TO: ALL ASPIRING PROS

#1 24-06-2008, 6:24 AM

DO IT!!!

If playing full-time is a passion of yours, definitely take that chance. Obviously, know exactly what to expect-- BR, emotions, etc-- but go for it! There are many reasons not to, but don't let them affect you... as long as you're passionate enough to work hard, you should to do it!

If you're young, not married, & no kids (that you know of

), you gotta try to live that dream. Don't let anyone tell you that you "shouldn't," no matter what the reasons they give you. Yes, it's brutal, and extremely difficult to make a living... but if you love it, do it while you can!

If you go broke, or can't deal w/ the emotional swings, so what-- at least you tried. No one can take that away from you, but believe me, they'll try. Life is about PASSION, not about "what-ifs," or "I wish I would've tried." If you have the opportunity to play full-time, take advantage of this time--

If I was in my early 20's again, and loved the game as I do now, I would've thrown everything in the middle... and gone for it. Instead, I have to settle for supplementing my current income, by squeezing 55 hrs/wk into 4 days. I don't have the massive pressure of needing to make enough to pay my mortgage, but I also don't know the true freedom that is Full-Time Poker.

Good luck if you try... and I do hope you try!

-Dayne

#2 24-06-2008, 6:41 AM

ok im starting right now gl me

#3 24-06-2008, 8:39 AM

gl vanq hf

#4 24-06-2008, 8:46 AM

Go get 'em, Vanq!

#5 24-06-2008, 9:07 AM

I hate how all of your posts titles are in all caps. And I'm not so sure this is such good advice, a lot of people who just start go on a huge heater and think they can do it for a living. Then they start losing but think it's just bad luck since they won so much before, then they max out their credit cards with deposits on poker sites then the next thing you know they're living in a box.

#6 24-06-2008, 2:30 PM

I prolly put in 10 or so hrs of poker a week, but i could never do it for a living. Way too much stress, pressure to win and no safety in a guaranteed salary like a regular job. All performance-based. No thanks. I appreciate the supplementary income i have been able to make, but that's as far as this hobby goes!

#7 24-06-2008, 3:15 PM

gl Van. we're all countin' on ya

#8 24-06-2008, 3:22 PM

I can relate to what you are saying! Go for it when you have the chance!! God! Your post was so inspiring!! Maybe I will go for some HL game in Vegas next month!

#9 24-06-2008, 3:23 PM

Good luck!!!

#10 24-06-2008, 3:38 PM

i can't work out who is third leveling in here and who isn't.

#11 24-06-2008, 3:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanyJ

I hate how all of your posts titles are in all caps. And I'm not so sure this is such good advice, a lot of people who just start go on a huge heater and think they can do it for a living. Then they start losing but think it's just bad luck since they won so much before, then they max out their credit cards with deposits on poker sites then the next thing you know they're living in a box.

exact same thing comes to my mind, to be a pro poker player you have to have more than just skills and knowing when to call or fold.

#12 24-06-2008, 4:07 PM

I agree, GO FOR IT!! I'm married with one kid, huge mortgage payment, and an heap of debt that I can't see over but I'm in the midst of taking my shot as well. I play 25+ hours a week (usually while the fam is sleeping) and study for 10-15 hours(reading, forums, watching vids). I am in sales as my "real" job so I have a VERY flexible schedule to allow me the late hours at poker. I have a "coach" who I play seesions with about once a week and that has been the most help ever. Still grinding it at at micro limits (50nl) but hope to move up to the next level soon.

I've seen the fruits of this lifestyle and it looks tasty. So I second the notion of if your young with few obligations and dream of being a pro - GO FOR IT!

#13 24-06-2008, 4:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by becomingpoker

I've seen the fruits of this lifestyle and it looks tasty.

I just hope you're not getting this impression from an ESPN view of the world. Most of the professional players' lives are completely consumed by the game.

Quote:

Originally Posted by becomingpoker

I agree, GO FOR IT!! I'm married with one kid, huge mortgage payment, and an heap of debt that I can't see over but I'm in the midst of taking my shot as well.

Keep doing all the things you're doing but don't let it take away time from your family or your "real" job. Get your game to the point where you're averaging a net win of $100 to $200 per day in that 25 hours per week. Pay off that mortgage and debt (and braces, private school, etc.). You won't really be a pro but you'll have a life, a really good part time job, and will probably feel better about your sales job because you aren't depending on it for a living.

The professionals have never had it that good.

#14 24-06-2008, 4:53 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Slick

I just hope you're not getting this impression from an ESPN view of the world. Most of the professional players' lives are completely consumed by the game.

Keep doing all the things you're doing but don't let it take away time from your family or your "real" job. Get your game to the point where you're averaging a net win of $100 to $200 per day in that 25 hours per week. Pay off that mortgage and debt (and braces, private school, etc.). You won't really be a pro but you'll have a life, a really good part time job, and will probably feel better about your sales job because you aren't depending on it for a living.

