My last real Year of Poker
 

well, this is it folks.

from now until may 20, 2006 will be my last year as a semi-pro poker player. from then on i will travel for a month and then in june very likely (or maybe july) start my new life.

Friday August 26,2005 i called up an investment bank at which i interviewed this past may. the MD told me that he was happy to hear from me and was going to just "put something out there" for me and i should "take it however i want."

he proceeded totell me that i did great at the interview and that he would be extending a full time position offer to me in the near future.

so this is it. i have school this year and poker after studies and on weekends but then its the 70-90hr a week grind for the first year at a big name investment bank. my 1st or 2nd choice institution.

i can't express how good this feels. all my work up to this point is about to pay off. all my studying and writing papers for the department of labor and delving into finance and accounting seems to have been worth it [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

im sure many of you dont care or whatever, but i just wanted to tell more people b/c the pressure of finding a job as a 2nd year MBA student is no more.

poker has been good to me...but this will be the last year i play it as often as i do now.

2p2 has been good to me as well and ive met a lot of great guys and learned a sh*tload. clearly im around for the next year but it kinda feels a bit like a premature goodbye...b/c the realization of the rest of my life is at hand.

thats it...just wanted to share my good news.

thanks for listening.

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

congrats dude.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Congrats and if you could stop playing poker sooner, I think that would be even better.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

70-90 hours a week?

Your work ethic sickens me.

But yet I respect you, in a begruding sort of way.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

that clearly leaves a good 100 hours for poker a week [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
70-90 hours a week?

Your work ethic sickens me.

But yet I respect you, in a begruding sort of way.

[/ QUOTE ]

i always knew poker was transatory for me.

the 70-90 hrs a week is just for the first year or 2. then i work 7-4 mostly. within 5 years i'll likely be an MD myself w/ a small team and a nice paycheck.

i wil have a 1hr commute via train to and from NYcity b/c i'll live at home to save money for a while.

my job will be located near the old WTC site and when they rebuild the subways it'll be a touch shorter

but the best is that i will be saving that money.

-Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

why not just live close to job, cut down 10 hours a week from commute and play poker. 40 hours of poker a month has got to be the smarter play?

Plus not living with folks/having a pimp crib has got to be huge +ev with all the hot golddiggers who'll now be gunning for you.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

You are gonna be working on Wall or Broad or something as a first year I-banker and you're going to live an hour-plus commute away? That is crazy. If you want to save money, get a place in Battery Park City. BTW, which big name I-bank will be making you MD in 5 years? Are you coming in straight as VP rather than associate?

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
You are gonna be working on Wall or Broad or something as a first year I-banker and you're going to live an hour-plus commute away? That is crazy. If you want to save money, get a place in Battery Park City. BTW, which big name I-bank will be making you MD in 5 years? Are you coming in straight as VP rather than associate?

[/ QUOTE ]

its a title thing. not the same MD level you're thinking of.

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Congrats on your impending entry in the the wonderful world of work in general and IBanking specifically.

It's a very lucrative life, but one with amazingly long hours for a lot of years and little time for much of a life away from the job.

Enjoy it!

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Congrats Barron.

Considering how much work you're capable of putting into playing and studying poker, I think you'll be able to handle that sick work schedule just fine.

Can't wait to sweat you in the big mixed games at Bellagio in a few years [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

This is a great plan. It goes to show that while poker can definitely be a great short term profession, eventually integrating back into the real work world is the best path.

I know I am already on my way too.

Keep us updated Barron.

Lawrence

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
Congrats Barron.

Considering how much work you're capable of putting into playing and studying poker, I think you'll be able to handle that sick work schedule just fine.

Can't wait to sweat you in the big mixed games at Bellagio in a few years [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

nice avatar...can sophia say "raise the turn" yet?


-Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Congrats Barron.

Considering how much work you're capable of putting into playing and studying poker, I think you'll be able to handle that sick work schedule just fine.

Can't wait to sweat you in the big mixed games at Bellagio in a few years [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

nice avatar...can sophia say "raise the turn" yet?


