Nate The Great 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Ok,So I am wondering how you guys deal with the the people in your lives who express disappointment or disfavor when you explain that you spend a lot of time playing poker and that you make money doing it. From a personal standpoint one example was when, at the beginning of the summer, I told my Grandfather that I had not had a job the last three months while at school, but that I had been able to earn about $1,500 playing poker on the internet, or approximately the same as if I had worked part time during that same stretch. His reaction? "Oh no, I am really sorry to hear that". I am sure most players have heard a variant of this reaction at one time or another. I know it all depends on the individual, but how do you guys deal with the people in your life who cling to the idea that poker is a horrible and unproductive way to spend your time and earn money? I think that some people are so hostile to the idea that they are beyond reasoning with about the issue. Anyways just curious.-- Nate Link to post Share on other sites
JSHamm 9 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I simply bust out my freshly wrapped rolls of quarters and yell, "How do like them apples!!!"Honestly, if they don't get it then they don't get it, and I don't expect them to get it. They live their life and I live mine, se la vi. Link to post Share on other sites
AceJackOffS 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 people think that if you are playing poker then you have a gambleing problem. I once told my mom after she was doubting me that I would just start doing coke instead then. that seemed to get the point accross. There are worse things in the world then poker.... like sports betting. people just don't undersand that. Link to post Share on other sites
howdyo 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 My best advice is,Kick your grandpa's ass, take his money from his savings accounts, and play at PP's $10/$20 LHE 6-max. Remember, it's Party Poker's $10/$20 Limit Holdem 6-max. Link to post Share on other sites
RedSoxCanada 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I simply bust out my freshly wrapped rolls of quarters and yell, "How do like them apples!!!"Honestly, if they don't get it then they don't get it, and I don't expect them to get it. They live their life and I live mine, se la vi.FYI...it's c'est la vie. Not trying to go all smart@ss on oyu, just thought you might like to know.Chers. Link to post Share on other sites
missIdaho 1 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 At first it it use to upset me when people expressed negative opinions about me playing poker, but I now have learned to just ignore it. The negative connotations behind gambling in general is too imbedded in society to expect anyone to change their opinion based on any reasons I can give them for playing poker. Try not to take the negativity to heart. Some people will acccept it and others won't. As long as you know you aren't doing anything wrong there is no reason to allow anyone to upset you. Link to post Share on other sites
JSHamm 9 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I simply bust out my freshly wrapped rolls of quarters and yell, "How do like them apples!!!"Honestly, if they don't get it then they don't get it, and I don't expect them to get it. They live their life and I live mine, se la vi.FYI...it's c'est la vie. Not trying to go all smart@ss on oyu, just thought you might like to know.Chers.Damn, I took spanish in high school, but thanks for the correction :)FYI, it's "you" and "Cheers". I am trying to go all smart@ass 8) j/k Link to post Share on other sites
RedSoxCanada 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I simply bust out my freshly wrapped rolls of quarters and yell, "How do like them apples!!!"Honestly, if they don't get it then they don't get it, and I don't expect them to get it. They live their life and I live mine, se la vi.FYI...it's c'est la vie. Not trying to go all smart@ss on oyu, just thought you might like to know.Chers.Damn, I took spanish in high school, but thanks for the correction :)FYI, it's "you" and "Cheers". I am trying to go all smart@ass 8) j/kLOL...well played. Link to post Share on other sites
Smiddywap 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Nate, I find those people tend to take the news better if you just present it in a different way. Say poker's a leisure game you play and you've had some success lately, therefore you haven't needed a job. It's kind of a gray-area lie in some cases but it keeps people from thinking you're dependent on the game. If they're still worried, well, some people are just like that. It can be a downer but at least you know they care about you. Link to post Share on other sites
PimpRock 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 My buddies were cool about it... My colleagues suspicious, my family generally supportive as they know I wouldnt be getting myself into anything I couldnt handle, my mother disbelieving.I think I am the perfect age for it all though (early twenties) as I have all my education, qualificatiosn and a career but no real commitments other than a mortgage. No kids, a gf who earns a good whack herself and she was fairly easy to convince as she was the one person who truly knew what I was earning and how the swings affected me. Link to post Share on other sites
