QFT

Maybe we should define "gamble" for this very specific question as such, "do you ever or regularly seek out and play the "bad" end of a wager"?

I almost never do and when I do, it's for tiny amounts of money, that being in the lottery. It gives me something to hope for; sad but true.

IME there's a pretty clear line between people who get enjoyment from the rush/thrill and people who experience anxiety from it and it's probably biological in nature.

It's possible to enjoy the rush of gambling and be disciplined enough to deny yourself that pleasure at all times while playing but seems like both of those things are pretty rare. Similarly it's possible to dislike gambling and be delusional enough about your ability to be a habitual loser but ... well, that would be pretty sad.

Yes poker is gambling. I play poker, I’m a gambler.

Edit

‘Gambling’ by the common vernacular, not some extension of the word to include every possible activity. It’s flat out gambling.

I disagree about your understanding of the common vernacular. If you told someone you put your savings into the stock market it wouldn't awkward or incorrect for them to say that you're gambling, not by convention and not based on definitions you'd find in a dictionary.

When you define someone as a gambler though it generally implies something about their motivations or propensity/preference for risk. For instance, if you chose to define gambling in a way that included purchasing stocks, it wouldn't necessarily follow that you'd call someone who invested in stocks a gambler.

Technically yes. But Gambling can be +EV. The word gambling has a negative connotation and is often always thought as -EV but its not always true!! Its just because there are so many true stories about people gambling their life away....

But technically we are gamblers. Its annoying ahah, when you tell someone you play poker professionally and they compare or judge you like a roulette reg. its starting to be a pet peeve of mine

also the mindset playing poker develops is just so counter intuitive, like phil galfond tweeted days ago, not being results orientated sucks in that so many people in the world are results orientated so they would never understand that for example even though you ran your JJ into QQ vs the loose station it was a +EV jam even though you lost and he flopped quads, and you would do it 120947219841289461296491284141294198 times over

Idk so people like heavy, I'm neither fat or drug addict or a drunk, my point in that rant is that people cant admit they have a problem so even if you were a gambler youd never realize it and think your saying with an edge so it isnt gambling the same as most people think of as gambling

We shouldn't define gambling as anything that involves risk because just about everything does involve risk. Gambling is knowingly taking the bad side of a bet(or, I suppose, an even money bet), like playing slots or craps.

So buying stocks is risky and a speculation but not gambling(assuming normal motivation). Buying a bond is far less risky, etc.

I think you are mistaken.

Look up "variance", taking the better side of a wager can certainly be gambling on the outcome.

No. That is not true. Google the definition of gambling =p The definition of gambling does not say whether the "gamble" is positive or negative EV, its just "the activity or practice of playing at a game of chance for money or other stakes." - via dictionary.com

You can make a +EV bet but not know in that instance whether you will win or not, leaving the outcome up to chance

Its society that gives gambling that negative connotation thats not technically true1111111111

That is a fine technical definition but there should be a word to distinguish the difference between someone risks $200K/yr chasing the dragon and someone who makes $40/hr playing poker. And the term, "advantage player" is the most ridiculous sounding term I've heard in a long time.

I was saying that the definition of gambling **should** just be the bad side of the bet.

True Story

I was guided on the Inaccessible Pinnacle on the Isle of Skye by a very well known local guide, who's been on TV a few times.

Going up he told me he had just climbed one of the hardest routes on El Capitan, made it sound ****ing scarey. Then he asked me what sort of stuff I was into. Poker, among other things, I replied. Too which he said:

"**** man, I could never do that...I could never gamble".

not entire 100% skill game, element of luck involve, yes it's gambling, unless variance is eliminated, or it's at 0%, it is always a game of gamble

Yes I agree, basically a normal person's definition of gambling isnt technically correct which is frustrating, and yeah it would be nice to have some words separate +EV and -EV gambling.

I think i catch your drift and yeah I also dont like being compared to the typical craps player, but what are you gonna do haha.

There is luck involved but in the long run luck has a mild-no influence. If someone works hard and works smart with a good mentality and all that, they will eventually make it

Get a job?.... or stop trying to impress people by telling them you are a professional poker player and being miffed at the results

The last thing I want is to tell people what I do. I usually say sheepishly, "I... just... play poker" with a shrug of my shoulders.

I will start saying, "I'm unemployed but play poker for money".

I could just say, "I'm unemployed" but then they will ask what my profession is, or what industry I'm in. What is the best reply to that? I'm in the card industry, no, that will bring on more questions. How about, "I work at the casino as a player"?

"I am a casino athlete. I jump to conclusions, run around in circles, and push my luck."

Sheepish shrugging not a good play. If Lying/evasive answers like “short term investments” bring more questions then May as well own it/tell the truth I guess but say it with more confidence. Just don’t expect people to be impressed, most will think “loser/degenerate ” and slam you into a not-to-be-trusted box....particularly anyone over the age of 30 and females

I'll post and then read BS replies. We are 100% gamblers. I'm lag and my best friend is tag & we are both gamblers. Now we're different then those guys who just stick their $ down and spin the roulette wheel as we depend on information to make decisions but it's still a gamble. Anyone who says differently is just being short-sighted

If these rationalizations make you feel better about being a gambler, then by all means apply them, but unless you are the house, you're a gambler, and more likely than not a losing one.

I dont think they are being short sighted but rather embarrassed/ annoyed they are being judged as something they are far from :'(

I dropped out of school so i dont know what miffed means =D

In my experience, telling a regular person you are a professional poker player is one of the last things you can do to impress them, like others i actually try to avoid this topic as it leads to the whole "do you count cards?" "How good is your poker face?" "how much do you win/day?" "Do you make more than you lose?"

<3

I'm stealing that line fyi Haha, best thing I've read on here