>>512251890
Poker is good as a hobby purely for the social aspect.
>you meet new people often
>you can be closed-off or quiet and it won't make people uncomfortable
>underground games are all the best parts of a bar/club without the constant noise and disruption
>you can host your own games/events

I can't stand Casino poker for the same reasons you mentioned. Tournaments are still fun, but only if you have the patience to play for 6 hours straight or are just waiting at a 1/3 table for the tournament losers to come to you already tilted for having lost.