The professionals have never had it that good.

No I'm not getting the lifestyle impression from ESPN

. I have a personal friend/coach that is a pro at 5/10nl online. It is his only job and his lifestyle looks good to me.

I do take care of my family and "real" job first. But for right now while I grind it out I play at night and just sleep less.

Tahnks for your words.

#15 24-06-2008, 5:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Joe Slick

I just hope you're not getting this impression from an ESPN view of the world. Most of the professional players' lives are completely consumed by the game.

.....and they are, for the most part, poor.

---

#16 24-06-2008, 5:37 PM

I disagree with this topic, for the simple word "ALL". To take the shot I think you should definitely have a back-up plan (ie don't quit your job if you can't get it/another job back if you fail). You should also have back-up money if you're the primary provider in your family (sorry kids, we're homeless now, daddy was following his dream and it didn't work out). You need to be good as well, both at the game and mentally in control during downswings. This can be tested by going semi-pro before taking the final shot. Nearly everyone who dreams of going pro plays poker now. So instead of the 40 hours a week play 20. Play for a few months. Look at your winrate. Can you live on that? If so and you have the above covered, nothing wrong with taking a shot. But when you take the shot you have to know you'll probably fail, and to not have a backup plan would be extremely irresponsible, especially if there are people depending on you.

#17 24-06-2008, 5:43 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachvac

both at the game and mentally in control during downswings.

QFT

Being able to cope mentally, with not only big d/swings, but break even stretches of say like 50k hands. That's the big test for any wannabe pro imo.

#18 24-06-2008, 5:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jagsti

QFT

Being able to cope mentally, with not only big d/swings, but break even stretches of say like 50k hands. That's the big test for any wannabe pro imo.

Agreed, just posted in the other thread where Chris_TC posted the graph for letherass. He had a -$20k stretch over around 80k hands. Most people currently get paid every 2 weeks. Imagine paying the boss instead of getting paid after working your ass off for 2 weeks.

#19 24-06-2008, 5:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dorkus Malorkus

i can't work out who is third leveling in here and who isn't.

That's the scary part.

#20 25-06-2008, 3:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by zachvac

I disagree with this topic, for the simple word "ALL". To take the shot I think you should definitely have a back-up plan (ie don't quit your job if you can't get it/another job back if you fail). You should also have back-up money if you're the primary provider in your family (sorry kids, we're homeless now, daddy was following his dream and it didn't work out). You need to be good as well, both at the game and mentally in control during downswings. This can be tested by going semi-pro before taking the final shot. Nearly everyone who dreams of going pro plays poker now. So instead of the 40 hours a week play 20. Play for a few months. Look at your winrate. Can you live on that? If so and you have the above covered, nothing wrong with taking a shot. But when you take the shot you have to know you'll probably fail, and to not have a backup plan would be extremely irresponsible, especially if there are people depending on you.

The point of the thread isn't about the outcome... it's about the process of trying.

For being so young (no disrespect intended

) you sure do worry about future quite a bit. Good, because you're probably very responsible. Bad, because you may miss-out on a lot.

Your strength may be your weakness... sure was mine was I was in my 20's. I missed out on a ton, because I was so "responsible," and concerned about EVERYTHING.

I totally understand your point, but "the unknown" isn't always a bad thing.

#21 25-06-2008, 3:12 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SeanyJ

I hate how all of your posts titles are in all caps. And I'm not so sure this is such good advice, a lot of people who just start go on a huge heater and think they can do it for a living. Then they start losing but think it's just bad luck since they won so much before, then they max out their credit cards with deposits on poker sites then the next thing you know they're living in a box.

I agree about the caps... I need to (will) stop that

But, the "what-ifs" are why so many are afraid of doing.

He may go broke... he may retire in a $10 million home. No one knows, which is the fun part.

#22 25-06-2008, 3:35 AM

You have to have the bankroll to make the jump first. If you have it, along with enough money set aside to pay for rent, food, utilities, etc., you can give it a shot. It would be fairly stupid to do it otherwise, unless you want to live on the street.

I myself have no dreams of being a pro, but if I become good enough at the game and make enough money at it I would give it a shot. I am very happy at the time being as I was able to cash out over a grand(lot of money for me) this past month and am looking to do it again

#23 25-06-2008, 4:14 AM

best feeling in the world is cashing that check that came via mail from the poker sites. My advice is to just always play within your limit and make sure you HAVE a limit. Use BR management. Nothing like playing a game of cards for some extra cash each week.

My own personal goal is to be able to cash out $300 per week or $1200 per month, while having a job, it just adds some extra cash flow

#24 25-06-2008, 4:16 AM

Quote: