Profesional Poker Career: 1 Month Check-In

[TheMetetron]

[Cross-posted to my blog: http://nick.moreles.com/blog/ ]

Well, I hit a nice little week-long crap streak at $3/6 (approximately down 200+BBs or so). Then it was time to move and I'm just now getting completely settled in to the whole thing. Place finally has all of the furntiture (the most important of which is the bar that is now fully stocked) with the exception of coffee/end tables. Also need to get some decoration up on the walls, but I'll get around to it eventually.

Back to poker, once I got the basics moved in after 2 days off, I got back into the swing of things and have put together a week and a half of positive $$ play, which has me almost back to even for the month on the poker income side. Sucks to think I am half way through the month and I'm still down $200.... I'm going to have to talk to the boss about a raise or something.

Of course, I am still not getting in nearly as many hands/hours as I want and as I write this it is actually making me think that I need to go back and play some more tonight. Only 16 hours last week and only 5 hours the first 3 days of this week... completely unacceptable and I can't possibly expect to make a living off of so few hands.

Also did my taxes and despite almost $10,000 in online winnings last year from casual play, I got a refund of about $150 (which then went straight to my state taxes). The only thing that bailed me out was about $900 in education credits. Otherwise I would have owed about $750 to the wonderful government. I just grouped my net win for the year (none of which, except for my initial deposit was ever withdrawn) due to lack of actual records from the year. I wish there was another way for me to do it, but not much choice. This year I will likely be filing as a professional so Sched C will be for me. Need to find a way to get some actual deductions somehow... only have my one 2001FP so far. End of the year might be a good time for a new computer and another 2001FP. Once I turn 21 (April) I will be able to deduct .32 (or whatever it is now) per mile for my car gas/devaluation on trips to the B&M casino which is nice since my car is worth almost nothing anyways. Hopefully, I can make up my standard deduction.

So, today was mostly just lounging around and doing my philosophy for the week online. It was all due today, so I of course, waited until today to do it. Biology until 2 tomorrow and then come home and hope to start the weekend off right with a lot of hours. I already know I wont play much on Saturday night because I'm going to the club and its possible I won't get much time in Friday night either. My goal is to somehow squeeze 20 hours this week in and I hope I can do it.

Anyways, here are my numbers for this endeavor so far, as well as some of my PT stats (like you care):

Daily Poker Income: +$213 -- Daily Poker Hours: 1.95 -- Daily Poker Hands: 758

Month-to-Date Poker Income: -$193
Month-to-Date Rakeback/Bonus: +$1,330
Month-to-Date Total Income: +$1,137

Year-to-Date Poker Income: +$3,061
Year-to-Date Rakeback/Bonus: +$2,461
Year-to-Date Total Income: +$5,522

Total Online Bankroll: $10,494
Year-to-Date Tax $$ Saved Away: $2,000

Current Database $3/6 Poker Tracker Stats

Total Hands: 20,368 -- VP$IP: 13.50 -- PFR%: 8.24
Amount Won: $658.58 -- BB/100 Hands: +.54
WtSD%: 30.82 -- W$aSD: 55.52 -- Aggro: 2.40
Att. to Steal Blinds: 25.2% -- Fold SB: 87.5% -- Fold BB: 70.9%

If anyone wants to point out any problems with my stats feel free too... except of course that I'm running like crap over 20k hands and my win-rate should (hopefully) be a lot higher. Oh and you should all try to steal my blinds because I think that numbers looks waaay too high. Also note that I'm not sure when this actual database started, but it was pretty recent and doesn't include the whole year.

So far, I think I am doing okay at this whole thing. Started out @ $15/30, made the drop down to $3/6 after realizing I was a bit in over my head and needed the stability to make sure I didn't lose it quickly. Falling into a nice $3/6 rhythm and wil probably be here for at least another month. At that point, it's either the $5/10 SH or $5/10 full. I might mix one or the other with my $3/6 in about a month and see which one I end up liking more. After that, it's all up in the air. I'm able to make rent and pay for my school, as well as furnish my entire brand new apartment, so I'm doing pretty good I think. I wasn't expecting to move out on my own, but the opportunity arose, so I jumped on it. It's not too different for me as I've lived on my own before and I don't think my parents have actually paid for anything of mine since I was 14 (and old enough to figure out ways to make my own money); the only added expense was really rent and a little bit of food (and utilities).

