Comment by sapphicsnail

I think your 2nd reason is actually why poker is so popular. A lot of the joy of poker (at least for me) is trying to learn to read the other players. I generally play with friends and I find it emotionally intimate in a strange sort of way. Probably not for people who don't enjoy bluffing games though.

Edit: It's also a socially acceptable time to lie your ass off. Maybe it's a hit like how GTA is for some people as well.