How to Explain Poker to Non-Poker Players

• same players always tends to win, does that mean they're lucky for life?
• it is still gambling but in regards to short term luck, often times if you make the right decisions you will come out ahead
• weaker players will lose while stronger players will win (profit)
• if it was really a game of luck, nobody would be able to make a living off of it (yes luck still exists though)

Nintendo said:

I find it really hard and painful to try to explain stuff to new players. It is just things you hope they grasp over time but some never do.

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step055 said:

It depends on players))) Sometimes it's a funny process. But sometimes I try to do my best to keep calm. But the best way to explain the rules is to play a game.

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JBGoode said:

That's simple, I invite them to sit down and play a game with me. If they decline, I rebuttal with, "why not? Its all just luck right?"

If they say, "I don't gamble."

I reply with, "Ok, here's the deal. we will play .01/.02 NLH (or .05/.10 NLH depending on what it takes to get them to play), with my money. Whatever you win you can keep, Thus you are not gambling, if anything I'm gambling to prove a point."

Normally I don't get anyone to say no. and I haven't lost that bet yet.

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proud2Bwhack said:

I always say it is like playing chess for money!

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NHequalsFU said:

Tell them poker is an investment.

That you take a certain amount of money(bankroll) and invest small percentages(buy-ins) of it for a period of time. Sometimes you will lose your small investments but over time your total investment will increase.

Tell them you track your investments with graphs and statistics and use math to determine how to get the best return on your investment.

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NHequalsFU said:

Tell them poker is an investment.

That you take a certain amount of money(bankroll) and invest small percentages(buy-ins) of it for a period of time. Sometimes you will lose your small investments but over time your total investment will increase.

Tell them you track your investments with graphs and statistics and use math to determine how to get the best return on your investment.

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mtl mile end said:

It's usually not worth the trouble. Most people tend to think that they already know everything. I was recently talking to the girlfriend of a friend who tries (but fails) to play poker. The conversation revolved around keeping the brain active to ward off dementia that is ubiquitous in my family. She asked me "what do you do to keep your brain active?". I responded "I play poker online every day". She just rolled her eyes and said "have you tried crosswords?".

There is little reason to try to explain a game to someone who is not interested in playing it just for the sake of their understanding. If you have a reason to try to do this, I would suggest comparing/contrasting poker to games of pure chance like lotteries or roulette, as well as to games of strategy like blackjack, and referencing the odds differences in said games. NLHE has the same odds-influenced factors along with four streets of betting that can influence the behaviour of your opponents and the outcome of the hand.

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3betfish said:

How do you guys explain poker to people who think it's 100% luck and gamble?

I've used the following:

• same players always tends to win, does that mean they're lucky for life?
• it is still gambling but in regards to short term luck, often times if you make the right decisions you will come out ahead
• weaker players will lose while stronger players will win (profit)
• if it was really a game of luck, nobody would be able to make a living off of it (yes luck still exists though)

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kraemer said:

If someone tells You "I don't gamble!" then just ask him
to hand over his car keys...

With thousands of people dying each year in traffic accidents
such a person will not have good use for a machine that puts their life at stake...

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BlackRain79 said:

My approach to people who think poker is 100% luck has always been the same...I just agree with them!

It's never worth the time. Also, I think I profit more longterm when people continue to think I am just lucky.

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Maurits92 said:

I don't fully agree with you, as I believe there is some value in trying to explain your hobby/job to people you meet.

Just had a look on your site, and read some articles. Good stuff! Personally just starting out with 2NL zoom on PokerStars and I'll definitely be considering a HUD after reading your article on them! :top:

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