So I receive a packet in the mail from my parents. The first thing I see in big bold letters is "The Dangers of Online Gambling" and I'm just say to myself OMG. The post it note says Please read through this material and honestly look at what you are doing with your life.

All I can think is what the [censored]. My parents have never been a fan of me playing poker but this is the first time they have really taking that next step. It pisses me off for a couple reasons mostly because they can't understand the concept of poker.

What can I do? I have tried to explain the concept of a winning poker player, but obviously they think I "have a get rich quick" scheme like the packet says is a sign of a problem. I mean this really upsets me. I have no idea what to say/do.

Any thoughts, comments, advice?

Send them a copy of your hand history.

well played haha

It's much better to send a copy of your tax return, or to ask them to help you with your taxes.

If your tax return wouldn't impress them, then consider that they might be right.

I've had the same problem you did. My parents HATED it when I first started. (came from super christian home, both parents despised gambling, etc). Plus they knew some people who gambled their lives away (I'm asian fwiw).

They didnt care about the money either. They didn't care that I was making more than most college students. All they cared about was the morality of this game.

Over the past year or two, they've grown to not care as much. Give it a little time but don't tell them the true details of this game. Don't tell them you just got stuck for 8k or something and then made it back. Just tell them you are doing well and that is the end of it.

They should grow to learn that you'll be okay and not gamble your life away (if you use proper BR management/etc). GL

Old parent response:

The concern is natural. We all think we know what's best for our kids. The problem is, some of us have trouble with boundaries.
The "packet" approach is a cop-out but it makes me wonder if you haven't had some sort of "discussion" with them before. If so, I'll guess things didn't go well. Do your parents support you in any financial way? If so, they may have a vested interest in how their money is being spend. Even if it's only a perception, their perception is their reality.

The easiest way to deal with them is in an open and honest way. If you've got a good handle on your gaming and honestly don't believe that you have a problem, acknowledge that you received the packet and thank them for their concern. Be willing to discuss the matter fully.
Don't get defensive and adopt a, "it's my life and I can do what I want to" attitude. Even if it's true.

FWIW, I'm 58 YOA, happily married, financially stable and my 86 year old Mom still tells me to be careful when I go to Vegas. It's who she is. I wouldn't have it any other way.

Challenge Dad heads up for rollz. If you go busto you'll quit.

Seriously, be sure that you're a winning player with proof before fighting them on this. If you're not, maybe you should listen.

some specifics...don't rely on parents for any finances.
I have only had 3 losing months since 2004. Haven't deposited since 2004. I go to college and have another part-time job. I am building my resume with other activities.

When I saw this thread title, I thought it might be someone looking for information to give to their parents to get them off their back, LOL.

If you're not playing professionally, talk about poker with your family as little as possible.

LOL my dad lent me $1k for a stake earlier this month, guess i'm lucky

If you truly feel like you are in total, 100% control of your gambling (yes, poker IS gambling), then it shouldn't offend or threaten you to actually read the packet. Gambling, and even poker, does have a dark side.....I suspect for most everyone at one time or another. Can't hurt to face what those bad outcomes or possibilities COULD be, so you can keep better track of your emotions and "reasons" for playing.

I say this not to disuade you from playing poker, but to help you be a better player....

But this material is likely to be far from objective since it comes from anti-gambling sources. According to AA, I'm an alcoholic because I drank two beers by myself last night and I assume these materials would be of the same nature.

Oh it is. i.e. one of the questions: do you gamble to get back to break even? Umm yeah... I am a winning player and just because I am losing at the moment doesn't mean I am gonna quit.

The questions are all based on -EV gambling so it's impossible for a winning poker player not to be a gambling addict.

My advice would be not to debate your parents on poker. They have a mindset that poker is just gambling and by debating with them - it makes you look passionate towards poker like your obsessed. Trying to tell them it isn't gambling is not the right way to go about dealing with peoples bad perceptions of poker.

The correct thing to do is to show them that yes you play poker but you only really play for fun... this might not be the case but do it regardless. Try not to get into deep conversations or any conversation on it for that matter - always trivialise it and make it sound unimportant to you.

I would post the book back to them with a note that says something along the lines of.

"Look, I know you mean well but this is out of line. It is a bit silly to jump to the conclusion that since I play poker therefore I have a gambling problem. I would of hoped you have a little more faith in me than that. Poker is a game, games are fun and I play because I enjoy it. I have never played for large sums of money. I have never play for any amount I cannot afford to lose. Infact ever since I have played with real money, I have played entirely on winnings and I have never deposited money more than once. These are hardly traits of a gambler spiraling out of control and running head first into huge debt. I have never seen poker as getting rich quick. I don't play because I want a 'rush'. I play poker because I want to sit down and switch off for a while and I don't think there is much wrong with that."

send them a copy of ToP

Sklansky's gimmick account?