Former degenerate who started out over a decade ago with Intertops in the infancy of online gambling ('96) and Party and promptly lost tens of thousands of dollars. Loved the allure of Party's massive million dollar tournaments and dreamed of the 30k plus payouts...or the WSOP entry with an australian cruise, blah blah. Closest I ever got was 12 places out of the money on a big tournament.

Realized I had a problem and walked away. Happened to be in Vegas on business three weeks ago and had a day off and despite my worry at never having played on a real table I decided to play in the Aria's 110 buy in and had a blast. My short stacked Q pair with K kicker failed when opponent hit straight on turn and river. But you know what I could have cared less about the money. Had a fantastic time laughing it up at the table and enjoying playing. Way cheaper than playing blackjack or slots.

Had a day off yesterday and ended up taking 1st and 675 from a 1k guaranteed with 40 people in and 20 rebuys. I'm absolutely certain I was the sucker at the table as I frequently missed posting my blinds, not posting min raise etc. Damn computer usually took care of those things for me. Win or lose, again I had a great time. Some funny, funny dudes at the table and while nice to win (completely and TOTALLY unexpected) it was fun to play and not take everything so seriously. I played completely tight and Sklansky would have been proud. Joke at the final table was I hadn't played any hands and there were 4 players left.

Morale of the story is have fun and not take the game or yourself too seriously. Hopefully I can avoid the same pitfalls I made decades ago.

but would it still be as fun if you'd lost? like bubble itm aa vs ak aip? it wouldn't have upset u the slightest?

Oh I would for a split second---I was bummed when the player in the aria tournament hit his straight but it lasted less than a minute. Perhaps it was low expectations (or none really) but I had a good time. I honestly thought I'd go out around 20 or so in this local game and that was my goal. Anything beyond that was gravy. Just happened that I got some really strong hands at the right time and went on a tear when it was down to 4 players.

Iv'e seen this on outrageous vacation videos

good, dont

I read it all and am regretting it now.

Cliffs:

-OP lost a lot online about 10 years ago
-He played a donkament when in Vegas on business and lost
-He had a day off yesterday and ended up taking 1st and 675 from a 1k guaranteed with 40 people in and 20 rebuys

That's about it.

Reading comprehension FTL. Perhaps it's back to remedial reading for you?

Okay I think it fixed it. I'll get back to my remedial reading now.

oh my god that was boring

gave up reading that **** at the end of 1st paragraph, and I'm usually tenacious

clearly its time to quit your job and start back up where you left off in 96'. don't tell me you aren't thinking about it....

Is very low. The poor thing had to suffer through being typed.

meh, dont be so hard BBV. good job OP for just looking at poker as a way to have fun.

People like you keep the game profitable, never give up whatever it was you were trying to accomplish