Poker fad? or Poker for life?

[yeltzen]

Hahahah college kids. Hahaha.
God am I glad I finally graduated.

[hachkc]

I would say the current popularity of poker will fade somewhat but the number of players 5-10 years from now will be significantly bigger than the number of players 5-10 years ago.

In my family, there's a long tradition of playing poker as well as almost any card game (pinochle, cribbage, euchre, etc). I've been playing poker since I was a teenager (almost 20 years now). I used to play in a regular game that included folks that also played with my grandfather 20 years earlier. I have a poker table that my great-grandfather built in the 30s or 40s. The cup holders in this won't even hold a beer can because they were designed for whiskey glasses.

I don't see anything changing in the near future, I'm just happy its so much easier to find a poker game.

[BeerWench13]

while others don't like the apparent addiction that could lead to heavy drinking or drug use.

What??? Do parents really believe that poker leads to heavy drinking and/or drug use? I was doing those things long before I was playing poker on a regular basis. I think that's a backward study like the one they did in the 60's where they asked all the heroine and crack addicts if they ever smoked pot and since most had they concluded that pot smoking leads to heavier drug addictions. What a crock. If a person is going to become an alcoholic or a drug addict, I don't think playing poker (which is a calculated risk, not gambling IMO) will be the cause.

[yeltzen]

I was doing those things long before I was playing poker on a regular basis.

I was doin meth before I was doing my ABCs.

[yaw]

There's a fine line between addiction and compulsive behavior. Children that are exposed to 'gambling' may experiment with things outside of poker. The theory is that they are more likely to experiment with durgs/alcohol/tobacco/sex and a younger age then children that aren't exposed to gambling/addiction(this can come from seeing a parent that has a gambling/drinking/drug/sex/tobacco problem as well). Many will grow out of it, or only try something once, while others will live with the addiction in one way or another for the rest of their lives.

That said, I have a very compulsive personality. And I was exposed to gambling at the age of 6 or 7. I carried around a case with poker chips, cards and dice everywhere I went when I was 10 and at 17 I started reading poker/black jack/statistic books for fun. I am attracted to the statistics, the numbers, the psychology and excitement that gambling provides; not to winning/losing money. Do I feel that I was more likely to take chances then some of my friends? Absolutely. Did it have to do with early exposure to gambling? Maybe.

[warewulf619]

I'm glad for the recent Poker boom! I've been playing over 15 years and used to have a hell of a time getting enough players for a game! If you did a game as a social event (bbq, bday or something), then I might get a few players, but they would burn out quickly if I play aggresive. People will only come to your house and give you money so many times. If I wanted a game where I could use skills, I would have to go to a casino. Now my games fill up and I have multiple choices for games on most nights. I can go play tourney or cash if I want. I can go to a $20 mutli table tourney at a friends house and go up against lots of skilled players.

Will it die out? I'm sure some of the new fish will dry up when they figure out that luck will only get them so far before the skill element kicks in. I do think it will level out more than die though.

I do think tournaments may lose popularity though. People get burnt out quickly when they play 10 tourneys in a row and never hit the money.

[JohnnyCache]

I'm genuinely torn - part of me loves all the people playing, games everywhere, and all of them trying to 'get serious' about them.

BUT - sometimes it kills me to see some of these guys playing - poker used to be for old men and young hustlers in my town and now it's the new pokemon...

I hope it dies out a little, but not completely. I like the legitimacy, but I miss the game having an underside...I guess I can't make up my mind.

I think the game will "bellcurve" a bit - allthough not as much as people think, because I think a lot of the poker being playing right now is actually being 'revealed' - like if they legalized pot and it became no big thing tomorrow, how many people would admit doing it all the sudden that had actually been doing it all along?

[Nuts4Omaha]

Being mid 20's, out of college and into the "working world," I found it increasingly difficult to meet people who enjoyed poker... until recently obviously. We used to play ALOT in college, had a regular poker night/phooseball tourney in the basement of my fraternity. Admittedly, I have missed the game quite a bit since college, and it is shockingly refreshing to have such a great game enjoy this moment of popularity.

After a few years in a few different industries... I think it is a fair statement that someone who sells casino and gaming supplies can expect a few months of good business... but, anyone getting into the act NOW is probably too late. The "players" in the casino gaming supplies industry have already enjoyed the boom... it will only taper off gradually from here until it hits a sustainable level (Pre-Moneymaker? Who knows?) As far as the internet vendors and retailers are concerned, we are already reaching a point of saturation that will lead to decreases in volume and profitability. (Same can be said in the recent years for products like computers, or cell phones) The boom came, and is beginning to pass.

The best part about this "poker revolution" is the communities like this one that have formed. I can definitely tell that alot of the members of this community will continue to be friends and aquaintences for a long time. At the very minimum, a little money will exchange hands whenever it is possible.

So, I am going to sit back and ride the wave of popularity. Poker will likely always be around in my life... in one way or another. With what frequency? Pretty much depends on the company you keep I imagine...

When the fad is over, the "real enthusiasts" will remain... the cream always rises to the top.

[yeltzen]

When the fad is over, the "real enthusiasts" will remain... the cream always rises to the top.

Damn, that means I"ll be gone.

[JohnnyCache]

I was doing those things long before I was playing poker on a regular basis.

I was doin meth before I was doing my ABCs.

Really? Meth at 15? You must live in the bad part of town :D

[Nuts4Omaha]

When the fad is over, the "real enthusiasts" will remain... the cream always rises to the top.

Damn, that means I"ll be gone.

There's always room for dead money my friend. j/k