-Barron

[/ QUOTE ]

Sadly, she's still in the growling stage [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]

For those who don't know, my year old Myers parrot:

Sophia
Sophia among plants
Sophia with pens

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

congrats on achieving your goals. just out of curiosity, putting money aside do you think you'll find investment banking a satisfying career? working 70 hours a week blows my mind, I can't imagine having a job where I had to work those hours. do you love it, or is that just what you have to do?

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

the commute seems insane to me as well. get a place in brooklyn for 800 bucks a month for christsake and walk over the brooklyn bridge to work everyday, it's beautiful.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
congrats on achieving your goals. just out of curiosity, putting money aside do you think you'll find investment banking a satisfying career? working 70 hours a week blows my mind, I can't imagine having a job where I had to work those hours. do you love it, or is that just what you have to do?

[/ QUOTE ]

i love structured finance. the 70-90hr weeks are only for your first year or ttwo. then you get much more sane hours more money, and cooler work. its SOO worth it and i love it.

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Congrats and good luck, Barron.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

I'd wager there's more people than you can count on one hand who have the job you want and aspire to be a professional card player

im not trying to say anything by that--good luck with your new endeavor [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

out of curiousity (curiousity which I'm 90% sure won't be answered) how good was internet poker to you in terms of money? a number? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
I'd wager there's more people than you can count on one hand who have the job you want and aspire to be a professional card player

im not trying to say anything by that--good luck with your new endeavor [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

out of curiousity (curiousity which I'm 90% sure won't be answered) how good was internet poker to you in terms of money? a number? [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

well then they should thank their lucky stars they dont have the skill or drive to give it up and do it.

i dont want that life and not to drag on my friends that have it but its just not for me. id rather be safe and secure w/ my paycheck and doing what i love.

in terms of a #, you're right. i wont answer b/c i dont think its productive. would just amke people who dont have the patience discipline and skill aspire to play higher.

i'll leave it at poker has been good to me.

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Wow, congrats Barron! Myhats off to you for putting in those kind of hours when you actually do, thats quite a tough feat. I don't think i could decide to put that much time into anything, i hope you really enjoy it.

I hope you have as much sucess at work as you did at poker, and i agree that giving numbers for your poker winnings would do exactly what you thought it would.

Gabe

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
Wow, congrats Barron! Myhats off to you for putting in those kind of hours when you actually do, thats quite a tough feat. I don't think i could decide to put that much time into anything, i hope you really enjoy it.

I hope you have as much sucess at work as you did at poker, and i agree that giving numbers for your poker winnings would do exactly what you thought it would.

Gabe

[/ QUOTE ]

yea...while im sure we could all use more fish at the games we play id rather not take them from the 2p2 pool [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

and thanks for the good wishes.

NOW, come play some 15/30 PVT table!!!! pswd: igottajob

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Don't commute. You will hate your life. Live across the street from your job if you can.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don't commute. You will hate your life. Live across the street from your job if you can.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rory is right Barron, I congratulate you on achieving this very important step in your goals, but you will become disenchanted quickly if you don't live close to your office due to the lifestyle you will be forced to live. 9/10 of the people in my building are investment bankers, the one thing I hear from them time and time again as they complain e about the hours is how glad they are that they live less than 10 minutes from their office.

You have made us all proud....

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Don't commute. You will hate your life. Live across the street from your job if you can.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rory is right Barron, I congratulate you on achieving this very important step in your goals, but you will become disenchanted quickly if you don't live close to your office due to the lifestyle you will be forced to live. 9/10 of the people in my building are investment bankers, the one thing I hear from them time and time again as they complain e about the hours is how glad they are that they live less than 10 minutes from their office.

You have made us all proud....

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

wake up monday and make the commute you plan to make. see if it still seems like a good idea.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Hey Barron, sorry catch that the game was going last night. We'll definitly have to do a few more of these games before you become a working stiff [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]

Gotta learn while i can.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
Don't commute. You will hate your life. Live across the street from your job if you can.

