/2011 12:09pm) in reply to mcandrews3rd

    Ive often thought this too. I think the amount of ups and downs i go thru cant possibly be good, and i know stress can have long term effects on the body. But i continue to work at it, and i think its up to me to change it, instead of blame poker for the problems it causes. So i guess like above me says, its not for everyone
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