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POKER is it a game of skill or chance ?
Boynton Beach, FL
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
FROM AN ARTICLE--- May 26th 2006 by Ed Vogel Las Vegas Review Journal
Professional poker player and television commentator Howard Lederer said the charm of poker is that "people at home believe they can be part of it. Anyone can win. Occasionally you get a guy who has a lucky run." Lederer maintained it would hard to become a compulsive poker player "based on the skill element. It is a skill-based game."
"You may have the skills," Arnie Wexler told Lederer.
"The kids all over America think they all can be professional poker players," added Wexler, who called for television to start empathizing the potential problems of poker playing.
I run a National helpline for gamblers--- 888 LAST BET ==
And 1/3 of all the calls are coming from young people from age 14 - 30 or the parents of these young people.
In the 42 years that we have been helping compulsive gamblers, we have never seen anything explode like poker has. Poker is sweeping the nation and the world. It is the hottest thing on college campuses. It is easier to play poker then it is to buy cigarettes or a can of beer on campuses all over the country. We have spoken to college students who play poker day and night. They even play during class. According to a Harvard study a few years ago, 4.67% of young people have a gambling problem. Experts tell us that the earlier a person starts to gamble, the greater the risk of them becoming a compulsive gambler. In another survey, 96% of adult male recovering gamblers' stated that they started gambling before the age of 14. With this poker explosion, the average age of people seeking help for a gambling problems is now much younger then even just a few years ago .
You can't surf the TV without seeing some kind of poker tournament being televised, and you can't be on your computer without seeing a pop up about poker or receiving an email inviting you to come to a poker site to play.
Some of the people (both youngsters and adults) are becoming addicted to poker. Not everyone who plays, will develop a compulsive gambling problem, but there are those who will get caught up in the craze and then cross that invisible line which will lead to destruction.
It is very easy for someone to get "hooked" on poker. It is readily available (24 hours a day). In some cases (via the internet) you never have to leave your home or office. You don't even need to get dressed. The game of poker is quick and socially acceptable.
It is the kind of gambling experience that fits very well with someone who has an impulse disorder like compulsive gambling. It holds a special danger for those who are already at risk, or compulsive gamblers in recovery. We have seen recovering gamblers relapse into their addiction as the result of being tempted by the poker craze.
Almost every day, we get emails ( aswexler@aol.com) or hot line calls (888- LAST BET) from people asking for help about their poker addiction. Some of the requests come from parents of youngsters (as young as 14). Others vary from teens to seniors, men and women as well.
The American Psychiatric Association describes Pathological Gambling as an impulse disorder. The criteria they use to diagnose this disorder is as follows:
Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by at least five of the following:
1. is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)
2. needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
3. has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
4. is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
5. gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression.
6. after losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing" one's losses)
7. lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
8. has committed illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement, in order to finance gambling
9. has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
10.relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
======================
DO COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS EVER MAKE MONEY GAMBLING ?
Compulsive gamblers sometimes show a profit from a single session but in the end they cannot keep it. They will lose it all and more because of their addiction.
A win is never big enough so they keep playing and dream that this time they will get the "Big Win" they crave. When it does ( sometimes it does ) it is still not enough so they keep gambling and lose more.
Just like "normal people" who win and buy something with the money, the compulsive gambler will only see a win as a sign that they are now on a winning streak so they risk more. They cannot stop the chase to win more and more. The human drama continues when they lose and chase the losses with even more money. The cycle continues.
Compulsive gambling is a progressive disease, much like an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many cases, the gambling addiction is hidden until the gambler becomes unable to function without gambling. He or she begins to exclude all other activities from their lives. Their ability to stop gambling often results in financial devastation, broken homes, employment problems, criminal acts and suicide attempts.
The gambler will eventually remove themselves from reality to the point of being totally obsessed with gambling. They will do anything to get money with which to stay in "action". They will spend all their time and energy developing schemes in order to get more cash to continue gambling. Lying becomes a way of life for the gambler. They will try to convince family, friends and even themselves that their lies are actually truths and they will believe there own lies.
