Do you tell people you play poker for a living? How do they usually respond?

There seems to be a stigma attached especially for people who don't know anything about poker. I've had to deal with scoffs or questionable looks when I tell people. People seem to look down on it or question it.

My main problem is when people ask what I do for a living while I am playing poker at a casino. People constantly ask me that while I'm playing and I find it annoying. While all the recreational players are there to have a good time and gamble, do I really want them to know that I am actually "working"... as in my occupation is to take their money? I don't want people I play poker with on a regular basis to know I play for a living. I feel inclined to make something up, like I work for a family business.

I just point at the table.

me "im in the shipping industy"
them "what do you ship?"
me "it"
them

Equity Analyst

Drug dealer

This or anything that revolves around business. I own my own business consulting firm etc. No need for them to know.

Gay Porn.

Just tell them something else

i think you missed the point of this

capital investment and recovery

Clay disk trader.

"I'm the manager of a fund re-allocations firm."

"I have my own business"

And make something up everyday. Have fun with it

I just say Im unemployed.

Cannot ... stop ... giggling ...

Okay, seriously, I'm not a poker pro, but the ones I know usually just give some vague description of a generic SF Bay Area job and nobody asks follow-ups. "I'm a grad student" and "I just sold my software startup" are two that I've heard.

Ok, giggling again now ... god damn that was funny.

the funny part is, im actually serious. i told this to a guy once about 3 or 4 years ago. a few internet kids at the table started to chuckle and the guy just stared at me like i had a booger on my face

Well, I should mention that I play at a place where the player pool is small and it's a bunch of the same local regulars all the time. I feel bad about lying to them when they are making conversation especially because I see most of them several times a month. I don't want to come across as scumbag or a liar because I consider myself a decent person who just happens to play poker for a living... Sometimes I don't even mind telling the person who is asking that I am "on the job" but there's always 4 other people at the table eavesdropping.

I'm unemployed and trying to see if I can make enough off of poker. Poker players understand that some people make money off the game. Hell, your mere existence encourages them to get better (and play more) so that one day they too can give pro poker a go. When you play higher stakes, it'll be even easier to tell people the truth. Doesn't hurt the game, doesn't hurt your action.

why on earth would you want to encourage people to get better?

chip harvesting

When I used to just play poker, I would tell people I was a stay at home mom.

That should take care of it.

My fiance's boy toy.

Just tell them your a fisherman, and you catch Fish for a living

hello... self employed