Do Poker and everday Business mix?

Phantom66

This is not a plug, so I havent put a link or specifically named the site.

I came across an advert for a Poker based Business Networking event in Manchester.

Has anyone been to one before? Are they any good?

Now I like poker and I have my own business so I am used to networking events where you mix and try and make new business contacts - suppliers, partners or customers.

In theory this should be ideal for me.

However, normally I dont mix business and poker - given the usual non-player comments and assumptions.

I need my clients to trust me - if they label me as a "gambler" I guess that wont look good. Whereas in reality I think poker is a good fit for me business wise as it is about assessing and managing risks.

I tend not to mention poker at all with perspective clients so was kind of wondering if anyone has been to one before are the clientel by and large poker nuts? Or is poker a side issue and they are there for the networking?

Does anyone else have a job where the mention of poker has been good or bad for business?

Enut

I would think that it depends on what your business is. For example if you are running a taxi firm it may be a good source of business, however if you are a mortgage broker then certainly most poker pro's income is very difficult to use when applying for a mortgage.

I'm an independent financial adviser and very few of my clients know that I play poker (recreationally, but from a small profit). Those that do know me well enough to know that it in no way interferes with my work and doesn't influence how I advise them on their money! As I'm sure you know most non players refuse to believe that there are any long term profitable players out there, let alone professionals

I certainly wouldn't drop it into conversation with a new client. In the same way that things like religion and politics are pretty much taboo in my industry.

Slykllist

I very rarely mention it in a work environment, I don't think anybody at my current company knows that I play at all.

Slipwater

In Response to Re: Do Poker and everday Business mix?:

I very rarely mention it in a work environment, I don't think anybody at my current company knows that I play at all.
Posted by Slykllist

+ 1

It's not that it's embarrassing, per se, but there is still a stigma attached to it, and it does have certain connotations.

ACEGOONER

In Response to Do Poker and everday Business mix?:

This is not a plug, so I havent put a link or specifically named the site. I came across an advert for a Poker based Business Networking event in Manchester. Has anyone been to one before? Are they any good? Now I like poker and I have my own business so I am used to networking events where you mix and try and make new business contacts - suppliers, partners or customers. In theory this should be ideal for me. However, normally I dont mix business and poker - given the usual non-player comments and assumptions. I need my clients to trust me - if they label me as a "gambler" I guess that wont look good. Whereas in reality I think poker is a good fit for me business wise as it is about assessing and managing risks. I tend not to mention poker at all with perspective clients so was kind of wondering if anyone has been to one before are the clientel by and large poker nuts? Or is poker a side issue and they are there for the networking? Does anyone else have a job where the mention of poker has been good or bad for business?
Posted by Phantom66

If it's poker related, I can't see the harm. But as others have said there is a lot of ignorance in the business community. I have come across a lot of well paid executives who as soon as the subject comes up just dont get the skill/luck explanation. 

It's just best not to bring it up in business related conversations imo, you want people who are going to buy your good/service to base their decisions on your expertise at what you do, rather than have a skewed opinion because you tell them you grind poker for many hours each week. 

Like enut, I work in a financially regulated environment and have just set up a new business. Poker is a hobby, nothing more and as such doesn't need to come up in conversations with people who I don't know that well.

If you use the BNI network, its quite cliquey as things are so mentioning poker to people who dont play will not help you get referrals/build your business.

Phantom66

I have a very specialised advisory role in informstion security and I never talk poker with clients for the good reasons stated by me and others here. 

I was in a larger organisation and happily talked poker with colleagues and we had a social home game going.

Still interested if anyone has actually been to one of these poker based events and has any feedback?