Question:
Have a friend/new relative who is clearly addicted to poker. He has lost a good
amount of money playing poker and some of his family members feel he needs help.
Couple thoughts on this. I know and understand he has a gambling problem as
poker is gambling. But he wont play blackjack or bet on sports. I think he is
addicted to poker. I have seen him have the same joy in playing a .01/.02 game
at home with family as to the 5/10 and 10/20 games he has been playing at the
B&M games. As well if he always had someone to play poker with at home my guess
is he'd never go to the casino.
I will be taking him to the casino to sign him out and as well his sister
insists that he goes to gamblers anonymous or some sort of program which i will
more than likely be going with him.
I had an idea that the wife shot down real quick teaching him how to play better
or giving him the tools he needs to improve ( my books, videos, notes etc..). I
have seen him play poker and know that he lacks the skills and the know in order
to play long term and be at least even. He has not read any books, and only
plays B&M as he does not play online.
I have improved my game over time and know that it is a game of learning and a
game that can be beaten over the long run. I feel he is at the same level I was
at when I started which is "I watched rounders, I'm a pro" mentality which
turned me into a loser! I can now say that I am a winning player. Could an
option be getting him help on his game to become at least a break even player?
I am sticking with the get him help option but i really find a grey are between
gambling addiction and poker addiction.
Want to know your thoughts.
Answer:
It doesn't sound like a gambling addiction or compulsion from your
descriptions but a mental health professional could better determine
that. Actually it sounds more like the problem is the amount of time
he's spending away from the family. You might want to ask him about
that.