wax120 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I generally, don't share it with too many people any more. Some people react negatively, and those are the actual people I prefer. I don't mind getting into an argument about the merits of poker and the whole "gambling is bad" argument.What I get a lot more of is the "poker is cool, I watch it on TV" people. These cats don't even really play, but they think they know everything about the game. They proceed to recount their opinions on hands they've seen and their "strategies" and what not. It pains me to talk to people about poker that think they know a good deal about it, when they barely know that a flush beats a straight. I'll take the people that try to pass moral judgement on me over these people. At least I can get in a fun little argument with them, instead of just nodding my head in mock agreement to get away from a silly conversation about what Jeff Gordon did on Celebrity Poker Showdown last night. Link to post Share on other sites
TobyOrNotToBe 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I haven't recieved much grief from anyone, but once someone said something negative about it and I asked him what he does for work. "Oh, I own my own liqour store". I said "well isn't that being a hypocrit, serving alchoholics booze is much more prestigious isn't it ? Besides, isn't being in business for yourself a RISK as well " ? SHAZAMM !!!! Link to post Share on other sites
doublemeup 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Yea almost everyone thinks that i have a gambling problem or that i don't know what i'm getting myself into. They believe its all luck and don't think i can make it a job. It really bothers me. How do you suppose i could explain to them that its not just luck and that i don't have a gambling problem because i play poker? Link to post Share on other sites
Tommyhawkers 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Yeah, a lot of people think you're stuck for life because you're playing poker full time at the moment or whatever. Everybody in my family thinks it's kind of a mistake for doing it.But, when your friends walk in to see your 60" tv and your tower speakers standing next to it, a fully stocked bar in the corner, and drinks on the house you will be faced with 2 sitatuions:A: The males will beg you to teach them to play poker.B: The girls will beg you to let them slob on your knob.But I'm a degenerate who just blew $10k in the $25/50 against Matusow pushing with his gutshot and on over and hitting. Or else, this could be true.(sw) Link to post Share on other sites
BilliardsBoy 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I am debating whether or not to take part in this thread, because I fear that what I say will anger most on this site and possibly spark a never-ending arguement.So.... yea, uh...... don't be too mad and the people who "don't get it".I'd rather not explain why. Link to post Share on other sites
zimmer4141 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Yeah, my parents are supportive of me playing, but think it will be impossible for me to eventually make a living at it. I think I'll have a decent chance of being able to play professionally, but my parents don't think so. They're also deathly afraid to tell any of our relatives for fear of what they might say. Link to post Share on other sites
TobyOrNotToBe 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 Yeah, a lot of people think you're stuck for life because you're playing poker full time at the moment or whatever. Everybody in my family thinks it's kind of a mistake for doing it.But, when your friends walk in to see your 60" tv and your tower speakers standing next to it, a fully stocked bar in the corner, and drinks on the house you will be faced with 2 sitatuions:A: The males will beg you to teach them to play poker.B: The girls will beg you to let them slob on your knob.But I'm a degenerate who just blew $10k in the $25/50 against Matusow pushing with his gutshot and on over and hitting. Or else, this could be true.60" TV, that's all lol(sw) Link to post Share on other sites
Simpleton 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 My family already knows I drink to much because at family functions I get all Peter Griffin and what not so poker is just something I do to not drink except I drink too. Actually, I like that guy who owns a liquor store. Link to post Share on other sites
Randy Reed 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 John Varhues actually has some good advice in Killer Poker on how do deal with these situations. One thing is to not discuss winning or losing with them. If they ask how you did, simply say, "I quit winners", over and over and over and eventually they'll learn not to ask.If they really push about what they think is my percieved addiction, I'll usually rattle off some math questions and start writing down lenghty equations which will bore almost anyone to death....... Link to post Share on other sites
