Question by : Would playing with PLAY chips on Pokerstars be considered “gambling”?
I started playing poker since I was about 5 or 6 years old. I love the game, but over the past six to seven years , I’ve slowly Acquired a gambling addiction. I lost all my money, a few times , and began to have friends worry about me. The past year I’ve finally admitted to myself that I was addicted and been working to quit poker ( the only form of gambling I do besides betting with friends ). I’ve quit fantasy football, side bets , sports bets completely, but can not give up poker. I tried giving it up cold turkey and DID NOT work. Over the past two months I’ve gone from playing stakes as high as $ 20,000 .. down to $ 1 stakes of buyins . … I made it a week without a single hand of poker, but could not continue . I started up again on poker stars, but this time playing with PLAY money. … Like I said before, I grew up with the game and just have a passion for it , …. I dont think I’ll ever be able to give it up completely. ….. Is playing for play money though, still considered gambling ? … since I’m not risking any of my own money. …. Just playing it for entertainment and a hobby .

I’m asking for opinions about this … anyone who has ever gone through this painful addiction , what did you do to quit ? … Or couldnt ‘you quit ? … I have NOT gone to seek “professional “help yet ( gamblers annonymous ) , but would like to do this on my own.

Please, if you have any advice or experiences with this painful addiction , PLEASE let me know. … I feel I’ve done a good job recovering , but can not put that final ” nail in the coffin “if you know what I mean.

Thanks!

Best answer:

Answer by LegFuJohnson
Simple answer to your question… No, playing for play money is not gambling. You aren’t risking anything, you aren’t winning anything.

Now, since you are apparently a gambling addict, would you prefer I said that is was gambling? So you could get your fix with no risk? Or because I’m telling you it’s not gambling are you going to have to gamble somewhere else?

Answer by inc flash
Playing with playmoney is not gambling since there is no money involved. If this fills your fix, continue as if it were a video game.

Understand that poker players use a concept called ‘bankroll management’ (google it if you need to know more). This allows them to play with amounts of money that they can afford. There are players that are able to play profitably using this system if they understand the game well enough.

I have played poker online (profitably) for about 6 years now. It can be done if you understand the game. Play low stakes and prove you can make money before you gamble higher.

I don’t gamble on anything else, but as I understand it people with gambling addictions actually like to expose themselves to losses that really hurt – almost like a self hate kind of thing. If this sounds like your problem, seek professional advice before you ruin your life.

Good luck!

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