Compulsive gamblers will hit a real bottom and it is then that some will try to do something to recover but most gamblers only want to stop but can't. They are simply unable to beat the addiction. Most even at that point will keep gambling. Some will end up in jail, some will attempt suicide, others will die from their addiction as they will not take care of their health. Perhaps the stress will kill them.
A small group of addicted gamblers will finally seek and find real help but the real trick is to get in to real recovery. Not just abstinence. By the time the gambler comes for help they have broken brains. They are mentally ill. To get real recovery, the gambler needs to work on themselves one day at a time.
Compulsive gamblers who want to recover and get a stress free life must find a "sponsor" someone who will do their thinking for them. A "sponsor" should be someone who has been in recovery for some time and has a real knowledge of how compulsive gamblers feel. After some time in recovery their brain will start to function normally and they will see their problem for what it is: a health and wealth issue. They will become productive on their job and become a good father or husband. Recovery is a process and does not happen without a lot of work. The gambler must choose to make a moral and financial inventory. People can and do recover.
ARNIE WEXLER CCGC
Arnie and Sheila Wexler Associates
213 Third Avenue
Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
732-774-0019 cell 954 5015270
www.aswexler.com
Arnie and Sheila Wexler have provided extensive training on Compulsive, Problem and Underage Gambling nationally and internationally for over 30 years
They have provided expert witness testimony. They also run a national help line (888 LAST BET). Sheila Wexler is the Executive Director of the Compulsive Gambling Foundation.
Professional poker player and television commentator Howard Lederer said the charm of poker is that "people at home believe they can be part of it. Anyone can win. Occasionally you get a guy who has a lucky run." Lederer maintained it would hard to become a compulsive poker player "based on the skill element. It is a skill-based game."
"You may have the skills," Arnie Wexler told Lederer.
"The kids all over America think they all can be professional poker players," added Wexler, who called for television to start empathizing the potential problems of poker playing.
I run a National helpline for gamblers--- 888 LAST BET ==
And 1/3 of all the calls are coming from young people from age 14 - 30 or the parents of these young people.
In the 42 years that we have been helping compulsive gamblers, we have never seen anything explode like poker has. Poker is sweeping the nation and the world. It is the hottest thing on college campuses. It is easier to play poker then it is to buy cigarettes or a can of beer on campuses all over the country. We have spoken to college students who play poker day and night. They even play during class. According to a Harvard study a few years ago, 4.67% of young people have a gambling problem. Experts tell us that the earlier a person starts to gamble, the greater the risk of them becoming a compulsive gambler. In another survey, 96% of adult male recovering gamblers' stated that they started gambling before the age of 14. With this poker explosion, the average age of people seeking help for a gambling problems is now much younger then even just a few years ago .
You can't surf the TV without seeing some kind of poker tournament being televised, and you can't be on your computer without seeing a pop up about poker or receiving an email inviting you to come to a poker site to play.
Some of the people (both youngsters and adults) are becoming addicted to poker. Not everyone who plays, will develop a compulsive gambling problem, but there are those who will get caught up in the craze and then cross that invisible line which will lead to destruction.
It is very easy for someone to get "hooked" on poker. It is readily available (24 hours a day). In some cases (via the internet) you never have to leave your home or office. You don't even need to get dressed. The game of poker is quick and socially acceptable.
It is the kind of gambling experience that fits very well with someone who has an impulse disorder like compulsive gambling. It holds a special danger for those who are already at risk, or compulsive gamblers in recovery. We have seen recovering gamblers relapse into their addiction as the result of being tempted by the poker craze.
Almost every day, we get emails ( aswexler@aol.com) or hot line calls (888- LAST BET) from people asking for help about their poker addiction. Some of the requests come from parents of youngsters (as young as 14). Others vary from teens to seniors, men and women as well.
