Statistically speaking, I have a positive expectation when I sit down to play. I can calculate odds in my head, don't drink much (the diabetes handles that one), and know to occasionally do crazy things so I don't become too predictable. But this is all in a low stakes game where people don't really care if they end up dropping $30. Still, two of us have a strong positive expectation and two others have a strong negative expectation - but they get away from their spouses and drink with their buddies.
This is mostly social poker, sort of like social wargaming and social RPGs. I want to do my best and avoid doing something I know is dumb - but I really don't care if I end up losing. My wife calls our games "the mens drinking, joke and lie telling social group with gambling." We are blessed that I'm a good cook and one of the other guys is an outstanding cook.
You start playing high stakes poker and it becomes work. Screw that, I'm retired.