[/ QUOTE ]

Rory is right Barron, I congratulate you on achieving this very important step in your goals, but you will become disenchanted quickly if you don't live close to your office due to the lifestyle you will be forced to live. 9/10 of the people in my building are investment bankers, the one thing I hear from them time and time again as they complain e about the hours is how glad they are that they live less than 10 minutes from their office.

You have made us all proud....

TT [img]/images/graemlins/club.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

wake up monday and make the commute you plan to make. see if it still seems like a good idea.

[/ QUOTE ]

no i think everyone is right. i need to consider finding a place in NY close to the WTC site or accross one of the ponds so to speak. its definately a big enough commute that saving money is probably secondary to my mental and physical condition.

very glad i posted this and that you guys persuaded me to get a place way downtown.

and i WOULD see what the commute was like but by that time id be screwed w/ notime to look for a place. and i already know what the commute is like having done it before.

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

You show incredible maturity and good judgement.

That said, how did you become a "chip spewer?" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

~ Rick

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
You show incredible maturity and good judgement.

That said, how did you become a "chip spewer?" [img]/images/graemlins/grin.gif[/img]

~ Rick

[/ QUOTE ]

pretty easily...have you ever seen the 2p2 5/10 tables i play in?? i spew chips.

and thanks rick. your kind words are noted, respected, and appreciated.

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

70-90 hrs a week?! was this all 100-200?

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

That will be the new work schedule. I know someone who is an investment banker and they worked 50-70 hours a week for 6-7 years!!!! (Granted that was back in the flying days of the late 80's) I hope they aren't lying to you about the hours settling down after only 2. Nice job and congrats. You'll be able to play the $150/$300 table at Borgata loaded with fishies.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

I'm not reading any of the other responses.

I'll just say congratulations, and tell you that anything that means I'll see you less at UB and Stars is a good thing.

Good luck.

DT

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

I think you'll find that you enjoy playing poker as much if not more if not your primary source of income, as I have.

Congratulations. Just make sure to schedule your vacation in July for the WSOP early - I'll see ya there.

TSP

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Congrats, at least now I can be the best source of Barron advice on this site...

Barron Vangor Toth
BarronVangorToth.com

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
the 70-90 hrs a week is just for the first year or 2. then i work 7-4 mostly. within 5 years i'll likely be an MD myself w/ a small team and a nice paycheck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone convinces themselves of this. There are lots of Associates and fewer MDs.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the 70-90 hrs a week is just for the first year or 2. then i work 7-4 mostly. within 5 years i'll likely be an MD myself w/ a small team and a nice paycheck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone convinces themselves of this. There are lots of Associates and fewer MDs.

[/ QUOTE ]

well i guess i'll soon see for myself...

Barron

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
the 70-90 hrs a week is just for the first year or 2. then i work 7-4 mostly. within 5 years i'll likely be an MD myself w/ a small team and a nice paycheck.

[/ QUOTE ]

Everyone convinces themselves of this. There are lots of Associates and fewer MDs.

[/ QUOTE ]

well i guess i'll soon see for myself...

Barron

[/ QUOTE ]

Not trying to be snippy. Just that the life is hard and a lot of people tire of it. Hope you're an exception. Good luck.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]

Congratulations. Just make sure to schedule your vacation in July for the WSOP early - I'll see ya there.

TSP

[/ QUOTE ]

I'd be very surprised if he could schedule a vacation after working a few months as an investment banker. That said, i don't know Barron very well, but he's always seemed both intelligent and methodical, so i would also assume he knows exactly what this job entails and is more then ready for it. Best of luck to you again Barron!

Gabe

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

Congrats. When you set up a poker game with your investment banking buddies, please put me on the list.

Re: My last real Year of Poker
 

[ QUOTE ]
Congrats. When you set up a poker game with your investment banking buddies, please put me on the list.

[/ QUOTE ]

i was actually thinkin about this and i had 2 thoughts...

1) if i WERE to play poker with these guys i think it would be -ev to play my best.

and

2) if it were to become a regular thing i think its best for everyone if im honest and then proceed to teach them so we can all have fun and nobody's feelings get hurt.

and you, max, will only be invited if you play hands blind...smoke act a lot...and drink [img]/images/graemlins/wink.gif[/img]

Barron