Everyone Loves Poker

The more I interact with people on a day to day basis the more the government’s crusade against online gambling infuriates me. Many online poker pros are hesitant to tell people what they do for a living. I think they see the government and “family values” people coming down on it and assume people will be put off by it. I have never been this way. I love what I do and if someone asks me what I do I’m more than happy to discuss it with them.

You know what? I have never received a negative reaction or seen someone offended by the notion. Most people think it’s the coolest thing ever, some are very curious, and many didn’t even know it was possible. I love to talk about it, and most people are so fascinated that they let me go on as long as I want. The truth is that a large percentage of our country plays or has played poker. It’s only the small vocal minority that is out to bring us down. Government and religious types have a much louder voice than the millions of people who play a $10 home game each week. Everyone loves poker and it’s a shame we have to put up with these BS laws trying to “protect us from ourselves”

I was out running some errands the other day and in a matter of 2 hours I had 3 different conversations with random people about how much they loved poker and how cool it was that I played for a living. I was wearing my Dynasty Shirt to the bar last night and 4 different people came up to me and talked poker. I think this is closer to the sentiment of the nation than the negative press we often get. The problem is most of the casual players have no clue there is anti poker legislation and aren’t motivated enough to do anything about it anyway. I guess the PPA should really try to tap into that segment of people and at least get some positive press. I try to make sure I tell people I meet about it and ask them to pitch in just a little bit. It something little, but if all of us did it each day it would probably have an impact. Ah well, I can only dream of the day when poker is legalized and we all become richer than we ever imagined.

PS

Congrats to Flamm for going deep in FTOPS #1 and winning a $25 last longer bet vs me. Keep crushing the tables Flamm!