Online Poker - Gambling? Addiction? Or Income Possibility?

[Dave Hounddriver]

 

I'm sure that most of you were brought up like me in that we were taught that Poker is gambling and it is an addiction.  I now wonder if that was a simplistic explanation.  Sure it is bad for some people who are already gamblers and or addicts, but what about people using 'a system' to generate a small income off the backs of those gamblers and addicts.  Is it realistic?

 

The question is raised because I have met a dozen or more serious online poker players who claim they milk the game for a small income and have done so for 3 or more years.  So either it is possible or these guys are lying about how much they lose in comparison to their 'income'.  The 'income' levels my friends and acquaintances claim are moderate.  Their claims range from $1,000 a year to $1,000 a month.

 

To truly judge, I need to find some people who tried it and lost money.  Unfortunately, trying to find a bad poker player is like trying to find a bad driver, we all know them but almost none of them admit it.  So would those who have tried online poker and lost money at it please tell us of their experiences in this thread.  Of course the people making an income at in are more than welcome to share their experiences too.

 

Here are a couple of posts from years gone by and the follow ups to them:

 

Posted 16 April 2011 - 10:44 PM

The FBI said Friday it's indicting 11 defendants -- including the founders of PokerStars, Full Tilt Poker and Absolute Poker -- with bank fraud, money laundering, and illegal gambling offenses. more

 

 

Posted 18 October 2012 - 08:51 AM

I am not sure about illegal but illogical fits. 2 years ago a friend of mine was quite proud of his 1000 dollars in winnings that he had in his online poker account. I think it was about a year ago when he stopped mentioning it. About the same time as that online poker site was declared a Ponzi scheme and shut down with all monies confiscated. 

 

So here it is 2015 and at least one of the sites indicted by the FBI is still operating and paying out.  That one being PokerStars.  The friend I mentioned in 2012 is still playing online poker and still claiming to make $100 a month or more and actually withdraw it to his bank account in Philippines.  In fact, the only difference between then and now is that many sites do not let people play from USA locations.

 

So lets hear the comments.  Can Online Poker generate an income of $100 a month or more for the average expat who wants to take it seriously?  Or is it something only a talented few can do?

 

 

 

[Jack Peterson]

and it is an addiction.

 

 

 Can't really answer you Dave as I don't partake but what I can tell you is that when I Worked for an Accountant in Gibraltar which is the main Centre for on Line gaming in Europe, I got pretty involved with some of the Administrations of the Companies. The Health Service there set up a Special Clinic, for Sufferers funded Funnily enough at some 50% by the gaming Industry. So to me I guess there is a lot of Truth that it is an addiction and there are a lot of Losers, although as you would expect mostly  Anonymous. Added to which  Gamblers Anonymous were also setting up a branch when I came here in 2012 

 

JP :tiphat:

[Larry45]

Dave, I think there are a few poker players here on the forum so maybe they will chime in.  I play online sometimes on pokerstars and other sites, but usually in the free games.  I placed high enough in some free tournaments that they gave me a VERY small cash bankroll, which I promptly lost.  It's a game that is easy to learn but takes a lifetime to master, but I'm of the opinion that there ARE lots of players grinding out a meager living online.  And some are making some big bucks, if their bankroll is substantial.  But they have been doing it for years and are very bright.  Give it a try with the free games and see how you do, then progress from there.  If nothing else, it's a fun retirement hobby and will keep your mind sharp.  :)

[Jack Peterson]

Dave, I think there are a few poker players here on the forum

 

 

Talking about poker, has anyone heard from Poker Mike or JJ for that matter, Both seemed to go MIA after their meet 

 

Just Wondering  :rolleyes:

 

JP :tiphat:

[brock]

I play Poker online, Usually when I get bored,,,My winnings to date is 0,,,,Over the last 3 years I have lost about 30,000p which works out at about 200p a week, So for me that is a cheap hobby which gives me some enjoyment.

[scott h]

I know a guy,,(on line that is from an internet game I play) that tells me he makes a living doing on line poker. He confided in me that all his money come from the curious "fish" that log in with 100 bucks just to see what up,,,the pros fleece them fast then wait for the next victim. That's what he told me,,,,,,I have no way to confirm the truth of it.

 

I played once years ago,,lost my 100 and have never been back. Like any gambling, I personally would not wager anything I couldn't afford to loose.

[Sally Salvatore]

I personally do not like online poker, it can be all of the above. Gambling+ Addiction+ Income Possibility. I have won some money just to give it back with crazy bad beats, more then my fair share of flopping full houses only to lose to a runner runner bigger full house or straight flush. makes me scream.

I do like to play live as I am a people person so I can read a person better then playing the odds only. 

[stevewool]

I am a great believer that if you cant afford to lose it , then dont, simple,

I know someone who wins big money but always puts it all on again, never seems to have anything

[i am bob]

I have met a few professional poker players over the years and they sh basically say the same thing... Online is for fun and blowing a few bucks with an occasional payout. If you want to make a few (pesos), play live and set STRICT limits to lose. Yup! Rules even the pros live by!

:D

[jpbago]

I agree that online poker can be a hobby but you can't beat the house consistently. The online sites take a cut off every hand. They never lose.  I played a few years ago then stopped when I heard about the inquiries and reports that it is fixed with bots and I still think that it is.They lead you in and on then dump you. I started again on PS a few months ago and we both play but at times, I play 2 tables at once and I get the exact same cards on both tables at the same time. How can that be? The cards are meant for you. Another member here used to play a lot so maybe he will have some more info. From what I understand, those that make a living at it play 18 hours a day at small stakes in PI or Cambodia where the cost of living is low to make a few dollars as the newbies start there in the small stakes so the pros can take advantage of that over time. Even at that, apparently it was easier years ago than it is now. Playing live has its pros and cons depending on how you can read others but not show your tells where as online is blank except there are many software programs that can give you a slight advantage. Even in live poker some players are regulars that set up to take on the new player at the table. Macau, actually China, has cracked down on corruption so the gambling revenue has dropped drastically, like 40% so that tells you something. Now Manila is trying to get in big time gamblers from China, Korea, and Japan with new casinos like City of Dreams and Solaire. Do you think that there will be corruption in Manila?  There is a sure bet for you. I do most of my gambling on the stock market.