Re: Are all poker players degenerates?
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No. And you can say poker player without including it.
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Sorry. Didn't mean to strike a nerve.
As I said, I don't think I'm a degenerate, altho I did go to Vegas with a few K with no fear of losing it all, altho I didn't, came home with most of it.
And I certainly didn't mean to offend any long-time 2+2'ers, but I did notice the word being used a bit and wondered if it was in disapproval or as a badge of honor.
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LOL....no problems JJT. My apologies if I came off harsh. With all the other responses I just thought I'd keep mind short and to the point. I was going to go on about the definition of degenerate, use a couple of comparison questions (Are all teachers intelligent? Are all cops law abiding? Are all lawyers scum?) like another poster and possibly get all philisophical but then I changed my mind.
Occupation or hobby really has no bearing on whether or not a person, by definition, is a degenerate, (unless you want to include illegal professions, perhaps like drug dealer. Although by definition not all drug dealers need be degenerates).
To automatically think degenerate when hearing the term poker player is a gross overgeneralization, especially in this era. If this is a persons automatic perception then I'd say they are rather uninformed about the types of people that currently play poker (and have played in the past)and the game itself. This is the same lack of knowledge, understanding and perception that leads to all types of prejudices.
In my opinion the word is probably overused and not really intended as per it's definition. Most who probably use the word are using it more as a term of expression for someone who doesn't have a regular job, or a steady income stream, someone who is outside of what they consider the norm for a woking class individual (So just like Phil Ivey would be degenerate poker player, Tiger Woods would be a degenerate golfer.)
Personally I don't associate with anyone I would consider to be a degenerate, although I've met a few.
Guess I blew the short, to the point reponse huh....lol
Since you asked the question I'd be interested in knowing what brought it up? And why you feel the need to defend (justify?)your actions.
ps. I'm not trying to provoke any type of arguement or cause this discussion to degenerate. Just trying to contribute my opinion.
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