Responsible Gambling

Poker is a skill game played with real risk. Skill improves your long-term expectation; it never removes the possibility of losing. Playing for money is for adults only (18+, or the legal age where you live) and only with money you can afford to lose.

Set limits before you sit down

• • Decide a session budget and a stop-loss, and quit when you hit either.
• • Cap session length — fatigue costs more than bad cards.
• • Never deposit to recover a loss.
• • Keep poker money separate from money for rent, bills or food.

Warning signs

• • Playing longer or higher than planned.
• • Hiding how much you play or lose.
• • Borrowing money to play, or gambling to escape stress.
• • Restlessness or irritability when you try to stop.

Where to get help

Free, confidential support is available. In the US: National Problem Gambling Helpline, 1-800-522-4700 (call or text), or ncpgambling.org. In the UK: GamCare on 0808 8020 133. Worldwide: Gamblers Anonymous.

Tools worth using

Most licensed operators offer deposit limits, reality checks, time-outs and self-exclusion. Using them is a sign of discipline, not weakness — the same discipline that makes a winning player.