As all of you know poker is a very unique game, with a very unique mix of qualities that makes it different.

If anyone will share: what is it about this game that drew you to it? Of all the infinite possible activities in life, why did you choose poker? Im assuming most of you are serious about poker since your on this forum.

Way to make money without kissing up to people. That's 50% of the motivation for me.

way to make a play where you have a 50% + chance of winning the pot by clicking buttons or pushing your chips into the pot in a live game.
also a chance to get it in when your 50% or lower in certain spots.

As weird as it sounds: It's a way to find out if you can outsmart others without actually hurting them in a game where everyone tries their best (yes, there are plenty other games like that where no money's on the line - and I play those too - but that mostly means people will either not try their best or the number of players you can pit yourself against on short notice will be very limited)

And no: I do not consider taking someone else's money as hurting them because I'm not trying to cheat them out of it (as I would consider it if I were to try and sell them some product or service that is not worth as much as I'm asking). They put the money up themselves and have a fair chance of taking mine within a fair set of rules.

For me, it's ~100% of the motivation. Online poker is a salvation for socially underskilled folks, as well as an excuse for never developing social skills

Freedom if you're successful

+++

I readily acknowledge that I got my start post-boom playing bar league poker...owner needed butts in the seats and promised me beer. I discovered I had some abilities and was playing cash within six months and doing well. So...at the most basic level, beer then money.

More than 11 years later, there isn't as much beer involved, but the money is still there. Final tables are fun.

Don't play online and never really played online much pre-BlackFriday. The social component of the game is important to me. It is actually why I think I enjoy the Seniors events more than the regular fields.

Poker is a game, gambling, entertainment, socializing.poker is everything.
Sure, making money is a big motivation and, those few who are able to make money at it, sometimes become arrogant, conceited, forget these things, but let's be honest, how many of us actually make enough money from poker to not have to have another job.
We sometimes make fun of others players that seem like losers to us, calling them fish, donkeys, I do this sometimes too, but it's wrong.
I've played about 90hrs so far this year and I'm up around 200 bucks.
Sure, if you factor in gas, food, I'm in the red, a loser in the eyes of more successful players. But, I go to the casino every weekend and enjoy my self without gambling away the mortgage. I'm going to Vegas i September without the fear of gambling away the mortgage. I don't know the meaning of the word boredom. Most of my friends and relatives envy me, think I'm some kind of high roller. And, there are thousands and thousands of poker players, who some may look at as donkeys, like me.

I have been developing "systems" to break games, generaly gambling ones. Trying to put the 51% on my side. Sports, casinos, lotery. I hate gambling, only played this things with the idea of breaking them. Then some day I discovered poker, late in life.

Only because of money, although I don't stink when I play a lot of poker compared to a digital card game like Hearthstone (I stink even more when I play a lot of video games). I don't like that smell and others do not like it either. I could play chess, as it doesn't make me stink either.

Maybe in the future there is more money in esports, but that is not anytime too soon, just have prepared for the possibility.

Poker over a job; the job is always the better pick, but it can add significant money.

The money and gaming as combined is why poker, but if you want to play your life away for no money, that I definitely do not want.

I started playing when I was like 10. Loved blackjack up until I learned how to play this. Blackjack was cool but this felt more interactive and real and not as fast paced. I liked the idea of get-rich-quick. Its like a lottery that I have somewhat more control over my winnings. If you're patient enough to take advantage of the impatient's mistakes, its pretty rewarding. I've also had alot of jobs where I'd bust my ass for 16 hour shifts doing ridiculous labor so day dreaming of winning the WSOP to avoid those kinds of jobs has encouraged me to improve my game and take it seriously

I am able to lie, cheat, outwit, out manipulate and outsmart people in a safe environment where its ok to do these normally taboo acts. I am the overly old school guy when it comes to one's honor, not lying cheating or stealing so it feels good to be bad and get paid for my "bad" behavior.

I love the feeling when I spike a massive hand and I can see my opponent splashing his chips right into my net of financial ruin.

I love seeing my spade turn over on the river when I have been betting the nut flush draw and there's a gold mine in the pot that I know I just won and all that's left is just how much more I can get.

I love leaving the table knowing I am a winner and played well. I love preparing my mind and body with more intent than my opponents. I love soaking my brain with information that will pay off one day at the table.

Poker is war and I am Rommel.

Careful. Rommel lost it all in the end.

Ha! I was just being dramatic. Rommel was a decent man who tried in vain to end the war and put an end to Hitler's maniacal plans.

He was one of the best generals of WW2 and he was a humane man who objected against certain treatments of people. He had two major defeats but played both bad hands amazingly.

Just messin' with ya (yeah I know about Rommel....being german and all )

good question. I hate gambling like blackjack and slots but I love plo and nlhe. it's odd.

I know...

Been a part time advantage player for a few years. Started out just card counting at blackjack then started hunting good promotions and taking advantage of free play etc. One of the local casinos finally backed me off from the BJ tables and that's when u started to put more time into poker. Still play BJ and do other AP stuff but I found the poker has helped balance my time and keep me from wearing out my welcome at the other places I play at locally.