{"id":57014,"date":"2023-08-31T17:21:17","date_gmt":"2023-08-31T17:21:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/?page_id=57014"},"modified":"2024-04-11T16:41:49","modified_gmt":"2024-04-11T16:41:49","slug":"responsible-gaming","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.pokerscout.com\/responsible-gaming\/","title":{"rendered":"Responsible Gaming"},"content":{"rendered":"

Poker players are a different breed. Few other gambling activities inspire people to smile and laugh genuinely with the competition. After all, punters at a slot machine or blackjack table are not known for their camaraderie with the pit boss.<\/span><\/p>\n

So different is the game of poker that it can seem as though it isn\u2019t really gambling. Instead, it merely seems like a game, no different than a board game or video game.<\/span><\/p>\n

It\u2019s not – it is certainly gambling. Because it is gambling, it is quite necessary for its players to practice responsible gambling as they play. The information that follows is a rundown on what responsible gambling is, why it\u2019s necessary, and what to do about it.<\/span><\/p>\n

What is \u201cresponsible gambling?\u201d<\/span><\/h2>\n

Responsible gambling is the set of practices and strategies that can help to keep gambling a fun and safe activity. Using these actions as you play poker will severely limit the possibility that poker will become a destructive element in your life and the lives of your loved ones.<\/span><\/p>\n

Responsible gambling is a two-way street, too. Both players and gambling providers, like casinos and cardrooms, have a set of responsible gambling practices they would do well to follow.<\/span><\/p>\n

Responsible gambling is the healthy flip side to problem gambling. Problem gambling and gambling addiction, its more sinister cousin, are the set of practices that lead to financial and personal hardship or destruction for afflicted players.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

As it happens, poker players are particularly susceptible to these two dark sides because of an inherent element in poker.<\/span><\/p>\n

The problem: Poker and Skill<\/span><\/h2>\n

The inherent problematic element in poker is skill. Because poker is one of the few games that gamblers can play and show a long-term profit, it is often described as a skill game. In general, that description is correct, as the best players tend to make the most money over time.<\/span><\/p>\n

However, the problem that arises is that poker has a great deal of luck (or \u201cvariance,\u201d as we prefer to call it) involved, too. On a fairly regular basis, making the statistically-favored play on a poker table doesn\u2019t pan out. You can get it in with the best of it and still go home with empty pockets.<\/span><\/p>\n

Thus, poker is both a skill game <\/span>and<\/span><\/i> a gambling game. This truth is unfortunate because it can be difficult to parse out exactly which parts of your results are due to skill and which are due to luck. In fact, the mixing of the two qualities often leads players to overestimate their skill and underestimate the amount of luck responsible for their success – even at very high levels of the game.<\/span><\/p>\n

It is, therefore, critically important that all poker players, including us, practice responsible gambling at all times when we play. Let\u2019s discuss how to do that.<\/span><\/p>\n

How to practice responsible gambling as a player<\/span><\/h2>\n

If you are planning to sit at a table soon, you need to follow some or all of the following tips:<\/span><\/p>\n