Reasons to go Pro:

[Demiparadigm]

1) My job won't let me take time off for my birthday, since I already scheduled a week off during the WCOOP. My birthday is 2 weeks later. There are supposedly other people who "already requested those dates."

[jmontis]

stick it to the man

[The_Cheat]

work sucks

i had a job once, now i have cards.

[Fnord]

2. Health insurance sucks.
3. Losing your weeks' paycheck in a day or going without is less stressful than a deadline.
4. Working with other people on a daily basis is over-rated.
5. Banks love to give loans to people who regularly wager large sums of money.

[Muxy]

stick it to the man

[a500lbgorilla]

2. Health insurance sucks.
3. Losing your weeks' paycheck in a day or going without is less stressful than a deadline.
4. Working with other people on a daily basis is over-rated.
5. Banks love to give loans to people who regularly wager large sums of money.

These don't sound like good reasons at all!

-'rilla

[MannerBoy]

6. One day , if u will be good enough , u maybe just maybe meet Rilla in person

Do you see why ?

[a500lbgorilla]

6. One day , if u will be good enough , u maybe just maybe meet Rilla in person

Do you see why ?

We met in a past life.

I'm pretty sure I killed you. With a candle stick. In the Library.

-'rilla

[bencathers]

Hookers are business deductions (no hooker = less motivation to play. Less motivation = less money for the business)

[The_Cheat]

2. Health insurance sucks.
3. Losing your weeks' paycheck in a day or going without is less stressful than a deadline.
4. Working with other people on a daily basis is over-rated.
5. Banks love to give loans to people who regularly wager large sums of money.

2. private health insurance is available for anyone. cheaply for students (like myself)
3. dont play outside your roll, fnordy.
4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket
5. who needs a loan after they pull down the dang ole $5 million WSOP purse? unless you are buying an island.

[drmcboy]

2. private health insurance is available for anyone.

POTD!

[The_Cheat]

2. private health insurance is available for anyone.

POTD!

ty

[Galapogos]

7. Another stupid coworker says... "Having fun yet?"

[hydroseeds]

6. One day , if u will be good enough , u maybe just maybe meet Rilla in person

Do you see why ?

We met in a past life.

I'm pretty sure I killed you. With a candle stick. In the Library.

-'rilla

Owned. Totally owned.

RILLA FOR SUPREME COMMANDER OF THE UNIVERSE

[Fnord]

2. private health insurance is available for anyone. cheaply for students (like myself)

Yes, but it's easy to under-estimate one's expenses...

3. dont play outside your roll, fnordy.

Running bad happens and was worse than any stretch I've had durring regular employment. Then again, I'm very lucky in this reguard.

4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket

Few people could sit for hours in front of computer screens handling the frantic pace of 4+ tables at once. Also, consider that social times are when the best games are. I'm pretty darn anti-social and discovering vent was a major +EV for my endurance. With very few exceptions, people need to be around other people or they suffer.

5. who needs a loan after they pull down the dang ole $5 million WSOP purse? unless you are buying an island.

Now you're just being silly. I wish you the best.

The point I'm trying to make is don't under-estimate how much better poker is as a secondary income stream.

[hydroseeds]

Then again, you work for Blizzard.

You do know that there are jobs out there that aren't cool, right?

[SmackinYaUp]

8. Mondays
9. Moving to an eastern european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

Longest sentence in the world.

[Zangief]

9. Moving to an eastern european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

POTD!

[The_Cheat]

The point I'm trying to make is don't under-estimate how much better poker is as a secondary income stream.

i totally agree with you, i was just being a dick.

not everyone can support themselves playing poker full time. I am only living off my poker money long enough to finish med school so that i can get a real job installing fake boobs.

[™]

The point I'm trying to make is don't under-estimate how much better poker is as a secondary income stream.

i totally agree with you, i was just being a dick.

not everyone can support themselves playing poker full time. I am only living off my poker money long enough to finish med school so that i can get a real job installing fake boobs.

The fact that The Cheat is going to med school makes me fear going to the hospital, doyouseewhy?

[The_Cheat]

The point I'm trying to make is don't under-estimate how much better poker is as a secondary income stream.

i totally agree with you, i was just being a dick.

not everyone can support themselves playing poker full time. I am only living off my poker money long enough to finish med school so that i can get a real job installing fake boobs.

The fact that The Cheat is going to med school makes me fear going to the hospital, doyouseewhy?

pwned!

wait... that is me your talking about...

son of a bitch...

