Ethics of professional poker - Page 13 - Poker News

Idk if this is where I should post those but wtf. This is an issue that's been getting to me more and more over years, and it's getting the point where I'm starting to question whether or not I can keep doing what I do and be ok with myself.

I've been playing for a living for a little over a decade now. For most of that time I didn't have any ethical problems with the predatory attitude necessary to maintain to ecosystem. This was largely because most of the fish id encounter were rec gamblers with disposable income who didn't mind losing. Over the past few years, though, I've been encountering a different type of fish more and more often. I'm talking about a gambling addict who's very possibly risking his kids college tuition. Obviously I can't be sure about anyones circumstances, but over time I've come to notice a level of desperation in certain players that's definitely not indicative of a hobbyist with disposable income.

I feel like I'm playing a part in ruining people's lives. Has anyone else struggled with this at all? It's no secret that gambling addiction is a serious thing. Of course there's the rationalizations like 'they would be losing to somebody no matter what, it may as well be me. ' that rationalization worked for me for a time, but face it - it's the same rationalization everyone who exploits others for personal gain uses. I'm wondering, how much is too much? If anyone else struggled with this, I'd like to know - how do you handle it? It's getting to a point where I'm considering a career change despite the fact that I'm doing perfectly well at the moment and have no other complaints so to speak.

Just saw this thread as I rarely check 2+2. I don't have anything great to contribute, just understanding how you feel. I'm struggling with these thoughts for the past few years (basically as I started playing more weak players and making more money) and looking for the way out. Rationalizing/donating/etc. helps me very little so I think the only correct way is to completely stop playing. Problem is that I even struggle with the thought that my future will be built on other people's money.

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Yesterday , 09:27 PM

#302

chillrob

Carpal \'Tunnel

Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21,799

Quote:

Originally Posted by dude45

Dont know that its ever been the main theme of a show or movie but it was a pretty common theme when i was growing up. That and the farmer betting his ranch to call in all in

Yeah, that just shows that the people who wrote those shows didn't understand anything about poker.
I don't think there has ever been a real game of poker that wasn't table stakes. It doesn't even work any other way, as the richest player would win every hand.

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Yesterday , 09:29 PM

#303

chillrob

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Join Date: May 2007 Posts: 21,799

Technically, you can play poker without playing for money, it's just very boring.

So again, pretty much the same as golf.

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Yesterday , 10:48 PM

#304

WhiteFang

centurion

Join Date: May 2020 Posts: 157

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Originally Posted by AlphaScorpii

I don't say this to be nasty, but I have a serious question. Do you have these ethical concerns when a stock you own goes up because of layoffs or weapons sales or destroying a river? You get the idea. People who play poker are making a free choice to be there and can quit forever if they choose. Of course there are problem gamblers and that should be addressed. But I have little patience for those you cry about the ethical issue of poker while not losing sleep when Joe in the next door cubicle gets laid off just when he needs health insurance the most.

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Today , 01:22 PM

#305

LordRiverRat

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 3,699

Quote:

Originally Posted by AlphaScorpii

Do what feels right and makes you happy. If you're unhappy taking people's money, then poker is probably not for you long term. Being comfortable with losing money/taking other people's money are two critical traits of any poker player.

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Today , 01:24 PM

#306

LordRiverRat

Pooh-Bah

Join Date: Mar 2014 Posts: 3,699

Quote:

Originally Posted by WhiteFang

Exactly. Very sick of the virtue signaling going on when people are very selective about what they "care" about and what they turn a blind eye to.

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Today , 10:00 PM

#307

borg23

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Join Date: Nov 2012 Posts: 15,361

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Originally Posted by spaceman Bryce

It most certainly isnt. Just because you can gamble on a game doesnt define the game itself as gambling. Otherwise, basketball, politics, galas, polo are all gambling games. To a seasoned gambler all sorts of things could be perceived as plus ev gambling activities. “The nfl, great gambling opportunity! The stock market? I use a system of options and penny stocks to turn the stock market into my personal slot machine! Candy Land? Not a childrens game, its another skilled gambling opportunity with soft opposition to leverage my dice control abilities!”

Those arent gambling games though. If you were to say that lots of money has been wagered on golf and golf is very amenable to gambling, then thats a different story and also correct.

I'm no golfer but while poker is purely a gambling game I'd think golf is way more of a gambling game than something like basketball. I can't remember playing basketball for money or know if friends going to play basketball for money. But I've heard of a lot of people who gamble on golf.

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Today , 10:21 PM

#308

cashtorg

centurion

Join Date: Nov 2007 Posts: 174

This comes down to don’t hate the player hate the game.

You can talk about the ethics of drug dealers getting people hooked/addicted, casinos offering unbeatable games and baiting people in to take every dollar to their name. But we can’t hold ourselves responsible for others bad choices in life

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