The fact that you speak about poker concepts in this way "I know these things," as well as your poker experiences, tells me you're probably not ready to go pro.
I see nothing in your post about practicality: cost of living, quality of life you want, what you've actually done to start moving toward your goals, or any kind of game plan.
And that's all ignoring the fact that I see no proof in this post that you're even a winning player. I don't mean to be harsh, but saying "I know I'm a winner, and not on a heater," is meaningless. Post some numbers, how much volume have you played in your life, and how much money have you made? I know you're not planning on leaving for Vegas at this moment, but if you're planning to try to do so in 2-5 years, do you have any idea how much money you'll need before you do? What stakes you'll have to play, and what win-rate you'll need? You say you haven't played much live, and yet you make it seem like you can just hop in and be a winner there. This may or may not be true.
Also, I skimmed through some of the answers and your replies to them, and the fact that you seem to think you'll always be profitable is concerning to me. The games are constantly changing, and right now they are only getting tougher. Live is still pretty soft, but that can fluctuate as well. It just seems like you're not really thinking about this in a realistic way.
Edit: Oh and one last thing. If you think of watching the EPT and reading Poker News articles as "study," then I have to assume you've never made a true effort to systematically improve your game.
Ok so I'm going to try to answer all your concerns in order. First I have a grasp on these concepts as I do use them every time I sit at the table. But I don't want to come off as somebody who thinks they've mastered the game or concepts. I certainly haven't and will never will know everything in my life there's just to much to know, and like you said its ever changing. When I said "I know these things", I mean I've studied and practiced them not that I know everything about them. You certainly have a point about not having things like practicality. As for moving towards my goal I've started putting money aside for my
bankroll, started keeping track of my tourney stats, joined CC and 2+2, and have been studying more. My game plan is to go pro in the next 2-5 years, but first I'll save money for a BR, study, play more live, play even more online, and then once I go pro I'll stick around here locally for a little while before moving, making frequent trips to Vegas, but also playing at the local
casinos near me. I really don't feel the need to prove I'm a winning player to anyone (not trying to sound like a d***) but that doesn't mean I won't. I have been tracking my tourney stats but not really my cash game stats, though I've been winning frequently, I could get the history emailed to me by Bovada, which I'm going to do. So I'll make another Analyze my stats thread in the next few days or week. I know your not trying to be harsh just helpful and I thank you for that. The volume (like I said I don't have an exact number) is pretty big, I've been playing for a long time! I think I'll need about 10-20k, so that would be 5/10-10/20 and that's just for my bankroll I really haven't figured out the personal end of the finances and don't plan to until I reach the year to go mark then I'll figure those numbers out because they'll be more accurate as for what my needs are then rather than now. It's true I haven't played much live but usually online players do well in live, but not so much vise versa. But in the next 2-5 years I will be making an effort to play more live so that way I'll know if its a good or bad choice. Don't worry I'm realistic I know I won't always win every handor session. If I could I would either be cheating or on TV playing with the big boys. If I'm coming off as unrealistic it's mostly because there's only so much I can convey over an internet forum. I worry all the time if I'm actually good or just think I am. I do realize the games are always changing and will work hard to keep up with them. This ever changing environment can be off set by studying playing, and changing my own game to adjust. I do think of
poker articles and shows as studying as well as reading strategy books and watching videos. By articles I mean ones that break down
hands, plays, playing styles, ways to improve your game, etc. Not articles about things like what Phil Hellmuth is up to or Borgota counter fit chips, I know that's not studying. Thanks for your advice, I know your not trying to shoot my dream down but rather that you are trying to help me by being critical and I really appreciate that, pointing out the flaws is exactly what I wanted to be done so when the time comes Ill have it covered already. Thanks a lot!
