Parents And Poker

[fckthis 0]

Well recently, my parents have found out all those late nights Ive had over the months were me at the casino. Unfortunately they werent very thrilled.Basically they want me to quit, because poker=gambling (in their minds) and to me poker is just a hobby that can make a little cash on the side.Truth is, Im not a winning player. This year ive posted a +, however since Ive started, I am down, but I still enjoy it, and dont play more than 2 days a week.So what I ask the forum is, how to explain to my parents what poker is, or at least some convincing arguements, so I dont have to move out, just to play.Thanks.

[crazyplaya6 0]

in my expierience, it cant be done. although ive got some advice from fellow fcpers to buy them something out of my winnings. sounds like an idea.

[MasterLJ 0]

Well recently, my parents have found out all those late nights Ive had over the months were me at the casino. Unfortunately they werent very thrilled.Basically they want me to quit, because poker=gambling (in their minds) and to me poker is just a hobby that can make a little cash on the side.Truth is, Im not a winning player. This year ive posted a +, however since Ive started, I am down, but I still enjoy it, and dont play more than 2 days a week.So what I ask the forum is, how to explain to my parents what poker is, or at least some convincing arguements, so I dont have to move out, just to play.Thanks.

I'd say, "show them some checks," but well... yeah.

[pokerplayer24 0]

I'd say, "show them some checks," but well... yeah.

Indeed.Its tough to convince your parents that its a good thing unless you're a winning player because if you're a winning player you can at least say you're doing it for the money. In your case if you aren't winning, its kind of tough to convince the parents that its a good thing....cause really it probly isnt.

[gavindagr8 0]

One arguement I have used to try and convince non-believers is that poker is just another form of entertainment. The main difference is that at the end of the day i might get my money back and then some. If they would be okay with you spending money on golf or movies or other entertainment, then poker shouldnt matter either. Also assure them that you will keep your losses in check.

[SunDrop 0]

One arguement I have used to try and convince non-believers is that poker is just another form of entertainment. The main difference is that at the end of the day i might get my money back and then some. If they would be okay with you spending money on golf or movies or other entertainment, then poker shouldnt matter either. Also assure them that you will keep your losses in check.

I've often offered to show my parents how I'm able to do well playing poker...but they seem more interested in discouraging it than actually understanding what it is.

[Actuary 3]

if you're still living with your parents and old enough to gamble and worried about the rules they set for you....you might want to fix a part of that equation you have control of, and not try to get them to change opinions

[UberMullet 0]

If you can show your parents that you gamble responsibly or hid it by gambling online, then you have nothing to worry about. I have a similar situation, but I tend to ignore them anyways. Good Luck

[Alex916F 0]

My parents were disapproving of poker and probably still have some reservations about it. The best thing I have experienced to do is always use money that they and you know is expendible. I would suggest playing more home games for lower stakes and tell your parents about those experiences whether they are + or - because they will be at stakes they will most likely be comfortable with. I would really avoid going to the casino twice a week though that seems a bit much, and if they know you are likely risking more than 100 bucks each time it will probably piss them off. When you do go to the casino and win big tell em about it and they will see that it isnt necessarily a -EV thing. If they see it as a more social thing you like to do with friends and won't effect you greatly finiancially they will likely accept the game you choose to play.

[ricker 0]

Two pieces of advice:1) Don't play outside your bankroll.2) Educate yourself as a player. The more you know, the more likely you'll be in making yourself into a winning player!

[socalpoker_j 1]

This is an interesting situation, because you aren't a winning player but it seems that you really enjoy the game. As long as all your bills, necessities, etc. are paid and you arent using that money to play, I dont see a problem with it. Work on your game, get some books, glean any useful poker knowledge that you can get from this forum, players you respect, etc. And most importantly like Ricker said, dont play above your bankroll, that will hurt in the short and long term. Happy Grinding.

[Oneeydjaq 0]

If you are old enough to play in the casino to begin with, you should be old enough to do what you enjoy without worrying about mommy and daddy.

[mclark340 0]

Go win the WSOP main event...that will change their mind.

[Dhall901 0]

Here's the way I look at it. If you're a losing player, you're essentially paying for your entertainment, much like going to dinner or a movie. As long as you're not donating your entire bank account to the table, have fun, maybe win a bit, and go home. Your parents are concerned because they don't want you to gain an unhealthly addiction that can lead to financial and physical ruin. So ask yourself, can I afford to lose this money? If you can, go play, if you can't, go to your room!

[aucu 3]

Try this bookhttp://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097716854...glance&n=283155

[Willenation 0]

Buy books, use the strat forum, and become a winning player, then show them the checks. Though from my experience that doesn't necessarily help - I've shown my mom the checks, explained to her what makes me a winning player, and even showed her an article they wrote in our local newspaper about online poker in which I'm the example of how it can be healthy and profitable, and she still thinks I'm an addict. In fact, based on my experience, the best advice I can give you is to go to college away from home so you don't have to deal with it.

