[tarheeljks]

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I decided in the end that if anyone judges me for playing poker, they aren't very driven and aren't my friend, so they can take themselves on to somewhere else.

I am very proud of what I have accomplished, and if any women says that I am worthless because I play, well, they aren't worth impressing in the first place.

As a player, you need to become comfortable with what you are, and then worry about other people. I remember when I first started how I couldn't justify taking addicts money, but I got over it. We all progress at some time.

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When I tell my friends about playing poker, some of them just look at me like I'm a sick gambler because I play almost every day. My parents both have had gambling problems and my friends worry I'm going down the same path. I'll be 100% honest - I hate gambling. I refuse to hit the blackjack tables or play 3-6 with friends at live casinos, even if I have to wait a long time for a no limit game.

Recently, guys that I've met say that they think it's "cool" that I can make money playing poker... but they seem skeptical when they say that. They also refer to my poker playing as gambling. They'll ask me questions like "How did the gambling go today?" I know there is gambling involved in poker, but it sort of offends me when people call me a gambler. It makes me sound reckless and they just don't understand the skill that is involved in the game.

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The second quote contradicts the first. Do you really care that people not think you're a gambler, or not? Which is it?

If you don't care about what people think about you, then quit worrying about whether or not they think poker is gambling or a skill game.

P.S. Poker IS gambling, even though skillful players have a distinct advantage.

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These are not quotes from the same poster, but they don't contradict each other.

It is hard to explain the inner conflict of playing poker for a living. But what she is expressing is not far off from the truth. There is an odd balance that must be attained. A little while ago, I did a gambling psychological study, and they asked me if I would like to continue on to the recover process. "Do I seem like an addict to you?" "I don't know."

"The problem with playing this game full time is that we are all addicted to gambling, you can either live with it or cure it, but you can't have it both ways."

When people use the word gambling, they are using it in a derogatory way, whether they realize it or not. It is obvious that they are concerned about my "safety."

Yes, in a way, we would have to care what people think of us, because we don't want to live the rest of our lives like a hermit. Poker proves that in life, that all love and friendships are harshly conditional.

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and you shouldn't want to live your life according to the opinions or ideals of others.