I am wondering if I am the only one whose friends and family just don’t get why I play poker; if I am the only one who leaves a family party because the Sunday 200 is starting soon; if I am the only one who turns down a lunch invite because I am in a tournament.

Am I the only one who would rather fly to Reno or Vegas with poker friends than go to Disney World and deal with a bunch of whiny kids (and their parents)? Am I alone here? Am I the only one who stays up half the night to play $1 sit-n-go's with friends instead of sleeping? <READMORE>

Why is it that all the people I play with and chat with are the only ones who understand me and my passion for poker? They understand the thrill of cracking aces; the stimulation of hitting trips on the flop and having someone with top pair betting into you. They understand the buzz when you make the final table. It is something nobody else understands but us. So is there something wrong with me because I would rather talk about last night’s $100 tourney than listen to someone crab about how bad their kids are doing in school?

The simple truth is no matter who we are, what we do for a living, or what we look like, we all get each other. It’s what makes this game so great. We are electricians, schoolteachers, and lawyers. Doctors, bar owners, mothers, and fathers. We are all different ages, from all over the country, all over the world. But here we are all the same: poker players! We all share the same passion, we all get pissed off, and we all understand it. We have all been there. We can all relate to the bad beats, the suck outs and the rush of a win.

I can honestly say I have been to some wonderful countries and been lucky enough to stay in some of the most beautiful hotels in the world. And I have had more fun on poker vacations with people I have just met from ub.com. There’s just something about sitting around at dinner or having drinks and talking about the game we all love, sharing the passion we all have.

So next time you’re at a poker table, strike up a conversation with someone. Get to know the people you play with. Go to a tournament and meet people. Then, if you didn’t already know what I am writing this article about, you will! Because let’s face it, the only people who understand the endless sad stories and myriad miracles of a poker player’s life, the pain of a bad read, or the paradoxical sad relief after laying a bad beat on a friend....are other poker players.

So try to get to know the only ones who know what you know....you know?

And I want to add a special thank you to Bobalooga for making me sound so good.
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