I'm an online poker professional, and I've paid for college playing poker (I'm not ae Jones, but Poker is a very serious part of my life). Around friends, I talk far too much about poker, wind up annoying them etc... When I win - they all love to hear about how much I won, how big a field i beat (if its a tournament) etc... When I lose - which is when i need to talk about it the most, they ask me why i continue to play if I've had 3 loosing poker days and why I don't cash out now and just all in all want me to stop whining about poker which I love and hate (as i think all of you do). How do I talk to people about it? How do I introduce myself to women? "Hi, I just lost/made more than your last paycheck yesterday". Its been a big problem in my life and any advice you guys could give would be helpful.

Just don't let it get to your head and try to have a life outside of poker imo. Go to the gym, go out, and chill. Doesn't always have to be about poker 24/7. I'm not paying through college or anything through poker but there's always more out there man.

When you introduce yourself to women, the first thing that pops in your head shouldn't be anything related to poker.

You mean you like talking poker to your non-poker friends? I try my best not to bring up the topic even if I had a really good day, and especially not on a downswing because they just don't get it. To most people, poker is like slot machines or the lottery. Online poker is viewed even worse because you 'can't read people online'.

I didn't talk poker at first... and maybe i shouldn't - but its hard not to when its the only thing on your mind half the time. Plus I'm far to talkative a person to have any self-restraint

agreed

You sound kinda douchy. No one, especially college kids, want to hear about how much you made or lost online. Most likely, they'll just think you're a degenerate for playing poker online, with most thinking that you're a braggart. Feel free to talk about it with your close friends who know the role that poker plays in your life. But talking about it to acquaintances or people you've only recently met? Not recommended.

i love talking about poker as well, the mental side of it and all that ****. but "normal" people just dont understand....

I try not to bring it up at all to be honest unless I make a big win and want to celebrate. I occasionally offer to buy rounds if I do well at the pokers and usually someone makes a comment, but one of my friends dads lost >£20k on online poker so its kind of a sore subject.

ya only time I bring up poker around friends is when i bink a nice score, want to celebrate and take care of the bill. i dont think they mind

talking about poker with non-poker friends is ******ed. i'm not sure of anything good that can come from it...you either sound like a cocky ******* or degenerate loser. the only time i talk about it is when my roommates ask and i usually give a vague answer or i'm with fellow poker players.

imo its dumb to talk about poker with non poker friends. imagine if you didn't own an XBOX (or cared for one) and one of your friends was droning on about call of duty, you wouldnt give a rats ass.
win or lose no one cares about your poker stories

Not only do they not care, but more importantly, they don't understand. It's pointless to try. They don't understand the variance in poker. To them, poker=blackjack=slots. Don't even try.

This

Also I read in Phil Galfonds well, that if is non poker friends ask him how poker is going he just says "its alright"

I avoid the topic of poker with non poker friends as often as I can.....The only people I will talk about it with are my roommates/close friends, if they want

True. The funny thing is that, by extension, my friends don't understand why I lose more often than not when I play blackjack. "You're so good at gambling," after all.

They don't come hang out with you and say "Oh man I made $30.23 at work today!"

Also you sound like a douche explaining to them how many people you beat. If you feel the need to explain how awesome you are, they won't be your friends much longer.

this. one of my best friends ive known all my life really has no idea how much i make playing poker. i know he doesnt give a damn about poker so i never bring it up (and certainly dont openly brag about it). just talk poker to friends of yours who play, and certainly dont brag about how much youre making.

Yeah, nobody probably gives a ****, and they will probably be jealous or whatever if you keep telling them how much you make.

When people bring it up I just nod and smile, and change the subject, because usually no good comes from telling people everything.

/thread

i don't bother talking poker with anyone outside of poker because they simply wouldn't understand, same goes for players I know that are into poker but talk poker hands in a typical donk like way...uughh this guy had kings and i had aces the river was a king so sick...no it wasn't you just had a pair. I would only ever talk poker with someone on a similar level as myself that wanted to discuss hands, anything else is just bragging or bad beat stories which is painful to listen to even as a poker player

People ask about it because they know you play alot but they really don't have that much interest in the answer other than how much you make.....even some of my mates that play poker are not really interested in talking poker stratergy etc.

I was reading a blog today, can't remember who, but they were saying about being in a one-dimensional poker train of thought and therefore now find it hard to talk about anything other than that in a social setting.

I know for sure thats how I feel most of the time when at house parties or bars etc. Sad but true. I know that I personally need some more diversity in my life other than poker.

So basically everyone is universally agreed that poker players can't talk about it other than in really ambiguous statements etc... but then how do you balance that with the need to talk about it after a big loss or win? Is suffering silently the only way to go or do we all need a tilt room like in 2M2MM?

It sounds like poekr is not for you....if you let online poker affect (prob wrong one lol) your outside life you are doing something wrong.....

No one (not even poker types) wants to hear your bad beat stories.

I've done quite well in online poker - but I have to admit that at times it can get a little insane. Wining or loosing a grand in a day can be trying. I have in the past done exactly what everyone has been posting and been completely silent about poker in general, but I feel there has to be a better way to do it. I think if you can conquer the emotional aspect of loosing large amounts of money, then you will minimize loosing streaks. Also, i don't let emotions effect me while playing in general and very very very rarely experience tilt (thanks tommy angelo) but that's not really the point... Also, I think the thought that emotional people can't play is ridiculous: Mike Matusow has on several occasions cried on national television and he is one of the best tournament players of all time.