Online Poker - Gambling? Addiction? Or Income Possibility?

[Jack Peterson]

I agree that online poker can be a hobby but you can't beat the house consistently.

 

If you have a good programmer, Like a Good Hacker, they can fix anything up. Electronic gadgetry is damn near Fool proof but to me, only from their end.

One has to Wonder is it controlled? is it Fixed? :rolleyes:

JP :tiphat:

[Kuya John]

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

My Dad was a betting man all his life, he never lost more than he could afford and was never rich.

On the other hand, a family known to us, whose Grandfather started out as a street runner, became mega rich when betting shops were made legal in the UK. The father and two sons (Grandchildren) now own a string of betting shops, a casino and a large holiday company.

Does gambling really pay? ( I do the lottery most weeks, but the odds of winning are, your more likely to be struck by lightening!)

[stevewool]

 

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

My Dad was a betting man all his life, he never lost more than he could afford and was never rich.

On the other hand, a family known to us, whose Grandfather started out as a street runner, became mega rich when betting shops were made legal in the UK. The father and two sons (Grandchildren) now own a string of betting shops, a casino and a large holiday company.

Does gambling really pay? ( I do the lottery most weeks, but the odds of winning are, your more likely to be struck by lightening!)

 

you have to be in it to win it

[robert k]

Live, with a deck of cards I would have no worries have won far more than lost. I wouldn't try online though as I don't believe it's truly random.

[Dave Hounddriver]

These have all been interesting comments.  Just for an update, I put up $10 to give it a try and so far I have lost and then gained so I am about even after a couple days = about 4 hours of play.  Not a huge income stream  :hystery:  but I can see how it may work for a dedicated poker fanatic.

[Thomas]

Well. It's similar as using candy, alcohol, internet, mobile texting, food...  :)  Some can handle it, some can't.

 

(I have a friend, who is profesional player, but he earn just enough to survive...)

 

It's a big difference between playing face to face and online. Online:

/you can't see "tells" from body. That's a reason I don't play online.  (I played often offline 20-25 years ago and didn't earn very much, but around 3000 USD totaly.)

/you can't be robbed when you walk home late at night   :)

/BUT you can be scammed WITHOUT CHANCE TO NOTICE IT, when someone do as Jack say in post 11.   It HAS SURELY happened. Computer program "Sneak peek" at OPPONENTS cards.

/And there are "half cheating" which has become COMMON.  =Let COMPUTERS handle the playing.  They aren't messed up by feelings   :)  they just go for best odds, and can "think" much faster than humans...

[Jack Peterson]

they just go for best odds, and can "think" much faster than humans...

 Computers don't think Thomas, the act on what a programmer tells is to do when it is programmed.

[Dave Hounddriver]

My poker playing friend straightened me out on the gambling thing.

 

If you are a golf pro and you play in tournaments with an entry fee and prize money for the winners are you a gambler?  If not, then why would you think a poker pro is a gambler?

Edited March 21, 2015 by Dave Hounddriver

[OnMyWay]

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.

 

I have never played online but what you said here is what I was thinking.  It is too easy for them to manipulate you and seems inline with the stories mentioned.  You sign up and you immediately win.  Oh, this is easy and wonderful.  I can do this for a living.  Then they whack you and move on to the next beginner.  I would highly suspect that in addition to their per hand commission they are making money illegally in this manner.  Which is why they can't operate in the U.S.

 

Your two table example seems like proof that the games are not honest.

[jpbago]

   Even live poker at casino tables can be rigged. I play 3 card poker with a 4 deck shoe. The automatic shuffler can spit out what it is programmed to do, like after shuffling, the dealer can push a button and all four decks will be sorted out in suits from high to low so they just as easy can set it up to form 3 card hands for the players and then one for the dealer.

  Treat gambling as a sport or hobby as DH mentioned, no different than golf. People that play golf spend lots of money as do hockey, baseball or other spectator sports. Depends on your fancy.

   There is a saying for those at live poker that goes something like this: "Look around to see who the fish is. If you don't see one, then it is you." Regulars will set you up then clean you out like in 3 card monte.