I'm thinking of quitting my job

[Pinky]

Thanks for the replies so far. I originally posted this in the Magazine forum and was wondering why I got no responses. I didn't find out the thread was moved until I clicked on my original message.

I know a 4 month record is much too soon but it's definitely something I'm thinking about. I'm planning to reevaluate this again in about 4 months. I started off playing 5/10 limit which is kind of stupid and how I took my initial lumps. I won consistently a few months after playing NL. I switched to tripling 3/6 limit this month and am doing a bit better (over 1500 this month), will make another 1500 in bonus/rakeback this month too) and still over the $40/hour mark. I'm only at 4BB/100 hands there but my next goal is to multi 5/10 limit, etc.

I work a 9-5 which is partly the reason for the 40K, low stress job, though it's in the legal field. Law firm associates at big firms make 125K + great benefits but generally work 65-70+ hours per week so there's a tradeoff. When I'm playing, time passese quickly but time can go very slowly at work. Of course, I'm looking for a new job too.

How many weeks of vacation do you get every year?

The reason I'm asking is that maybe you can take 2-3 weeks in a row and use it as sort of a test run. Your performance won't be statistically significant, but it might give you a better idea of whether you'll be able to handle playing 8-10 hrs a day, every day of the week.

Just a thought.

You should be a poker professional only if you love poker and just not deteste your job. If you can imagine playing poker for 8 hours every single day for an entire year. With all the psychological swings of poker it is a very very difficult thing to do. Before you do it make sure you have really really properly put a lot of thought into it. Being semi professional is a lot easier than professional. Poker will now not only be a thing of fun it is a business. Good luck with whatever you do

[BoxLiquid]

I admire all those professional poker players out there. I've thought about playing professionaly myself too and the emotional roller coaster is definetely something I can't take day by day.

You feel like a millionaire on a good day then a hangover when you go through the downswings.

Professional poker is not all fun and games but poker as a hobby is and I love playing <font color="red"> ONLY </font> when I'm bored.

For the original poster.. My advice would be to play like 200k hands before you really make a decision.

[Pinky]

I like playing alot otherwise I wouldn't do it just to make money. I probably have over 100K hands played. the last 50K hands or so have been on my winning streak. I've been pretty good at controlling losing days plus bad beats hardly bother me. The last time I played live, I won $1300 in a $5NL game with a max $500 buy in. What struck me was how bad those players were. Online players are generally better.

[jacknine]

have you read Al Schoonmaker's Psychology of Poker ?
If not, do so. Especially the section "why not to go pro" or something.

[Mikey]

The question you have to ask yourself is this.......

"why are you asking others whether or not you should quit your job, you should should know whether you should or not?"

My answer is that if you have to ask others this question then the answer is generally "no... do not become a pro"

[sternroolz]

There were a couple of poeple posting about playing low limit stuff for a living....kinda living on a low income.

I would caution against that for a few reasons...all of which look at the medium to long term outlook on things. Notably:

1.) Effects of inflation. This includes cost of living. In Los Angeles, it was reasonably easy to find studios for $350-600 a month just five years ago. Now that is nearly impossible.

2.) Games change. As peoples interest ebbs and flows, the condisitons of the games are drastically altered. Five years ago, there were constantly outstanding $3-6 Omaha games at Commerce, Hollywood Park, and Bicycle Casino in Los Angeles. Usually 3-4 tables each. Now there are 1-2 table and while there are still abd players, they are not bad enough any longer to allow a skilled player to significantly overcome the house drop. 5 years ago, Commerce used to get 20 or more $6-12 tables a night. Now they rarely run even one. Do not expect the changes in online games to be any less drastic.

[Pinky]

Little update:

I noticed I was getting stale on 3/6 so I took a shot at 5/10 double tabling yesterday and won $700. It's a good baby step. Like I said, I started at 5/10 over a year ago, got creamed and I think I've gotten rid of my bad habits. Now I want to build up a record on 5/10 and go to 10/20.

At this moment poker is a hype. But it won't be forever.
When the hype is over, the good players will stay, so that only the very best can still make a living.

If all you are able to beat at this moment is the 3-6 or the 5-10 tables, then I would advice you to stick with your law career.