The way I see it, even if you lose 50 dollars to 100 dollars in one night playing poker, that's still not bad. 

 

You could make that analogous to spending 50 to 100 going to a ballgame or on a date or something.

 

So for hours of entertainment, you only have to "pay" whatever money you lose.

 

Remember, that's not even considering the chance that you may win money.

 

So hey, if people want to gamble, then let them.  It's just a hobby.  Now if they're taking out mortgages or loans and then gambling with that money, obviously they've gone too far.  Most of the time however, I would venture a guess as to 98% of the time, a teenager gambling on Texas Hold'em does not turn into a life threatening addiction.

Yeah, people say they "lose" money playing poker, but they are really just spending it on poker instead of whatever the alternative would be. I don't agree on the $50-$100 though just because I don't have that kind of money working for just above minimum wage. I never bring more than $20 with me to poker, just so I don't "lose" too much.

I'm going against the norm on this one.

 

While this may be how (sadly) a few teenagers make their money off poker, I think that there is a line in which gambling needs to be controlled by someone.

 

Kids make this their life sometimes, playing poker...

 

I know of people who have gambling problems, and would you want to follow an example of them?

 

This is all my opinion, thanks.

Beastly, you got to loosen up a bit there, buddy. I know you're trying to say the right things, but people enjoy playing poker and it's not like they are hurting anyone. People know the risks of gambling and of course there are going to be people who get addicted but that's life and that's the way it is. If you want to tell your friends the dangers of gambling go ahead but if you just flat out tell them not to, then you're doing the wrong thing, imo. You have to learn to enjoy life there a little beastly, don't have to be so uptight all the time. Anyways, I play poker sometimes, I don't play that much because I get bored of it at times but when you're with a group of your friends playing for a decent pot it's a pretty good time.

Not me!!  I turned 21 back in August!  :finger

 

The Empress casino back home just installed hold 'em tables.  I didn't go there last weekend when I went home , but I heard the blinds are $5-$10. 

Is that the Empress in Joliet?

 

$5 and $10 is not that bad. Is it no limit? Do the blinds go up?

 

I may have to make a trip down Rte 30 and hit that s*** up.

I dunno...5/10 limit would lead to some pretty big pots per hand. Thats too rich for my blood, lol.

Beastly, you got to loosen up a bit there, buddy.  I know you're trying to say the right things, but people enjoy playing poker and it's not like they are hurting anyone.  People know the risks of gambling and of course there are going to be people who get addicted but that's life and that's the way it is.  If you want to tell your friends the dangers of gambling go ahead but if you just flat out tell them not to, then you're doing the wrong thing, imo.  You have to learn to enjoy life there a little beastly, don't have to be so uptight all the time. Anyways, I play poker sometimes, I don't play that much because I get bored of it at times but when you're with a group of your friends playing for a decent pot it's a pretty good time.

I agree with everything you and dan said.

 

No need to harp your 'rules' on what other people do.

 

Poker and drinking are fun. I like having fun. So, I'll play poker and drink (occasionally).

 

Is that the Empress in Joliet?

 

$5 and $10 is not that bad.  Is it no limit?  Do the blinds go up?

 

I may have to make a trip down Rte 30 and hit that s*** up.

Yes it's in Joliet. I believe it's pot limit hold 'em, and I would imagine the blinds would always stay the same, and there are tables with different blinds.

 

Oh, route 30 will take you to Harrah's, Empress is on route 6.