A Note to "WannaBe" Pros

[Indiana]

Poker is hard but so is corporate America. So is running a business. If poker were easy then it wouldn't be so interesting and we couldn't get the edge that we do. It also wouldn't be as motivating to learn the game better. But yes, poker is hard. At least there's no boss, at least you don't have to play some political game to step on anybody, and at least you don't have to have connections or be part of any family or specific ethnic group to become highly successful.

Indy

[Jbrochu]

[ QUOTE ]
This business is HARD...Make sure that your plan to quit your dayjob & become a "poker pro" has a "Plan 'B'" in case Plan 'A' doesn't work....If your reaction to this advice is: "He's an old fool that doesn't know squat"; I hope you will ask the younger posters that know what they are doing.

[/ QUOTE ]

In general, I agree with this. However, some small subset of hardheaded dreamers will ignore this advice, and a smaller subset of these people will become tomorrow's successful poker professionals.

I myself couldn't imagine playing poker for a living, but I can relate to pursuing a dream against the advice of almost everybody. I spent the majority of my young adulthood rock and ice climbing all over the country, instead of going to college and pursuing a career. I've since been pursuing a college degree part time (almost done!) while working full time, and it's been more difficult for sure than if I had attended college straight out of school. I still don't regret pursuing my dreams though, and I have lots of great experiences and memories of my younger days hanging it out there.

[Apathy]

Sure it can be hard at times but playing poker (mostly online I mean) for a living is great if you are young enough to have time to take a few years off the career "path" that involves university etc.

You can make tons of money, work (or not) whenever you want and do any amount of travelling or moving around since you can play from anywhere.

It does involve some amount of self discipline and money managment that comes more naturally to some then others, but anyone can work on those qualities. The lows can be really low so maybe it's just certain overally emotionally involved people that find playing poker for a living extremely difficult.

I've been on huge downswings before and have talked to many pros who have been in similar situations. You have to step back and realise things arent so bad, maybe you have to learn some hard lessons about constant effort to improve and bankroll managment every once in a while but as long as you do learn from your mistakes this job quickly becomes a lot more stress-free and relaxing, even when the results just arent there.

[Apathy]

[ QUOTE ]
at least you don't have to play some political game to step on anybody, and at least you don't have to have connections or be part of any family or specific ethnic group to become highly successful.


[/ QUOTE ]

In some ways that is true and its a great thing about poker, that the only discrimantory factor from any "public" game is money, anybody with the money can play. As far as "satalite" poker income goes though (writing artciles, books, poker products, coaching, etc.) poker is just like any other business in that respect.

IMHO, college is worth the experience even if you never do squat with your degree. Don't drop out of college to go pro if you think you are good enough. Do both. The education and experience, not to mention the girls, are too much to pass-over. Trust me, there is no better place than college for getting laid.

[DCJ311]

[ QUOTE ]

great article by Ed Miller on the topic



[/ QUOTE ]

If I ever ran out of toilet paper and were in a jam, I'd simply print out an Ed Miller article.

Whatever you guys say... poker is a dream job. I mean, I used to spend all day sitting here behind my computer, playing games, surfing the internet, watching TV and whatever. Now I do exactly the same, only I am thousands of dollars richer.

I'm still in college, but I don't really like it. First of all I don't know if I like what I'm studying right now, and if I will like the job it might get me. Secondly, I can make more money now than I can if I work hard, and pay money for five years and then get a job. That's just insane. I won't quit school just yet, but I'm considering it.

People act like it's the end of the world if something bad happens, or if you're doing something that's not entirely socially accepted. But the point of life is not getting rich, or being socially accepted or getting many friends, or getting your diplomas... the point is to be happy. Everything we do is to achieve happiness, only we don't realize it. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[gumpzilla]

[ QUOTE ]
Everything we do is to achieve happiness, only we don't realize it. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

When you don't really need to worry that much about money and don't have much in the way of responsibilities, there are fewer things that threaten to impinge on your happiness. A sense of security is something that many people find relaxing.

[skipperbob]

[ QUOTE ]
People act like it's the end of the world if something bad happens, or if you're doing something that's not entirely socially accepted. But the point of life is not getting rich, or being socially accepted or getting many friends, or getting your diplomas... the point is to be happy. Everything we do is to achieve happiness, only we don't realize it. [img]/images/graemlins/tongue.gif[/img]

[/ QUOTE ]

I never said "Don't Try"....For God's sake = GO4IT [img]/images/graemlins/smile.gif[/img]
Just have a backup plan....That's all

I tried it....I was a "pro" for a year in a "B&M" Casino - Absolutely loved every minute...Now I'm back to work for the "Man".....G/L

[Bonafone]

I really can't see myself doing much other than playing poker professoinally the next 7-10 years. At that point I should have enough passive income to where I can do whatever intrests me at that time. I love this game and imo its not that hard if you are smart about things.