As anyone who has spent any time at all playing Poker knows, the game is truly intoxicating. If you have any level of skill, it’s easy to understand wanting to try turning pro. Dating a Poker player can seem very exciting. The life of a professional gambler can seem impossibly glamorous, and it’s true that there is a lot of travel and huge inflows of money. All of this can be hugely stressful too, however, and there is no such thing as a typical day.
If you’ve starting dating a poker player who plays Poker professionally and are serious about seeing where it goes, there are some things you’re going to need to deal with and adjustments you’re going to need to make. You’ll figure your own situation out as you go along, but read through these pointers to start you off.
Learn the Lingo and the Game
Knowing how Poker works will allow your significant other to talk to you about the games, and it’s important for all couples to be able to really tell each other how work is going. Understanding the basics of the game, as well as the odds and statistics, will mean you’ll be able to point out that things aren’t that bad when they’re panicked, and get really excited with them when something amazing happens in a game.
Understand How Much Time Playing Professionally Takes
When you are dating a poker player and your partner isn’t actually playing, they are still developing their skills – a lot like professional athletes do. That means analysing previous moves, reading articles and even just generally doing mental exercises to stay sharp. Besides this, your partner may be doing very well and need to stay at a table to earn decent money, even when you have plans. If your a games or a sport lover yourself it may be easier to comprehend. You have to be patient and understanding here.
Prepare for Tilt
The emotional impact that playing Poker as a professional can take is simply impossible to overstate. The psychological warfare, stress of losing and long hours can cause a lot of anger, and even depression. Being there for your partner means trying to help them rest and relax when they can, listening if they want to talk and backing off when they don’t. Being prepared for the fact that this might happen, and accepting it, is halfway to dealing with it successfully.
Being a Poker Spouse is All About Balance
The financial highs and lows, lack of schedule and structure, and occasional emotional turbulence that is part of a poker professional’s life can be exhausting for their significant other and family, but all the challenges have great upswings too.
All of this is a moot point if the one you love has a problem with gambling, of course; in that case, the most caring thing you can do is help them deal with their dysfunctional behaviour. When this isn’t the case, the best way to be a supportive partner is to enjoy the good times when they’re rolling, show love and patience in times of stress, and tolerate them clamming up or venting as long as they are not abusive to you in any way. This is your life partner, after all, and it’s all about taking the good with the bad and managing the hand you’re dealt.