[Actuary 3]

If you are old enough to play in the casino to begin with, you should be old enough to do what you enjoy without worrying about mommy and daddy.

UH..WHEN YOU LIVE UNDER THEIR ROOF, YOU SHOULD.so, yeah, I think he needs to move out or shut up and live with it.

[mrdannyg 274]

in my experience, showing them the checks doesn't work.my particular experience is that when i came home after school this year, both my older and younger brothers needed to borrow money, and instead i had prepaid my rent all summer and booked a flight to halifax with poker money, and had a healthy bank account. its still "gambling" to my parents though. indicatively, they do not even allow me to "gamble" in the house. also, they've insisted i find a job instead of play for the summer or they won't pay for gradschool, even though i would make more playing.all you can do is explain the logistics of why it is a winnable game. if you're not a winning player though, you are simply going for entertainment, and it is a degenerate and asocial form of entertainment. they're probably no more unhappy with it then if you were going to a massage parlor or something. going to a casino twice a week when you are not a winning player is too much. you should try to cut it down to once every week or two, and try to cultivate other forms of entertainment.

[MasterLJ 0]

in my experience, showing them the checks doesn't work.my particular experience is that when i came home after school this year, both my older and younger brothers needed to borrow money, and instead i had prepaid my rent all summer and booked a flight to halifax with poker money, and had a healthy bank account. its still "gambling" to my parents though. indicatively, they do not even allow me to "gamble" in the house. also, they've insisted i find a job instead of play for the summer or they won't pay for gradschool, even though i would make more playing.all you can do is explain the logistics of why it is a winnable game. if you're not a winning player though, you are simply going for entertainment, and it is a degenerate and asocial form of entertainment. they're probably no more unhappy with it then if you were going to a massage parlor or something. going to a casino twice a week when you are not a winning player is too much. you should try to cut it down to once every week or two, and try to cultivate other forms of entertainment.

Hmmm, I guess I come from differing experiences. My dad is super conservative and my mom is a friggin' Madonna-hippy and they both are supportive (they are split). In fact, my dad was the one who got me my first set of chips and taught me how to play cards. He woops my *** in gin.

[SweetDaddyFreak 0]

Only one solution: Kill them and use your inheritance on PartyPoker blackjack

[TheWatchMan 0]

why has everyone ruled out lying?tell em your taking tapdancing lessons.alternatively realise that you are your own person and can do whatever you like.i find it a little strange that your a losing player and seem more concerned about your parents than winning.if im brutally honest it seems as though you may have low self esteem, that they would have given you by moaning at you over things like this. this would explain why your not too bothered if you lose, and why you want to please them to make yourself feel better.if theyre giving you a hard time, **** em, try and start winning at something you enjoy.

[rhill6537 0]

tell them you were addicted to meth and the only way you kicked the habit is by playing poker

[mtdesmoines 3]

Well recently, my parents have found out .... Truth is, Im not a winning player. .... So what I ask the forum is, how to explain to my parents what poker is, or at least some convincing arguements, so I dont have to move out, just to play.Thanks.

A) you lied to themB) you're under their roofC) you aren't winning by your own admissionD) you are not self-supportingIt's time to change A through D. After you get through that list, check back with us.

[finztotheleft 0]

If you are old enough to play in the casino to begin with, you should be old enough to do what you enjoy without worrying about mommy and daddy.

That conflicts with the "My house, my rules" ruleConvince them it is your entertainment. Downplay the amount of money.....try "instead of going to a bar and spending $50, I go to a casino and spend $50. Anything over $100 tends to make parents mental. I'm saying this as a parent. Stretch the truth a bit, but don't lie and say you won't go again if you will. Someday, somehow, they will find out. Getting taken out of the will is -EV

[PrtyPSux 0]

luckbox your way through like 4 or 5 tourneys in a week, then tell them its sustainable, it worked for me.. Seriously though, I quit school in November, and told my mom in January..when I told her I wanted to give poker a shot she was PISSED, even more so when I tried borrowing money from her (cuz I was broke at the time, lol). I never really talked much about poker with her till I came to visit her in texas in April, I brought her 'Ace on the river", and spent all night talking poker with her, I showed her my Poker Tracker stats and she found it amazing that I had gotten every pocket pair almost the same amount of times, AK the same times as AQ etc.. she saw the swings involved but realized that i booked wins in every limit i had played. After that she read the first chapter of Ace on the river, and the next day I won the 55k on stars which basically got her to realize that I can make money at this, and that it is NOT any more of a gamble than say, opening a bar or whatever. Now my mom is my #1 supporter, and its much easier that way. Honestly, if you're doing it for fun 2 nights a week and at least breaking even (ie not playing huge limits and gambling etc) I dont see how they can see anything wrong with it. Its a game not much more than that, if you are responsible about it I think theres more + aspects of poker than - ones.