[elgrkn]

4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket

You go to the super market to meet people? I've always gone to the super market after 23:00 just to avoid the lines... What have I been missing?

[The_Cheat]

4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket

You go to the super market to meet people? I've always gone to the super market after 23:00 just to avoid the lines... What have I been missing?

honeys. lots of honeys

[SmackinYaUp]

4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket

You go to the super market to meet people? I've always gone to the super market after 23:00 just to avoid the lines... What have I been missing?

honeys. lots of honeys

a whole lot of honeys. big hungry honeys. so much loving you wouldn't know what to do with it all. i also suggest looking for honeys at the local narcotics anonymous meetings.

[The_Cheat]

4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket

You go to the super market to meet people? I've always gone to the super market after 23:00 just to avoid the lines... What have I been missing?

honeys. lots of honeys

a whole lot of honeys. big hungry honeys. so much loving you wouldn't know what to do with it all. i also suggest looking for honeys at the local narcotics anonymous meetings.

ya, and the internet

[Staple Gun]

4. if you want friends, join myspace or go to the damn supermarket

You go to the super market to meet people? I've always gone to the super market after 23:00 just to avoid the lines... What have I been missing?

honeys. lots of honeys

a whole lot of honeys. big hungry honeys. so much loving you wouldn't know what to do with it all. i also suggest looking for honeys at the local narcotics anonymous meetings.

Normal text was me reading, anything that is underlined and bold denotes time that I was clening the Coke i was drinking off my monitor.[/u]

[swiggidy]

9. Moving to an eastern european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

How's this working out?

[Bmxicle]

This post is pretty ironic now eh?

[ensign_lee]

uh, no? Why?

[Bmxicle]

Op = busto

There are alot of great things about being pro, but the fact that so few make it in the long run is why i advocate against it.

[elipsesjeff]

european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

Then, you grow up.

There are alot of great things about being pro, but the fact that so few make it in the long run is why i advocate against it.

I think taking the risk and realizing that it is not for you is WAY better than never doing it at all. I could be in an office right now wondering to myself 'what if I quit my job...'

Even if it DOES fail, I feel much better knowing that I tried my hardest and failed, than never tried at all.

2. Health insurance sucks.
3. Losing your weeks' paycheck in a day or going without is less stressful than a deadline.
4. Working with other people on a daily basis is over-rated.
5. Banks love to give loans to people who regularly wager large sums of money.

2) Haven't had to pay it yet, but any constant drain from the paycheck is going to suck, whether or not you realize it. Even if you had a full time job your health insurance would be deducted from a paycheck, you just would never know you had it there.

3) But is it less annoying? Sitting there doing mindless pencil pushing or keyboard typing trying to impress someone who doesnt even care about you or your family, yeah, that sounds like less stress. Tell me you aren't replacable at your job and I'll laugh your face off. They don't care about you, you quit today, tomorrow they forget about you.

4) Or do you mean under-rated? Ventrillo helps me deal with any boredom i get from playing and serves as a way to speak with other 'coworkers.' And I'm willing to bet they care more about you on Vent than most coworkers do. Plus, when was the last time a co-worker railbirded you while typing up that report on deadline????

5) This is a problem, but its not THAT hard to overcome. Building your credit early (especially while in college) is very important. I've got 2 credit cards with 5k max credit limit each, and I've only had one of them for 1 year and I'm just barely 23 years old. I also have co-signed my loan with my parents for my car and live on my own and pay my own expenses. These things build up overtime and, if you show them you have the capital and credit you'll get a loan. Also, it takes 2-3 years of previous tax returns for most gamblers to get a loan, also including an audit of your current year's earnings.

The thing you might have mentioned but didnt is: Being able to cope with a sustained period of losing and having the bankroll and mental ability to get you out of it, and, being able to get out of a sinking ship before its too late. Bankroll management is KEY and if you ever go bust while being pro, you're an idiot.

[gabe]

Op = busto

There are alot of great things about being pro, but the fact that so few make it in the long run is why i advocate against it.

he didnt really go pro did he? he was pretty bad

[Renton]

you guys are dicks

give me a strike

[Galapogos]

Done.

[Renton]

demiparadigm has done nothing to wrong anyone here and you guys are berating him like he doesn't even exist.

[boost]

demiparadigm has done nothing to wrong anyone here and you guys are berating him like he doesn't even exist.

