Took a bad streak, how do you justify playing to other people?

[davet]

I am a winning player. I play many hours a week, and it is safe to say that the vast majority of my income comes from poker.

But I just took a really bad streak, and went broke. In reality, the situation is not entirely bad. Any poker player knows the risks involved, and we all know that we can go broke, especially if we are too adventurouse.

Lesson #1: play withing your limits.

Anywhow, all my friends don't understand why I play poker, nor have they understood. When they think of poker, they think of all the anti- gambling ads out there. They tell me it's gambling. Yes, I know, I tell them, but this isn't craps or roulette, this is a postive expectation game. They only hear about my losses, because losing is so strange to me. They never considered that I eat and pay rent with this income. All they think is that you can't win at poker.

How do I explain, or justify, my playing? Would it be good to invite them to a home game and bust them all out, so they can see I am good at what I do?

[rwanger]

If you aren't getting respect from your friends, start telling them about your wins (especially if you have done well in a tournament), and gloss over the losses.

That's what I do! [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[TheHip41]

[ QUOTE ]

I am a winning player. I play many hours a week, and it is safe to say that the vast majority of my income comes from poker.

But I just took a really bad streak, and went broke. In reality, the situation is not entirely bad. Any poker player knows the risks involved, and we all know that we can go broke, especially if we are too adventurouse.

Lesson #1: play withing your limits.

Anywhow, all my friends don't understand why I play poker, nor have they understood. When they think of poker, they think of all the anti- gambling ads out there. They tell me it's gambling. Yes, I know, I tell them, but this isn't craps or roulette, this is a postive expectation game. They only hear about my losses, because losing is so strange to me. They never considered that I eat and pay rent with this income. All they think is that you can't win at poker.

How do I explain, or justify, my playing? Would it be good to invite them to a home game and bust them all out, so they can see I am good at what I do?

[/ QUOTE ]


If you busted, maybe they aren't wrong.

The game I play, 2-4, i'm super overbankrolled. It is significantly impossible for me to go broke playing within my limits.

[TStoneMBD]

you have to realize that your post is going to make others think you might not actually be a winning player, or at last an intelligent one right?

[davet]

yep, I realize that people would think I am some sort of donk, and that made writing out this post a tad bit difficult.

I did make a major mistake a while ago, and that was playing a bit too high for me, which, now I know not to be some sort of adventurer.

So that is that. The odd argument that one of my friends make is that since most of my oppostion is so bad (I still play in LL) that it would be impossible to beat them. I explained that it sounds counter- intuitive to play against only good players.

[SavageMiser]

Hmm. If one were to play well and exercise correct financial management, there would be no need for justification.

It is difficult to persuade someone that "poker isn't gambling" if you've lost all your money playing it.

I think you've got to go back and find out why you're broke. Be honest with yourself first, then worry about others.

[punter11235]

[ QUOTE ]
this is a postive expectation game

[/ QUOTE ]

Its not.

[Mikey]

"How do I explain, or justify, my playing? Would it be good to invite them to a home game and bust them all out, so they can see I am good at what I do?"

How can you do that if you lost all your money?

People in general have a typical symptom of what I call "the can't" Instead of asking the question how do you do it? They tell you its impossible and wrong and then you are left thinking about how the hell they don't understand you.


At first I was upset at this notion, making it my business to tell people, to show people, but they don't get it. Now i'm glad they don't get it, because if they did I'd have to find something else to do to make money.

Be thankful they don't understand, its what makes this game so great. Accept the fact that they don't.

[xniNja]

Everyone here is missing the important lesson from your post. Well there are a couple.

1) You aren't a winning player. This is a defined book term, the situation you described isn't it. This isn't an insult, it means you have a lot to change to become a winning player, if you so desired.

2) The title "Took a bad streak, how do you justify playing to other people?" Let's us know off the bat you aren't interested in poker. You're interested in other people.

3) [ QUOTE ]
How do I explain, or justify, my playing? Would it be good to invite them to a home game and bust them all out, so they can see I am good at what I do?

[/ QUOTE ]

Same point as two. Your intent in inviting other people to a home game should be to take their money, not impress, justify, or befriend them. Get your priorities straight and ask yourself if you play poker for money or for the approval of your friends.

Edit: 4) If you bust and lose all your money, the last thing on your mind should be trying to convince your friends that you are good at poker. It should be plugging your leaks and rebuilding a bankroll, getting a job, or reading a book.

[MediaPA]

Well, I'll speak in generalities and about myself. I thought that I was a good home poker player and ventured into the online world after having a little success in casinos. At first I made enough to pay off my cable and phone bills, but quickly I learned that I didn't have the information needed to succeed. My initial opinion was formed on a sprint as opposed to a marathon. I dropped a ton of money through various leaks, the worst of which being poor bankroll management (adventurous, I think you used).

I'd talk to my friends whenever I was down or even. They didn't understand why I didn't stop or kept playing. Well, like you I felt it was a game where I had an edge versus other types of casino gambling. You will never change the opinions of people on gambling and poker. Imagine trying to win a pro-life/pro-choice debate with someone who has made up their mind. It's wasted breath.

Maybe you can be a winning player longterm. If you are broke, what does that mean exactly? You've got no money in the bank, but paid 5k in bills through poker? You lost your initial stake of 1k plus winnings, but have more money somewhere? Note: I'm not suggesting you empty your lifesavings to play poker. Just advocating better bankroll management skills/limit choices.

Poker is a game which involves skill and luck (hence gambling). People will not understand even if you break them in a home game. That doesn't matter. If you think you are a 'winning' player. Get a part time job, pay your bills, and put extra money towards rebuilding a roll for poker.

I'm up a little from poker at the moment, but I don't even think about considering myself a long term winning player. Honestly, I never will be. I've shown time and time again that I don't have the tools necessary for it. I wish I had a breakdown of the 'adventurous' (amazingly stupid) things that I've done. I went 'broke' (meaning I lost my poker stake, only to extend that amount 3 times to about -10k).

Good luck to you, but listen to people's advice/comments on here. They aren't trying to mislead you. Many have had similar experiences. If you were at the table with them, they'd skin you alive. Just some free advice. Take it or leave it.