While most players enjoy poker responsibly, a small percentage may gamble
when under the legal age limit, and others may let gambling assume too
large a role in their life. We here at ProPokerGuide.com hope that this
article will help players know if they are letting the game of poker affect
their life in a negative way.
Keeping control
While the majority of people do gamble within their means, for some it
can spiral out of control. In order to help you keep control PPG would
like you to remember the following:
• Use gambling as entertainment and not as a way of making money.
• Avoid chasing losses.
• Only gamble what you can afford to lose
• Keep track of the time and amount of money you spend gambling.
• Use the deposit limits and time limits on the player protection
page to control the amount you can spend if you think you need help setting
boundaries.
Know when to Fold
Online gambling is another form of entertainment and only that. If gambling
has placed a burden on your life either financially or emotionally, we
suggest you ask yourself the following twenty questions:
1. Did you ever lose time from work or education due to gambling?
2. Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy?
3. Did gambling affect your reputation?
4. Have you ever felt remorse after gambling?
5. Did you ever gamble to get money with which to pay debts or otherwise
solve financial difficulties?
6. Did gambling cause a decrease in your ambition or efficiency?
7. After losing did you feel you must return as soon as possible and win
back your losses?
8. After a win did you have a strong urge to return and win more?
9. Did you often gamble until your last dollar was gone?
10. Did you ever borrow to finance your gambling?
11. Have you ever sold anything to finance gambling?
12. Were you reluctant to use "gambling money" for normal expenditures?
13. Did gambling make you careless of the welfare of yourself or your
family?
14. Did you ever gamble longer than you had planned?
15. Have you ever gambled to escape worry or trouble?
16. Have you ever committed or considered committing, an illegal act to
finance gambling?
17. Did gambling cause you to have difficulty in sleeping?
18. Do arguments, disappointments or frustrations create within you an
urge to gamble?
19. Did you ever have an urge to celebrate any good fortune by a few hours
of gambling?
20. Have you ever considered self-destruction or suicide as a result of
your gambling?
Most compulsive gamblers will answer yes to at least seven of these questions.
If you would like to seek professional advice, please click on one of
the following links:
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Playing Poker Responsibly