Quote:
Originally Posted by Mason Malmuth
Hi Everyone:
I thought I would open this idea up for discussion. Most of us would agree that gambling addiction is a problem for some people and in extreme cases can ruin their lives. But is this also true for poker?
Obviously, if you lose at poker, being addicted to it does have the potential to cause some problems. But it's always been my opinion that it's okay to be an addicted poker player as long as you win at it.
All comments are welcome.
Best wishes,
Mason
Grunching here, so apologies to anyone who's already covered this point.
I think we need to make a clear distinction between obsession and addiction. The way you seem to be characterizing poker would fall on the side of obsession, rather than addiction.
Addiction itself is an inherently negative aspect (of personality, life etc.) Addiction is a lack of impulse control, which results in reduced responsibility and impairment of life priorities. Addicted people are certainly obsessed, but the reverse does not necessarily hold true. Some could argue that obsession is addiction couched in positivity and productivity. Nikola Tesla - to use an example - was certainly obsessed with his work... Addicted? I wouldn't say. The same goes for others who were completely engrossed in their life's work. Is workaholism a true form of addiction? It can be, if it interferes with other facets and areas of your life.
Take two poker players. Both play 40 hours per week, both are +EV players, equally and properly bankrolled, and both think about the game non-stop. One eats healthy, stays fit, and has an active social life. The other is the opposite - doesn't take care of their health nor has a life outside of poker. Both are clearly obsessed. The former leads a balanced life. I'd argue that the latter is addicted, because they let their obsession consume their life. The one who leads a balanced life doesn't let poker consume their life, but let that be a part of it.