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Examining The Fine Line Between Problem Gambler and Poker Pro
- Updated: September 19, 2016
When five-time World Series of Poker bracelet winner Jason Mercier appeared on the the Dan Le Batard Show with Stugotz on ESPN last month, he was introduced as a “poker junkie” and asked point blank if he had gambling problem.
By the time the interview wrapped up, two things about the mainstream sports media were clear: Most knew very little about poker, and for hosts Dan Le Batard and Jon “Stugotz” Weiner at least, the perception is that poker players are more akin to problem gamblers than professionals.
Photo courtesy of the NCPG
Keith Whyte, the executive director of the National Council on Problem Gambling, says the problem may lie in the fact that the difference between the two isn’t exactly clear.
“It’s a fascinating question,” Whyte told PokerNews. “On a standard psychological diagnostic test, I think most professionals would meet every criteria to be considered a problem gambler. It’s just really hard to separate a heavy recreational gambler, or a pro, from someone who has a problem.
“I’ve given some standard tests to a few professional players, well-known pros, WSOP bracelet winners. I can’t give you their names for privacy reasons, but I can say they all graded out as serious problem gamblers. My one take away, after talking with a lot of poker pros and poker companies over the years, is that the one difference, the thing that separates a professional from a problem gambler, is control.”
Whyte admits that diagnosing a gambling problem is not an exact science, but basically, a pro can set limits, stick to them and practice good bankroll management tactics, while a problem gambler can’t seem to stop and has difficulty managing their time and money.
“Someone with a problem gets so caught up playing, they miss their daughter’s field hockey game, or if they do show up, they’re on the phone playing or thinking and talking about playing,” Whyte said. “It’s hard to quantify and distinguish between pro and a problem, but I think the pro who does not have a problem has outside interests and takes part in activities outside of the game. It may be their job, but they have some control over the amount of time they spend doing it; and they are able to maintain relationships outside of it, go to other activities and see the sun once in a while.
“Some pro players could be playing 18 hours a day, and for them, it may not be a problem. On the psychological diagnostic test they’ll meet most of the criteria for problem gambling, or honestly, all of it, but I still think someone can be a pro and not be a problem gambler. It really is an individual thing.”
With more than $13 million in online cashes and counting, Chris Moorman is online tournament poker’s all-time leading money winner. In an interview with PokerNews last month discussing the origins of his career, he stopped short of calling his interest in the game an addiction because it’s his job, but he did say he felt like he was hooked on the game immediately and it became an obsession for him.
With this kind of obsession often considered a precursor for success in so many aspects of life today, including poker, Whyte agreed it’s …
