EdmondDantes says

Look at this holiday as an opportunity to work on their understanding of the game and your career choice. Be subtle but relentless.

For example, when you give them presents, label them with little cards...

"Merry Christmas from the spewtard who stacked off light in 2/4 6-max with top pair, bad kicker."

"Happy Holidays from a straight flush draw that got there on the bubble of the Stars 100 rebuy."

"Here's a Starbucks gift card. Woulda got you something better but Full Tilt is rigged."

At dinner, refer to everyone by seat number, insist that everyone act in turn and when you want seconds, yell, "Floor! Rebuy, on 1!" When anyone takes a tiny portion, sneer and make a snide reference to min-betting. Better yet, call them right out. "Min-bet? Yeah, you're fat." If someone gets up in the middle of dinner, toss your napkin to their spot and make a seat change. If they come back, shrug and remind them to lock it up next time. And toss $1 chips to anyone who serves you, obv.

Later when you're watching TV and want something, yell "Service!" Whoever responds, don't ask...TELL them what you want but don't take your eyes off whatever show you're watching. When they bring your order back, toss a redbird at them and call them "dude" or "hon".

In conversation, if someone's beefing about losing their job or something, remind them that downswongs are all part of it and they should look for opportunities to step back and regroup. Suggest alcohol, blackjack or an unusual prop bet to break the cycle.

Try to stimulate little poker debates...CardRunners or XFactor?...Commerce or Bellagio?...Annette or lilhold'em?...all excellent pairings. Every so often toss in a debate that makes no sense...ThreadCat or Grimstarr?...just to see if they're actually paying attention. Of course, if anyone aggravates you in one of these debates, at all...insist they play you heads up for rolls. On Stars. Right now. If they decline, badger them mercilessly whenever you see them sitting alone or in a group...throughout the entire holiday.

It would be a good idea to wear the same outfit several days straight. It's not necessary to have sunglasses on constantly, of course, but you should have them on your hat and drop them on anytime anyone asks you anything remotely thought-provoking. Wear headphones but have one earpod unplugged so you can hear the action. And text...constantly.

Finally, whenever anyone tells a story, insist they offer cliff notes or "Pics or it didn't happen."

If none of this works, simply drop your passport and Stars account info on the table and casually challenge anyone to show cooler stamps and more liquidity.

Hope this helps.

Edmond

12/24/07

lakeoffire says

Mostly I avoid talking about my job. Some people get it but most don't. When people ask me what I do, I simply reply.."what needs to be done".

12/26/07

Landlord79 says

Show them your chart. My family has gotten it through their heads that poker is my hobby and that I intend to play pro when I get the roll for it. They don't like it much though. I've found recently that it is just easier to not talk about it w/ people. Crap, I hate talking poker w/ newbs too because I hate bad beat stories. In summary, just talk less and pwn more.

I'd probably not do what Edmond described above unless you want to be banished.

12/26/07

xxrod17xx says

Yea just show them all the cool stuff you have and they don't because you are good at poker lol.

12/26/07

lakeoffire says

Ed, that was some funny s*it.

12/26/07

harlem says

I go with Dante's suggestions. That's some funny shit he wrote. Family is like having a big wart on your ass.

12/27/07

ckingusc says

Hmmm this is a popular subject, i will have to delve into this further

12/28/07

Chooose an identity

Login/Register Enter Name Anonymous

Log in with your TwoRags.com account. Click here to register. Email: Password: Remember log-in information Name:

It's freaking impossible to make my family members understand poker. I went and visited with my grandparents, cousins, etc today and they were all shocked to hear about me playing poker (the ones who didn't know). The ones who did know still think its luck. Also if one more person says i must just count cards and then when i tell them "no you cant count cards in poker" they continue to argue with me about it. WHICH ONE OF US DOES THIS FOR A LIVING? DO I TELL YOU HOW TO BE OLD OR WHATEVER IT IS YOU DO!? NO!

I mean i love my family, but what sucks with them is that unlike other people I can just be like forget it and not bring it up, however these people are related to me and it's hard to explain when they already have their minds made up. It annoys the hell out of me. Atleast i should be getting some presents or something, i may be almost 22 but fuck it i still like getting presents under the tree