The Dangers Of Online Poker

Online poker is a fun, profitable, and challenging hobby when played correctly.  When I say correctly, I'm not talking about poker strategy.  I mean playing within your limits, financially and socially.  When you play poker, it should be considered a game that you take seriously, as it deals with real money.  However, once you get to the point of obsessing over online poker and it is affecting your real life, you need to stop.

Symptoms of being addicted to poker, or gambling in general are:

        Not being able to stop a session when you are losing

        Poker is all that is on your mind no matter where you are

        A need to try higher limits and gamble with more money

        Severe mood swings depending on the outcomes of a poker session

        (You're happy when you win, sad when you lose)

Some organizations say that the only way to treat a gambling addiction is to stop completely, and never play again.  Their reasoning for this is that the individual cannot handle the thrills of gambling, so they will never be able to gamble under control.

My personal stance on this is that most players can gamble under control, they just need to change a few things in their lifestyle.  I speak from experience here, because at one point in time I was becoming hooked, but now I can gamble under control and safely.  If you feel that you may be becoming addicted, there's a few things you can do.

Take a break from online poker, and think about what is happening to you.  Most people have so many advantages in life, but don't see it because all they can think about is poker.

Find a hobby.  This is how I prevented myself from getting really hooked.  Is there anything you have an interest in?  If so, pursue it and learn more.  My personal hobby is web designing.  I have always been interested in computers, and after learning about the poker affiliating business I decided to create a website.

If you really can't get yourself under control, you need to tell someone and get help.  You probably can't see any way out except gambling more, but you need help.  Some organizations that help addicted gamblers are Gamblers Anonymous and The National Council on Problem Gambling State Affiliates.

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