Just tell them you deal drugs, so you have a lot of free time and money to blow on poker.

If anyone insists on following up on that or starts lecturing you about it.....

Benat, that's because those live pro's have had plenty of time to deal with the situation -- they recognized it was a probelm (albeit, a rather small one, yet still a problem) and eventually came up with an appropriate response; likely one similar to the suggestions given ITT.

Obviously OP is new to being a live pro and/or has only recently been presented with this question on a regular basis, so he hadn't quite figured out how to respond. He's not saying it's a huge determent, he's simply stating it was something he would like /some/ help with, not that it was a /massive/ problem that was destroying his mental game and winrate.

Sorry it's too trivial for it to be worth your time, but "worth" is subjective, and thats why we have forums. So people can pick and chose who to reply to, and people can post what they think is important to them.

What forums is NOT for is to search for people's threads for the sole intent of belittling their question. Well, that's not entirely true. Forums is for that too, but that section is called BBV.

Personally I like " I am the head of Risk Management for a Private Firm

This is exactly what I was thinking too.

soccer bettin is insanely difficult and it's extremely unlikely for someone to make a living out of it. So it would be extremely unlikely to believe someone claiming this . And if I thought they were saying it seriously, I would ether think they re very likely to be good at poker Orr that they have lost touch with their senses.

I think an unemployed and between jobs isnt the best answer because one generally cant afford it and it isnt lasting for days, weeks, months.

A drug dealer would be dangerous, plus someone might try to buy and you would have that image forever. And do you look like it.

A tourist doesnt cover many months but if you are good enough and a sailor. And it is not really what is being asked. A tourist or not, one's job is the question.

When i asked the question i got some marketing and sales answers in a way i dont really know what it is and hard to ask further. If you can get away with it.

I think the best way is to be friendly, meaning a real answer. But it can be difficult because one is not talking to one person and one is up to an obvious regular.

Being older one can be on pension and the money isnt necessarily an issue.

A joke answer is possible, if the options are no better.

I say, gambler...

How about : Risk Analyst

"I make short term currency investments"

"equity analyst"

I always say "investor" which I also do. People like to talk about the market anyway.
But I'm in LA and I don't think anyone playing really cares. If they specifically ask, which happens rarely, I say "yeah I play A LOT Poker. I'm a top notch killer pro" and then put on my sunglasses upside down or some nonesense which usually just makes then laugh. Nobody cares. They're they're to gamble and have fun for the most part.
Maybe in Vegas the inexperienced "tourists" care but LA players don't give a sht.

I say I'm a dolphin trainer.

Underwear model.

Can't pull it off without six pack, tho.

This was probably the first real legitimate answer itt that I can feasibly use

I definitely don't lie about it.

As a reg they will know you for your skills. However if its a new person asking then I usually give them a variation of the truth:

- I run bad.
- I'd call myself a pro but I think you actually have to make money to call yourself that...
- I'm a stay at home dad and try to play as much as I can on the weekends.
- I'm an internet pro but the internet is broken. [OK this is a joke but the gist of it is that yes I am a pro...]
- I do this. [I say it deadpan like it can't possibly be true]

I like saying "short term equity analyst"

just tell the truth..If you're really an excellent versatile poker player who can take advantage of all situations, it's not going to hurt your bottom line in any way..

Yes it will.

Fish like to go out, play cards and have a good time with other people who are there to have a good time. Most of them hate playing with professionals, since it implies that they are suckers. Many fish state the reason that they no longer go out and play poker is because they are surrounded by professionals when they do.

Taking advantage of all situations, means taking advantage of the fact that you don't have to tell people you're a pro, and you don't have to outwardly act like one at the table.

So what. There are tons of regs who aren't pros in most poker rooms. The majority of regs aren't pros. They just like to play or are addicted to it.

Really? Where were these fish when they were interviewed and asked why they no longer play poker? They must not have been in a poker room since they no longer play poker.

Precisely.

How does one "act like one"?

Be sullen, rude, rarely talk except to berate people?

Maybe that is what made the recs you talked to quit. Not the fact that they played against (real) professionals, but the fact they played against players who "acted like one".

Best thing a pro can hear is "I like playing with you" and "I'd rather lose my money to you instead of to that young jerk over there"

+ 1,000,000

That's why Daniel N. is admired by everyone so much.

Some people just never learn.

Why all the fear? In my rooms saying you are a pro is more likely to induce action from the gamblers. People know that casinos have an edge, yet they love the concept of beating the house.

I embrace the pro image [no hoodie and beats, just big stack and waiting in the cashout line with people often], I dont seem to shut down tables too much but they do complain about me betting too often, they dont adjust and the more I bet the more they fold.

If they do shut down I just win more because they are playing cards face up to me. A big part of a pro is making proper folds when they play face up. What do you do when the guy who folded 20 times in a row bets? He will do it when he thinks you are a pro and he has you beat, weak players dont bluff into "pros". Easy game

Carnivore- You dont act like a pro, but if youre there everyday somebody will ask eventually. Its mostly the retirees and dealers that have asked me.