Poker to assist addiction
Hi all
Sorry if in wrong place - Mods please move to suitable part. Hopefully interesting discussion anyway to all.
I run a business in UK (ive hidden name to avoid cheap advertising!). Amongst other things (poker being about 5% of it) i was thinking of utilising the below.
I would stress the poker part is in no way a profit making business. The poker tournaments would purely be club games on a well known site where only the site makes cash.
Our business is helping people through fitness, health and away from addiction (im an ex drug addict myself). Would the below seem reasonable? Im hoping for honesty but please no abuse as please bear in mind i didn't need to ask in here of all places - its as genuine as i state. All respectful, any honest thoughts welcomed.
My thought is...betting in roulette over time and you will destroy your life, whereas learn poker, you still scratch the itch but at least with hard work, you have fighting chance.
Sorry if this is inappropriate, ive hid business name as in no way a sales push as like i say its not profit seeking anyway and only small % of business. I just love poker myself personally and think may be helpful to others as it helped me in my youth with other addictions. Anyway...thoughts appreciated n all that follows now:
Poker: A Game of Skill, Not Gambling –
How **** Brings a New Approach to a Classic Game
At ****, we believe in promoting activities that encourage skill, discipline, and positive social interaction. While the term "poker" is often associated with gambling, the reality is that poker, unlike games of chance, is built on skill, strategy, and controlled risk. At its core, poker is about reading people, making calculated moves, and developing a keen understanding of probability and human psychology.
Poker vs. Gambling: The Key Differences
Traditional gambling games like slot machines, roulette, or lottery rely purely on chance; you have little to no control over the outcome. However, poker, on the other hand, demands skilful decision-making and an understanding of mathematics and probability. In poker, success doesn’t come from luck alone — studying the game, mastering strategies, and managing risks over time. Studies and countless professional players have shown that skilful play can consistently lead to wins in the long run, separating it from pure games of chance.
Why **** Is Against Traditional Gambling
At **** we’re committed to empowering individuals and supporting healthy, fulfilling lifestyles. We understand the serious harm that traditional gambling can cause; it has the potential to destroy lives, financial stability, and relationships. Our stance is clear: we stand against activities that lead to compulsive behaviour and suffering. Our mission is to offer a better, safer, and more supportive community—one that doesn’t fuel destructive habits but instead encourages growth and resilience.
Poker as a Controlled, Skill-Building Alternative
For those struggling with gambling urges, poker offers a structured and controlled way to experience the thrill of competition without the pitfalls of traditional gambling. Poker taps into the psychology of "the itch" but tempers it with skill and control, giving players a healthy outlet that minimizes risky behaviours.
Unlike other forms of gambling, poker encourages players to understand probability, observe human behaviour, and work within a calculated framework. Rather than being swept up in the rollercoaster of luck, poker players learn to manage risk, stick to limits, and enjoy a more disciplined form of competition. This controlled environment allows those with gambling issues to satisfy the thrill-seeking component without succumbing to addictive behaviours.
Building Community Through Poker at ****
Poker is also a social game; it brings people together and encourages camaraderie. ItÂ’s a fantastic way to develop friendships, communication skills, and teamwork as players interact, share strategies, and celebrate each otherÂ’s wins. At ****, we see poker as an avenue to foster positive social connections and build a strong, supportive community.
Bringing Poker Tournaments to ****
With all this in mind, ****is excited to announce our plan to host regular poker tournaments. Our goal is to provide a platform where poker enthusiasts and newcomers alike can come together to enjoy a game of skill, strategy, and fun—minus the risks of traditional gambling. These tournaments will be held in a safe, community-oriented setting that aligns with our mission to empower, support, and uplift individuals from all walks of life.
We believe that poker, when approached responsibly and with the right mindset, has the potential to be much more than a game. ItÂ’s a tool for personal growth, social interaction, and, yes, even life skills like patience, perseverance, and analytical thinking. At ****, weÂ’re proud to bring this unique experience to our community, and weÂ’re committed to making it a positive, life-affirming activity that aligns with our values.
Tournament details to follow!
Ask addiction specialists and physicians, not poker players.
My first thought is that this is a bad idea for substances addicts and a catastrophic idea for gambling addicts. Poker is not gambling the same way slots are but there is a massive element of luck/chance that is hard to deal with for healthy, non-addicts.
Also, I would imagine anything that leads to gambling addicts visiting casinos is not good.
Ask addiction specialists and physicians, not poker players.
My first thought is that this is a bad idea for substances addicts and a catastrophic idea for gambling addicts. Poker is not gambling the same way slots are but there is a massive element of luck/chance that is hard to deal with for healthy, non-addicts.
Also, I would imagine anything that leads to gambling addicts visiting casinos is not good.
I agree with this.
Hard not to read all those ****s as swear words.