I dont know anything about this, your statement could be true. But, its like Im in the parking lot of a shopping center minding my own business, giving my wife a beating. And here comes renton, aka Captain Save-A-Hoe, to get in the middle of my business and try to get me arrested. Maybe the bitch got outta line, maybe she deserves to face-catch the back of my hand, maybe not? Either way why do you feel that its your place to stand up and be the hero?

Its a poker forum, he made a post about going pro, since then hes gone busto. If he cant take some jokes and a little ribbing for it, then how is he ever going to suceed at poker? Please stop being so fucking touchy feely.

[Miffed22001]

Op = busto

There are alot of great things about being pro, but the fact that so few make it in the long run is why i advocate against it.

havent two people who posted in this thread gone busto...

[ensign_lee]

What is wrong with y'all? I liked demiparadigm. Why are we making fun of him?

I didn't know he went busto, but to gloat over that is HORRIBLE. Sheesh.

[thenonsequitur]

And here comes renton, aka Captain Save-A-Hoe

Did you just call Demi a Hoe?

[thenonsequitur]

What is wrong with y'all? I liked demiparadigm. Why are we making fun of him?

I didn't know he went busto, but to gloat over that is HORRIBLE. Sheesh.

I liked demi too. I agree with this quote on all counts.

[boost]

no I called my imaginary wife from the example a hoe, obv?

[gabe]

demiparadigm has done nothing to wrong anyone here

wrong

[Galapogos]

Op = busto

There are alot of great things about being pro, but the fact that so few make it in the long run is why i advocate against it.

havent two people who posted in this thread gone busto...

I have a few times laready this week, but I shouldn't count...

Anyway, I don't recall anyone bashing the guy here. There were some very honest facts and opinions but no one really went out of their way to be a dick. I think it's good to know who goes busto and such. Demi is someone I always assumed was a really good player. I don't remember why, maybe it was because of all his cool math. To know someone like that can't cut the mustard as a pro serves to show everyone how tough that move could really be.

[bigred]

group hug

[swiggidy]

group hug

QFT

I didn't know Demi went bust, I just found the discussion amusing. Demi liked math a lot, I thought that was cool.

[Demiparadigm]

FWIW, I am not totally BUSTO...

just had some personal stuff take a big chunk of my bankroll.

I am technically just "underrolled"



and lol @ gabe. The biggest douche on the forum is somehow under the impression that I have wronged people.
Find some examples, and then think about how to explain how it is worse than the crap you spew each day.

[bigred]

[Bmxicle]

I'm going to have to disagree with that statement big red

[bigred]

OMFG UR SO DUMB WTF IS WRONG WITH U WHY U SO DUMB....and so on

[Pelion]

2. Health insurance sucks.
3. Losing your weeks' paycheck in a day or going without is less stressful than a deadline.
4. Working with other people on a daily basis is over-rated.
5. Banks love to give loans to people who regularly wager large sums of money.

6. You dont have to hang around all those sarcastic schmos at the office.

[Pelion]

Demi liked math a lot, I thought that was cool.

dude its not like hes dead...



demi if youre underrolled you should probably find a way out.

underrolled + pro = pain and eventual busto

[swiggidy]

dude its not like hes dead...

I don't see his posts often. I think we operate in different realms. Plus, I thought Demi was a girl until this thread. If I continue to have a crush it would be extremely bigred.

Speaking of bigred, nice pic...

[SmackinYaUp]

european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

Then, you grow up.

What do you mean?

[bigred]

If I continue to have a crush it would be extremely bigred.

[SmackinYaUp]

Hi all, I forgot all about this thread. I've been semi-pro for at least a year and a half and 100% pro for 4 months and would like to talk about it:

-edit- ****Warning: this post is super long, boring, and egotistical, cliff notes at the end****

First of all, I am a full-time college student and have nobody else depending on me or setting expectations for me beyond going to class. That means I have no family and no bills to worry about other than my rent, electricity, girlfriend (the most expensive item in this list), and other stuff like that.

I have relied on poker for well over a year to help pay for everything except for rent and electricity. My part time work paycheck was only like $500/month but that was ok since I had poker to help.

Anyways, this May I suddenly quit my fast food job because I was getting tired of showing my face there in front of people I know and then one day the boss talked shit to me in front of customers for a good twenty minutes before I finally said my piece, threw my timeslip in his face and walked out. It was not a very well-planned maneuver to say the least...luckily, I was making more in rakeback every week than I did in a month at taco shop so I was cool. I had just moved up to 200NL.

