Originally Posted by anilyzer

But it's been my experience that in general poker players are cool... and they tend to be fairly well mannered, civil and play by the rules and the poker code or whatever. People in other walks of life can actually be far more rude and uncivil, and are more likely to be downright violent as well. Poker players might be tough-minded but they should get credit for being civilized at the very least.

Originally Posted by Jaboof

Im there to take your manies , I could careless who the **** you are.

Originally Posted by Jared Tendler

That's cool RB, glad to know you're a fan - and that my comments about your struggles handling them hit home. If you ever want some feedback, post in the psych forum, I've been posting more there recently.

I do agree that the traits you mention can be negative, but if you don't looking closer at the reason a particular person developed these traits, you'll miss the fact that for them, sometimes they can be positive. I know it sounds weird, but repressing emotions for example, can be really healthy when that person lacks the ability to deal with those emotions in a healthy way.

A lot of people, including many in psychology believe that personality is fixed. I don't. So when you say that some people are sadistic about winning, there's an assumption that they always will be this way. For many of them they will, but it's because they believe that's their best way to win. If there comes a time where it stops being profitable, perhaps they'll be motivated to use another strategy. Ultimately, it's not something you or anyone else has control of - you can only control how you respond.

You sound like a nice, sincere guy, and if you want poker to be different, it starts with improving how you handle these players. Take it as a challenge. If you improve how you handle it, expect them these traits to get even worse - as they'll see it as a challenge to get under your skin. Ultimately, doing so will make you a stronger player.

There's definitely is a dignified and polite way to play, but that's the beauty of freedom. As long as you're playing within the rules, how you play is up to you and you alone. If you want to make the game friendlier, and less sadistic, the only way you'll be in a position to do that is to prove that your way is more profitable. To you, and many other players, profit isn't everything - there's a lot more that you value. But to some, profiting is all that matters, and that's their choice.

Originally Posted by NomoneyHU.

OP might have some points ITT but he is still a puss who needs to do his challenge against King Fish. HU4ROLLZ IMO.

Originally Posted by Eric82

I've thought this for years. I seriously, hate regulars for the most part. Most regs are just straight up *******s! Can't stand em. Wont stand em! The worst part is their sense of entitlement. OMG! Tilts me everytime. And how they talk down to others. Sick!

Originally Posted by RagingBull

After years of playing in live casino venues and observing the players, I have reached some very disturbing conclusions. Although there are some honorable and genuinely nice people that play poker, many of the "regulars" that I have observed display some very negative personality traits.

For lack of a better expression, I have come up with the term "Poker Personality Disorder", to describe the ways that poker can twist the soul of a human being.

Here is my definition:

• A very deeply troubling level of cynicism disguised as humor
• Enjoyment of lying to others
• Desire to inflict pain on other human beings
• A lack of empathy for others comparable to that of a sociopath
• A sense of entitlement
• Feelings of kinship with other poker predators
• Thinking of lesser players in dehumanizing terms such as "donkeys" and "fish"
• Ability to hide and repress emotions
• A high level of conceit and a total lack of humility
• High levels of sarcasm and veiled anger
• Rudeness, bad manners, and other anti-social behaviours

The archetype for this poker personality disorder would be Worm from the movie Rounders.

I am not saying that EVERYONE has this problem. I have played with people who were very respectful and were good human beings who just enjoyed the strategy and thrill of the game.

But poker definitely has the ability to twist the soul of a human being into this shape.

I think that the level that poker can have a corrupting effect on the personality depends on each individual's upbringing, background, and pre-existing traits and tendencies.

Would enjoy hearing other people's thoughts on this topic.

Originally Posted by limon

true in a lot of cases. but, respectfully, what is the disorder? what would be the cure?

Originally Posted by RagingBull

Well like most personality disorders, you would need lots of therapy!

After many years with a psychologist, you would hopefully begin to act like a normal human being again!