I can't tell the difference between this and 'play money with extra steps'
Good intentions but bad idea mate, you’re underestimating the nature of gambling addictions.
Why is this a bad fix for gambling addicts? Well, it's like giving a sugar fiend a bag of empty candy wrappers and saying, 'Have at it!' Sure, it might "scratch the itch" for a minute, but soon enough, they’ll be craving the real deal.
Any hobby can help /assist addiction this isn't groundbreaking news.
Problem is a small % of people are winners so alot don't take up the hobby for long time/ drink take drugs from the stress of gambling.
Look at stu ungar for example. Guy won alot of money but was a gambling degen. Did his poker "hobby" help him in life..
getting skilled enough at poker for it to not lose you as much as slots takes an insane amount of hours of practice
It's also very hard on your psychology and i've seen people go insane playing this game. I would only recommend it to very healthy and mentally stable people
It might work in some rare cases, but generally as addicts lack self-control, this isn't the best environment to put them in. Especially at the beginning of recovery.
If you asked a room of addiction specialists about this, they'd probably get a good laugh. Though I think it has merit for certain personality types.
I can relate to the thinking behind this endeavor. If I'm not playing poker, I'm going to be engaging in some other form of gambling (typically sports betting, which has a skill element as well, but I'm personally much less disciplined with my sports betting than I am with poker playing). So I understand the logic. As an experiment in social science, I'm not sure how successful it would be. But it's certainly not laughable. To me it's somewhat akin to methadone treatment for heroin addicts
Don't make drug addicts play poker bro hahaha.
I would focus only in playing physical sports. I'm a winner in poker and i'm addicted to a lot of things.
Help these people find jobs and establish themselves in society.
This is kind of like the alcoholic who decides they're just going to drink beer because they can't handle hard alcohol.
Introduce a bunch of addicts to poker? Sounds great for my winrate. Please open a business near my local casino.
Reminds me of Shane Schlegar talking about his recreational crack habit
He was convinced it was a net positive in his life
This is a very low IQ(EQ?) idea
Reminds me of Shane Schlegar talking about his recreational crack habit
He was convinced it was a net positive in his life
This is a very low IQ(EQ?) idea
What you may be missing is what some addictions can do for you. It is not all harm, no benefits. If it were, it would be easier to quit. I would consider it low EQ to make assumptions about others without sufficient information or experience or compassion and then judge their EQ as low. (irony bombs incoming)
Could benefit some but only needs to harm a few before it gets negative headlines. Better ways to tackle addiction like Golf, Tennis, Pottery or something that involves a project that focuses the mind. I have a relative that had addiction issues and sculpturing helped him massively. Admittedly everyone has to find what works for them.
Why not chess, backgammon, Go, or a variety of other skill-based games that don’t have an inherent gambling element?
Why not chess, backgammon, Go, or a variety of other skill-based games that don’t have an inherent gambling element?
All of your list but especially backgammon have a long ans for backgammon strong history of gambling. Several big time old school poker players came out of the backgammon gambling of NYC.
There are plenty of examples a gambling on chess also. Go isn’t a g@me I am familiar with but do know some gamble on it also.
As others have stated already, this is a horrendous idea. You are asking if it is OK to introduce another form of gambling to addicts? That is insanely irresponsible. To take it further, there is now way in hell I could even trust a company to help an addict friend/family member of mine that has someone with your mindset running it. You clearly do not understand the addict mindset, whether you were an addict or not, nor do you understand the possible triggers for addicts.
It is hard to fathom a business owner/operator in the addiction recovery genre even having an idea like this, let alone posting it on a public forum. You did one thing right, you hid the company name, shielding it from the embarrassment of this post.
I suspect what will happen is that the stress of playing disciplined poker will inevitably lead to a craving for reckless gambling as soon as the session is over
If I was a very unethical person I would spend all day at the drug addict poker room and ask the players if they want to book any sports action.
Hi all
Poker as a Controlled, Skill-Building Alternative
For those struggling with gambling urges, poker offers a structured and controlled way to experience the thrill of competition without the pitfalls of traditional gambling. Poker taps into the psychology of "the itch" but tempers it with skill and control, giving players a healthy outlet that minimizes risky behaviours.
Unlike other forms of gambling, poker encourages players to understand probability, observe human behaviour, and work withi
Paisting tempering his "itch" with skill...
/thread
All of your list but especially backgammon have a long ans for backgammon strong history of gambling. Several big time old school poker players came out of the backgammon gambling of NYC.
There are plenty of examples a gambling on chess also. Go isn’t a g@me I am familiar with but do know some gamble on it also.
Yes but people will gamble on anything. People gamble on who will be the first person to drop out of their Gamblers Anonymous group.
Those games I listed aren’t INHERENT gambling games, though. Poker is.
replacing one addiction with another isn't the answer...
