I Turn 18 In 1 Week

So I'm turning 18 in a week. Just got some questions I need answered before I start playing on internet. First, how do you get your money to the poker rooms with this new ban on poker, when I live in the U.S. How much does PokerTracker + HUD cost? What would be the punishments for getting caught playing poker in the U.S. under this new ban? What do you say to people that claim poker is "all luck?" I've already read Renton's guide and Bankroll Management anything else really good to read on here, if i plan to play mostly NLHE ring?

You can still use Neteller to get your money into sites. There are no punishments for playing poker because the bill did not make playing illegal. PT is $55 (well it was when I bought it) and HUD is $25. I tell people who claim poker is all luck that they are dumbasses. Read all the stickies and posts in the beginner's digest.

Originally Posted by courtiebee

You can still use Neteller to get your money into sites. There are no punishments for playing poker because the bill did not make playing illegal. PT is $55 (well it was when I bought it) and HUD is $25. I tell people who claim poker is all luck that they are dumbasses. Read all the stickies and posts in the beginner's digest.

Thanks for your answers. Although I don't think calling my parents dumbasses would convince them that poker isn't all luck. I tried explaining pot odds but they are both math retarded, so that didn't work. It's also good to hear that playing poker itself isn't an illegal action. I already read alot of the post in the beginners digest, so it looks like I'm good there. I can't wait to start getting to lean the game.

Haha. Well people who have it stuck in their head that poker is always gambling generally won't accept it. From what I hear, the only time they come around is if they know someone who makes large sums of money consistently (even easier to convince them if they benefit from this money, lol). Only thing you can do is ignore these people I guess.

GL, post hands

People have the misconception that gambling == luck games.
This is true for most games (roulette for example), and to a degree in blackjack (skill counts, but skill can take you to little less then breakeven ignoring counting cards).
The thing to explain is that although it is gambling and it is a game of probabilities, the main difference is that you have to beat other players and not the house, so you have to be better then other people to win.
A good example to give is that it is like playing a coinflip with uneven betting - if someone offers you a coinflip challange where you pay $1 to get in, you get $1.1 if heads fall, and 0.9 if tail falls.
Is this coinflip gambling - yes, but will you win long term if you have the correct strategy (playing heads) - yes

Bear in mind you have to beat the other players AND the house, but the aim is to have a bigger edge over the opposition than the house has over you.

Animal chin - show your folks this article I wrote if you think it might help:

http://blog.flopturnriver.com/post/b...player-profile

Keep in mind. There are no black jack or roulette proffesionals. There are no full time lottery players making a living. In poker, like snooker, darts and other "games". there is skill involved. And there is no house advantage. Is gin rummy, euchre or even cribbage (all card games) a luck game? If so, why are there top level players that are unbeatable by a regular Joe. Sure you will win a game or two, but neveer the match and never more tahn occasionally.