Thanks to the internet making poker playing more accessible to all types of players, more people than ever are getting hooked on the game. While there is a fine line between loving poker and being a gambling addict, most people know when to stop. Poker is fun because it is a social game and requires concentration and thinking. Not only this, but in poker, you play and compete against other players, which turns up the excitement level even more if you win. Below are ten signs that you are a poker junkie:
1. If you find yourself starring into every mirror you pass trying to perfect your perfect poker face, you might be a poker junkie.
2. If you have a different pair of sunglasses, depending on what casino you play in so that you can account for the different levels of lighting within each poker room, you might be a poker junkie.
3. If you have a T1 connection in your bathroom so that you can use your laptop without having to hook up to a wireless network to play poker online, you might be a poker junkie.
4. If your digital video recorder is set to record nothing but the latest poker tournaments on television, you might be a poker junkie.
5. If you’ve skipped your child’s school play, PTA meeting, soccer game, birthday party, or graduation so that you could play in an online World Series of Poker qualifying tournament, you might be a poker junkie (and a bad parent!)
6. If you have an obsession with royalty and get excited when anyone mentions kings or queens, you might be a poker junkie.
7. If your heart rate starts to go up and you get flushed with excitement when someone mentions the word, “river,” you might be a poker junkie.
8. If your computer screen names, email accounts, or passwords contain anything that references cards or the game of poker, you might be a poker junkie.
9. If you decorate your room with life-sized posters of your favorite professional poker players, you might be a poker junkie.
10. If your online poker bank account is bigger than the amount of money you’re likely to make in your lifetime at your real job, you might be a poker junkie.
While playing poker online is extremely fun, some people can become truly addicted to it. Gambling addictions are real addictions that are just as serious as hardcore drug and alcohol addictions. If you or anyone that you know is having problems with a gambling addiction, seek expert help immediately before it ruins your life and the lives of your loved ones.