Each and everyone of us here have one thing in common and that's poker. Poker is my passion and here are some of the key reasons why.
I sat down and played my 1st live poker game 6 years ago and instantly feel in-love with it. I wasn't sure back then why I loved it but I knew that there was something more to the game something deeper, more intruiging then it appeared to be and I was already set to unravel it's mysteries.

Initially, I played poker as a "distraction' from my RL. I had gotten laid-off, was broke, fighting with my EX everyday and was dealing with a lot of crap going on with my family. I loved escaping from this reality and logging into an online poker site provided this for me.
I made many online friends and I found poker entertaining although I wasn't taking the game seriously. Basically just go to a play money table where my buddies were, crack jokes, have some wine and shoot the shit with them until the wee hours of the morning.

I still enjoy playing the freerolls after a few wines. However, I've also learned to become a "serious" poker player. I will often take myself too seriously and tend to be way too hard on myself when analyzing the stats, hand histories; how I should've played the hand, analyzing my hand-ranges vs. opponents etc...

When I won my 1st ever freeroll I realized, "there could be some potential for making money in poker" That's when I began to take the game to the next level and I became a more "serious" player. I set myself poker goals to accomplish.

Poker no longer just means "fun" or "escape". For me, poker now represents "opportunity" & "development". I've seen many friends cash big with poker, win trips, travel because they've won ME's etc...Not only monetary and travel opportunities but the chance to meet onlinepals in RL and to formstead-fast friendships. I've been staked to Vegas a few times to compete in Events. It's always a great feeling when you can put a face to a name of someone you've known for years. The feeling is undescribable.

We live in a society where we are taught to control our emotions even though latest research tells us to "let it out" and to express our feelings. Poker isagreat wayto help us learn to control our emotions and it's a wonderful tool for gaining self-discipline. I've noticed that the way I cope with RL situations is very similar to the way I handle problems at the poker table and it's thanks to poker that I have discovered this.

Even though I prefer live poker, I've been playing more of the online during the past couple of years. I like online it's a faster game but also a lot calmer. Nothing beats the thrill and excitement of live poker. Heart pounding in chest, sweaty palms as your putting your chips into a huge pot. There's a thrill beyond any other getting your opponent to lay down the best hand. ;)

It's kinda like the feeling you get when you're about to have sex for the 1st time! Poker truly is a mind f*ck. I love the psychology of poker. Outplaying my opponents out of their hand by bluffing them out of a pot. Sizesing them up, putting them on the spot watching them squirm in their seats. It's an adrenaline rush.

For me, poker is about self-growth, self -awarness, adventure. It's learning about how I react under pressure and how others react under pressure. How we react to stress @ the tables is a clear indication to ourselves, how we react to everyday stress. It's about what I'm doing vs what others are doing at the table. It's about preparation, thinking ahead. Predicting what your oppenents next move will be; cause and effect.It's about being mindful of my actions and reactions.It's about making money, bankroll management, setting goals,taking opportunities of a lifetime and most importantly (for me anyway) it's about self growth. Whether it be among friends or with complete strangers. Poker is one huge puzzle and I am determined to dissect it and put it all back together eventually one day, peice by peice. What is poker for you? I hope you have enjoyed my blog.