Poker players are the worst problem gamblers?

[pleno1]

I'd like to raise the question: Can anybody beat the high stakes without a disregard for money?

[DaveShoelace]

Tank probably already said this but I cant understand his big words n that.

The difference with poker is the very strong illusion of skill. There is of course a very strong element of skill in poker, thats not what I am talking about, I'm referring to the way that variance can make players believe they have a much bigger edge than they actually do. All of us have been through periods where we think we own peoples souls when in fact we are just running well against them, and we have all had times when we think we are running like shit when in fact there are parts of our games that could be better. This creates a false confidence that most players have to some degree, imo many of the problem gamblers poker creates are not necessarily looking for a fix, rather putting way too much stock in their belief they can win. An illusion of control that can be so severe the line between skill and variance becomes blurred they start to play outside of their bankroll or even in the house games.

Of course the counter argument that perhaps should be made, is that poker may create more 'problem gamblers' but it is arguable by contrast that it also creates more 'careers' and opportunity, because obviously there are plenty of professional players and the house doesnt win. Its a tricky thing to try and argue that poker 'does good' more than other forms of gambling, but I think it does, slightly.

[The Camel]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

[DaveShoelace]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

Almost all of them, I would say 99% of players think they are better than they are. My mum has been playing poker for about 6 or 7 months ($1 sit and gos) and its been fascinating to watch her, someone I never thought of as being anything close to a poker player, coming up with some terrible arguments claiming why she thinks she is really good and unlucky when she loses, sometimes talking to her is like ease-dropping on the smoking section of DTD.

[outragous76]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

Almost all of them, I would say 99% of players think they are better than they are. My mum has been playing poker for about 6 or 7 months ($1 sit and gos) and its been fascinating to watch her, someone I never thought of as being anything close to a poker player, coming up with some terrible arguments claiming why she thinks she is really good and unlucky when she loses, sometimes talking to her is like ease-dropping on the smoking section of DTD.

is a 1 off poker game 100% variance?

ninja edit - that in its true meaning doesnt make any sense but i think you know what i mean

[The Camel]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

Almost all of them, I would say 99% of players think they are better than they are. My mum has been playing poker for about 6 or 7 months ($1 sit and gos) and its been fascinating to watch her, someone I never thought of as being anything close to a poker player, coming up with some terrible arguments claiming why she thinks she is really good and unlucky when she loses, sometimes talking to her is like ease-dropping on the smoking section of DTD.

The old saying is poker is like sex, everyone actually thinks they are an expert, when usually they are rubbish at it.

[DaveShoelace]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

Almost all of them, I would say 99% of players think they are better than they are. My mum has been playing poker for about 6 or 7 months ($1 sit and gos) and its been fascinating to watch her, someone I never thought of as being anything close to a poker player, coming up with some terrible arguments claiming why she thinks she is really good and unlucky when she loses, sometimes talking to her is like ease-dropping on the smoking section of DTD.

The old saying is poker is like sex, everyone actually thinks they are an expert, when usually they are rubbish at it.

yep, the only ones who are really good in both departments are the professionals

[The Camel]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

Almost all of them, I would say 99% of players think they are better than they are. My mum has been playing poker for about 6 or 7 months ($1 sit and gos) and its been fascinating to watch her, someone I never thought of as being anything close to a poker player, coming up with some terrible arguments claiming why she thinks she is really good and unlucky when she loses, sometimes talking to her is like ease-dropping on the smoking section of DTD.

is a 1 off poker game 100% variance?

I would guess that the vast majority of players in Nottingham were +/- 10% ev (in a zero sum game) and that means after 12% juice all of those would be -ev.

Maybe 10% were +ev after juice?

And that might be an exaggeration.

[AlunB]

I'd say 10% was toppy

[tikay]

Terrific thread, & I have too many strong views on it to even begin to contribute.

Good as the thread is, though, The Tank's ability to invent a brilliant new word takes the biscuit, & works so well.

delutitude

Says it all.

[AndrewT]

I wonder what % of the 1000+ runners at the UKIPT last week would have honestly thought they were +ev in that field

Almost all of them, I would say 99% of players think they are better than they are.

Yeah, you don't get many staking threads where people sell at 0.9.

[GreekStein]

Pmsl @ the smoking section of dtd comment. Its defo the fastest I ever smoke to avoid the utterly stupid conversations

[tikay]

Pmsl @ the smoking section of dtd comment. Its defo the fastest I ever smoke to avoid the utterly stupid conversations

Oh yes, add that to "delutitude" as the stand out comments.

I've taken to sneaking out the front, just to avoid it.

[DaveShoelace]

Pmsl @ the smoking section of dtd comment. Its defo the fastest I ever smoke to avoid the utterly stupid conversations

lol, I remember once walking through the bar at EPT Dortmund, crowded bar it was. I swear to god that there were so many bad beat stories going round that I actually managed to hear one combined, completely linear bad beat story from 200 different players as I went from one end of the bar to the other.

[The Camel]

Pmsl @ the smoking section of dtd comment. Its defo the fastest I ever smoke to avoid the utterly stupid conversations

lol, I remember once walking through the bar at EPT Dortmund, crowded bar it was. I swear to god that there were so many bad beat stories going round that I actually managed to hear one combined, completely linear bad beat story from 200 different players as I went from one end of the bar to the other.

My favourite bad beat story:

Years ago, I was walking past Ram talking to one of his mates at the bar at the Vic.

I only caught a few words:

".. and the flop came deuce, blank, blank...!"