Hi, poker seems like a lot of fun but their is one big issue that is stopping me from playing it. Im only 16 and my parents despise it because they call it pure gambeling and compair it to a roulet table (eventhough it is really more like chess). And they are now refusing to buy me a car and help pay for my college unless i stop playing. I would stop if i was no good but i seem to have a tallent for this because earlier this week i finnished in the money in the wsop simulator on dd poker 3 (basically the same thing as the real) and won a free roll turnament on americas card room. Also i have a photographic memory so stuff that makes me think is really intertaining for me. So do you guys think i have potential with poker or should i just listen to my parents?
1. You're only 16, and legally you're not allowed to play poker for money.
2. They are your parents. My parents also don't encourage my poker gambling at all, but as long as I'm playing with my money they are fine with it. Still, you're only 16, so you have no choice but to listen to them.
3. Thinking you're good and have a talent is common. Everyone thinks that. Besides pros, you won't find one single "serious" player who is able to say "Nah, I'm not good. I just win money here and there". Wrong mindset. That's how people get addicted to stuff and keep losing more and more money.
4. If you think an online WSOP simulator is even remotely the same as the real thing, jump out of poker altogether and go educate yourself.
5. And now America's Card room can check your account and prevent you from withdrawing and permanently ban you from their software. Besides, I've won some
freerolls too, and they are more about luck than skill.
6. Everyone has photographic memory, some only have it naturally better than others. Besides, for those interested in studying it, everyone can reach a pretty good photographic memory.
To sum up, listen to your parents. I've been there, I know how that is. I now realize I'm not a good player. I am aiming to be a good player, but I'm not one yet. My parents have also told me hundreds of times to forget about poker.
Word of advice: focus on studying. Start playing when you're 18 if you want to, sure, but even then, focus on studies. Always have poker as a Plan B (or C) until you get your life in order.