Multi-tasking & Online Poker

There are a lot of things you can do during those folded hands of Online Poker.

KNIT
I like...no, love... to knit. Since I discovered my new addiction to Online Poker, my net knit output (say that ten times fast!!) has increased significantly. I have made my mother and my son a scarf (each; not to share...heehee). I am finally finishing a poncho I have meant to send to a friend since January. And I am starting a special project for a new mommy and baby-to-be. You know who you are... Soon I will be able to start on a collection for an Online Store and some Craft Fairs.

(FYI: I am not very gung-ho about the idea of knitting to sell. But since I started a business last year that I claimed sales taz for, I had to report my losses. Which means I am kinda committed to trying to run the business for 3 years to show that I didn't give up. Otherwise, all the money I got back in losses on my taxes can be taken away for my lack of effort. *Sigh* How depressing to have an idea you think is going to be sooo cool, only to not sell a darn thing, and then find out you have to keep failing just to claim the losses. Ah well. It's been fun, going to Craft Fairs and meeting other vendors, at least.)


READ BLOGS
I love to read Blogs. My favorite(s) are those written by friends. Right now, I really only have one (old and dear) friend that blogs consistently. So you need to get cracking, people! Join the blog revolution!
I also surf around a bit. Here's a blog I found that gave me a small thrill, as he was one of my very first "Celebrity" Crushes. Wil Wheaton. *Sigh* Sooooo dreamyyyyy. Here's the link. Give it a look-sie. http://www.blogger.com/profile/1557625


READ EMAIL
You can, of course, do the classic checking e-mail. That usually doesn't take me much time. I don't know about you, but not many people send me novels to read everyday. What usually happens is I end up opening an email from a store or what-not and I get stuck roaming their website wishing I could afford to buy something. If only Online Poker were something I was good enough at to earn the money to buy from those stores.


DO YOUR ONLINE BANKING
It keeps you in check. You're less likely to put more money in the game if you've just checked your account and had a heart attack over how much you've "invested" in your hobby. Also, you can beat your partner to the bank account and do the updates before THEY realize how much you've invested. Definitely a plus.


WATCH TV
Pretty much a no-brainer if you are like me and use a laptop computer w/ a wireless internet connection. If you don't have that advantage, then put on some tunes or read a book.


BECOME THE ULTIMATE GAMBLER...PLAY AT AN ONLINE CASINO
Sometimes I alternate between this and knitting. I play a lot of my Poker on Bodog. So, I use their Online Casino. I usually purchase $2.00 worth of chips and go to it on the Nickel Machines. My favorite is Deuces Wild. If I lose, it's nothing I can't win back at Poker.




There are, of course, some things you shouldn't do while playing Online Poker.


WRITE A BLOG OR SEND AN EMAIL
For two reasons:

1. You get too involved in typing to keep track of the game.

2. If you have the game set to pop-up when it's your turn, you end up typing half of your email or blog in the chat screen on the Poker Site. Been there, done that.


TALK ON THE PHONE
I lost $3.00 today (out of $4.50) trying to talk on the phone and play. You can't stop talking when the folded hand is over. So you end up trying to play and talk. Not good. There's something about trying to concentrate on thinking about possible combinations of opponent's hands and listening to someone talk about something important that just doesn't go together.



That's it, folks. Your guide to guilt-free gambling. Now you can always be doing something important while playing. No one will ever be able to say you're wasting your time. :)