The Dangers and Disadvantages of Poker (Addiction, Losses, and More)

Poker is the entry point for some people’s addiction to gambling. Although I don’t personally think such, individuals who have encountered the game’s drawbacks are certain about their position. Before deciding if poker is good or terrible, you might wish to weigh the advantages and disadvantages. For the sake of this post, I’ll focus particularly on the potential hazards and drawbacks of playing poker. Knowing what you are dealing with is ideal, right?

Poker’s risks and drawbacks include:

• It takes a lot of time.
• Money may be lost very easily.
• It may be habit-forming or addictive.
• Online poker might make you antisocial.
• Poker can result in a bad lifestyle.
• Playing poker regularly wears you out.
• You don’t have a predetermined salary if you make poker your job.

It sounds really gloomy, doesn’t it? But it’s not all horrible. There is an advantage and a pro to every poker con or disadvantage.

Knowing the Potential Risks & Drawbacks of Playing Poker

Now that we have a better understanding of the drawbacks of playing poker, let’s look at each one in more detail.

1. Playing poker takes a lot of time.

It could take some time to get the hang of playing poker at first. Poker will consume even more of your time if you are knowledgeable and up to speed. The likelihood is that you will lose out on spending quality time with your family if you play poker every day. You can begin skipping out on dates and gatherings, canceling appointments, and even starting to ignore your spouse, your family, and your friends.

Being extremely cautious in how you play poker is the only way to prevent this. Set up particular times for your family and friends, and make sure you never, ever break them. If you do, individuals closest to you will begin to lose respect for you and their confidence in you. If you discover that you are unable to set apart specific times for play and obligations, you should get help for a gambling addiction.

2. You risk losing a lot of cash.

Everyone is aware that a poker game can result in significant financial loss in addition to gains. Here, human nature enters the picture. We are naturally inclined to hope, which frequently results in bad bets being placed. If your goal is to win every round, you’ll run out of money or rack up a lot of debt from gambling.

How do you prevent becoming broke just because you keep trying to win?

As soon as you begin playing poker, be sure to have money set up for gambling. Don’t borrow money from a friend or take out a loan. Save money instead, and then only start playing poker when you have enough. Never ever bet with money from your home or personal finances.

Use only money that you can afford to lose when you bet. Therefore, do not think of using money from your children’s college fund for a game you are “sure” you will win.

You may need to get immediate gambling addiction help if you discover that you are using money that is meant for expenses like groceries, utilities, or account payments to support your habit of playing poker.

3. It could become habit-forming or addictive.

Anything in life has the potential to be addicted, but poker tends to rank among the world’s most popular “things that are addictive.” Perhaps it has to do with the monetary value ascribed to each game and the idea of hope I mentioned previously. Poker, unfortunately, has a high potential for addiction. While there is no shame in having an addiction—help is available—it is still crucial to be responsible and get treatment if you discover that you have a habit.

How can you tell if you have a poker addiction? If you experience any of the following signs, you may have a gambling addiction. If this is the case, you should get assistance right once.

• Despite your losses, you discover that you just cannot stop placing bets.
• By placing additional bets, you frequently attempt to make up for your losses.
• With money that should be used for other expenses, you are gambling.
• You frequently prioritize playing poker above other significant life events.
• When you lose a game and are unable to extinguish your anger, you get indignant.
• You are constantly trying to find new ways to increase your poker bankroll.

4. Online poker play can breed antisocial behavior.

You might be curious about the extent to which playing online poker might affect a person. Actually, playing poker online is more common than playing it at a physical casino.

The appeal of playing poker online is that it is a laid-back activity—you can bet while lounging in your pajamas—you don’t have to drive, which lets you indulge in a few drinks, and you don’t have to “connect” with anybody. You can be displaying antisocial conduct if you discover that you would prefer play poker in front of a screen than interact with others.

5. Playing poker might promote a bad lifestyle.

Everybody has seen the movies where poker games are in full swing in a smoky room filled with cigar and cigarette smoke, whiskey cups scattered around, and crumpled crisp packets. For certain poker sets, that is not simply a scene from a movie; it is the truth.

For some poker players, such kind of setting is commonplace. However, the majority of casinos do offer food and have non-smoking sections. There is always the worry that there won’t be any sunshine or fresh air for people who spend the entire day in the casino. You may restrict the hours and days you play poker to prevent leading this sort of lifestyle, but you must be very severe with yourself. Ensure that you are not sacrificing a healthy lifestyle for more setbacks.

Since professional poker players claim to profit from a healthy lifestyle, if you feel like you are heading in that direction, pause and assess the issue. Eat well, do some exercise, and only play poker during specific times of the day.

6. Continuous poker play wears you out.

Poker games can occasionally go for several hours. Online gaming may make certain games speedy, but land-based casinos seldom ever have quick games. Think about this When you get into a game at midday, all of a sudden it is eight o’clock in the evening. How did the time fly by? While playing poker, it is simple to lose track of time, which will likely result in fatigue.

It’s not unusual for novice poker players to play the game all day and all night. Make careful to get adequate sleep and avoid overdoing it whether you are playing for “dough” or simply for enjoyment. Sleep deprivation is genuinely harmful to most people and will ultimately have a negative effect on your performance.

7. If you make poker your profession, your revenue is unpredictable.

Many people consider leaving their jobs to pursue a career as a poker player to be “living the dream.” The concept could appear spectacular in your imagination, but remember that even if a professional poker player occasionally wins large, they do not have a reliable source of income from which to draw each month. Thus, there would be no monthly wage to rely on. If you follow up a major win with another big win, that’s fantastic, but what if you don’t?

If you have debts to pay, you must carefully manage your gains and make sure that your impulsive behavior is under control. Some contend that playing professional poker teaches you valuable lessons about managing your finances. If you want to make a profession out of playing poker, you should have a plan in place to guarantee that you always preserve the majority of your profits. If you want to make sure that the month ends are hassle-free each month, you must be firm with yourself.

In conclusion

Poker has dangers and drawbacks, no doubt, but it’s vital to remember that nothing is ever fully good or completely awful. Poker, in my opinion, falls halfway in the middle. If managed properly, it can be fantastic; if not, it may be disastrous. Your poker playing years should be OK if you are willing to be responsible, regardless of the sort of player you want to be.