160 replies to this topic

[Dratj]

ddudley said:

After 18 months of playing full time, I've decided it's time to go back to a real job. blek!!I've made 60K while playing poker but ultimately it proved not to be enough money to justify playing for a living. I'll be making 62K with benefits in the new job. So, I figure I need to make at least 75K with no benifits to continue playing poker. I just wasn't able to get that done.It's especially been tough this last 6 months as I've only made about $4500. I've been through most of that period getting killed by the cards. I had no idea the cards could be so cruel for so long. I'm sure there has been some less than optimal play on my part and I'm sure the competition has gotten much tougher the last 6 months but it's mostly been sick cards.It's been a tough day for sure... but I'm still going to play part-time. And who knows, after 2 weeks, maybe I'll be sick of it and quit (the job, not poker). I'm not giving up the dream entirely, I guess I'm just putting it on hold for now.If you have any questions for someone whos been through the grind, fire away. I'll do my best to give honest answers about what's important and what's not.

why don't you go and play higher limits to increase your bankroll? You could easily play 30 60 or even 50 100 with your roll. Just wondering.I found it very cool that you can make that much playing online. I've been playing on and off for about a year and never get anywhere but I work fulltime and make decent money. My dream is to win a WPT event or the WSOP one day of course.

[bdams19]

Peter Gibbons: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday, and you're not feelin' real well, does anyone ever say to you, 'Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays'?Lawrence: No. No, man. Shit, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man.

[bdams19]

sweet, didnt even have to do anything to the word ass and its still uncensored

[ddudley]

Dratj said:

why don't you go and play higher limits to increase your bankroll? You could easily play 30 60 or even 50 100 with your roll. Just wondering.I found it very cool that you can make that much playing online. I've been playing on and off for about a year and never get anywhere but I work fulltime and make decent money. My dream is to win a WPT event or the WSOP one day of course.

I have played 30/60 occasionally but, it's tough to find the juicy games I'm used to. It's even hard to find those games at 10/20. Also, poker is played much differently at 10/20 and above. You see a lot more people betting with 8-8 and 2 overcards on the board and that just the tip of the iceburge.The last 6 months have been terrible and I'm not sure I have the confidence to play those limits right now. Also, it's not completely clear that I'm a winning player at 10/20. I just don't have enough info yet. Bottom line, there is no use in playing 30/60 and 50/100 unless I'm a long term winner. Maybe I'm too chicken to find out, but my feeling is that I'm not good enough to beat those games yet.

[ddudley]

bdams19 said:

Peter Gibbons: Let me ask you something. When you come in on Monday, and you're not feelin' real well, does anyone ever say to you, 'Sounds like someone has a case of the Mondays'?Lawrence: No. No, man. censored, no, man. I believe you'd get your ass kicked sayin' something like that, man.

Hopefully, Architecture won't be as bad as doing TPS reports. But, believe me, I'm worried I will miss my freedom and not be able to deal with such a structured lifestyle again.

[getarealjob]

ddudley said:

After 18 months of playing full time, I've decided it's time to go back to a real job. blek!!I've made 60K while playing poker but ultimately it proved not to be enough money to justify playing for a living. I'll be making 62K with benefits in the new job. So, I figure I need to make at least 75K with no benifits to continue playing poker. I just wasn't able to get that done.It's especially been tough this last 6 months as I've only made about $4500. I've been through most of that period getting killed by the cards. I had no idea the cards could be so cruel for so long. I'm sure there has been some less than optimal play on my part and I'm sure the competition has gotten much tougher the last 6 months but it's mostly been sick cards.It's been a tough day for sure... but I'm still going to play part-time. And who knows, after 2 weeks, maybe I'll be sick of it and quit (the job, not poker). I'm not giving up the dream entirely, I guess I'm just putting it on hold for now.If you have any questions for someone whos been through the grind, fire away. I'll do my best to give honest answers about what's important and what's not.

Good for you! Great topic/posts.

[AlohaBruce]

Have you considered playing any live tourney's? I also live within 10 minutes of Bay 101 and they have some pretty good tourney's going on during the weekend. I've only played the cash games there, but within the next few weeks I'm going to play in at least one weekend tourney. 60K may be good in other states, but isn't much in CA.

[nutzbuster]

I have a good deal with workin for da man. I've got 3 more years and then I can retire with an 80K pension for life, + beni's. Very lucky to be in this position. I currently play live N.L. B&M games approx. 15 hours a week and ususally end up around +$500 per mo. average. It's the experience of playing and not so much the income for me. I do plan to play more when I leave but I also am an artist which helps me stay grounded. I need a job, a hobby and poker. To much of any one thing is no good for me so I force the art diversion. So far it's working out great (although the last 2 days have been absolute He11 at the tables!).Good luck at the new job. You'll love it.Best...

