Cooke's, "Play to Live or Live to Play " article

[Zeno]

Mr Cooke's recent article in Card Player (Feb 14 issue) about playing poker as a profession, is excellent. In my opinion, if you are thinking about "turning pro" you need to clip out this article, save it, and study what he has to say. Many young players do not consider the full consequences of such impulsive life decisions as "turning pro". Cooke's article helps put things in perspective.

-Zeno

[PokerBabe(aka)]

I also think this was an excellent article. LGPG, Babe [img]/forums/images/icons/heart.gif[/img]

[scalf]

[img]/forums/images/icons/wink.gif[/img] babe, article did not have enuf emphasis on fashion...gl [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/diamond.gif[/img]

[PokerBabe(aka)]

Hi scalf, Yes, Roy did omit this important aspect of a poker career [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/laugh.gif[/img] [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img] LGPG, Babe [img]/forums/images/icons/heart.gif[/img]

[Ed Miller]

I think I'm gonna have to work on that if I do move to Vegas... maybe the Babe can help me out. [img]/forums/images/icons/smile.gif[/img]

[PokerBabe(aka)]

Hey Major- you are not alone in the "LG help wanted" category. [img]/forums/images/icons/grin.gif[/img] I have been trying to get Dynasty out of shorts for almost a year now. [img]/forums/images/icons/mad.gif[/img] Last week, he was actually wearing LONG pants [img]/forums/images/icons/shocked.gif[/img] However, this may have had more to do with the weather (it was actually chilly AND raining in Vegas) than with the Babe's suggestions to LG. [img]/forums/images/icons/crazy.gif[/img] LGPG and hope to see you soon, kiddo [img]/forums/images/icons/heart.gif[/img]

[Mason Malmuth]

Hi Zeno:

One aspect of the article that I didn't like was his statement that he had the equivalent of a master's degree in poker because of all the work on the game that he has done. While I agree that you always need to work on your poker game, it's nothing compared to getting an advanced degree in a tough technical field at a good school. For example, to prepare for my oral examination, I did nothing but study for a minimum of 12 hours per day for almost three straight weeks. I believe that's the hardest I have ever worked, and in all my effort on poker/gambling, I have never done anything to compare to that. Plus the level of difficulty can't compare either.

Best wishes,
Mason

[brad]

a good analogy i think would be

advanced degree is to advanced poker play

as

competition target shooting is to gunfighting.

heh

(you can jump right in and do well but it takes work to last and sometimes not even then heh.)

[Al_Capone_Junior]

I have a BS degree, and a few of the courses needed for a masters. It's tough. Mason is right. Another analogy is in order. There is no masters in poker.

al

[Zeno]

Mason,

I agree that the analogy is misplaced and your point is more than just valid - There is no comparison.

I am always a bit reticent but I also had to give an oral defense of my thesis for a Masters Degree. The culmination of more than 2 years of hard work. It was not pleasent staring at a committee of scientists ready to ask any question they wanted to poke a hole in your presentation, arguments, or conclusions. I worked very hard getting prepared. It was a relief when it was over, but they always send you out of the room and make you wait while they "decide" your fate - which makes waiting for the river card when you go all in for 2k in a Pot-limit Omaha game seem like a walk in the park.

Thank you for making a needed point.


Regards,

-Zeno