Trouble with a pseudo-friend (needs poker therapy)

[jkamowitz]

I have a casino friend. One of those guys that you would only associate with under the confines of slot machines and degenerates. He thinks we're best buds and so he's constantly running over to tell me hands (often hands he wasn't even a part of) and to ask my opinion (even though he is quick to say I'm wrong.)

What bothers me most is that this person is not only underage (he's 19) but is making some severely damaging life choices. He constantly plays over his roll insisting to play at the highest game available as he assumes incorrectly that he is the best player. Needless to say he is constantly going broke and rebuilding during the week so that he can take shots again.

He has dropped out of a prestigious college and is looking to play full time when his "luck will return."

Now, I'm not his friend and I don't know why this bothers me but being only 21 and having the recent memories of being an egotistical 19 year old who was soon broke, I feel that my knowledge of bankroll management should be important to him. I'm constantly telling him to save his money but he won't listen.

I suppose it's really not my problem and I should let him learn for himself but it's so hard to watch as he makes 10k in a week playing 40-80 and then drops it over the weekend playing 80-160 (or higher) I can't imagine what is going on in his head that convinces him this is alright and I can't imagine the damage he is doing to his future.

Is this even my problem at all or should I mind my business?

[KipBond]

[ QUOTE ]
I'm not his friend and I don't know why this bothers me ... Is this even my problem at all or should I mind my business?

[/ QUOTE ]

[img]/images/graemlins/crazy.gif[/img] Play him heads-up and take his money. He learns how to be a better player, you get his money. Win-win.

[ispiked]

It seems like a valid concern, but you have to ask yourself: is there anything you can do about it? Is sitting him down and talking to him about bankroll management going to make him change his antics? Maybe there are other factors in his life that contribute to why he does this.

I think a lot of people have to figure things out for themselves before they can make a change. Maybe he doesn't mind doing this rinse and repeat over and over again, but when he has to grind to pay the bills maybe he'll figure it out. Unfortunately, I think some people never figure things out or end up in jail because they can't. In these cases, I think people have a problem that needs professional help, and it's unfortunate that they didn't receive any before they got in such a bad spot.

[Copernicus]

[ QUOTE ]
I have a casino friend. One of those guys that you would only associate with under the confines of slot machines and degenerates. He thinks we're best buds and so he's constantly running over to tell me hands (often hands he wasn't even a part of) and to ask my opinion (even though he is quick to say I'm wrong.)

What bothers me most is that this person is not only underage (he's 19) but is making some severely damaging life choices. He constantly plays over his roll insisting to play at the highest game available as he assumes incorrectly that he is the best player. Needless to say he is constantly going broke and rebuilding during the week so that he can take shots again.

He has dropped out of a prestigious college and is looking to play full time when his "luck will return."

Now, I'm not his friend and I don't know why this bothers me but being only 21 and having the recent memories of being an egotistical 19 year old who was soon broke, I feel that my knowledge of bankroll management should be important to him. I'm constantly telling him to save his money but he won't listen.

I suppose it's really not my problem and I should let him learn for himself but it's so hard to watch as he makes 10k in a week playing 40-80 and then drops it over the weekend playing 80-160 (or higher) I can't imagine what is going on in his head that convinces him this is alright and I can't imagine the damage he is doing to his future.

Is this even my problem at all or should I mind my business?

[/ QUOTE ]

10k a week at 40/80????

[HOWMANY]

Let him figure it out himself by going broke over and over until he learns.

On a sidenote, stories like this where losing players run good and move up to bigger games piss me off a lot, because first of all I wish I ran so hot I could constantly move up. Second of all I wish I was brave enough to take shots more aggressively.

[Lurker.]

he's young, he'll figure it all out. don't worry about him, he's only 19 and can always go back to school.

[TheWizard]

Here's one way of looking at it. You can..
.
..respond on the same level, like a child - Get overexcited about his experiences too, ignoring obvious realties. Or get jealous, competitive, etc.

..respond like a parent - Supportive. Critical. Keep giving advice. Worry about his future, lol.

..or respond like an adult - OK, this guy's behaviour seems reckless to me and could have negative cosequences, but I don't really know. I've tried to give him some advice that I think would help, but he's not really interested. So be it, I hope things works out alright for him.

[nineinchal]

[ QUOTE ]
Is this even my problem at all or should I mind my business?

[/ QUOTE ]

Get into the 80/160 game when he's got chips in front of him. You can still be his friend and lend him back his losses at 4 points a week.

[jkamowitz]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Is this even my problem at all or should I mind my business?

[/ QUOTE ]

Get into the 80/160 game when he's got chips in front of him. You can still be his friend and lend him back his losses at 4 points a week.

[/ QUOTE ]

Touche good sir. Sounds like a plan, are you willing to sit to my right in the same game?

[Frond]

IF you feel the need I guess all you can do is try and give him your sound advice since it sounds like you have been there but after that it is up to him.