Examining the Dark Side of Poker

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If you are a poker player, even a recreational one, then it is likely that one of your dreams is to win millions at the poker tables and even to turn pro. Many believe that they have what it takes to be successful at the game of poker, but the reality is that very few people can make a living at poker long-term.

Eventually, poker and life collide and some start tumbling down a dark path that can be created by the poker and gambling lifestyle. Let’s take a look at some potential pitfalls to the gambling lifestyle that one needs to avoid if they hope to be successful long-term.

Alcohol and Drug Abuse

You cannot play live poker without running into someone that drinks almost all the time while they are at the table. There are some players that go out to play poker with the specific intention of “getting drunk and having a good time.”

There are also players that think that they play better when they have a few drinks at the table. In many cases, this is a false assumption and many players end up drinking way too much. The result typically is that they lose all of their money or worse.

Drug abuse can have an even greater effect on a person. First, taking drugs is expensive. This starts to become a pull on one’s bankroll. Once a person is thoroughly addicted to drugs, poker and everything else takes a back seat to drugs. The player then becomes just another junkie looking to get their fix.

Other Forms of Gambling

One of the biggest drains on a poker player’s bankroll can be other forms of gambling. Whether it is craps, blackjack, or betting on sports, these vices slowly but surely take big chunks out of a player’s wallet.

There are many famous players that have lost their entire bankrolls to gambling. Stu Ungar consistently lost money betting on sports. T.J. Cloutier has gambled away millions at craps. Archie Karas lost over $40 Million, mostly in craps. In every other form of gambling, the house has the advantage. Eventually, they will win.

Tolls on Relationships

There are very few poker players that stay in long-term relationships with people that do not play poker for a living. There are exceptions to this rule, but as a whole, playing poker is a very taxing lifestyle on relationships.

Poker players do not have the time to spend with friends and family that normal working people do as they have to be available when the good games are available. In most cases, to be a successful poker player, you must put poker as a priority over everything and everyone else. It is a very lonely existence.

Physical Danger

While this isn’t as big of a concern as it was in the old days of poker, there is still always the chance that you will put yourself in harms way playing poker. You never know when you are playing with a player that cannot afford to lose the money they are playing with and then want to try and forcibly take it back from you.

Also, when you are winning large amounts of money, people take notice. Sometimes you will find yourself followed or approached by those wanting part of the money you have. Some of these people can be brushed off. Others may take matters a step further.

Also, many casinos are not in the safest areas. You will have your vagrants, bums, thieves, drug addicts, hookers, etc that will tend to hand around a casino area. This is magnified at night. As with most questionable areas, the later you are in an area, the more likely you will run into trouble.

Busting Out

While nobody believes that it will happen, the reality of poker is that 99% of players will go broke in their lifetime. Some will be able to bounce back and make a living at poker, and many will not.

The unfortunate part is that many will not accept the reality that they cannot make it as a poker player and they continue to try and play. They lose their money, their homes, their family, and sometimes even their life. You will see these players always looking for their next stake and hanging around the rail of various poker games.

They may also take on various little odd jobs so that they can get a stake or some scrap of money from players. This is the bottom of the barrel when it comes to playing poker.

Poker is Truly a Hard Way to Make an “Easy Living”

The reality of poker gaming & life is that not everyone wins. Many will take their shot and lose. Some will walk away from the game. Some will go back to becoming recreational players. Others will continue down a dark path where many do not come back.

If you cannot make it as a poker player, there is no shame in that. Poker is a tough life. If you find that you cannot walk away from the game for one reason or another, then it is time to get help, preferably from a professional organization such as Gamblers Anonymous or similar.

Poker is ultimately just a game. It is not worth losing your life or all that you have worked to achieve. If you are going down this dark path take the steps to emerge from the path. Otherwise, use this article as a cautionary tool to prevent yourself from going down this dark road.