Re: [ba-poker] Story from SFGate

[David Orr <dmorr(deleted the rest)>]

I dunno.  I dislike the kneejerk "poker is gambling is evil" reaction as
much as the next rgper, but I don't think it's too out of line to suggest
that this guy might have a problem.

1: He plays most nights.  That's a lot of poker, and if he's really
playing more often than not and into the wee hours, that's not really
healthy for any hobby.

2: "So far, he says he's a bit ahead of the game, pocketing more cash than
he's left behind."  That's the classic classic line from someone who is
consistent loser in at least mild denial.

3: He plays 2-4.  I'm not convinced the game is even beatable at all, so
this has to be a not-completely-trivial expense for him.

4: He has trouble maintaining relationships.

No, it's not conclusive, but it's certainly suggestive.  It's reasonable
to think that the journalist could have not tried to find a player who fit
the classic gambler with a (mild) problem mold, but I don't find her
treatment of him unfair at all.  At least of the face of it, since I don't
actually know this guy, but we've all seen players just like him.

Not all players treat poker the way we do.  If the profile had been of
someone who sat in front of a slot machine all night every night, would we
be so quick to call it unfair?

- Dave

On Wed, Jun 09, 2004 at 10:29:04AM -0700, James Kittock wrote:
> Because he is "gambling", not sitting on his ass
> watching ESPN all night, it is eeeeevil.
> 
> Hide the women and children!
> 
> ----- Original Message ----- 
> From: "Jim Geary" <jaygee(deleted the rest)>
> To: "bap" <ba-poker(deleted the rest)>
> Sent: Tuesday, June 08, 2004 10:22 PM
> Subject: Re: [ba-poker] Story from SFGate
> 
> 
> > On Tue, 8 Jun 2004, Patti Beadles wrote:
> >
> > >
> http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2004/06/08/DDG2C711D91.DTL
> >
> > Let me get this straight.  This guy has a job.  And some nights he plays
> > poker.  He used to have a girlfriend, but now he doesn't.  He's playing a
> > little more poker.
> >
> > Ms. Constantineau, meet Mr. Pullitzer.
> >
> >
>