I switched over to party, lost rakeback but I then ran super hot and made about 10k that month at 200 and 400nl. The heater continued and I made about 46k the month after that at 600 and 1kNL. I then realized that the old job had been costing me something like $200/hour.

Got a little spend-happy and bought a couple flatscreen monitors (that was actually a smart purchase) took the girlfriend on a shopping trip in kansas city where we ate at the slowly-rotating Skies restaurant on top of the hotel, bought a couple xbox360s, digital cameras, clothes, games, and other crap. Came home and bought a new PC, vid card, and laptop. It sounds sorta baller but its really not because at any moment you can be righ back to Ramen Noodles if you're not more careful than I was... You start to assume that you're gonna be making 40K a month (or whatever your best month is) every month and can get very careless.

I highly reccommend poker pros make sure that you only spend money in the form of cash or debit card - do not ever buy anything that either cuts into your bankroll or goes onto a credit card.

Went to the tax guy, found out I owed 25k in taxes, withdraw about 15k and then went on a terrible downswing from which I have never fully recovered. I went on a small 20k upswing but that was quickly followed by a 30k downswing that all started when I took a shot at 2KNL with a 20buyin bankroll (which is not nearly a big enough BR for regular play at 2KNL). The downswing followed me until last week where I have moved all the way back down to 400NL and am doing fine but have cut my spending a lot.


Remember, I am a simple college student and do not have to worry about medical insurance (military dependent), kids, other bills, etc.. So from my personal viewpoint, being a poker pro has a lot of pros:

-you have an assload of free time
-you can manage that time however you want
-do not have to request days off or miss anything going on because you have to be at work
-can make as much money as you want
-makes for fun conversations
-can get a huge financial head start over most people who just graduated

A lot of cons as well:
-you have an assload of free time
-you can squander that time however you want
-do not work with people, so going to class, coming home and playing poker can get old when the only person you interact with on a regular basis is your girlfriend. I am even a pretty social guy, have friends, and see them on the weekends but I still feel very empty/hermit-like at the end of the day. what did I contribute? who did I talk to?
-you can make as little money as you want
-other people who had real jobs during college have a huge head-start over you reference-wise, networking-wise, and social-wise.
-it can get old having people ask you "can I give you fifty bucks and you double it up?" or this one:

friend:how much did you win today?
me: about $400
friend: oh wow thats awesome, but how much did you lose?
me: i made $400. Net.
friend: yea yea but how much did you lose?????
me: i don't get the question any more. I said $400 net.
friend: right well be careful, I hope you're not going into debt...blahblahblah

But remember, this poker pro stuff is coming from my own viewpoint which is probably completely different than a lot of people and it may or may not be for everyone - I don't know. What I do know is that anyone can do it if they choose to, its really not that special.

I have never dreamed of or accepted the 9-5, get married have a couple braindead kids with a picket fence life...I am only 22 though so this might change, but for as long as I can remember that kind of thing has made me want to puke - I think its based on an old need for complete freedom complex that was instilled in me as a child of strict parents, strict schools, and self-limitation. Anyways, I have always dreamed of going into business for myself and hopefully the poker bankroll will be there to make a substantial difference when it comes time to cash it all out. If this doesn't work out, then I will probably be a 25 year old entrepreneurship major with a management minor and no work experience worth mentioning. Probably not the greatest place to be, but I can imagine it being worse.

Cliff notes:
Going pro is great/terrible because you can make/lose lots of money
No social interaction or sense of importance sucks
No assholes at work, no boss, no request for days off
Very easy to turn into a lardass too lazy to click the mouse for a couple hours a day
Going pro is easy if it fits your lifestyle

[thenonsequitur]

My thoughts: Playing poker professionally has a certain romantic appeal to it, and I can't say I don't love the idea, but when it comes down to it, it's a lot like the next job. I prefer to keep it as a stress-free but profitable hobby.

I was a professional freelance website developer for a while, and I doubt poker would much different in a lot of ways. It got to a point where I got lazy because I controlled my own hours, eventually didn't actually enjoy my work, and was always stressed about money. Now I have a 9-to-5 (still doing website development), and all those problems are gone; I enjoy my work, can't get lazy or I lose my job, and I'm never stressed about money.

I wouldn't want to ruin my poker experience by going pro. Not to dis anyone who is pro--I think it's a respectable endeavor. This is just my personal thoughts on it.

