Is poker taking ruining my life??!

[incrediblemindset]

Hi what I have to say is kinda a long story and thank you in advance for reading.I am currently stuck on if I should quit poker or not. I am currently 25 years old and make about 1500$ a month at a reg 9 to 5 that I hate so bad it kills me! Not that i dont like the work it's just i hate being at a place for 8 hours only looking forward to the 3 breaks we get and having to do this everyday makes me go crazy! So I stared playing poker for over 2 years now and I'm not sure if I'm in love with the game or the idea of it being a way out of my miserable life! I can play for 18 hours straight and never get bored. I use to love saving my checks before poker but now even when I save up my money I cant spend it on anything accept poker.... I dont care about new clothes,going out or even getting a new car. I even pushed all my friends and girls out of my life so I can have more money for poker and i also went as far as sleeping in my car so I dont waist money on a room! I do make sure my Bill's are paid but every extra 1$ I have I go and play poker with... I do this because I convinced myself that yea even tho I keep losing I believe I'm becoming a better player it's like I'm investing in myself I see it as. Yea I do win and I do play good but when I win I jump up to bigger tables chasing that dream to finally let me quit my job that I hate so bad! And its not just my job I'm at I just hate being stuck at a place for 8 hours! No matter the work it seems like... Playing poker everday for 10 hours a day sounds like paradise and for once I feel I have a chance out of my boring life but I want advice if i should quit or keep going? Should i stop spending my money on poker because it will never happen or should I chase it ? I'm asking because I'm afraid I'm going to do this for a big part of my life and miss out on life. I hate the feeling of losing all my extra money and having to wait till next pay check to try again! I hate it so bad that I got a second full time job so I get another check to play with. I'm only sleeping at max 3 hours everyday that's how bad I want this. I feel like if I can get some advice on this if it's a bad or good idea I'll be able to handle the losses more and not ignore everyone at work when I lose.. before you give me any advice you need to know i know i can live a normal life and work like everyone else but i dont want that I naturally have a desire to do something at all times I cant live a normal life doing the same thing everyday it kills me. Playing poker gives me hope that life will not always be like that.

 

[kley126]

poker will open many doors to you as much comfort as it is but you have to be aware that your time will be more dedicated to playing than to other things but once you achieve your goal mainly that it is to have good profits you can distribute your time and enjoy what you want

 

[xxxSSSxxx]

I would guess that you should first make a good bankroll, before quitting a job for playing poker. You cant, and you will not play good under pressure. You need to be secure, and straight in your hand. To play good, you need to have enough money that it doesn't hurt you if you lose it all on poker. Only then I think you will be able to play as you should and to trust your instinct, to enjoy the game and have everything beside it.

 

[IcyPlayChips]

This is serious topic. You are talking about taking a slippery road here. Cause poker does not guarantee you the money like your job does. But if that's what you really want then you need to work for this to happen as well. Playing poker for living is easier to be said than done. And I personally think it's not suitable for most people. Because you need to have iron mind and iron nerves. Cause good decisions in poker might lead to bad results and the other way around. Think about other options as well. Maybe you should change to a better job with more suitable work schedule where its not "written in stone".
If you still gona stay with poker then lets us know how are things going so far. Also keep asking for advice. You might get pretty useful feedback here to improve your game.

 

[COMIRRR]

I don't think you're doing well! It is stupid to give up friends, close relationships with people to close in a poker game. When will you have a major burden on your life, will you be with poker or close people? Do you really think you're good enough to quit your job for poker? You have to watch poker differently, in a fun game for your fun sometimes, but you don't have to deal with it all the time. You are addicted to poker and maybe you should talk to a specialist and tell him or her how you feel. Everyone here likes poker and we hope for poker wins but I think the long-term win rate is very low, there must be a limit to our game and our expectations! Learn to enjoy everything around you and not what is on a screen! I wish you all the best!

 

[Transcendence]

Yes, I have the same! I'm all in Poker! I think life should be more important, let's just say family and friends. Hobby, entertainment. I never put all the money on Deposit, I put as much as I need, and the rest buy things there clothes or cake. I consider it as drug addiction or alcoholism! Reason must prevail everywhere. You'll go crazy." So if you have $150 put $100 on the game and $ 50 live. Remember, life is more important!

 

[TeUnit]

If you are winning at poker why are you spending so much money on it?

