Who here is a pro

[RollaJ]

For those of you who are pros, and have been for 3 years or longer, could you please list some of the pros and cons of your decision. Of course anyone who has failed can also voice their ideas. I searched on RGP and people ae much more supportive than is generally the case here.
I am strongly considering the move as I hate big business

[Vehn]

[TazQ]

Banky Edwards: Alright, now see this? This is a four-way road, OK? And dead in the center is a crisp, new, hundred dollar bill. Now, at the end of each of these streets are four people, OK? Are you following?
Holden: Yeah.
Banky Edwards: Good. Over here, we have a male-affectionate, easy to get along with, non-political agenda lesbian. Down here, we have a man-hating, angry as [censored], agenda of rage, bitter dyke. Over here, we got Santa Claus, and up here the Easter Bunny. Which one is going to get to the hundred dollar bill first?
Holden: What is this supposed to prove?
Banky Edwards: No, I'm serious. This is a serious exercise. It's like an SAT question. Which one is going to get to the hundred dollar bill first? The male-friendly lesbian, the man-hating dyke, Santa Claus, or the Easter bunny?
Holden: The man-hating dyke.
Banky Edwards: Good. Why?
Holden: I don't know.
Banky Edwards: Because the other three are figments of your [censored] imagination!

[Mike Gallo]

Vehn,

How many times have you seen Chasing Amy??

[Turning Stone Pro]

DV:

I may be out of line, but I am going to try to speak for some of other 2+2ers who I know and respect . . .

I and many other 2+2ers play at what could be called a "semi-pro" level. In other words, we have regular 'day-jobs', but are able to make money 'on the side' by playing solid poker on what could be considered a part-time (or "semi-full-time") basis.

For myself, I enjoy the game and the friendships it breeds and fosters. I have met some truly wonderful folks playing cards, people I never would have had a chance to meet but for my passion for poker. I also enjoy winning, of course, and it's nice to make a few extra bucks and get respect for playing a difficult game with at least some minimal degree of competancy.

When I look at people who play professionally on a full-time basis, I often see the wear it takes on them spiritually because they simply must win in order to eat. The game, I believe, becomes less of an enjoyable part-time passion and more of a full-time obsession.

It's very difficult to put your livelihood (both financially and spiritually) on the fall of small pieces of pasteboard: the results are often disappointing not because of what you do, but because of the talent of others, the ****ing rake, and lady luck itself.

Many times I feel I have an advantage over the rest of a table not because I am stronger fundamentally, but because I have a decent job which I enjoy (usually), and a strong and loving family, and can play poker because I love the game and love trying to play it well and improve, and not because the rent won't get paid if I don't win.

For me, full-time professional poker, with its intense nature and long hours needed to get past the "short-term", would jeopardize the things I cherish in life. I'm not saying that you shouldn't give it a run, but you might consider taking my experiences into account.

Best of Luck,

TSP

[Blarg]

He is saying that he doesn't care for his job either, though, so if he winds up not enjoying poker as much as a part-time player does, he may still wind up way ahead if he is a winning player.

Not disagreeing with you in any way, just adding that even if poker becomes less enjoyable as a full-time job, it is probably still much more rewarding as a profession for certain people than are some other options.

A lot of people get very little joy out of their jobs, so poker being less than a perfect job won't even come close to being a deal-breaker. Job dissatisfaction is probably the norm out there anyway.

[SinCityGuy]

[ QUOTE ]
A lot of people get very little joy out of their jobs, so poker being less than a perfect job won't even come close to being a deal-breaker.

[/ QUOTE ]

This is one of the best statements that I've ever read in these forums.

Some of these threads try and dissuade people, telling them they're making a big mistake unless they're on Cloud 9 all of the time while playing poker.

Take a look at the millions of people who are miserable in their "real" jobs, many of whom are on counseling and anti-depressants.

[playerfl]

I don't see how that is true. I think a person who has even a $10/hr job plus benefits is much better off than a "pro". I recently saw an interview with a husband and wife who were both pro's and had young children, they were obviously unhappy an living in a shabby little place worrying about the rent money. That is what I think of when I think about being a "pro".

Advantages I can see for being "semi-pro" instead of pro:

1. You don't have to eat your bankroll. If you have eat your bankroll you can't move up, or you will move up MUCH more slowly than otherwise. This puts severe limits on your future earning potential.

2. Make more money per hour when playing due to table selection and avoidance of burnout.

3. Many psycholgical and social benefits, too many to list.

4. the "poker bubble" will burst sooner or later and it will get tougher to make consistent profits. When the newbies aren't flocking in, the pro's will be playing against the pro's. If you don't believe me ask a stock trader from the internet bubble what things are like now vs. then.

[budman]

I will never forget the night I left the casino where I played weekly and saw the person who I felt was the premier poker player in the room. He played in the biggest games and was feared. I was amazed by his play the couple of times I played in a game with him.

I work full time in a very good job, and play as a hobby as much as I can.

He drove off in a beaten up Toyota Camry (VERY old) and I was in a brand new $80,000 BMW.

Sure he sleeps late, plays (works) when he feels like it and gets to golf if he feels like it, but I don't think his lifestyle matches up to mine.

[mmcd]

[ QUOTE ]
I will never forget the night I left the casino where I played weekly and saw the person who I felt was the premier poker player in the room. He played in the biggest games and was feared. I was amazed by his play the couple of times I played in a game with him.

I work full time in a very good job, and play as a hobby as much as I can.

He drove off in a beaten up Toyota Camry (VERY old) and I was in a brand new $80,000 BMW.

Sure he sleeps late, plays (works) when he feels like it and gets to golf if he feels like it, but I don't think his lifestyle matches up to mine.

[/ QUOTE ]

MS?