Are you a victim of dumb poker playing? Take a quick read of this and you’ll find out in a jiffy.
What is dumb poker playing?
Dumb poker playing is when you put yourself at risk by not playing as responsible as you could. It can happen to any player. So just because you think you’re a whizz on the felt doesn’t’ mean you’re not susceptible to stupid slip ups.
Why is dumb poker playing a problem?
Dumb poker playing might make you lose money fast. And that’s particularly a problem if you’re blowing your gambling budget, spending more money than you can afford. Not only is this not good for your bank balance, it also means you’re wasting your time.
Speaking of time, dumb poker playing is super clear in players who spend more and more time on the felt. Blinding playing session after session, without any real end in sight. Even if you’re a big fan of the game, everyone should have time for non-poker related activities. How should you combat this? Reality checks, time limits and, if you want to take a long-term break, self-exclusions can all play their part.
But the worst thing about it is that dumb poker playing can be dangerous. In fact, if you’re not careful, it could lead down the road to addiction. There’s no doubt about it, poker can really draw people in. But if you’re not careful, it might overtake normal play and become unhealthy.
Basic tips you can (and should) use today
Get up to speed
It can be tempting to jump right in and play a game of poker as soon as you get the urge. But do you really know what’s involved with this specific variant or game type? Are you abreast of the buy-in or blind levels? How about the structure of the game? If the answer to any of those questions is no, take a step back.
Make sure you know how to play the game before you push your hard earned cash into the pot. Chances are your opponents will be able to sniff your lack of knowledge from a mile away and take you for a ride. Don’t give them the satisfaction. Brush up before you play.
Make sure your head’s in the game
Chasing losses, getting angry, playing when you’re drunk or upset. Taking elevated risks when you’re feeling great from a big win. All of these things are dumb poker playing 101. Don’t do it. Whatever your emotional state, never lose sight of commonsense and the odds.
If you’re drunk, high or otherwise in bad mental shape, take the day off. Today’s not your day for poker playing, my friend.
Know your strengths and weaknesses
Do you know how much you spend on poker vs how much you win back? Do you know what percentage of tournaments you play end up finishing in the money? If the answer to any of these questions is no, it’s time to re-evaluate. Keep track of any time you play, whether that’s online or in a bricks and mortar poker room. Have a little notebook on hand or set up a little Excel. If you have an honest idea of how much your poker playing costs, it’s going to be easier to play more responsibly.
And extra help is easy to find
For more responsible gambling tips or help quitting gambling entirely, there are a tone of organizations all over the world that can help. For those based in the USA, we’d recommend National Council for Problem Gambling. Meanwhile, UK-based people can visit Be Gamble Aware.
