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explaining online poker to the anti-gamblers

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  1. delete21 delete21 is offline

    Westwood, NJ
    United States

    Posts: 1,946
    Joined: Jan 07

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:06pm)

    hi- i've been faced with countless scenarios in which people just don't know what online poker really is. they disagree with the concept of gambling, and claim it is impossible to beat online poker and make money. when i try to explain that it IS very possible to make money, they find some reason to shoot it down. typical arguments are, "it's rigged", "the house always wins", "it's a scam", etc. i play sng's, and know that it is not hard to consistently make money if approached the right way. i am tired of being interrogated about online poker, and am looking for some help on how to explain it to non-players. i want these people (many of whom who are close to me) to understand why it's such a great thing. showing them sharkscope stats can only do so much...i need some advice here. thanks guys
  2. luciano luciano is offline

    Beaver Falls, PA
    United States

    Posts: 1,320
    Joined: Aug 06

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:10pm) in reply to delete21

    I think I just give up on those people. There are people in my family who just dont get it. But my 80yr old Bingo playing Grandma gets it that Poker is a skill game and the online sites are not out to get you. Most of my family thinks it just has to be rigged because its on the internet. My nana and papa cant even speak English right and they get it, but my aunts, uncles, etc. dont want to hear it.
  3. acnownzu02 acnownzu02 is offline

    Calabasas, CA
    United States

    Posts: 159
    Joined: Jun 06

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:16pm) in reply to delete21

    Sounds like using reason isn't doing any good. If you are consistently making money, that is the best evidence that online poker can be profitable. But some people just won't ever get it, although it should be noted that most players aren't winning players.
  4. just sick just sick is offline

    Houston, TX
    United States

    Posts: 174
    Joined: Feb 07

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:39pm) in reply to acnownzu02

    Online is no different than live in this respect. From the sounds of it, they probably think the house always wins in live poker too. They don't understand the difference between table games, slots and poker. Try explaining that the house games are actually rigged in favor of the house, and that poker is a neutral game. The rules ensure a fair game for all, and the house has no stake in the outcome. As soon as they understand how the house operates in poker that may help you in your quest.

    You'll never, NEVER, explain away the rigged argument. Hell, even half of the actual players think it's rigged.
  5. ill flu ill flu is offline

    Kailua, HI
    United States

    Posts: 6,055
    Joined: Aug 05

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:45pm) in reply to delete21

    Why dont you just put numbers in their face and let them argue with math.
  6. mscheesecake82 mscheesecake82 is offline

    Boston, MA
    United States

    Posts: 633
    Joined: Feb 07

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:49pm) in reply to delete21

    Hey,

    This is going to be really generic, but stop looking for support/approval from people who just aren't going to get it.

    I'll give you another example, I have lupus/RA. Several of my relatives think that I'm "not old enough to be sick" and that I could "will myself better" if I wanted. I went nine years without a diagnosis, so I assumed once I had one, they would be different. No such luck, but I've finally decided that it's OK that they have no idea what they're talking about....
  7. luciano luciano is offline

    Beaver Falls, PA
    United States

    Posts: 1,320
    Joined: Aug 06

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:52pm) in reply to delete21

    take up injecting heroin for a week, they will like your old hobby real quick.
  8. bad grr bad grr is offline

    Madison, WI
    United States

    Posts: 1,107
    Joined: May 06

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 9:57pm) in reply to delete21

    if I've learned anything in life it' that 90% of people are stupid. Don't waste your time trying to explain things to people who are too stupid to get it.
  9. Brent Brent is offline

    Brookeville, MD
    United States

    Posts: 143
    Joined: Mar 05

    Mar 3rd, 2007 (3/3/2007 10:04pm) in reply to luciano

    Poker can be explained mathmatically. That's how I explained it to a few people who were worried that I was "gambling." (business partners)

    Get out a deck of cards, deal a few hands, and explain odds and outs, it really helps. Make sure they know that the house gets the rake, or drop, and that there is no built in vig, as in blackjack or roullette.

    As for the "it's rigged" type of thinking...we have a problem. Rational people aren't likely to believe that offshore poker sites, without any sign of a physical address, are not shady in some way. This is a strong argument for regulating online poker stateside, or allowing reputable companies..IE party poker to function Stateside.

    "It's a scam." Same type of thinking as above. Hard to convince rational people, who are skeptical, that Epassporte is legit. Especially hard if they call customer disservice.

    Remember your apprehension prior to your first deposit?

    I checked out Citadel, thoroughly before letting them into my bank account. Things aren't the same now.

    Whatever you do, don't let people know about the rash of hackings...that fact will only bolster the idea that online poker is risky, shady business...

    Hurry up Harrah's.
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