Poker is gambling but one of the only games where you can put the odds in your favour.

It doesn't take a lot of reading and practice to become an adequate break even player. Put in more hours and you can make some real money. I know someone who has quit his job and regularly earns more than I do from my relatively well paid full time job.

Saying this, if you do have a gambling problem it's not the best advice. Playing the game with a gambler's mindset will not make you money, you have to play smart and not impulsively. Even at low stakes there are some good players but also a lot of bad - they are where the money is. Get a hud and it's easy to spot the difference.