Will they ever get it?

[Cipher]

My wife became a beliver the first time I showed her a cashout check for $1,000.

I don't try to convince the rest of the world.

[TGoldman]

I told my priest (I'm a practicing Roman Catholic) that I play poker online for real money. After explaining the process to him, he asked a few questions such as the probability of me losing my money, the possibility of becoming addicted and/or greedy, and whether all players involved have the same opportunities for success available. After I answered his questions and he gave it his blessing, so at least Fr. Phil "gets it"! [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

[Jeffage]

I know this from experience. The more you try to convince people you beat the game and don't have a problem, the more it sounds like the rant of a degenerate gambler convinced he can "beat the house," especially to those totally ignorant about poker. My parents are just now "getting it" a little, considering I go to casinos alot and have more money than I would otherwise. The key thing is, stop talking about it--even though you love it. It makes you sound obsessed to people not in the know. As years go by, the fact that you are not broke and have alot of money will speak for itself.

Jeff

[Siingo]

Damm I am study addicted....

Has studying ever made your home life unhappy? Yes absolutly
Did studying affect your reputation? Yes people wonder if I ever will leave school..

And there is more...
I cant stop doing it even if I think that it suck sometimes. i just have to keep doing it..

Well I know what you mean but I just think that everyone shall think twice before they use those questions. I absolutly agree that there is many that have problems with gambling here but there is also many do not have that..

I do not belive that I have it right now even if I could answer yes on both those questions.

Has gambling ever made your home life unhappy? Yes when I have lost alot and times when I want to do other things than playing poker but I have decided that I shall put in the houers now. And times when I have to say no to meat people because I shall play those houers.

I have special times when I play nowdays like when you work. I have to do like this because else it will affect my school a lot more. And in this houers do I play even if I do not fell like I want to do it. And ofcours it would probably be better if I did not play and only studying and someone gave me the money for free. But noone do that so either I play or work and work take even more houers..

Did gambling affect your reputation? Well I think that it do for everyone, to some people, if you say that you play more that 2 times a week..

I think most players here is a litle addicted to poker. You have to be that to put down the houers to learn the game and get good. But I do not think that mean that you have a gambling problem.. I do not doubt that there is some that have that here but I do not think that everyone have that even if they answer yes on those questions...

But ofcours relatives always have right to be conserned... That mean that they care. My mom have even been conserned that I study to much and train sports to much some times.. [img]/images/graemlins/laugh.gif[/img]

I agree with almost everything you said. It was good stuff but I just think that everyone shall think twice before they use those questions.

Have fun!

[jonnyv]

No, they never will get it. As long as you are not addicted and are making money than it does not matter what they think. My parents hate gambling so I just don't talk to them about it unless they ask. We talk about most everything else and just leave that subject alone. They watch the wpt sometimes and tell me about it as they know I love poker. I never discuss wins/losses or even the fact that I play online because they don't want to hear it.
My advice is to just leave well enough alone and if they ask you about it tell them its a hobby of yours that you play in your spare time for very low stakes. Leave it at that and change the subject. Trust me people who are set in thier beliefs are very hard to change. Agree to disagree and avoid the subject as much as possible.

[Allinlife]

we should open up a therapy forum [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Although it is kind of sad how the society view us long term winners, I am rather glad that most people don't get it because otherwise, everyone will try to jump on the bandwagon...

[MicroBob]

[ QUOTE ]
I am rather glad that most people don't get it because otherwise, everyone will try to jump on the bandwagon.

[/ QUOTE ]


Everyone jumping on the bandwagon would be a GOOD thing.

Knowing that the game is technically beatable and actually beating the game are entirely different things.

[Jim Easton]

[ QUOTE ]
Nice semi-bluff.

[/ QUOTE ]

Let's hope it is a pure bluff.

[img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

[TM1212]

Whenever this situation comes up, having to explain how I or someone else plays poker for a living, It always reminds me of a great quote from Boiler-room. The beginning of the quote not really but the bold you’ll understand here it is…

Ben Afflecks character (its a minor role) speaking to the new junior broker recruits:

"You become a member of this firm you will make a million dollars within your first 3 years here... You think I'm joking? I am not joking, I am a millionaire. Weird thing to hear right? It's a weird thing to say. I am a fu*king millionaire. And guess how old I am...? 27... Now you all look money hungry and thats good. Anyone that tells you money's the root of all evil, Doesn't F*cking have any! They say money can't by happiness, look at the F*cking smile on my face! EAR TO EAR BABY! You want details fine... I drive a Ferrari 355, Whats Up! I have a Ridiculous house on the south fork. I have every toy imaginable. And best of all kids I am liquid.

So, Now you no what’s possible, let me tell you what’s required. You are required to work your [censored] ass off at this firm. We want winners, not pikers. A piker walks at the bell, a piker asks how much vacation time you get a year. Vacation Time ?!?!?! People come and work at this firm for one reason. TO BECOME FILTHY RICH! You want vacation time go teach 3rd grade public school!
(Takes a glass of water)
Ok first 3 months are as a trainee, You make 150 dollars a week... A word about being a trainee, friends, parents, other brokers there going to give you [censored] about it. 150 dollars a week! Pay them no mind.... Your friends are sh*t, you tell them you made $25,000 last month there not going to believe you. F*ck them, F*ckem, Parents dont like the life you lead? F*ck you mom and dad. See how it feels when your making there f*cking lexus payments. Now go home and think about it. And if you really want give me a call on Monday, just don't waste my f*cking time.


Oh and to answer your question NO, They will never get it! unless they gamble for a living or read half a dozen books on gambleing theory, they will never get it.

You can at best make them stop questioning you, by showing off your every increaseing bankroll, by spending it. But that reminds me of a quote from chip jett. When he was 25 and had just est. a soild bank roll, and wanted his family to thing he was legit. So he bought a house in cash. He said it was the most regetable move in his life. To start they still didn't see gambling as a legitmate job, second he was back to the felt grinding his bankroll back up.

So, I guess it simply comes down to personal happiness. Is poker making you happy? Is it paying the bills? Do the people u care about (ur girlfriend), believe in you? Well the "F*ck" everyone else!