As soon as you play poker full time and need to win money....its a full time job. Most jobs pay a stable income, but in poker you only get to eat what you kill.

 

[Unbustable]

Damn man you go hard don't you.. I hope that maybe I could help in some way cause I feel you.. look I'm just gonna give you some advice to try because It seems you have the passion for the game.. you probably wouldn't stop what you are doing even if someone told you too. I think the way you are going based of what you said that even if you won big one day I honestly feel that it might not last to long. If you want to be pro status one day so you can do what you love and have fun you really need to discipline yourself thoroughly! First thing I suggest is that you take some better care of yourself. Your mental status going into a game will affect your play greatly. Even if you can go wherever you play and change it up for the positive at some point the negativivity in the back can come out and hurt you. Sleeping in a car will catch up to you.. idk how your diet and exercise is but taking care of your body and brain go hand in hand. Take some of your free time to study the games theory, practice different strats, the mathematics, whatever you can.. even if you feel you already know it's good to see if from different points of view.. instead of spending your money in one shot all the time when you get it or scraping whatever you can to have just enough to play is no good too. You should really really try to put a months worth of what you are going to spend on poker together as a bankroll! Let's say you put up 1,000. In a month.. only sit at a cash game with 100, 10% of your stack. If you play in tourneys it should be about 5% generally.. this should help your play a little because of the fact you aren't risking all you have in one shot and can be more comfortable when the bigger decisions come in the game.. also you can't play like you say and win a little bit and automatically move up the stakes and risk it all over again. You might as well go play roulette and try to double up 10-20-40-80-160-320-640-1280-2540-5080-10160-20320-40640-81280-162540-325080-650160-1300320. See how many times in a row you would have to let it ride to hit 1 mil? Not saying its impossible but it's a rare thing indeed. You need to be able to stop playing when it's been a decent amount of time sitting or won a nice amount to recharge and reset you mind. Build your bankroll up as you go little by little before you move up the stakes and treat yourself to some things in life if you can as you go. You gotta try to have fun and man get yourself a woman!!! You might find one that loves the game too but even if she doesn't it will help you to improve your game in general I say.. don't not give that kinda stuff up for cards.. always be open to experience new things so don't let the thrill or chance of winning money make you lose sight of the important things.. you can go play online or the casino any time you want for as long as you want.. having fun and enjoying yourself while you play is key too... I feel like ic you aren't then you lost already... man... I could go on and on typing but ima just finish and say feel free to p.m. me anytime for whatever reason and if not I wish you the best of luck! Never give up on your dream either!

 

[pentazepam]

Hm. First post and an incredible story.

I you aren't trolling, seek professional help immediately!

 

[incrediblemindset]

This is serious topic. You are talking about taking a slippery road here. Cause poker does not guarantee you the money like your job does. But if that's what you really want then you need to work for this to happen as well. Playing poker for living is easier to be said than done. And I personally think it's not suitable for most people. Because you need to have iron mind and iron nerves. Cause good decisions in poker might lead to bad results and the other way around. Think about other options as well. Maybe you should change to a better job with more suitable work schedule where its not "written in stone".
If you still gona stay with poker then lets us know how are things going so far. Also keep asking for advice. You might get pretty useful feedback here to improve your game.

Thanks for your feedback I understand your advice and know how unlikely it is to make it in the poker world but I feel like I already gave it all or nothing already.. I dont think I can quit because I feel invested in reaching this life style and I feel I'm getting closer and closer and dont want to throw away all of what I did just for a normal life of never ending work in any work field. I know working is apart of life but I also know it dosent have to be if you do things some people are not willing to do.

 

[incrediblemindset]

Hm. First post and an incredible story.

I you aren't trolling, seek professional help immediately!

Lol scares me that you even think I'm trolling... why seek help? I understand what im doing and know what im missing out on but for me normal things dont excite me like they do for others.Many people think the life I'm choosing is dumb sleeping in a car but for me finding a way to live off the bare min exites me and since sleeping in my car has been good for me because it motivates me to keep pushing instead of being depressed in a nice warm room. Sleeping in my car helps me get up for the gym and keeps me moving no matter how depressed I'm feeling from last night poker session. And by living in my car it forces me to go to work even when I feel like quiting because I start thinking I dont need a job making only 100$ a day for 8 hours when I can make that in one poker hand! I always feel like I could be making good money with the mindset i have and this is why I'll never be happy working a 9to5 at 14$ a hour. I can never stay at a job longer than 6 months because I get too bored it kills ! I'm not trying to sound weak because I see the whole world doing this and I know it's normal but I feel everyone accepts there life and some do somthing about it and that's what I'm trying to do.

