To maximize EV? For the love of the game? Side hustle for income? Pure entertainment? To get away from the wife and kids? Maybe you’re a degen and you own it and you have nothing else to do with your time.

But why do you play? Let us know!

$$$. Lots.

Purpose.

Time-killer.

Routine.

Socializing.

Competition.

Intellectual stimulation.

Mastery of all the games.

Being a boss (my own boss and fkn boss).

Hunting whales.

The joy of winning while sitting in an awesome poker game.

Did I mention $$$?

Because it is fun

Making better decisions everyday.

Increasing Myelin

The intellectual and psychological challenge of making good decisions and beating your opponents. The money is whatever, it's a reason for people to play seriously and try to win. The real money is in big tournaments anyway, not at the local low stakes games.

Honestly I am not sure why I play anymore. There are so many losers that play poker with glaring character defects. Classless people who have no clue about life you have to deal with when you gamble.

It's good competition.

There aren't many other avenues where I can put down a small amount of money and through the use of my skill and knowledge walk away a day or two later with nothing.

Gambling addiction

Realest answer to a question we're ever going to get here. Lmao

I enjoy playing poker and have for fifty nine years ever since my parents taught me the game when I was eleven. I began playing tournaments five years ago because I wanted to do something competitive again.

I think I play for all of the reasons above. I've struggled with money management for the majority of my life but always been pretty good at poker and used it as a way to get ahead. When I was 15 years old I remember playing Pokerstars back in 2005 and winning a $3+rebuy tournament, cashed out and bought my first truck for about $3500 from that tournament. Been hooked ever since but struggle to have the bankroll to go play live at the local casino. So I do it to maximize EV, I truly do love to play, watch, talk poker, learn strategy - improves my strategic thinking abilities which carryover to my career... it is a sidehustle for extra income even though it's minimal - and it is something that I do that gives me "me time" away from my wife and kids.

I also could very well be a degenerate LOL I'm on the verge of a gambling addiction potentially but not there quiet yet. I'm 34 right now and my hope is at some point in my life I can play poker for a living. I love to travel and love to play cards, that is always my goal. Money just keeps getting in the way LOL

I am very competitive and love games, so poker is the perfect outlet for me -- and I can win money, which just adds to the experience.

(1) It pays the bills.

(2) It gives me the satisfaction of punishing and taking advantage of stupid people.

Because I like e-gaming and poker players seem like cool people. It is also a challenge and moving up to higher stakes is always exciting.

Escape can be a big reason. I always wonder how many are motivated by that.