Letter to my parents (LONG)

[Blarg]

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Ummm, to be honest, you're really the only one here being a jerk.

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yup

[econophile]

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Chess can be a much more addictive and obsessive game because of the dynamics of the game itself, yet for some reason poker has a much worse image (media, etc).


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"Sometimes the person telling you not to play chess it the person you'd least expect."

[SossMan]

Counting eggs prior to hatching is perfectly acceptable...just not your chickens.

[FatalError]

u should get arrested speeding with an ounce of marijuana in your car and an underage thai hooker in the passenger seat, they'll prolly forget about poker for a while

[zipster987]

As a college student and poker player, I've had plenty of time spent on this issue with friends and my parents. Most likely you are getting money for school from Mom and Dad....that rules out completly disregarding any feelings they have about it, specially since they are looking out for what they feel is your best interest.

The real reason they are concerned is the number of people that start playing in college and think that the money is so good, its worth skipping class. Then the grades fall, then you buy yourself a car with your winnings, drop out of school convinced you can be a pro. Working 20 hours a week before you go into college and after freshman year should be enough, but after sophomore and junior year you need to be working more. After your junior year, an internship is necessary, like you said, and maybe after your sophomore year as well.

The other thing your parents are probably worrying about is the hermit factor. Playing online poker takes alot of time, and time generally moves fast when your concentrating on it. When you get to college, it's a lifestyle shift. Don't be one of the people that goes to class occasionally, plays 30-40 hours a week, and spends the rest of yor time sleeping. From expierence, those people drop out of college faster then the ones who ignore class, because they have no real friends.

Poker can quickly take over huge chunks of your time if your not smart about it. Discuss these issues with your parents RATIONALLY, even if it takes a letter to start that conversation, and let them know that your not oblivious to those concerns. It will help a ton.

Other quick point: Skills---talk with one or both of your parents about HOW you make the money. Explain how you read people or quickly do math in your head, or the thoughts behind a cold call from late position with a certain hand.

And finally, don't swear at your parents, it comes across badly when your trying to diffuse a fight.

EDIT: One last idea that I forgot to include--Disclosure--Let your parents know how your doing, both good and bad. A little bit of knowledge goes along way. Tell them that your playing really well or that maybe you weren't playing your best at a certain time. Being able to evaluate how your playing outside of monetary returns is something parents with concerns really like.

[DonkBluffer]

OP seemed very childish and inexperienced to me too, and I'm 18. If you really want to write your parents a good letter, begin by clearly stating their point of view, and then think of how your view points differ and how you could convince them of your opinion with good, solid arguments. Keep the goal of your letter in mind at all times.

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I suggest you take poker slowly and give in a little. Get out and enjoy your youth. And when you do play poker - DON'T TELL YOUR MOM ABOUT IT. Keep it to yourself and friends.

One of my father's favorite sayings when I was young...
"don't tell your mother."

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This morning I was complaining to my mom because I'm on a 9 buy-in downswing at $400NL. She said something like: "When you play card games you will inevitably lose sometimes. If you can't handle that you shouldn't be playing." Awesome.

[CanIPlayII]

Bruin; I am the parent of a 22 yr. old son attending college. I liked the idea of a letter. It presents the facts in a more rational way and can lead to a discourse in person.
The edited version was better but every author has an editor. Your intentions are good and your parents are lucky that their 18 yr. olds worse vice is making money. Stress to them that you will not gamble in any other way, No Blackjack etc... since those are -EV games.