I know you guys can help

SycoFrogg · #1 08-16-2005, 09:11 PM

A huge arguement just erupted in my house a few minutes ago, I was watching the '05 WSOP circuits and I've been trying to explain to my dad how poker is, if you know what your doing, not really gambling. But, he belives that im some moron for trying to learn the game and im going to lose all my money.

Well I disagreed and we argued, I tried explaining it as simply as possible. Telling him if I held a box of marbles, two of them red and three green and I were to continuously drawl one out then replace it over and over which would you keep betting on? The green! He simply laughed asking what does marbles have to do with poker? (he's pretty set in his ways and I don't think he has ever gambled in his life.)

I tried another route and tried explaining how a casino never loses it's money, because they always have that extra marble against the average gambler and I try to only be involved in the hands where i can bet green, not red, it won't work all the time but after thousands of hands it pays off.

It still didn't work, he belives that casinos are some place where EVERYONE always loses because they are stupid for trying and poker is just another way for them to make money. He thinks the poker explosion is just some scam to get more people into the casino and blah blah blah.

Well, im at a loss and im sure some of you out there have had this situation on trying to explain EV and how to veiw poker on a long term basis. Any suggestions?

mike4bmp · #2 08-16-2005, 09:31 PM

It sounds as if your father may have some negative sentiments about gambling which are going to invariably cause him to stick to his guns. I don't think there is anything you can say to him to change his mind. However, although a pro poker player may have the best of it it is still gambling....its just you have an edge on your bets thats all.

cardcounter0 · #3 08-16-2005, 10:02 PM

Your father is right. Poker is gambling. 95% of poker players are long term losers. So he is betting on the green marbles. Apologize to him.

spaminator101 · #4 08-16-2005, 10:41 PM

try and get him to just read a poker book not something long and involved like a super system type book
get a book for begginers and tell him you will give him
x amount of money if he will read it trust me after reading a whole book about nothing but strategy he will understand

Yawkey · #5 08-17-2005, 12:11 AM

Here's what worked for me when I was explaining it to my parents. I simply told them, you know I go out drinking every night (college in Boston = ungodly amounts of $ on alcohol), and I havn't worked in over a year. Yet, I have never asked for one red cent. This is because I've learned how to gain a significant edge over some players, have the discipline to maintain a proper bankroll for the stakes I'm playing in, and quit when I shouldn't be playing.

Note: if you use this and ever need money you're screwed.

If this is not the case yet... concede your point till it is, and tell him loosing at most ten bucks to your friends once a week is way cheaper than going out drinking with your friends once a week.

pzhon · #6 08-17-2005, 01:47 AM

[ QUOTE ]
Here's what worked for me when I was explaining it to my parents. I simply told them, you know I go out drinking every night (college in Boston = ungodly amounts of $ on alcohol), and I havn't worked in over a year. Yet, I have never asked for one red cent. This is because I've learned how to gain a significant edge over some players, have the discipline to maintain a proper bankroll for the stakes I'm playing in, and quit when I shouldn't be playing.

[/ QUOTE ]
Then you said you were kidding, and you have really been working as a prostitute, and they were greatly relieved.

benkahuna · #7 08-18-2005, 02:18 PM

Your father is hopeless. He wins. Give up. Any other action is -EV.

mudbuddha · #8 08-18-2005, 04:41 PM

you have to understand that poker really *is* gambling. In the short term but in the long term, with proper bank roll management and making good decisions, it is a profitable "hobby."
My parents are the same way, they're both professionals so. its hard to explain to them although my dad is a smart guy..

Just stress that your not going to do this for a living.. while learning money management (hopefully you are) Explain benefits that you learn outside of just the cards.

Hopefully if they understand that your heads not in the clouds and you have your head straight maybe he will come to some sort of understanding