What's the best way to give up playing poker?

Question

I'm a regular winner on poker sites, but obviously I lose some also and it makes me moody and creates arguments with my girlfriend.

I wouldn't mind if poker was banned as then I don't have the option but I keep going back for the buzz, but I have got to the stage where I care too much about my girlfriend to risk what we have got over a stupid card game.

Anyone else given it up recently and how do you stop from logging on?

Answer 1

Self-Exclusion is probably the best method, if you don't have enough self-control to simply stop.

Full tilt has a self-exclusion program that isn't permanant but can go up to 180 days. I'd imagine you can send any site an e-mail, and get them to ban you. GL.

Answer 2

Before you do anything, see if she understands you.  Are there other circumstance that cause you to be moody and create arguments with your girlfriend?  What would you do in that situation?

Answer 3

under your settings in your computer, block the websites. it is a pain but so is unblocking them.

Answer 4

All the major poker sites have a self exclusion option where you can ban yourself for a period of time.  If they don't have that menu option just email them and ask them to close your account or suspend it.  (Usually [e-mail]).

But it is pretty selfish to wish that poker be banned, affecting millions of people, just because you cannot exercise self control, and then when you lose you get moody and mean to your girlfriend.

It is not the job of the government to ban anything that people might abuse just in case.  The government is not your parent, this is a free country (or it's supposed to be) and as adults we have to exercise good judgment and self control.

Answer 5

if you are serious you can send an email to the pokersite and request that you be banned from their site.  they can set it up so you cant log in....or so you cant play real money tables anymore.

Problem solved.

Answer 6

I gave up playing online casinos (Blackjack and Roulette)...

I Firstly joined this site > www.gamcare.org.uk

Which has a very helpful and friendly forum... they advised that I self exclude my accounts - but I didn't do that instead I just closed them... and I just didn't open them again... anytime I felt like a gamble I posted on that forum in the 'diary' area...

now 6 months on and I don't even think about very often! (though sometimes thoughts of having a go do go through my head)

P.s. through the first 2 months of giving up I had about 4 relapses back into gambling but it's been 6 full months without a bet!

Good Luck :)

if you want to email me contact me at this username at yahoo.co.uk

Answer 7

You gotta know when to fold em

Answer 8

just stop going to it dummy

Answer 9

Cold turkey it. Remove the link or the bookmark from your computer, cancel your account and stay away from anything that involves gaming for a while. Let your adrenaline settle down and your brain too. If there is no temptation, you won't do it. Mind over matter.  Never risk more than you can lose and when you've lost, you're DONE! Also, never mess with the home money or your honey's money! Good luck.