dealing with poker doubters

[CrackofmyACE 1]

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

Im forwarding this to your mom.

[TheMathProf 0]

My relatives doubted it so much that they decided to "take my money" in a $10 buy-in tournament (there were only 6 of us, though). Winner take all. "Aw, c'mon," they said. "Like there's any skill in poker."I was grateful for the $60. :)Luckily, they're not all convinced yet.

[finztotheleft 0]

I'm just a low limit play for fun kind of gal, so it has never been a problem with my family. Hubby is glad I just deposited once. My mom makes weekly visits to Foxwoods to lose at slots, so my parents have no problem with gambling. My kids wish love when I play poker with them. I tutor kids for the SAT's....when they find out I play, they think I'm cool.....for a dork who tutors for the SAT's.

[jtabletop 0]

My Father was the same way. I just got back from Vegas(paid for by my poker winnings) and he watched me play for about 2 hours. I sat with 200 and got up after 2 hours with a little over 900. He is a believer now and I am teaching him how to play. He told me he never understood how much skill was involved. I showed a few big bluffs that won and he was floored.

[StrippersNBlow 0]

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. .

Learn how to multi-task you slacker.

[Jennings7 0]

I play poker part-time, and work the rest of the time. I love it when my coworkers tease me after I have one losing night, but when they see me driving around in a car that I wouldn't be able to afford by just working at my job, they get the point extremely clearly.

[wingsare1 0]

As long as I keep my grades above a 3.3 people dont really care. I only play about ten hours a week compared to some of the people on the sire. So as long as I keep everything else in my life above par no one really shrugs there shoulder at me.

[Nate The Great 0]

As an aside, I don't think anyone who ever started their own business from scratch can fault anyone else for gambling on what are essentially calculated risks. That's what I told my Dad, I don't know if that helps anyone else who knows such a person that gives them lip about playing poker, just wanted to mention it.

[Socko669 0]

Kill them. Kill them dead.

[pckt10s 0]

I hate talking about poker with the general public, even when I have a big night I don't like to brag and definitly when it's a losing night. I like discussing some of my plays though with those who understand and are really interested about the game instead of just about the money. My mother may or may not like me playing but she knows I'm responsible and won't do anything stupid, especially after those $100 dollar dinners every now and then. So the moral is pick and choose who you talk to about poker and if you want to argue just compare it to any other game that involves skill and luck like baseball (bad hops, weather, mental errors, etc.)

[getarealjob 0]

(1) Time management (don't bleed poker into every facet of your life);(2) Don't listen to people who don't know any better if you know what you are doing (e.g., you don't listen to the protests of a five year old when he/she thinks its a bad idea to go the dentist when her tooth hurts, do you?);(3) Don't talk about anything poker-related to people who don't care about it--probably almost everyone beloved in your life;(4) Win consistently.(5) Treat your playing like you are running a business which means you keep accurate records, and keep organized files on your play. This will also help you the day you get audited, and you start hitting big scores.(6) Pay your taxes.

[Bizzle 0]

(1)  Time management (don't bleed poker into every facet of your life);(2)  don't listen to people who don't know any better if you know what you are doing (e.g.,  you don't listen to the protests of a five year old when he/she thinks its a bad idea to go the dentist when her tooth hurts, do you?);(3) don't talk about anything poker-related to people who don't care about it--probably almost everyone beloved in your life;(4) win consistently.(5) treat your playing like you are running a business which means you keep accurate records, and keep files on your play.

Checked post. Checked username. Checked post again. Laughed. Went to bed.

[markm02 0]

They are just upset because they have to get up every morning and go to work while u do what ever u please and make just has much or even more than them and they work there ass off all day at work. I just laugh at them and say "the working man is the sucker"

[ThatPkrGuy 0]

I play poker part-time, and work the rest of the time. I love it when my coworkers tease me after I have one losing night, but when they see me driving around in a car that I wouldn't be able to afford by just working at my job, they get the point extremely clearly.

I used to get the same thing from people at work. But once i paid off my first car through poker and am over 3/4 of the way paying off my second car they actually come to me for advice on the subject now lol. Funny how the extra money will attract disbelievers.

[Pupsta 0]

i've been 'addicted' to poker for some time, and it makes sense because my father has had addiction problems all of his life, including gambling.which makes it all the more funny for him to harshly criticize me for playing so much poker. "it's just gambling, there's no skill""i saw poker on tv the other day, it's not even real poker anymore, this unabomber guy is a clown""i used to make 400 a week at my home game, against some of the toughest people around, and i know you're not that good (i've been to his homegame, bunch of oldguys smoking pot and calling bet after bet with a 68 low draw and no high in o8, and i've cleaned up both times i've gone, even though they play some wacky games...holdem hi/lo anyone?)""you'll never be successful at poker because you use too much math and not enough feel...me, i know when i'm going to hit my card, whether the math says to play or not"i just laugh it off most of the time, although he's "concerned for me that i'm going to gamble away everything i have" once i move out to vegas.my mom's more or less the same way...and all of my friends play poker, so they sure as hell don't think poorly of it.