[pohuist]

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Is coming straight out and explaining it to her that it is a great outlet for my competitive nature, I enjoy it as a hobby, and I make a nice side income from it as well.


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I think you should seat down with her before X-mas and tell her that since you have been winning all these years and had more free time b/c she was away, you decided to try to play at higher stakes WITH THE MONEY YOU SET ASIDE FROM YOUR WINNINGS. And lo and behold, you are still winning, only more and that set you thinking that it may make a nice side income, and look for her reaction.

If its negative, explain to her that you would never risk the money you made at a "real" job and poker money will always be separate. Take her to a classy casino as JK recomends. Tell her that that's a part of what you are and you come as a package; she can't only pick the parts that she likes and discard the rest. If she understands math explain the difference between "gambling" and "playing" (my mother was able to).

As for "not adding to the society" that is not entirely true. Poker provides a great outlet for people seeking some thrills, entertainment ot just looking to wind up after a hard days's work. Its not much diffrent in that reaspect than a baseball game or a Broadway show.