Friends/Family views on my poker habits.

DanielSchnarr · Aug 14,2006, 12:40 PM

A few of my friends and family members are shaking their heads at my poker playing habits. I've never bought into poker when I knew I couldn't afford it.

They say it's a stupid/dumb way of spending my time.

I've won a great deal of hands in my less of a year of experiance and I think I have potential at least in 7 card stud play. (Working on my holdem/omaha/stud hi low etc)

What do you think I should tell them? Should I just ignore the bashing?

PokerRox · Aug 14,2006, 02:40 PM

There is a very simple defence for any of these types of questions. Ask the questionee how much time and money they spend on thier hobby. When we say they spent $1000 and 300 hours on whatever, mention how you spend the same amount of time, but made ten grand.

That will shut them up forever.

Otto_Troy · Aug 14,2006, 03:06 PM

Whether you win 10 grand or......even lose every time you play, as long as you play within your monetary means and for recreation it is just like any other hobby. I personally blow a few thousand bucks every summer tortuing myself on the golf course. That is a good way to look at it. If you are playing for stakes you cannot afford....than it is not a hobby...but a problem.

JohnnieH · Aug 14,2006, 03:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto_Troy

Whether you win 10 grand or......even lose every time you play, as long as you play within your monetary means and for recreation it is just like any other hobby. I personally blow a few thousand bucks every summer tortuing myself on the golf course. That is a good way to look at it. If you are playing for stakes you cannot afford....than it is not a hobby...but a problem.

Well said. I definitely spend less on poker then I do on golf.

That being said, I keep my roll completely separate from all other monies in my house. My poker winning/losings are MINE and mine alone.

Poker is also a social Game. I love getting together with my buds, having some beers and tossing some cards around. But some people just think it degenerate "gambling" and turn their noses to it. They think anyone who would bet money on cards is a thug, and needs professional help. Would your family act the same way if you were playing Monopoly, Boggle or Risk? No, probally not.

Johnnie

Otto_Troy · Aug 14,2006, 03:53 PM

I did not realize, but my amazing advice

to Daniel also took me out of the newbie status. I feel so good now....a junior member.....just like a Jr. Whopper. Oh some day I will be a Whopper and loaded with 40 grams of fat per serving.

TexLexus · Aug 18,2006, 06:03 PM

Mmmmm Whopper...
Golf is a perfect comparison. With beers and food, a round of golf costs $100 and 5 hours easy. And if you play well, the course doesn't even give you money back!
Honey, let's go to Burger King!
Gotta go.

ChrisWinsor · Aug 18,2006, 06:27 PM

They think its the same thing as going to a casino.

meltedmark · Aug 18,2006, 10:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ChrisWinsor

They think its the same thing as going to a casino.

Umm. Chris I actually think they are just hungry. They ll go to Burger King, I'm sure of it.
Daniel if you do a search you should find some interesting info on this touchy topic.
"Throws the Whopper wrapper in the trash, and washes his unquenching thirst with a rightous Dr. Pepper."
MMMM I'm Loving It
oh that's McDonalds, shoot......

pkrfce9 · Aug 19,2006, 07:55 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Otto_Troy

Oh some day I will be a Whopper and loaded with 40 grams of fat per serving.

Maybe one day you can be a club owner and be loaded with 40 grams of coke. Wait, that's a different thread!

TexLexus · Aug 19,2006, 11:29 PM

Isn't that the buy-in at Tony Montana's home game?

jpajamas · Aug 20,2006, 09:45 PM

They wish they could play...

pokerJAH · Aug 21,2006, 08:02 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by DanielSchnarr

A few of my friends and family members are shaking their heads at my poker playing habits. I've never bought into poker when I knew I couldn't afford it.

They say it's a stupid/dumb way of spending my time.

I've won a great deal of hands in my less of a year of experiance and I think I have potential at least in 7 card stud play. (Working on my holdem/omaha/stud hi low etc)

What do you think I should tell them? Should I just ignore the bashing?

How often do you play?Â* mainly online or live tournaments?Â* some people expect poker to provide a steady cashflow and depend on it too much as a source of income; others have a better grasp of the game and realize that poker, like any other game of chance, really has a huge component of luck to it (especially NLH) so if you are playing for any reason besides pleasure, it could be a problem long term.Â* I use to get slack from the wife, but now we have an agreement that I can play in a tournament once in a while and if the timing interfers with other commitments, I just pass and find another tournament at a more suitable date.Â* If you don't have a wife and kids yet, enjoy yourself now because later in life time will definitely be a commodity. Just try to play within your limits.