Poker
—Poker—
I hardly know her! Comedic genius, yes. (Perhaps a blog later on my erstwhile dreams of becoming a stand-up comedian, true story.) So yes, as mentioned in my post on side hustles, I’ve decided to delve a bit deeper into my poker... hobby? Addiction? Fascination? Perhaps we’ll have a clearer answer by the end of this writing.
I play poker, primarily No-Limit Texas Hold ‘Em cash games, about twice a month. It used to be twice a day (more on this later), but I’ve since practiced and developed a knack for moderation—for which I am grateful. In LA, I play at the Bicycle (The Bike) and Commerce in, well, Commerce. I play in a couple home game groups (one I was just recently welcomed into). And 3-4 times a year I drive to Vegas and patronize the Bellagio, the Aria, MGM Grand, and—more recently with the reopening of their poker room—Mandalay Bay. I play mostly lower stakes (1-3; 2-5; 5-5) with the occasional 5-10 game if I’m feeling spicy.
There are myriad books and resources out there re poker know-how and strategy. This won’t be today’s focus; rather, let’s explore why I (like to) play poker. I’ll try to limit it to three reasons:
Physiological
Power
Financial Profit
Physiological. There is no doubt that I (and many others) feel a certain rush upon winning a game or a bet—especially when the stakes are high and $$ is involved. The heart beats a little faster; the tingles permeate the body. Your confidence spikes. You feel invincible. On top of the world. That’s the dopamine. Those neurotransmitters that are released when we experience joy or accomplish a goal. Winning a large pot in poker releases, for me, a flood of dopamine. It’s addicting, this feeling, and you have to be careful. Because when you lose, and you will lose, you tend to feel justified in your resolve to win it back, i.e., chasing the $$. Yet still, I find the game to be relaxing. Why? You’re sedentary at the poker table—often for four hours or more. You’re waited on constantly, offered unlimited free drinks, and maintain access to 360-degree television. You can converse with others at the table, but I prefer to pop in the AirPods, grind away, and permit my body to separate from the stressors of everyday life.
Power. Many dynamics are at play in the game of poker, but perhaps none more active than power. In poker, you have the opportunity to overpower others—through force, not of the body, but the will. A skilled player is constantly analyzing his opponents’ tendencies and identifying when best to exploit their mistakes. A good player also relies not so much on the cards but how he plays the cards. 2-7 off-suit can win against A-K on an A 7 Q flop. 3-4 suited can take down AA on a 6-7-J-9-Q board if you maintain your story and apply the correct amount of pressure at the correct time. Winning a large pot through bluffing or with a bluff-catcher—and knowing that you manipulated your opponent into making the wrong decision—feels GREAT. It’s a boost to the ego and initiates, especially if you’ve won multiple hands in a row because of it, a positive feedback loop indicating that you are playing well and making the right decisions. The power dynamics are operating in your favor.
Financial Profit. Playing well, and at the right stakes, can result in decent profit. The inverse can also be true. So, like everything in life, you need to practice moderation and make a habit of practicing the game away from the tables. I learned this the hard way. While I was maintaining a steady profit, I was playing multiple times a day. Back in 2020, when I started to take poker more seriously, I found myself at the tables almost more than when I was with my friends and the Beautiful One. I was consumed by the game and the culture and the winnings. I had to take a step back, and reevaluate my priorities. But, I’d be lying if I wasn’t attracted to the prospect of financial gain. With a proper bankroll (20x the max buy-in of the game you regularly play) and a healthy dose of moderation, I’ve developed an appropriate balance of my approach to the game. Sessions aren’t without their losses, but the way and frequency at which I play help to minimize losses and maximize profit.
I’ll conclude that poker for me is a hobby. A hobby I’ve endeavored to not let become an addiction. It’s a fun, strategy-based game of skill (don’t let folks tell you it’s gambling:))) that can, when practiced correctly, become quite profitable. It’s high-risk/high-reward; as contradicting as it sounds, you must be willing to lose a lot to be a winning player. Grind on. 10-8 run it up. It always hits.
That’s all for now.
Peace.
-Taylor
P.S. Scope my YouTube channel to explore some of my poker vlogging adventures. I just filmed another while on my most recent Las Vegas trip.
TJH -- 03.31.2025