TobyOrNotToBe 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 John Varhues actually has some good advice in Killer Poker on how do deal with these situations. One thing is to not discuss winning or losing with them. If they ask how you did, simply say, "I quit winners", over and over and over and eventually they'll learn not to ask.If they really push about what they think is my percieved addiction, I'll usually rattle off some math questions and start writing down lenghty equations which will bore almost anyone to death.......Read that book, it's good Link to post Share on other sites
No_Limit_Pro 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 This is a topic that hits me hard too. My parents and many of my friends alike all think poker is a horrible form of gambling. To them, they only hear about the statistics that 95%+ are losing money and compulsively doing so. Why shouldn't they bunch us in there? They're not out to get us, but rather very concerned instead. As irritating as that may be, time takes care of it. At a certain point when you are self-sustainable and making large purchases on your own accord, they may not love what you do, but they will acknowledge it and accept it in some way. Anyways, good luck at the tables and keep up the spirits. Link to post Share on other sites
bigcoled 1 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 dont worry they're old and will die soon....so you have that to look forward to.... Link to post Share on other sites
bmwmcoupe 0 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 I have been playing for a living over 2 years and made close to 16k last month and i still hear its just a mather of time before you lose it all, its gambling. Im lucky that my parents are very supportive about it, they think its a great tool to build my future for later with all the money that is comming in. Link to post Share on other sites
CrackofmyACE 1 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 The reaction that irks me the most is the "Oh God he's on the poker banwagon just like everybody else.... stop watching so much damn TV". I get this reaction a lot, not in so many words, but in the form of rolling eyes or a sneer... people often jump to conclusions.. you can't really blame them I guess. I don't waste my breath trying to explain that I've been playing seriously long before Chris Moneymaker came around, or discuss the nuances that separate poker from the pit games in a Casino. It wont get you anywhere. Here's an example of what I've had to deal with. I was in the elevator going up to my office a few weeks ago on my way into work, and the 45 yr old b*tch of a vice president was standing next to me along with our company's president. I had my hands full and she happened to notice a magazine tucked under my arm and asked me what I was reading. I showed her my new issue of Cardplayer that had arrived in the mail the day before. She snickered and said "well I guess they have a magazine for everything nowadays"... rolled her eyes and walked out. I bit my tongue, smiled and just went along with it..My best advice is to keep "poker talk" to a minimum when youre around people in your life who aren't serious players. Think about it. If someone in your life had a hobby that they wouldn't shut up about 24/7 wouldn't you get annoyed? I would. Link to post Share on other sites
mrdannyg 274 Posted November 17, 2005 Share Posted November 17, 2005 well this suits me because i'm a student and play online poker part-time. when my parents first found out, they simply said no. my parents my tuition, and I pay all other expenses, but if for whatever reason I could not pay, we both realize that they would cover it. So they feel (and I agree) that they have a vested interest in my financial position, and therefore have a say in whether or not I play.They have made it quite clear I am not allowed to play - not sure whether they think that because its gambling or because they think i can't win but its not really important.For a short while after I was forbidden I was living at home, so I mostly stopped. I then went to University, and since I still had about $50 left in an Empire account, I played on that. Luckily I didn't hit any negative variance early on and parlayed that into a small but comfortable .5/1 and eventually 2/4 bankroll.Recently though I took it a bit more seriously and opened up an account at a separate bank, and a neteller account and have been going through there. I don't feel bad about disobeying my parents since I have never used anything past that original $50 that would otherwise have gone towards personal or school expenses. I now have a comfortable 2/4 bankroll in poker sites, neteller and a bank account, and it has allowed me to cover all luxury expenses, small personal expenses and has given me a lot of financial flexibility and comfort.My parents though would probably cut me off if they found out I was playing poker at all, so it is a fine line. The rest of my family knows very little about poker, but know how poor I should be, and seeing that I am comfortable, don't know much about it other than it makes me money. My friends are all at university, so most of them play more than I do, and if not most of their friends play poker anyways so that is not an issue.Daniel Link to post Share on other sites
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