Pros and Cons of Poker Addiction
Most types of poker addiction may be bad, but there's a poker addiction that does some people good. Believe it or not, this is the type most people would love in a poker player.
Poker addiction is sickening to see in people in general. And often, it is the kind that addicted players do not notice and will never admit to. Bad poker addiction may at times need expert help to get rid of. And no one should count himself out when it comes to susceptibility to poker addiction---everyone's prone, even the guy who's the strongest disclaimer---or rather especially one such.
But the thing here is that make sure not to fall victim to bad poker addiction. There's such a thing as a "good" poker addiction, and that's what we want to have for a healthy poker hobby. And that's exactly what poker psychology calls it---healthy and unhealthy poker addiction. And, of course, we watch out for both symptoms. Unhealthy poker addiction will never get us anywhere in poker except frustrations. Well, there may be up trends for a while---good while the honeymoon lasts---but after the imaginary effects wear off, we come face to face with the monster of unhealthy poker addiction.
The thing here is to be motivated the right way in poker. Motivation is the key. With right motivation poker addiction becomes "good" or "healthy." And this results to more prospects of winning at poker. And what's the right motivation? It is simply a right mindset. The mindset says that poker is a gambling game, and being so, it needs careful study, discipline, and self-control. The good poker addiction here is when one strives so hard to study the game more for better mastery, instill more discipline so that emotions do not get in the way of winnings, and have the self-control to know when enough is enough and call it a day.
Bad poker addiction is when the poker player doesn't care about losing money anymore and just wipes the bankroll clean with losses after losses. This is the disgusting kind of poker addiction people hate to see in poker players, no matter how good the latter are. And such attitude cannot be hidden even with the best bluff techniques.
Poker addiction should be the healthy kind. Systematic and mature---just like the way the masters play the game. A healthy poker addiction is an obstinate striving for excellence, discipline, and self-control.