[jorpot]

People dont understand that poker isnt just a game its a life style, not an easy one either.Some peaple make some dont and some go broke.You cant say "OOO but what if I lose" non of that or you will.You cant be afraid to lose or you will never win.

[chris]

And so what your saying is what?
Its a lifestyle, how so? I played for a living and I am about to go at it again real soon, I took a long time off to raise some kids and now Daddy has his playtime back again. When I play though I leave the game at the casino and if you knew me you wouldnt have an idea of what I do for a living. I never hung out with other players, you wont find a ton of poker books in my house although theres prob the latest issue of cardplayer mag lying around somewhere. I really dont get your statement, cold you qualify or expound upon the subject and your meaning so maybe I will understand it better.

[jorpot]

I dont want to hear your crap about you being a dad. If you dont get it dont read it. I dont know you but for some reson you get on my nervs. I never said we looked like card player's there isnt such a look. God your an idiot.

[lork]

Amazing how someone so brilliant could have so much trouble spelling big words like "reason" and "nerves".

All I want to know is, where does he play? It's worth a finder's fee (e-mail me to collect)if someone can tell me. I could use a new boat.

[johnf]

Poker can be a game or a lifestyle. A hobby or vocation. As a vocation it can, as one poster pointed out, be left at the casino or it can be brought home just as some business people bring their work home and some leave it at the office.

I disagree with the statement that one cannot be afraid to lose however. It is quite natural that people are afraid to lose. That fear must be faced and we must not let it own us in order to win - but denial of that fear - or worse yet, becoming a risk junkie who courts self-destruction and will eventually destroy themselves.

[norshvind]

I don't think you can play well if you are afraid to lose, but before you ever step into a casino or click the button to play online - you should know in the back of your mind what the consequences will be if you have the worst session you can possibly have. If you can't handle that consequence, turn around and go home, or turn the computer off.

[DeepBlue]

A whole range of people play, and for a whole range of reasons. There are some people in certain situations I wouldn't advise gambling away money, though most play it for leisure.

It's a game where your personality is shown up and put to the test - you can play even if you are afraid to lose, though you will come across as a tight player. If you like a little action, you're going to play more hands. How you play will reflect your personality in general, so it's not necessarily a lifestyle, more an optional extra. I don't have to play, but I want to - I don't get tied into thinking thats a part of who I am though. I could stop playing tomorrow and yeah I'd have the urge, I wouldn't say it was in my DNA though.

[Chi_Town]

The best scenario is to not play scared...

If it is recreational, then play with spending money that you can afford to lose... that way you can play freely and enjoy it.

If you want to make money, then focus on money management. You need a bankroll that is like 20 to 30 x's your typical buy-in. That way you can handle fluctuations in performance (cards can suck out, and send you home broke). If you play with your entire bankroll on the table, you risk loosing the ability to keep playing and keep earning money.

I empathize with the daddy comment, because it is what is keeping me at a stakes level far below my ability to make enough to play full-time. I am slowy building my bankroll, but that means I can't use the winnings for anything but increasing my bankroll. That is the way it goes... hopefully I can get there.