[bigred]

My plan is simply to use poker as a deposit fund for the stock market/financial market in general. It will never be my primary job as I don't thinl I'm even close to mentally stable to survive a downswing. Plus I'm not very good.

[Galapogos]

I think you're good. Very good. Respect yo'self bitch.

[bigred]

I make too many crying calls. Mainly because I'm a crybaby.

[boost]

46k at 1/2 and 2/4 is nutso!!!

anyways I think Im moving up to 2/4 soon, 20k this month would make me smile

[SmackinYaUp]

46k at 1/2 and 2/4 is nutso!!!

anyways I think Im moving up to 2/4 soon, 20k this month would make me smile

lol no way, that was at 3/6 and 5/10. Good luck with your goal, I think you can do it. 2/4 is seemed the same as 1/2 except more money for you.

[boost]

yah I hear its pretty fucking soft... gl me

[Irisheyes]

friend:how much did you win today?
me: about $400
friend: oh wow thats awesome, but how much did you lose?
me: i made $400. Net.
friend: yea yea but how much did you lose?????
me: i don't get the question any more. I said $400 net.
friend: right well be careful, I hope you're not going into debt...blahblahblah

I f'in LOVE these onversations! Especially with people who are like 40 and settled.

[ilikeaces86]

I have played professionally for the last 1.5 years. It ok. Gets pretty gay having to play during the hours that most people are having free time and hanging out since those are the softest hours. Its good because I make a lot of money. Its bad because I get very complacent and have no respect for people that make like 10$ an hour at their jobs. Im like "wtf what fing morons why don they just learn to 8 table 200NL." Overall its good but sometimes gay. The End

[swiggidy]

I f'in LOVE these onversations! Especially with people who are like 40 and dead inside.

FYP

[TerryToma]

seems like part-time is the best way to go. id like to make 35k/year playing avg 1.5 hrs/day.

having some sort of structure in one's life is +ev.

[elipsesjeff]

[quote="SmackinYaUp"]

european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

Then, you grow up.

Life is a lot more than this. It isnt even about how much money you make, but what you do with what you make is what counts. This thread is the last place for this conversation, but swiggidy's post just seemed a little 'young' and not very mature. Not that it matters or that it's important or that I'm a nit. Not unlike you going on a spending spree after being a balla after one month.

[boost]

seems like part-time is the best way to go. id like to make 35k/year playing avg 1.5 hrs/day.

having some sort of structure in one's life is +ev.

traditional 'structure' is def -ev for some. I would def :suicide: if I worked a 9-5 with little hope of advancement and just enough money to barely be able to afford one of the many hobbies I enjoy.

[SmackinYaUp]

seems like part-time is the best way to go. id like to make 35k/year playing avg 1.5 hrs/day.

having some sort of structure in one's life is +ev.

traditional 'structure' is def -ev for some. I would def :suicide: if I worked a 9-5 with little hope of advancement and just enough money to barely be able to afford one of the many hobbies I enjoy.

I agree with your sentiment boost, but I think that if you don't have a structure in place FOR you like having a 9-5 would do, then its important to create your own structure. I feel the worst and play the worst during the weeks where I have no focus or goals - I sleep in, wake up and drag myself to the computer, play for a few hours then go out and get drunk with a couple people during the week for no reason. On the other hand, I feel best when I get good sleep, work out, take a shower, and play poker in a clean setting.

[SmackinYaUp]

european nation and living in a bachelor's pad apartment above the strip and one of the hottest nightspots in the world in a country that has free healthcare (at the expenses of ridiculous income taxes which have no affect on you because gambling winnings are not taxed) and playing poker all day long at the UB 50/100NL game for a mere $500/hour (cuz you suck) while the games are hot in American time and then going down to the strip at night and meeting the dark haired goddesses of your dreams while sitting outside enjoying great food and even better drinks in front of the ocean at the slight risk of a sudden and violent regime change in which you could be tortured and killed but hey you gamble so its way worth it would be fun.

Then, you grow up.

Life is a lot more than this. It isnt even about how much money you make, but what you do with what you make is what counts. This thread is the last place for this conversation, but swiggidy's post just seemed a little 'young' and not very mature. Not that it matters or that it's important or that I'm a nit. Not unlike you going on a spending spree after being a balla after one month.

What do you mean?

How was his post immature? All he did was ask how this was going for me. The only thing he got wrong was that I actually am way more boring than my post indicated. The original post that I made was not completely serious, although you have to admit it is a nice fantasy if nothing else.