As for others looking to make this jump, I'm not sure what advice I really have. If you are reading this on 2+2, check out my blog [ http://nick.moreles.com/blog/ ] and for those of you reading this on my blog.... well, look down. I can say it hasn't been anything too unexpected, but I did start this whole thing with a crappy downswing @ $15/30 followed by a few days of stability and then a huge downswing @ $3/6. It really sucks having to deal with that emotionally, but at the end of the day, it is all worth it. I wear my PJs to work, the commute is great, and most importantly of all, I get to sleep in. I'd recommend it to anyone who thinks they have a shot at making it. I'm sure I'll be back on 2+2 posting another update probably around my birthday time (beginning of April).

Any and all comments appreciated.

[Onaflag]

[ QUOTE ]
Only 16 hours last week and only 5 hours the first 3 days of this week

[/ QUOTE ]

Ummmm......I pretty much stopped reading at this point. I know you said "unacceptable" in the next sentence, but, come on. Are you serious? Professional? Have you ever had a 40 hour a week job? Small business? Necktie on with the exception of your older brother's wedding?

I'm not "trying" to be a jerk, but you might want to rethink the word professional before it's too late.

Onaflag.............

[TheMetetron]

I worked 40 hours a week doing retail Loss Prevention while going to school full-time before doing this; I wore a necktie to work on occassion as it was Nordstrom; I've run several small-businesses. So I guess that is a yes on all accounts.

And yes I am serious. Moving into a new place and having to buy all new stuff/stock your house/put [censored] together while pulling a full load at school makes it a little difficult to get the hours in this last week and a half or so. Obviously, I think it is unacceptable and I was doing much more before the move. Starting next week, I will probably be done with this stuff enough that I can begin playing a lot more.

In all seriousness, I do appreciate the concern though as I would like people to comment on anything they'd like.

[trentcroad]

Hey Mate

1.95 hrs a day doesnt seem at all enough but Im sure u realise that.

How many tables do u play?

Hope it all goes well for u anyhow and keep posting the updates, I'll be interested top hear how u progress.
Good luck.

[wateronrock]

I like your chances.

- Job one, is get a good rakeback deal. This will pay all your expenses.

-Loses are inevitable. Proper perspective is critical. Ideally you should not even know weather you are up or down in a session. Focus on playing well and improving. You will have an opportunity to succeed each session.

-Don't be in a big hurry to get back in the 15-30 game. The games are very aggressive and the swings can be big.

- Enjoy the ride. If you do things properly you will reach your potential. Remember theres more to life than poker.

Good luck.

[TheMetetron]

[ QUOTE ]
I like your chances.

- Job one, is get a good rakeback deal. This will pay all your expenses.

-Loses are inevitable. Proper perspective is critical. Ideally you should not even know weather you are up or down in a session. Focus on playing well and improving. You will have an opportunity to succeed each session.

-Don't be in a big hurry to get back in the 15-30 game. The games are very aggressive and the swings can be big.

- Enjoy the ride. If you do things properly you will reach your potential. Remember theres more to life than poker.

Good luck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Since that's twice it got brought up, I realize I haven't played enough the last week and a half... moving and full-time school sucks. Since it was asked, I played 8 tables of $3/6 at the moment.

I have a good rakeback 30% @ Empire, 25% @ Eurobet. And it is really helpful for bringing stability to the month. The value of this is truly endless.

Yeah, I know losses are inevitable. I've gone through plenty of swings, especially in the 15 game. My first 200BB downswing killed me but it is good to be through it now.

I am also really not in a hurry to get back to the 15 game... I can make enough to live on at $3/6. I'll get up to $5/10 in due time and there is no plan beyond that. And trust me, I am really enjoying the ride.

[RollaJ]

First off good luck.....

A couple of things....
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]If I were you I wouldnt really have the mindset that that was your first month, you were busy with other things, that didnt allow you to work it seems.
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img]What made you start at 15-30? Are you a L/T winner at that limit over a substantial amount of time, or did you just figure that now that you are a "pro" that is what you should be playing?
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] $10,000 IMHO is too small a roll for a pro at 15-30. Id say 5-10 is where you should be.
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] Remember, as a recreational player going broke sucks, as a pro going broke SUCKSSSSSSS

[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] How long have you been playing?
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] How long as a winning player?
[img]/images/graemlins/diamond.gif[/img] Any idea as to your hourly rate before this endeavor?

[obeythekitten]

aahahahhaaha

i love reading posts from nieve kids that think they are pros.

ps - nobody enjoys looking at your face every time you post

[kamelion44]

This is sort of similar to what I've been doing. I've been playing more hours though, because I've been neglecting school. Our bankrolls and rakeback deals are exactly the same, but I'm playing $5-10 short instead of $3-6. I play alot of live games too. Good to know I'm not the only nut trying to do this for a living at my stakes and stage in life.

[goodguy_1]

obey you're a dikhead...go piss on someone else's grave.

good luck Met!