A Six Week Occupation

[DrawDeadJed]

I never had to play poker for anything more than entertainment, although I admit at one time I thought it would be a cool way to make a living. Three months in a casino four or five years back changed that. I was making enough money in the $10/$20 game to earn my keep, but I found myself waking up in the morning no longer looking forward to playing. Also, it came to the point where I hated spending money, because I got so concerned about downswings and being properly funded that it was making me miserable. So I went back to my real job (I’m a self-employed tradesman) and gained a new appreciation not only for what I do, but also for anyone who plays poker full-time.

Since then, I have been playing online on a part-time basis, with an occasional trip into the casino. Always managed to make a little money.

Anyway, I hurt myself a bit back in June, the town I live in flooded three times, and after three sessions of tossing sandbags around people’s homes and along the river’s banks, my body finally capitulated and I ended up with a hernia. Operation is Friday.

Knowing a few months before-hand that I was going to be laid up for awhile, I put in more hours at work to prepare myself financially for my recovery. I am going to take six weeks off to ensure that I heal properly. Given the physical nature of my work, I am in no position to take any chances by heading back to work too early only to find myself going through this all over again.

My concern in all of this wasn’t the physical recovery (hernia operations with today’s medical technology aren’t a huge ordeal), it was finding something to keep myself busy for a month and a half. Last week, I took $500 out of my bank account and hit a $15/$30 game w/a kill at the casino, hoping I could use any winnings and re-invest it online. I just figured if I lost the five bills, I’d have to spend my time playing online chess or something. I am happy to say that after four sessions, I managed to make $1350, not because of my expertise, simply because everything went exactly right. I caught a lot of good hands. Last night, I invested that money into an online site. It’s enough money to multi-table $2/4 limit, but I have decided I will only play two tables at a time. I have played as many as four tables, but that was when making money was less a goal than fighting boredom on a cold winter night. Granted, even if I do well, I’m not going to make enough money at $2/$4 to quit my day job, but hopefully I’ll have something to show for it when all is said and done ........ we shall see.

[jb9]

One thing to keep in mind is to make sure you are mentally sharp and ready to play at all times.

If you are physically uncomfortable (or taking pain killers) it will likely keep you from completely concentrating and playing at your best (and might be a good time to play a freeroll or online chess instead of 2/4).

Several of my biggest losing sessions came when I was home sick from work and played because I was bored and needed to pass some time...

Good luck with both your recovery and poker play.