+QA- Aimie – When is it time to take a break from poker?
Annie,
Remember back before poker became your profession? When you fell in love with the game, before it became lucrative for you, did you ever feel like you were in this poker cave and couldn’t find your way out? What I mean is, did you become consumed by the game-whether you were winning big or losing big? This has happened to me. I don’t play real money, only freerolls, free sit& plays and bar tourneys, and I probably never will. I used to be a gambler at the pai gow and blackjack tables at the local casinos. I quit because I always wasted my money. The truth is, I love the challenge of the games-money or no money. I love to meet and learn about people-especially at the hold ‘em table. It fascinates me the way people behave and I can usually figure out what their next move will be-given enough time. I was laid off from a great job 3 weeks ago, and I have a great shot at an even better one-just waiting to hear about it. In the meantime, all I can think of is poker. I just wanna play and it’s hurting my closest relationships-maybe not so much yet, but I can see it will soon. Plus, I am playing mediocre cards and having bad luck right now. I just keep thinking-”I know I can get my head back in the game”. I imagine this is a problem for many people-especially with online poker. What is your advice, as a professional poker player to a novice that LOVES this game and is willing to learn from her mistakes? Is it time to take a break from poker? Quit altogether? Or am I overreacting? Please share your girl-powered wisdom with me. 
Amie
Aimie – someone once asked my friend John Vorhaus whether he thought this poker fad was here to stay, or whether it would fade, like pet rocks. I loved his answer: “The difference between poker and pet rocks is a pet rock is not highly, highly addictive.” The truth is people who love poker love poker, and do become obsessed by it. I love that you’re not yet playing for money, since you know that your interest in the game is out ahead of your skill level right now. And as long as poker isn’t costing you money, I really don’t see much of anything wrong with your “enthusiastic obsession.” On the other hand, only you know you, and if you find that poker is subtracting from your quality of life, rather than adding to it, there’s nothing wrong with setting it aside for a while and letting your passion cool off. But, really, I think at the end of the day you’re just overreacting a little, and when your skills catch up to your passion, you’re gonna be just fine.
xo
Annie