I was a semi-professional poker player (mainly a multi-table tournament player - a format in which there are less "chasing losses" behavior, just "less", there are still people who chase losses with big proportion of their bankroll) in the past. I have quit poker. I have been experiencing strong moral pain (mainly guilt, and regret) for "exploiting weaknesses of weaker players" in the past. Poker is a game with winning players and (more) losing players. An interesting perspective is that, "losing players" actually paid the fee (money that they lose), for purposes of entertainment and cognitive training (general skills such as reasoning, attention, memory, as well as higher-order knowledge such as Game Theory, Statistics and Psychology). But unfortunately, there is a relatively low % of players (estimates range from 1% to 1x%, depending how samples were collected) who suffer from pathological gambling in poker.

http://jgi.camh.net/index.php/jgi/ar...view/4015/4325 - this research article is a very stimulating piece on this issue. Read the "Poker is described as unethical" section and "Ethical dilemmas when relating to opponents with gambling problems" section.

i am posting as I wanna listen to different perspectives regarding such issue. Also, for those who experience such "moral pain", how do you resolve such pain? Thank you.

Do you think bar owners should feel guilty because some drinkers are alcoholics?

What you describe could be considered a psychological issue. In fact Im almost sure its called "co-dependancy", which means you feel bad for the bad state of affairs of others without being neither the cause nor the solution. This is a big issue and if it affects your life negatively, you should seek professional council.

Btw, should a psychologist feel guilty because he takes money from you because you have an issue (kinda the same as the bar owner or card player)?

I dont think its a matter of moral or at least not tied to poker. The sad truth is, you dont just simply become a degenerate because you play poker or start betting or slot machines or whatever. There have already been issues there before hand and these wouldve manifested in different ways, if it hadnt been gambling. They wouldve become alcoholics, drug abusers, beating their wives and kids...

If you want to feel responsible, then at least dont get eaten by guilt and regret. But rather be pro-active about it. Teach the next generation to become fulfilled humans so they dont have to become the next degenerate or something like that.

OTOH, TV adverts for online casinos are distasteful. That's preying on people, trying to get them hooked.

"I'd bust my own grandmother if she played poker with me." - Jack Straus

Thanks a lot for your comments. I have been regularly meeting a clinical psychologist, partly because of this issue (and some other issues which I will not disclose here).

Regarding "Btw, should a psychologist feel guilty because he takes money from you because you have an issue (kinda the same as the bar owner or card player)?" - I think a psychologist is providing a service which can be valuable to a client's mental health. But in poker, are "professional poker players" providing valuable services to losing players?

I strongly agree that, "you dont just simply become a degenerate because you play poker or start betting or slot machines or whatever." Indeed, according to Biolcati, Passini and Griffiths (2014) study on online poker players, 1.6%* of players (including both professional and recreational) met the criteria of "pathological gambling". It is a wide spectrum - some (especially richer players) play for fun (kind of a healthy entertainment), some players play for cognitive training, but unfortunately, 1% to 1x% of pathological gamblers are still lots of human beings - they need help.

*The prevalence is higher in some other studies, with different samples (e.g. college students sample) and different criteria

And yes, I have been discussing or educating others regarding the dangers of poker and moral issues of poker. One of my long-term goals is to conduct research of pathological gambling or gambling addiction, perhaps in the context of poker. Living a fulfilled life is important!

Not everyone defines "fulfilled life" the same.

No one is forced to sit at a poker table and put his/her money at risk. It's not my responsibility to assess each of my fellow player's level of "degeneracy". They sat down to play, we play. I'll gladly take their last dollar since they'd gladly take mine. Thus, to me, it's not unethical in the least to take their money.

That said, I clicked on the link and read a little. I may actually agree that when one plays poker for a living (I do not - it's recreation for me), they are probably under-utilizing their abilities. If a person is smart enough to make a living at poker, they are probably smart enough to make a better, more stable living at something else. That's a decision I make for myself. It's their decision to make that same decision for themselves.

Don't misconstrue this post as me trying to tell you that you shouldn't think as you do. That's entirely up to you.

This is a thing that must be compartmentalized and nailed shut. If someone fails at that so completely that they create a thread bec they're suffering from guilt then that person shouldn't play.

Agree 100%

Given the "moral pain" I'm experiencing, yea, I have retired several years ago, and quit poker completely since June. Just wanna make sure my behaviour is in line with my so-called moral ideals - so I shouldn't play

As I said, not trying to change your view, but if poker causes you that much pain, stop playing.

If you worry about the people from whom you win money, in addition to the psychic pain, you'll lose money as well. Sounds lose-lose to me.

Thank you for your insights!

Yea, if I worry, I can't maximise profit or compete at high level anyway.