It's been my experince through playing that this isn't your typical game, it's a mental challenge and becoming a global takeover. What I'd like to know is, what do you think? Is it a sport, or a weekend hobby turned nationwide epidemic? Personally I find to be neither, Its more or less the person playing I'd guess (I can't stop lol) I understand it's gambling yes, but, it's also fun at times and is one of my personal fav. things to do. I mean how many people know how to play? Do you understand what goes into it to make it as great of a game as it is? Or am I just glorifying it to much? Any feedback on anyones thoughts is appricated.
-Detailed O_o

Poker lacks physical activity, therefor not a sport. Poker exploded and theres like a billion Poker sites and tournaments held on SPORTS channels. How it got so popular I don't know, it's kind of like golf, it got pretty popular recently as well. And kind of like the spelling bee contest ... shouldn't be shown on the SPORTS channel.

Lol, Thank you, now thats funny. I also should've added on the opening statements that I understand the pros and cons of the "non-players" ideas of it, but what I want to know more specificaly is, What do people know, what do you understand about it, can you play?, have you ever wanted to? have you ever watched it played out? and if not no biggy (^_^), but maybe people should open up to this a little more, It is a very challenging game, not your basic "Go Fish" card game you know. There is so much! and a million ways to learn, It's like a bad pringle for me, once I popped I couldn't stop, (playing that is, not gambling) I'd like to know if its remotely the same for others as well, even though the jist is hard to grasp, what they say is true... it's the easiest card game out there to pick up; basically you really shouldn't knock somthing you may not understand yourself is all. Again any feedback on this is appricated.
-Detailed

Hmmm... how should I represtent the subject? the principle of poker the thing that makes the game as high tension as it is; (for me at least) would have to be the opposing players. At a normal poker table there is anywhere from 2-12 players, each player is delt his or her cards according to the style of poker being played, (there are multiple styles as well, my fav. is the all to known "Texas Hold 'em") so in retrospect we'll say 2 cards delt. Now from theses two cards, the players will begin their rounds of betting. The dealer would then lay 3 more cards on the table "The Folp", now here is where a good poker players instinct would play in, the key hands (the winning hands) can usually be told off of these 3. So will skip the boring stuff, after the rounds of betting have taking place, a fourth card will be delt; "The Turn Card" from here players are mainly aware (if you are keen to the game that is.) of what one another have, so once again the betting will take place. From here on in will be a players final stand the last card will be delt "The River Card" this card alone can sometimes make or break a good hand unless of course you happen to of stumbled into a good off of the "Flop" or "Turn". And it has become something of a sport to me anyway to play and learn the ins' and outs' of this game "Texas Hold 'em" Has taught me a number card games just through the idea of its' game play, So I thought I'd share a little of how the game works for someone who is intrested in learning. (All though I myself am still learning, I have learned a great deal), So with that said if there are any questions about the rules, hands, game play, bets, checks, anything; and you don't want a long drawn out explination... ask me please, lol.
^_^ Thank Yous' Much,
-Detailed

Someone please tell me there's more poker fans in this world of ours, (*ponders if he's right about the whole post*), I will give anyone any needed info. on this wonderful game.
Thanks as always,
Detailed

Poker is a way of gambling. And gambling is my way of fun.XD Yes, I play poker. I don't know if I play well, but I'd say I already have a number of wins. But mind you, I don't bet real money. Me and my friends bought "paper money" aka fake money-->you know, the kind which were published supposedly for educational purposes.^^ In that way, we really felt like we were playing for money.^^

Poker needs a lot of concentration. A player needs to focus, in every bet and every bluff he makes. Yes, I sometimes bluff.. Ohoho! And sometimes, they take it seriously.. then I win. ehehe.XD Poker is definitely addictive.^^

I just recently got into poker (Texas Hold 'em) thanks to a room mate of mine at school, and have to say that it is very challenging and really rewarding. I enjoy the tactical/strategic side of the game and the reasonable excuse to be less than honest (I know that sounds bad, but hey, at least I'm not cheating...). I uesd to look at it like a fad, but I got introduced, and I took to it for its own merits.

Ha! No one can beat me at poker. I'm gifted with a poker face and really good at bluffing. At least against my family. Haven't tried big tables yet, just small games with monopoly money. I sucked at Black Jack tho.

"~Shellova" it would be my pleasure to play you in a heads-up match anyday of the week (lol, o.o). And for those of you who replied, thank you for that; I was begining to think for awhile there that I was the only person on this site who played. Also you are all correct the game seriously requires a nack for the play, but once you've begun it's sorta' hard not to enjoy the thrill of winning (saying you do that is). I also want to let those of you who may not quite understand the gameplay to please ask... I will do what I can to answer any questions, with little hassle.
Creating poker zombies one by one,
-Detailed

I try to stay away from gambling because you just end up losing money. Sometimes I play poker or black jack online, but never for money. It's just too easy to get addicted to that kind of stuff.

"~Rubarabadom" I completly aggree. I too feel one shouldn't bet unless you have huge bankroll behind you, not to mention that the house is always against you no matter what. So with that said I stick to what I stated befor, I just enjoy playing this one, I'm into the gameplay... the ups' and downs' come with the bets I suppose I prefer to stay away from that aspect of it. Plus, "you don't loose what you don't put in" right ("Rounders", lol).
Anyways...
Thanks again,
-Detailed

All I know is that when me and my friends played for fake money, everyone just kept raising because everyone was trying to outbluff everyone! Indeed very short games. I am sure playing for real money would probably be different. I would probably follow a similar strategy and loose all my money in no time =)

I always used to play poker back in school. We played 5 Card Draw and Texas Hold'em a lot. We bet change, like quarters or dimes. I don't know if I'd say I'm "good", hell I lost most of the time, but I do know how to play. My "poker face" leaves something to be desired as well. I tend to smile a lot when bluffing and whatnot.

emeraldnite99

All I know is that when me and my friends played for fake money, everyone just kept raising because everyone was trying to outbluff everyone! Indeed very short games. I am sure playing for real money would probably be different. I would probably follow a similar strategy and loose all my money in no time =)

That's the problem with fake money. People won't hesitate to loose them. :) It's simple, if anyone was trying to outbluff everyone, then the one with the highest bluff is the one with the worst cards. There's a logic behind this, but i'm not pretty sure. Just use your instinct. Trust your guts not your nuts.

"Trust you guts not you nuts", I like that one ^_^, thats a great way to sum up the action perfectly It's all about timing and instinct; poker is a game of wit. Monopoly money is so much diffrent than the real thing I promise you this, with real money you tend to have a worry overcome you... you become hesitant and that gut instinct is overcome, it's very easy to make mistakes when your not paying attention, (and it sucks to loose your money!). So I'll tell you becareful when you do play for "bank", and rember, know when to cut your losses o.k. don't get carried away in the hopes of making it back (very hard to do, and you'll most likely loose more).