My 2 cents,

The majority of poker players should quit if they play for money, because they are never going to make any based on their play. No shame in that, i would never make it in professional golf, tennis, bowling, chess, counterstrike, or 1000's of other things. That doesnt make me a bad person nor does it make me a good person in and of itself.

Now as amateur, i certainly can play golf if i limit my risks and enjoy my time on the course. And if you spot my 36 strokes we can play for a little money, but when i play golf it is very clear to me it is for entertainment and i am not going to play for 1000 dollars knowing i am outclassed.

Poker is so full of ego maniacs that drive the poker economy. People willing to risk all their money to play with the pros because sometimes they can beat them. This is different than say golf because for me to beat SCgolfer, i would have to break his left elbow, and still he probably beats me with his right arm. I have been playing poker for 14 years or so and these ego maniacs will never go away, they will always be willing to play the pros. Always and forever, it is an addiction. If they werent playing poker they would find some other way to lose their money.

I can remember one guy who would bring his little boy and make him sit outside the pokerroom while he would proceed to annoint himself as table captain and blow up a couple 100 in a 1 to 3 omaha game. It was sick. The guy would sit there and lecture his kid to sit still and behave because Daddy had to go to work. This guy was in total denial as many players are.

It is actually a very big step for someone to admit they dont have what it takes and quit playing. Financially, it can mean the difference between constant poverty and a more financially secure life. It can mean the difference between divorce and a successful marriage. (who here would willingly live with someone pissing away all the families money, it happens all the time out there)

In short, i applaud ober's decision, it was no doubt, the best for him.

soupie