[allinbluff35]

any job you work is a grind no matter how you look at it, good luck.

[Highlow16]

Im actually considering taking the plunge in the next few months. Moving to Vegas and just going for it. I would have a sufficient bank roll (10k), a supportive g/f, and i know that i have the skill sets to do it. Im proficient in all the games. I would like to play 10-20 and move up only in excess of a 400bb bank roll. I do recognize the downsides... i could get burned out, and i will struggle at times, but i feel if i dont do it now i never will. I need to work on a few things.... staying focused longer, and trusting my instincts just a little more to save those few extra bets a session. Good Post, thanks.

[finztotheleft]

This was a really interesting thread. Very refreshing to hear about a legitimate attempt to play full time rather than the usual "I won one tourney and now I'm going pro" type of posts we frequently get here . It really sounds like the OP has had his head screwed on straight throughout this entire process. Good luck going back to the job. I'm sure it will really be a drag at first....keep focused on the benefits. How many years until retirement ? Hang in there.....and good luck with the poker. I would be thrilled to accomplish what you have.

[doublemeup]

I would laugh my ass off if he wins a tournament or says "what the heck, let me play a few cash games tonight" and wins a bunch of money and decides to keep playing poker. Now THAT would be funny.

[akishore]

good luck, dudley. best wishes.aseem

[RyanM]

This was a great post, thanks.

[AKoffsuit]

RyanM said:

This was a great post, thanks.

Yes.. Great post and great thread. Good luck to the OP. :-)

[No_Neck]

Highlow16 said:

Im actually considering taking the plunge in the next few months. Moving to Vegas and just going for it. I would have a sufficient bank roll (10k), a supportive g/f, and i know that i have the skill sets to do it. Im proficient in all the games. I would like to play 10-20 and move up only in excess of a 400bb bank roll. I do recognize the downsides... i could get burned out, and i will struggle at times, but i feel if i dont do it now i never will. I need to work on a few things.... staying focused longer, and trusting my instincts just a little more to save those few extra bets a session. Good Post, thanks.

save 30-40k and save yourself an ulcer

[ddudley]

AlohaBruce said:

Have you considered playing any live tourney's? I also live within 10 minutes of Bay 101 and they have some pretty good tourney's going on during the weekend. I've only played the cash games there, but within the next few weeks I'm going to play in at least one weekend tourney. 60K may be good in other states, but isn't much in CA.

I have, but the Bay101 tournaments are so damn expensive. $70 + $60 rebuy and if you don't rebuy you are at a significant chip disadvantage. I've also looked at the blind structure and it sucks. It's like playing an online tourny for $130. I only make $16/hour so I'm just not prepared to spend 8 hours of work on a luckshot tourny... although I've heard the competition is completely donkish. So, maybe that would make it worth while. If you decide to play, let me know how bad they are.

[UNCpoker]

Just a quick note, not sure I understand having a bad run of cards for 6 months especially online with so many hands being played.I do know that I have had them for a month or so, but usually it really isn't that long. What tends to happen, is that it start out being bad cards, but then you(myself) may add a few leaks to my game trying to make up for bad cards.I know a leak or two can make a huge difference in your game. But it definately sounds like you need a nice break from the game before you get back into it.Do the job thing, play part time and go from there. I play full time, but I play mostly live, live is just +EV for me compared to online games.Also I understand your tax thing, but that is another reason to play live, they can't track all of it, and you just have to report part of your earnings.I know you want to be honest, but do you really think the government is completely honest with you?Sit back and think of all the taxes you really pay, Federal, State(not all states have this), food tax, gas tax, property tax, taxes to get everything to you, etc, etc.Good Luck

[koolromeo]

great thread dud. do you only play one table at a time? what site do you play?i have recently put put pressure on myself to make more from poker in an attempt to pay off a few grand in bills without hitting savings. this extra pressure is really taxing. i'm starting to get a feel for what it would be like to rely on poker for my income. it's not fun. i am moody and depressed. i was steadily building a nice bankroll, over 10k, when all i was concerned with was building a bankroll. i decided that once i hit 10k, that i would only put 25% of my winnings into my bankroll, since i have no interest in moving up anymore. since i hit my goal, it has not been pretty. i haven't really lost any money, but when i win say $600 during the week, it all goes horribly wrong over the weekend and i lose all or most of it. most of it is the cards, but i've made my share of mistakes as well. i'm constatntly looking for anything new, bonuses, rakeback, different games. posts like yours are really helpful. good luck at the job and at the tables.

[KizzleWashington]

did you ever play at bay 101 or garden city? or did you just play online?