Is Poker Addictive?

While compulsive gambling continues to make headlines, there is a new kind of gambling addiction. Most people don't think of poker as an addiction, but it is taking over the lives of young people, and in some places, poker addiction outranks that for alcohol and drugs.

A poker addiction starts out slowly. A person can watch someone bluff their way through a game on TV and walk away with a stack of money- then think "Hey! I could do that!". They'll start out by inviting friends over for a Monday night poker game, and feeling the rush of victory. Then, they will discover online poker, and realize that they don't need anything else.

Some people get addicted to poker because of the money they win, and some do it for the adrenaline rush they get. Some start out, lose money, and try to recoup their losses. Poker is addictive in much the same way as drugs or alcohol.

There's another side to poker, and that is to play it for the right reason. When you take the time to learn the game, it can help you develop the self-discipline you can use in other areas of your life. Poker can help you see things as they are, not for what you want them to be. When played and managed correctly, poker can help you learn life lessons- but when it is played to excess, it can cause addiction and other problems.