Is poker addictive?
Doyle Brunson seems to think it is. Several years ago he was having some physical problems that were so severe he had to give up poker for a while and attend to his ills. To his surprise, he began suffering from withdrawal symptoms. He was shocked by how powerful they were.
The more I think about it, the more I realize that poker, like all forms of gambling, can become addictive. I know that each time I return to Las Vegas and visit my favorite casinos, I see the same faces at the same games day after day. It's almost as though they live at the casino and some even refer to it as their second home.
I am talking about gamblers as well as casino employees. Many people who work in casinos also play there, although some casinos prohibit their employees from gambling where they work.
Addictions affect people in different ways. There can be good addictions, like when people are addicted to foods that are healthy and that don't put on weight. But there are also addictions that have a destructive effect on people. You may recall the column I wrote about a slot machine junkie who lived near Joplin, MO. and who spent so much money on the slots that she had to force herself to stop playing.
Alcohol is a destructive addiction that can ruin a person's life and even cause his death. For many years I was addicted to alcohol. I tried many times to stop my drinking and even began attending Alcoholics Anonymous meetings. After years of failures, I finally was able to quit, but it was a battle all the way. Alcohol can cause problems on the job, with the family and friends, and with your health. It just isn't worth it and if you can keep away from alcohol, you are miles ahead of the game of life.
People drink alcohol because they like the way it makes them feel. The next day after you have been drinking, you will usually go through a hangover. You will promise yourself, 'Never again,' but if you are like most problem drinkers, you will forget your vow and go right back to your favorite bar after the effects of the alcohol.
If a person loses continuously at poker or any other gambling game and continues gambling despite the losses, that person is an addict. Since poker and blackjack are skill games, there are things a person can do the end the losses and improve his chances of winning. You can run into a string of bad hands that no amount of poker skills can correct. You simply have to dig in and wait for the dry spell to stop. It will eventually even though it might seem to last forever.
When I visit Las Vegas, I seek out old friends, many who work in the gaming industry. The conversation goes something like this:
'How have you been?'
'Hanging in there. I recently had a heart attack (or gallbladder operation or knee replacement, whatever the person comes up with) about six months ago. I lost weight and am on medication, but I'm on the mend. How about you?'
'Same old same old. I won a poker tournament three months ago.'
'Congratulations. How much?'
'Eleven thousand. I was able to pay off my bills and took a cruise to the Caribbean. I visited Dominica, Aruba, and a little French island called Isle de Saints. Met some beautiful islanders, drank rum, and even managed to get high on the blessed herb. It was an awesome experience.''
Life goes on.
Maybe poker is an addiction. But if it is, so is eating chocolates. Or watching Fox News and Sean Hannity. Or going horseback riding, playing golf or hitting tennis balls.
Life is an addiction. Who would ever want to give that up?
Welcome to the world of addicts. Let the games begin.
Author: Geno Lawrenzi Jr.
(Geno Lawrenzi Jr. is an international journalist, magazine author and ghostwriter and poker player who lives in Phoenx, AZ. He has published 2,000 articles in 50 magazines and 125 newspapers. If you want to share a gambling story or book idea with him, send an email to glawrenzi@gmail.com ).