The American Psychiatric Association describes Pathological Gambling as an impulse disorder. The criteria they use to diagnose this disorder is as follows:
Persistent and recurrent maladaptive gambling behavior as indicated by at least five of the following:
1. is preoccupied with gambling (e.g., preoccupied with reliving past gambling experiences, handicapping or planning the next venture, or thinking of ways to get money with which to gamble)
2. needs to gamble with increasing amounts of money in order to achieve the desired excitement
3. has repeated unsuccessful efforts to control, cut back, or stop gambling
4. is restless or irritable when attempting to cut down or stop gambling
5. gambles as a way of escaping from problems or of relieving a dysphoric mood (e.g., feelings of helplessness, guilt, anxiety, depression.
6. after losing money gambling, often returns another day in order to get even ("chasing" one's losses)
7. lies to family members, therapist, or others to conceal the extent of involvement with gambling
8. has committed illegal acts, such as forgery, fraud, theft, or embezzlement, in order to finance gambling
9. has jeopardized or lost a significant relationship, job, or educational or career opportunity because of gambling
10.relies on others to provide money to relieve a desperate financial situation caused by gambling
======================
DO COMPULSIVE GAMBLERS EVER MAKE MONEY GAMBLING ?
Compulsive gamblers sometimes show a profit from a single session but in the end they cannot keep it. They will lose it all and more because of their addiction.
A win is never big enough so they keep playing and dream that this time they will get the "Big Win" they crave. When it does ( sometimes it does ) it is still not enough so they keep gambling and lose more.
Just like "normal people" who win and buy something with the money, the compulsive gambler will only see a win as a sign that they are now on a winning streak so they risk more. They cannot stop the chase to win more and more. The human drama continues when they lose and chase the losses with even more money. The cycle continues.
Compulsive gambling is a progressive disease, much like an addiction to alcohol or drugs. In many cases, the gambling addiction is hidden until the gambler becomes unable to function without gambling. He or she begins to exclude all other activities from their lives. Their ability to stop gambling often results in financial devastation, broken homes, employment problems, criminal acts and suicide attempts.
The gambler will eventually remove themselves from reality to the point of being totally obsessed with gambling. They will do anything to get money with which to stay in "action". They will spend all their time and energy developing schemes in order to get more cash to continue gambling. Lying becomes a way of life for the gambler. They will try to convince family, friends and even themselves that their lies are actually truths and they will believe there own lies.
Compulsive gamblers will hit a real bottom and it is then that some will try to do something to recover but most gamblers only want to stop but can't. They are simply unable to beat the addiction. Most even at that point will keep gambling. Some will end up in jail, some will attempt suicide, others will die from their addiction as they will not take care of their health. Perhaps the stress will kill them.
A small group of addicted gamblers will finally seek and find real help but the real trick is to get in to real recovery. Not just abstinence. By the time the gambler comes for help they have broken brains. They are mentally ill. To get real recovery, the gambler needs to work on themselves one day at a time.
Compulsive gamblers who want to recover and get a stress free life must find a "sponsor" someone who will do their thinking for them. A "sponsor" should be someone who has been in recovery for some time and has a real knowledge of how compulsive gamblers feel. After some time in recovery their brain will start to function normally and they will see their problem for what it is: a health and wealth issue. They will become productive on their job and become a good father or husband. Recovery is a process and does not happen without a lot of work. The gambler must choose to make a moral and financial inventory. People can and do recover.
ARNIE WEXLER CCGC
Arnie and Sheila Wexler Associates
213 Third Avenue
Bradley Beach, NJ 07720
732-774-0019 cell 954 5015270
www.aswexler.com
Arnie and Sheila Wexler have provided extensive training on Compulsive, Problem and Underage Gambling nationally and internationally for over 30 years
They have provided expert witness testimony. They also run a national help line (888 LAST BET). Sheila Wexler is the Executive Director of the Compulsive Gambling Foundation.
Arnie Wexler
Arnie & Sheila Wexler Associates
Boynton Beach, FL
561-200-0165 CELL 954 5015270
