Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Hey everyone,
I'm a college student at a big university. I have a problem staying motivated for college/classes/homework/studying/etc. I also don't like the thought of working 40 hrs/week doing bitchwork for a big company for a bitch boss. The money I make from poker highly discourages me from doing all the bitchwork of college. How do you fellow college students and alumni stay motivated?
Thanks,
An0nYm0u5

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

I love university, I love living with intelligent people my age, I love the stupid random stuff we do, I enjoy learning stuff and the intellectual stimulation of the work I do (even if I don't enjoy all the work all the time).

I basically just adore the way that college allows me to live right now and there's no way I'd change it for what I feel is the boring and depressing life of a poker pro even in the short term, though I'd be making much more cash.

Also there's all that stuff about the long term implications of poker vs getting a degree, poker and college not being mutually exclusive etc.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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I love university, I love living with intelligent people my age, I love the stupid random stuff we do, I enjoy learning stuff and the intellectual stimulation of the work I do (even if I don't enjoy all the work all the time).

I basically just adore the way that college allows me to live right now and there's no way I'd change it for what I feel is the boring and depressing life of a poker pro even in the short term, though I'd be making much more cash.

Also there's all that stuff about the long term implications of poker vs getting a degree, poker and college not being mutually exclusive etc.

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Agree 100%

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Don't be a fool, stay in school

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

You should definitely stay in college and finish. Poker will always be there.

I wouldn't trade my college years for anything.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

You know, I start feeling that way every now and then.....someone upstairs always makes sure the [censored] end of variance smacks me in the face at just that time. What limits do you play? A 100 BB swing at 5/10 will do something for your desire to have a low variance job.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Let's put this in a poker perspective...
You or someone paid for you to attend this university. Throwing that money away is -EV.
Tuition + room and board + perspective furture earnings = a lot of friggin' money. That's money spent then wasted and money lost.
In addition to that, you're not as good at poker as you think you are, and early on your expenses will surprise you vs the money intake from playing poker.
Right now do what you have to so later in life you can do what you want to. Quitting or not concentrating on school may turn out to be the biggest -EV move of your life.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

I've actually always very firmly believed college is the key to life. However, for some people, I'm starting to wonder if their 100k+ a year made playing poker isn't a good reason to POSTPONE (not quit) college. Since the poker bubble is likely to only last so long, why not catch it while you can? if you can build up a half mill in a few years of playing poker while it's good and then return to college, what are you sacrificing?

Let's say you play for five years until poker dies out or you get sick of it or whatever. Assume: you are very good, and make 100,000$ per year average after taxes and expenses. You have one or two years to go on college.
-You have effectively postponed your professional life for 5 years
-you have a net worth of half a million dollars waiting for you which is a fantastic launching platform and provides all kinds of options in life. Even the interest on that is something fine.

So you finish college at age 27, let's say. It seems that unless you plan on doing a job which will be greatly advantageous to start early (or which will provide some sort of consistent, high salary growth), it might be worth it...

It's wierd to think this way. I know my assumptions are steep but there's people out there like that.

Check/expand/critisize my logic.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Do you think a 27 year old who is a consistent winner in poker and has a net worth of 1/2 million dollars is likely to go back to school to finish a degree they didn't like in the first place?

I don't like college, and I would much rather be playing poker than going to school. But I know it's now or never for me and I would much rather have a degree in a year and a half than not.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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Do you think a 27 year old who is a consistent winner in poker and has a net worth of 1/2 million dollars is likely to go back to school to finish a degree they didn't like in the first place?

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My thought was that it isn't about liking or hating your degree, just about choosing the more advantageous option at the time. Also, you've gotta do something when the fish dry up and I feel like online poker will only last so long. Hence - get degree, get job.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Hey Anony,

I quit going to school to play blackjack and poker full time when I was half-way through. I'm 46 and finishing my degree just for the hell of it (I play poker and write for a living now). It would have been a lot easier to just go another two years and finish when I was 21.

College should be a great time in your life - plenty of friends, and lots of fun. Most college students feel there is a lot of pressure and it's too hard, but as you age, you find other things in life can be hard also.

