Quote:
Originally Posted by MetaGameOver
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.
at the Flamingo like 9 years ago...(suite at caesars)
My brother and dad want to play poker but we can only sit at LIMIT tables which infuriates me
My dad is getting a massage and is forehead down on the table, everytime it is his turn to bet they have to tell him " sir it's on you"
I become tilted off the charts ....( as massages or chicken wing-eating always tilt me)
I switch tables without asking the floor
I proceed to raise every street to the pot limit for no reason... people begin to fold as i abuse strangers with my loose play
i keep asking the dealer loudly and angrily how much i am allowed to bet (because i did not understand limit rules )and everytime it scared the other players
like the 3rd or 4th hand of this i play the hand BLIND without checking the cards
I looked around at the table full of pale-skinned weak-dna degenerates like my prey. They looked like they would be more comfortable on fremont street.
I could easily soul-read their terrible Q7o hands despite them not actually having a soul left in their vitamin-deprived vessels.
One of these sun-dried excuses for a human called me to the river where he missed his flush and folded to my all-in
"What did you have?" he asked
"2 jokers" I snap-replied
The table of lifeless carcasses erupted into laughter and he shrunk to the overwhelming waves of ridicule aimed at him from every seat.
I am pretty confident he went and killed himself. I have no reason to believe this other than the look on his face. I will never forget it.
I did not play Poker for 6 years after that.
I came back about 2 years ago and love it more than ever before. This time I am actually good.
So anyways ....I don't know if this story even relates 100% but ... did i play a part in ruining someone's life?