Are we valuable member’s of society? Heck yes! And I lay out why here.

Listen to podcast #524 as you follow along below:

Just this morning, a nurse asked me what I did for a living. I told her I’m a poker coach… “NO WAY! That’s a thing?!” I explain what I do to her and she showed some nice interest. She actually has a live professional poker playing friend here in California.

Well, this positive interaction reminded me of a negative one I had in the past. I told some lady (can’t remember the circumstances) that I was a poker coach and she had a look of almost disgust on her face.

I guess some people hate poker players (or maybe it’s gamblers/gambling in general?).

All of this reminds me of a question I’ve heard posed to poker players before: “Are poker players valuable members of society?”

Many pros and even recreational players have conflicting feelings about playing a game where your income is earned by taking money from others. Some think that poker players are more of a detriment to society because of this.

But for me, I don’t look at poker in this negative light. In fact, I think we’re valuable members of society by simply pursing our hobby or profession of poker.

We’re earning money on-the-felt, but that’s not all we do. We pay taxes with that money. We take the family out to dinner, buy new clothes for the kids, go to the movies and take vacations. And we fly to the next poker destination and rent a car, stay in a hotel and pay tournament fees.

Yes, we play a game for money. But because we spend the money we make, we help society function, and we should be proud of that.

Let’s look at this from 2 perspectives: the recreational player and the professional player.

The Valuable Recreational Player

For recreational players, it’s easy to see how you benefit society.

You play once or twice a week at your local casino. How is this a benefit?

Well, first is that you’re spending money on gas to get to the casino. This helps the gas station stay in business, and the gas taxes help service your local schools, roads and infrastructure.

Next, you’re enjoying your time in the casino and assuming you’re a classy person and not berating your fellow players or displaying a terrible attitude, you’re helping everyone enjoy their poker time.

Of course, you get hungry and thirsty, so you order a burger, fries and a beer. When they’re brought to you, you tip the waitress. The cooks and waitress have a job thanks to you and your fellow players.

The chip runners, floormen and dealers all have jobs because of the rake y’all are paying.

And when you cash out $100 up, that cashier has a job because of you.

And on your way out the door, you wave to the security guard who also has a job, and works to keep you safe, because of your hobby.

Lastly, on the way home you stop and buy your wife some roses with your winnings. Bam! Flower shop, flower growers and your wife all benefit from your poker hobby.

And all these people and businesses are profiting from your play, so they go and spend money just like you do, and help continue making the world go around.

The Valuable Professional Player

Everything said above holds true for professional poker players as well.

But some might argue that professional poker players they just take, take, take and don’t contribute nearly as much as they, again, take.

A lot of pros travel to play poker. So, they’re contributing to the travel/hospitality industries with flights, rental cars, Uber, hotel or Airbnb and restaurants.

Even cruises to Bermuda to play poker contribute to the cruise line and all its employees and its ports of call.

And assuming pros are doing things the right way, they report their winnings and pay their taxes on Tax Day like the rest of us.

Remember that story of Phil Galfond who had like 2 big city apartments and he connected them with a gigantic slide. How much do you think that cost him? I have no idea, but I imagine he paid $15K +, not to mention paying for 2 expensive big city apartments.

The apartment complex and the company he used to install the slide made some nice money because of his poker play.

And what about all those poker pros who do philanthropic stuff like Bernard Lee with his Full House Charity?

And our very own Cardplayer Lifestyle Mixed Game Festival helps to support Poker Gives with a majority of the festival proceeds going to this great non-profit organization.

There are so many ways that poker players give to various organizations and charities and this goes a long way to contributing to society.

To sum it all up, poker players are valuable members of society.

Don’t focus on just the aspect of taking money from others. Instead, look at the whole picture.

Be proud of being a poker player who contributes to society by spending and donating the money you make.