I still don't get what you're saying lol so I apologize for my stupidity. I don't understand how the calling yourself a nit comment and my spending spree tie in to this.

And now that I think about it, that spending spree took place almost exclusively during my trip which I withdrew about $3K for in advance. That isn't too bad for a once a year trip for two. That's probably pretty weak compared to most people who multitable 1kNL. Well...I do have to admit I've gotten terrible about going out to eat.

[elipsesjeff]

How was his post immature? All he did was ask how this was going for me. The only thing he got wrong was that I actually am way more boring than my post indicated. The original post that I made was not completely serious, although you have to admit it is a nice fantasy if nothing else.

I still don't get what you're saying lol so I apologize for my stupidity. I don't understand how the calling yourself a nit comment and my spending spree tie in to this.

And now that I think about it, that spending spree took place almost exclusively during my trip which I withdrew about $3K for in advance. That isn't too bad for a once a year trip for two. That's probably pretty weak compared to most people who multitable 1kNL. Well...I do have to admit I've gotten terrible about going out to eat.

Immature because most people don't know the 'behind the scenes' of being a poker player, and I get the impression that you DO and he doesn't. You and I are astoundingly similar, with both background and opinion (with an exception mine was LHE and yours was NL); we've even been pro for the same amount of time. However, I've turned into a Nit over the past year as I really don't spend very much on anything (and I imagine everyone will over the course of time). True, I've had to focus on tuition/loans/taxes which really eat a lot of winnings and inhibit the moving up progression. My comment on me being a Nit allows for my statement to be more opinionated and personal than say a general statement.

I look back and see all those $100 dinners I had as almost a waste, as they frankly were hardly worth the money I spent. I think you'll find that many professional poker players are very frugal with money, and those that multitable 1k NL probably don't go on spending sprees as much as you think they do. I'm willing to bet that ilikeaces doesn't spend a lot of money on fancy shit, especially now that he has to take care of someone.

Every 6 months or so of poker play I realize how the maturity level of myself has increased over time and realize that there's more to life than poker or money, and finding out what will make you happy is what's truly important.

Just a bunch of random thoughts and if it doesn't make any sense, don't feel bad. Its just that when I read posts like swiggidy's, i get upset as they unfairly portray a lot of professionals (even if the account was party true) and I just thought I would give a more accurate portrayal of what I believe to be true.

[SmackinYaUp]

Oh ok, got ya now. Yea, I have to agree with you on all points. I thought you thought that swiggid wrote the eastern european poker pro post - all he did was ask how it was going i believe. The post was not serious, but still, do you ever wonder if you're missing out on life by just sitting there playing poker, amassing what is pretty much a big savings or "retire" account? Some people just get up and live their dreams and visit other countries or move to someplace totally different - they just used poker as their vehicle for doing that. Its like giving yourself the gift of having the memories to look back on as you get old and the satisfaction knowing you didn't live an empty shell of a life. I really feel like doing that sometimes but have never seriously sat down and thought it all out. I think some of this wanderlust is coming from other areas of my life that have become unsatisfying lately - or I could just be crazy.

Back to topic though, yea, I've always been pretty frugal and this has helped the bankroll immensely. It can be a challenge though when you know you need to be smart but then everywhere you go people are trying to flaunt it - even though half the time the things they have aren't even really theirs. My spending habits have gotten pretty bad lately and there is nothing wrong with being a nit in that area.

One good thing I think I have taken from all this is never spending money unless I have the cash on hand. Why put it on credit or an unneccessary loan when you can instead save for a while and purchase it with no strings attached?

[swiggidy]

Ya, I kind of stirred up some shit didn't I? I just liked your "story".

I personally will never go pro. I will make a healthy sum via my career. I would have to be capable of making well into 6 figures from poker to offset the other issues.

Some people just get up and live their dreams and visit other countries or move to someplace totally different - they just used poker as their vehicle for doing that.

This is where I see my future poker career. If I can make an extra 20k+ a year, that vacation gets upgraded from North Carolina to the Mediterranean. Sure, my day-to-day life will still be under the thumb of the man, but the fun part will become outrageous.

[gabe]

and lol @ gabe. The biggest douche on the forum is yada yada yada the crap you spew each day.

[cardsman1992]

not a knock on anyone who does this for a living, I really respect people who have the discipline to do it and succeed. I do wonder how many of the people who are playing professionally (esp on here) are setting aside ANY of their winnings, firstly for emergency funds, and secondly to invest in their retirement?

Just a thought....