 

[incrediblemindset]

Damn man you go hard don't you.. I hope that maybe I could help in some way cause I feel you.. look I'm just gonna give you some advice to try because It seems you have the passion for the game.. you probably wouldn't stop what you are doing even if someone told you too. I think the way you are going based of what you said that even if you won big one day I honestly feel that it might not last to long. If you want to be pro status one day so you can do what you love and have fun you really need to discipline yourself thoroughly! First thing I suggest is that you take some better care of yourself. Your mental status going into a game will affect your play greatly. Even if you can go wherever you play and change it up for the positive at some point the negativivity in the back can come out and hurt you. Sleeping in a car will catch up to you.. idk how your diet and exercise is but taking care of your body and brain go hand in hand. Take some of your free time to study the games theory, practice different strats, the mathematics, whatever you can.. even if you feel you already know it's good to see if from different points of view.. instead of spending your money in one shot all the time when you get it or scraping whatever you can to have just enough to play is no good too. You should really really try to put a months worth of what you are going to spend on poker together as a bankroll! Let's say you put up 1,000. In a month.. only sit at a cash game with 100, 10% of your stack. If you play in tourneys it should be about 5% generally.. this should help your play a little because of the fact you aren't risking all you have in one shot and can be more comfortable when the bigger decisions come in the game.. also you can't play like you say and win a little bit and automatically move up the stakes and risk it all over again. You might as well go play roulette and try to double up 10-20-40-80-160-320-640-1280-2540-5080-10160-20320-40640-81280-162540-325080-650160-1300320. See how many times in a row you would have to let it ride to hit 1 mil? Not saying its impossible but it's a rare thing indeed. You need to be able to stop playing when it's been a decent amount of time sitting or won a nice amount to recharge and reset you mind. Build your bankroll up as you go little by little before you move up the stakes and treat yourself to some things in life if you can as you go. You gotta try to have fun and man get yourself a woman!!! You might find one that loves the game too but even if she doesn't it will help you to improve your game in general I say.. don't not give that kinda stuff up for cards.. always be open to experience new things so don't let the thrill or chance of winning money make you lose sight of the important things.. you can go play online or the casino any time you want for as long as you want.. having fun and enjoying yourself while you play is key too... I feel like ic you aren't then you lost already... man... I could go on and on typing but ima just finish and say feel free to p.m. me anytime for whatever reason and if not I wish you the best of luck! Never give up on your dream either!

Hi thank you for your great response! Since living in my car it pushed me to live better and made me more happy because doing so it gets me to keep moving I wake up and hit the gym then shower after to start my day and then I eat super good cooking all my meals on a electric stove while being outside which is what I love most about this life style. I'm am also a clean freak so no one can even tell I'm living in a car tbh. Being outside also makes way for more optuinitys for me instead of being hidden in a room. Also I'm a extremely sociable person I can make friends really easy and love talking to women but I never get anyone's number to stay in contact if I see them again we catch up but I dont commit to anything because I know people wont understand the life I'm choosing to live and will juge me living in a car even tho to me I love it. Also if I got a girlfriend she would take up to much of my time and I also woudent want to burden any woman of my lifestyle untill I'm stable in funds. I'm not sad about this because I know its temporary and I can get friends later on. My main focus is not to win big but once I get 10k in my bank I can start playing smart poker and manage my money and make a profit of 150$ a day and on my bad days only losing max 200$ a day then leaving.

 

[incrediblemindset]

Yes, I have the same! I'm all in Poker! I think life should be more important, let's just say family and friends. Hobby, entertainment. I never put all the money on Deposit, I put as much as I need, and the rest buy things there clothes or cake. I consider it as drug addiction or alcoholism! Reason must prevail everywhere. You'll go crazy." So if you have $150 put $100 on the game and $ 50 live. Remember, life is more important!

Yes exactly I do this I never spend every $ I have for the week I still save about 100$ for the week for gas and good and that's way more then enough for those needs. My question is what I'm doing with the extra money stupid or I'm just another guy chasing a dream and its understandable.

