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Young person gets a degree (4 year) and goes straight to poker (no 9 to 5 office job first). If poker does't work out, then she has a decent amount of outs. She can get an MD, JD, whatever. She can try for an entry job.

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How many outs do they have if they survive for 5 or 6 years, completely off the map, and go busted? So much for that degree. You could always try real estate, I guess.

There is much greater danger lying in wait for a winner than a loser. Go ask the brain dead boxers of the world if they can still compete at a championship level. You never know if you've got what it takes until you lose. Tyson? Ungar? This is a tough lifestyle not only to control but also to maintain. It's a true test of human adaptability, endurance, and determination.