I have a mortgage, two daughters in college, and a four-year old. My wife works and we have a comfortable lifestyle, but which do you think is tougher; college, or raising a family?

Dogmeat [img]/images/graemlins/spade.gif[/img]

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

I actually was not enrolled in college for about a week between my 2nd and 3rd year. I had decided to play poker. Then I decided to go to an easy school where I could just breeze, and still have plenty of time to play poker. I believe that was the worst decision I've ever made. School is awful when you are surrounded by people who don't challenge you intellectually, particularly when you have a high opportunity cost. The only thing that keep me here now is the fact that its only 2 more semesters, and my girlfriend is awesome. If I were a freshman or soph again, there is no way I would be doing full time school right now.

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I've actually always very firmly believed college is the key to life. However, for some people, I'm starting to wonder if their 100k+ a year made playing poker isn't a good reason to POSTPONE (not quit) college. Since the poker bubble is likely to only last so long, why not catch it while you can? if you can build up a half mill in a few years of playing poker while it's good and then return to college, what are you sacrificing?

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This is what I've been struggling with. I will be very disappointed if the games get significantly worse after I graduate- that would be a truly wasted opportunity. College will always be here. Additionally, I have low expenses now, and would be able to save money right away. I would rather have my money working for me when I'm in college, instead of building up student loan debt.

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Do you think a 27 year old who is a consistent winner in poker and has a net worth of 1/2 million dollars is likely to go back to school to finish a degree they didn't like in the first place?

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Maybe you wouldn't, but not everyone thinks like you. I can certainly see myself getting a masters degree after playing poker successfully for some number of years.

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You know, I start feeling that way every now and then.....someone upstairs always makes sure the [censored] end of variance smacks me in the face at just that time. What limits do you play? A 100 BB swing at 5/10 will do something for your desire to have a low variance job.

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I dropped 90 bets in 600 hands of 30/60 yesterday, and have lost over 200 3 times. Such is poker. I don't here people complaining about variance when they win 150 BB in a day. Its all about the LR anyways.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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My thought was that it isn't about liking or hating your degree, just about choosing the more advantageous option at the time. Also, you've gotta do something when the fish dry up and I feel like online poker will only last so long. Hence - get degree, get job.

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I wouldn't think you would need a job if you have 1/2 million in capitol with the (assumedly) low cost of living of a 27 year old. Just invest the money and continue to play poker. No matter how much the games dry up I'm sure a good player could make a decent living off of the interest from $500,000 and a modest poker income.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

If you are making big money, quit school. I think there comes a point when you realize the amount of money you just made for the month could easily be your yearly salary after 10 years. Just make sure you're actually good at poker first. I still have a year left, and I'm staying because it's all free (scholarships), and I need health insurance. It's not like school is a big time commitment anyways though. I average about 3 hours a week of actual school related stuff including class, taking 12 hours and doing reasonably well.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

To clarify some things, I'm a 19 year old 2nd year college student. I win consistently in 30/60 (sometimes go higher if tables are good). All of my money goes towards paying for college (tuition, housing, books), then gets locked away in mutual funds (my cousin is a former financial advisor and is currently a VP for a major investment company, so he hooks me up w/ good advice), a small amount goes towards enjoyment/spending/impuse buying and then taxes :P; I still drive a 1990 POS car - my desire for excess spending (esp on a depreciating asset) is close to non-existant. 2 dedicated, full-time, non-tilt, winning months for me at 30/60 >> one year of income @ 40 hrs+/week with a college degree from the university I go to (UT Austin). Plus the theory of the "poker bubble" eventually going bad makes me think about missed out opportunity cost when I don't dedicate myself 100% to poker. If I focus on poker instead of school for the next few years until the "poker bubble" "busts" (if it does), being worth 500k does not sound that hard to accomplish. However, some people say "college will always be there", while others say the opposite and say "poker will always be there."

I appreciate all the comments so far (I've read them all), and hope to have more coming and hear more as well. Sorry if some of what I said doesn't make sense, I'm a lil buzzed, but good thing I'm disciplined to not play any poker when I have alcohol in me:).

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

your accomplishments are pretty impressive. I would like to say im in the same boat as you being a 20 year old college senior, def dont want to work a bitch job, not to mention ive got more experience running a business than most managers today ( ive been in business for msyelf since i was 16 and have started three successful companies (my first was only successful by a dollar tho)) I KNOW that i am not capable of working a 9-5 cubicle job. the only difference is that i play 3/6 instead of 30/60. i constantly face this question and am lucky enough to be surrounded by good people that keep me in school.

I could care less about the money ive already spent on school or having a gaurenteed paycheck (thats half the allure of poker). I stay because i will be the first person in my family to attend and graduate college, because i believe that that stupid piece of paper that you hang on your wall is a symbol of your dedication to things you want to succeed at, not to mention it gives you credit amongst your peers. Finish what you start, you dont have that much further to go, and if the poker bubble suddenly dies say in the event of a nuclear holocaust or a meteor striking vegas u can always fall back on your degree. anyways i dont know if this will help but without a doubt stay in school. If your at all like i am then your there just to say you did it anyways... so just do it.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

[ QUOTE ]
To clarify some things, I'm a 19 year old 2nd year college student. I win consistently in 30/60 (sometimes go higher if tables are good). All of my money goes towards paying for college (tuition, housing, books), then gets locked away in mutual funds (my cousin is a former financial advisor and is currently a VP for a major investment company, so he hooks me up w/ good advice), a small amount goes towards enjoyment/spending/impuse buying and then taxes :P; I still drive a 1990 POS car - my desire for excess spending (esp on a depreciating asset) is close to non-existant. 2 dedicated, full-time, non-tilt, winning months for me at 30/60 >> one year of income @ 40 hrs+/week with a college degree from the university I go to (UT Austin). Plus the theory of the "poker bubble" eventually going bad makes me think about missed out opportunity cost when I don't dedicate myself 100% to poker. If I focus on poker instead of school for the next few years until the "poker bubble" "busts" (if it does), being worth 500k does not sound that hard to accomplish. However, some people say "college will always be there", while others say the opposite and say "poker will always be there."


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I'm in pretty much the same spot, 19 as well, but a junior since I skipped a grade. Only difference is I drive a 1991 POS : ). This may sound dumb and maybe a little disingenuous, but if I had a year more to go I would probably drop out. I would set a goal, say, you make an additional 100k by the end of the semester, you quit school. It's tough though, as you'll be giving up alot of social life and health insurance and all that jazz. The stay in school speech is for the kids making 1 bb/100 at 5/10 and wondering if they should drop out and play 80 hours a week 8 tabling to make 400k a year or whatever stupid number they come up with. When you 8 table 30/60, I think 400k is a pretty modest goal.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

I would want at least 250,000 hands at 30/60 or higher and to be winning at least 8BB/hr doing so (so 1BB/hr/table 8 tabling or 2BB/hr/table 4 tabling) [ok looking back maybe saying 6BB/hr is a good number for the 4 tabler] AND still have 2 or more years left of school, before I'd consider quitting school to be a viable option. If like, say you have 60,000 hands of 30/60 and are winning 10BB/hr, you may quit school then 6 months from now discover poker isn't really this easy and you were running very hot over those hands... Especially with how loose aggressive a lot of us here play (as well as the LAG nature of most mid-high games online), it's going to take a long time for many of us young guys to know if we're actually as good as we think we are so far, or if we're just largely benificiaries of being hot running players.

I think staying in school is like good BR management... You as a 30/60 player wouldn't just one day play 300/600 suddenly just because the game appears good, I don't think. Playing in a game underrolled is like rolling the dice on a favorable (but not guaranteed) situation, sort of like quitting school is rolling the dice on a favorable situation that isn't a guarantee. What is a guarantee though is if you get a degree and poker turns sour, your degree WILL help you earn more money... So, quitting school for poker is a lot like good BR management since it allows you to stay in the game and pursuit of +EV situations, especially when there are many people on these boards who do go to school and still can put in an amount of hours that allows them to earn $20,000-$50,000 per month. I'd hate for someone to quit, then find out 12-18 months from now after he's played another 200k-400k hands that he is only a .4BB/100 winner 1-tabling in an online $30/60 game and who was running very hot in his X-sized hand DB when he decided to quit (Imagine the kind of headache inducing swings this player could see if he tried to 6 table as someone who can in fact only win .4BB/100 doing 1-table!).

I don't know you and I don't know how many hands you've played and I don't know how good you are, but that is what my general response would be to someone thinking of quitting school.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

whatever will make you happier.

and as to the guy who said about dropping out of college is -EV due to the money you've spent so far at college. wrong. it is a sunk cost and so you shouldnt even think about it. the decision to start college only to quit before graduating would probably be -EV depending on many factors, but the decision at this time shouldnt involve how much he/parents have already spent, expecet for any negative feelings over having spent that much only to quit, but the $ value spent itself shouldnt be involved, only the emmotional discomfort at having spent that much.

Personally, if i were you, id quit college. Id stay at college, enjoy the social scene, live in a house with your college mates, but play poker as a living. you have the best of both worlds - living at college with your mates and earning a fortune. i would like to do that by the anger from my parents is would be too much to bare and the guilt id feel would make it a -EV decision.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Be advised that I've heard several poker pros, such as Chris Ferguson declare that the current poker boom is a bubble. It will probably deflate when the nouveau fish get frustrated that you have to be 75-90th percentile player just to break even. When that happens it will be much tougher to make a living since only the sharks in that 70-90th+ percentile will remain.

That said, I did take a year off to make some $$$$ at a lavishly compensated defense contractor union job.
That made the rest of college much more comfortable.
The problem with college you have lots of time, but no money. Then you go to work 8-5 and have lots of money (assuming one's in an employable major) but no time.

Also consider that the money you're making might seem to
be great while you're in a dorm or the typically squalid
student hovel but might not be so great supporting an actual adult lifestyle. For instance, could it qualify you for a loan on a decent condo and car?

Just don't let classes slide and flunk out. Withdraw formally at semester's end in good standing so you can
return if/when the poker scene goes south.

Awwww, Look at all the cute little poker dreams!
 

Did some of you say your still 19-20 years old?

I'll try to give some of you some credit. I'll assume that you've all won an average of 50,000 dollars during the 1.5 years you've been playing poker.

Say you quit school, turn 21 and move to Las Vegas so you can play in a casino for the first time. Then holy moly! You make another 50,000 grand!

Now listen....

There are plenty of reasons why 23 year old little self-proclaimed wiz kids go bust. It might not happen to you. But it's happens to a lot of people.

Put your balls on. And good luck.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Oops, I should have read the whole thread before offering
patronizing advice...but there are a lot of college kids
who seem to think making $25K/year while mom and dad are covering the dorm and tuition would be good for a decent adult lifestyle.

Perhaps you should be asking tax/investment advice.

College can be fun with $$$, perhaps consider a more interesting major. Math/statistics/game theory seems
obvious, unless you'd have to start over from scratch.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

How I stayed motivated to graduate:

1-My wife likes that I bring home a paycheck
2-My kids like to have nice things like food and cloths
3-I like having a house and cars

I am willing to bet that I make more money as a CPA than 99% of all "profesional poker players." As a gambler long term cash flow is what we are always talking about what better than a kick ass career that pays you enough cash to live whatever lifestyle you want and play poker on the side

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

See this thread for motivation to stay in school:

http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/showfl...e=0#Post3818578

there is a lot less variance in a 9-5

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

[ QUOTE ]
To clarify some things, I'm a 19 year old 2nd year college student. I win consistently in 30/60 (sometimes go higher if tables are good). 2 dedicated, full-time, non-tilt, winning months for me at 30/60 If I focus on poker instead of school for the next few years until the "poker bubble" "busts" (if it does), being worth 500k does not sound that hard to accomplish.

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Two freaking months ?? ROFL LMAO

$500K ?????? BWAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA

Whatever dude. I know more casino players than you've forgotten about, and believe me, to make a long story short, at some point there is an icy cold splash of reality with your name on it.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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Hey everyone,
I'm a college student at a big university. I have a problem staying motivated for college/classes/homework/studying/etc. I also don't like the thought of working 40 hrs/week doing bitchwork for a big company for a bitch boss. The money I make from poker highly discourages me from doing all the bitchwork of college. How do you fellow college students and alumni stay motivated?
Thanks,
An0nYm0u5

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here's my answer.

ive made a good deal of $ from poker. i enjoy it and its a good challange.

but can i really do this for a living? no health care. no retirement. no security.

i just came back this weekend from interviewing w/ 3 other investment banks and i assure you i can't wait to not have to play poker. i do enjoy it but real work making real money (presumably more than i make in poker long term) + benefits + security makes me want to do it.

i agree if you have to do "bitchwork" then yea...that sucks...but if it'll lead to larger opportunities i think its worth it. poker may not be sustainable, you have to pay many taxes, and you have no secuirty for the long term future.

Barron

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

[ QUOTE ]
To clarify some things, I'm a 19 year old 2nd year college student. I win consistently in 30/60 (sometimes go higher if tables are good). All of my money goes towards paying for college (tuition, housing, books), then gets locked away in mutual funds (my cousin is a former financial advisor and is currently a VP for a major investment company, so he hooks me up w/ good advice), a small amount goes towards enjoyment/spending/impuse buying and then taxes :P; I still drive a 1990 POS car - my desire for excess spending (esp on a depreciating asset) is close to non-existant. 2 dedicated, full-time, non-tilt, winning months for me at 30/60 >> one year of income @ 40 hrs+/week with a college degree from the university I go to (UT Austin). Plus the theory of the "poker bubble" eventually going bad makes me think about missed out opportunity cost when I don't dedicate myself 100% to poker. If I focus on poker instead of school for the next few years until the "poker bubble" "busts" (if it does), being worth 500k does not sound that hard to accomplish. However, some people say "college will always be there", while others say the opposite and say "poker will always be there."

I appreciate all the comments so far (I've read them all), and hope to have more coming and hear more as well. Sorry if some of what I said doesn't make sense, I'm a lil buzzed, but good thing I'm disciplined to not play any poker when I have alcohol in me:).

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you're almost in the exact same position i am in. i am a sophomore at stanford majoring in computer science, and i have enjoyed two good solid months where i made a reasonably large sum of money. there's no way i could make this much money in a year in my first year out of college. but i am choosing to stay in school, because the idea of playing poker as a dedicated profession makes me sick.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

He has made 70-150k in 2 months and you expect the young college players to be discouraged?

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Hmmm, $500K at 30-60. At 1 BB/hour that works out to, lemme see, 8333 hours of play. About 4 years at an 8-5 job, pretty industrious....

Damn, and I got trolled for 2 posts.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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I've actually always very firmly believed college is the key to life. However, for some people, I'm starting to wonder if their 100k+ a year made playing poker isn't a good reason to POSTPONE (not quit) college.

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Well, im 34 and about to graduate college in December. I postponed it for 10 years. Not to play poker, but to jump out of airplanes and blow stuff up (Army).

I gotta tell ya... getting back into school was godawful difficult and the last 3+ years have been miserable. I loved college when I was in full time. Now I literally count assignments til I can finally be done with it.

The other thing... I didnt have to pay for it last time. This time I am on my own. In case people havent looked around, college is pretty expensive.

So basically, suck it up and postpone POKER. Its a hell of a lot easier to get back into poker than college.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Some excellent advice in this thread on why to stay in college.

Also think about this, it's what another year or two till you graduate? (I just graduated last May)

Who's to say you'll get a bitchwork job? Don't take it then. I don't do bitchwork and like my job, I also play poker, just not as much as I used to in college.

Even in college you have more than enough time to play poker, hell, you can/probably will play more in college than if you did it solely as your job (from what I've seen from people who did it).

You'll like that you graduated and find it easier later on that you have the degree and still be able to make plenty while in college.

I really hope you stay in. Also, money is pretty overrated compared to the social things.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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Hmmm, $500K at 30-60. At 1 BB/hour that works out to, lemme see, 8333 hours of play. About 4 years at an 8-5 job, pretty industrious....

Damn, and I got trolled for 2 posts.

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There is this concept called multitabling...

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

he's still up 500+ bets in that time!!!! it's not a 581 BB downswing.

that davisross thread would be much better referenced.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

Hey man, I know pretty much what you're feeling as far as the dilemma between college and poker. Im a 20 y/o soph at OSU and I've made about 40k in the last few months (225k hands). I feel the pressure to postpone school but I've also been considering taking the minimum amount of credit hours and just budgeting my time well. I'm a Comp Sci major, which isn't the easiest major but I'm pretty good with school stuff so I dont have to put much time into studying and homework. If you plan your schedule right you should be able to have your nights open to play which is where most of the money is at. I usually play 3 - 4 hours a night 8 tabling $400 - 1k 6H games even with school. And 5 - 6 hours a night on the weekends. This leaves me plenty of time go out and get shitfaced or whatever else I want to do too. If I quit school the only advantages would be being able to travel to play some bigger tourneys and maybe playing a couple more hours a day. I played full time over the summer for awhile and it gets boring fast. It's really hard to sit at a comp for 8 hours a day playing cards, even though I was making good money, playing more than 6 hours/day for days on end would get old fast. First Im going to try trimming down my academic schedule and see how that goes, and if I really feel the need to postpone school after that then I'll re-evaluate the situation. Let me know what you guys think about this plan or if you have any good ideas. Thanks.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

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Hey man, I know pretty much what you're feeling as far as the dilemma between college and poker. Im a 20 y/o soph at OSU and I've made about 40k in the last few months (225k hands). I feel the pressure to postpone school but I've also been considering taking the minimum amount of credit hours and just budgeting my time well. I'm a Comp Sci major, which isn't the easiest major but I'm pretty good with school stuff so I dont have to put much time into studying and homework. If you plan your schedule right you should be able to have your nights open to play which is where most of the money is at. I usually play 3 - 4 hours a night 8 tabling $400 - 1k 6H games even with school. And 5 - 6 hours a night on the weekends. This leaves me plenty of time go out and get shitfaced or whatever else I want to do too. If I quit school the only advantages would be being able to travel to play some bigger tourneys and maybe playing a couple more hours a day. I played full time over the summer for awhile and it gets boring fast. It's really hard to sit at a comp for 8 hours a day playing cards, even though I was making good money, playing more than 6 hours/day for days on end would get old fast. First Im going to try trimming down my academic schedule and see how that goes, and if I really feel the need to postpone school after that then I'll re-evaluate the situation. Let me know what you guys think about this plan or if you have any good ideas. Thanks.

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PM Me what high school you went to. I am from cincinnati and a soph from college and maybe I know you.

Re: Poker discourages me from staying in college
 

i don't give a hoot whether you stay in school or not. and i doubt the 3 seconds i put into this post will have too much sway on your decision. with that said..

1. i doubt you'll be able to play more poker having quit school than you do already. i play about the same # of hands/month as i did when i was working a 50 hour a week job. and i know i'm not alone. it's tough to stay happy and motivated when you have absolutely no responsibilities and schedule.

2. college provides the balance that should help keep poker interesting and not a grind. you should still have plenty of free time (take 12 hour semesters) and if you're really a consistent winner at the stakes you play you'll have a [censored] ton of money saved up at the end of college anyway. (and you'll be mr. blingbling while you're in college --might be kind of fun to be the guy w/the $100,000 roll when your peers are struggling w/a $8 sandwich.)

if you hate your major change it. or just take classes you're interested in that don't necessarily add up to a degree. but i wouldn't throw away your (minimal) college responsibilities simply because i'm guessing you'll be 1. less happy not in school and 2. your poker will suffer if it becomes your whole life.

also,. you put out a statement that caught my ear-- "2 "non-tilt" months of serious poker..." this throws suspicion on your poker playing, as i think we all like to evaluate our game/results in its best lite (discounting the day you steamed and blew 400BB). also, if you're tilting you may have some discipline issues. discipline isn't something that gets any better when you minimze your responsibilities. it's a lifestyle thing, and full-time poker can be a deathblow to it. YMMV good luck.