 

[incrediblemindset]

poker will open many doors to you as much comfort as it is but you have to be aware that your time will be more dedicated to playing than to other things but once you achieve your goal mainly that it is to have good profits you can distribute your time and enjoy what you want

Yes thank you it feels good to hear the same thing what I been thinking from someone else. I'm ok with giving up my time and money for years if it means I'll finally have a free life in the end. Even if I got rich the way I learned to live now is so cheap that my money will last a while. I dont need much to be happy I just want to be free and not under anyone's time clock.

 

[Unbustable]

You be alright!

Well buddy based off the original post I thought you might of been in bad shape... I like your determination and passion that you have for game... I also give you props for taking a shot at your dream and making those kind of sacrifices. Its not an easy thing to do. If and when I have it like that I would love to hit the road and play all over.. I've honestly been procrastinating my bankroll. Things been rough past couple years but I feel I'm about ready to give myself a shot with and do it proper like stick to my plans and goals all the way.. 5k bank might be good for me to start.. I am going to be totally honest with you about one thing though.. please don't be offended because I don't question anyone's play, everyone is different.. you probably pretty smart and damn good at the game but you said you only been playing 2 years and I'm wondering what that consists of. Like have you spent time online playing or all live? Home games, club games, casino only? Only reason is because I have a ton of xp when it comes to this and I am still learning and improving my game.. playing for money probably 22 years. Learned maybe 30 ago. I used to play house games with older heads,one dealers choice and some private games with bar owners business owners few times here and there to A.C. online for idk 8-10 years before that crazy day.. playing 4 tables sometimes just one with tape over the cards for practice. Played in Europe a couple times when I went to see what their all about...played my ass off but never did anything with it.. I didn't establish myself a legit poker bankroll and build it up or take shots at serious tournaments. I just spent money on fun stuff then family and eh felt I needed to play it safe for kids sake but now I've been playing non stop lol just started back like 5 months ago and am just messing around trying to get a couple of my own styles of play down.. well anyway feel free to write me if you have any questions or need a little tip or two.. anytime, I hope I could assist somehow.. good luck on your journey bro I have faith in you..

 

[BelFish]

Start learning books on the kind of poker you mostly play. The main thing to start. There is no need to read the whole thick book at once, just read one chapter a day. Then gradually begin to apply the techniques learned in books in your game.

It's best to start by studying books on the psychology of the game! It is very important to eliminate the desire to play at higher stakes!

Perhaps in a few months you will be able to earn poker for a living.

It makes no sense to ask such a question that you wrote, without trying to change something in your game. Playing the same way you play now, nothing will change ... You must begin to develop!

 

[incrediblemindset]

Start learning books on the kind of poker you mostly play. The main thing to start. There is no need to read the whole thick book at once, just read one chapter a day. Then gradually begin to apply the techniques learned in books in your game.

It's best to start by studying books on the psychology of the game! It is very important to eliminate the desire to play at higher stakes!

Perhaps in a few months you will be able to earn poker for a living.

It makes no sense to ask such a question that you wrote, without trying to change something in your game. Playing the same way you play now, nothing will change ... You must begin to develop!

Ok thank you for your advice I really knew I was never going to quit poker no matter what you guys said in response to my question but it helped me a lot to ask and get advice from others and I learned now how hard poker is and I need to take it more seriously and study like you said. I have been reading how almost every poker player gets tested by the game mentally and can make you go crazy but if I stay stronge I know I can get past the learning curve long enough to finally make it. I'm not just trying to get rich from poker I just want to be free playing poker 15 hours a day and I'll be at peace. I'm going to take a break for a month and read up like you said. I was going to play lower limit tables but I cant stand the poker those people play. They gamble they dont play poker this is why I get tilted so much so hopefully it works out thank you guys so much and I'll keep you guys updated on the dream!

 

[BelFish]

Be sure to read psychology books!

Alan N. Schoonmaker:
1.) "The Psychology of Poker",
2.) “Your worst poker enemy”,
3.) “Your best poker friend.”

And 2 books by Jared Tendler "The Mental game of poker".

 

[dallam]

Nice advices. I will give you mine that haven't written yet from the other guys.

1: If I am correct, you don't like your job. 2019 is the year, when you're hard-working, and you have aims, you can quit, and choose another one. I would recommend for you to write CV, and try to find works, that you can handle with. But don't give up the one, that you have now. You can only quit, when another place wants you in their team.
2: Money is important. Especially when you have an addiction like this. Do not spend so much in it. Make a max.limit that you want to spend in a month.
3: Time is money. In your case, you need to fix the hours, when you can play without any doubt. So you and your family, friends, girlfriend etc. will know when you're not available for them.

I would desperately say to you that you're in a trouble if you will not a schedule now in your life. The last period for you was about the lack of organisation, you wanted to make a huge effort in poker. And people around you were suffering because your view was determined to only one activity. You can overcome it with fixed hours (work is work, spare time is poker, and meaningfull time with your closest). Please balance it. I wish the best of luck as well mate. <3

 

[neptun1914]

It looks like you are a type of person who likes frequent changes so that you are happy and motivated. There is nothing wrong in that but ask yourself - why are you playing poker? Is it because you want to have the money to afford dynamic live in combination with the working hours freedom? Or is it because you feel happy only when you play and you want to play more and more constantly? If it is the second this is gambling addiction and you need to fix it. I have seen this happen with a friend of my friend (not with poker but with sports betting) who uses all his money from his regular job to play constantly. Even if he wins big (sometimes as much as few thousand dollars equivalent) he bets all of it again and never withdraws any money. Some of the details you mention (lack of need of friends or to buy something which will make you happy for example) makes me think that there is at least partial element of gambling addiction here. Sit and think carefully why you play poker, be honest with yourself and take necessary measures.

 

[PatriceM915]

Hi what I have to say is kinda a long story and thank you in advance for reading.I am currently stuck on if I should quit poker or not. I am currently 25 years old and make about 1500$ a month at a reg 9 to 5 that I hate so bad it kills me! Not that i dont like the work it's just i hate being at a place for 8 hours only looking forward to the 3 breaks we get and having to do this everyday makes me go crazy! So I stared playing poker for over 2 years now and I'm not sure if I'm in love with the game or the idea of it being a way out of my miserable life! I can play for 18 hours straight and never get bored. I use to love saving my checks before poker but now even when I save up my money I cant spend it on anything accept poker.... I dont care about new clothes,going out or even getting a new car. I even pushed all my friends and girls out of my life so I can have more money for poker and i also went as far as sleeping in my car so I dont waist money on a room! I do make sure my Bill's are paid but every extra 1$ I have I go and play poker with... I do this because I convinced myself that yea even tho I keep losing I believe I'm becoming a better player it's like I'm investing in myself I see it as. Yea I do win and I do play good but when I win I jump up to bigger tables chasing that dream to finally let me quit my job that I hate so bad! And its not just my job I'm at I just hate being stuck at a place for 8 hours! No matter the work it seems like... Playing poker everday for 10 hours a day sounds like paradise and for once I feel I have a chance out of my boring life but I want advice if i should quit or keep going? Should i stop spending my money on poker because it will never happen or should I chase it ? I'm asking because I'm afraid I'm going to do this for a big part of my life and miss out on life. I hate the feeling of losing all my extra money and having to wait till next pay check to try again! I hate it so bad that I got a second full time job so I get another check to play with. I'm only sleeping at max 3 hours everyday that's how bad I want this. I feel like if I can get some advice on this if it's a bad or good idea I'll be able to handle the losses more and not ignore everyone at work when I lose.. before you give me any advice you need to know i know i can live a normal life and work like everyone else but i dont want that I naturally have a desire to do something at all times I cant live a normal life doing the same thing everyday it kills me. Playing poker gives me hope that life will not always be like that.

Face it this way friend.
Here in brazil 1500 $ dollars is very high salary type upper middle class. There are almost 5 minimum wages most professions here in Brazil pay around $ 400 so you earn 2 times more than a student teacher.
Regardless of whether you stand still for 8 hours, it is a way to have a certain and guaranteed salary all month long.
In poker nothing is guaranteed, look at poker as a hobby, focus on your job of getting a home, pooling your savings and buying your home, building a family, that's what you should think about first before you sacrifice yourself to sleep alone. 3 hours a day. Boring work? I don't get boring work when you earn well.
Poker! Come on..
Poker is a way for you to have fun and relax and still play well to earn some money.
Don't let poker addiction hinder your rest so as not to interfere with your work and private life.
There are many freeroll tournaments to play.
Yesterday I caught 6 * 711 * players over 6 hours of play. But I play the day I know that the next day I will do nothing. Manage your life and think about relaxing at your work, dare music and practice some sport, can be jogging or long walk to avoid craving without further ado be at peace at your job after all 1500 $ is a greatcguru: