Well, I'm going to try it...

[Laeelin]

have decided to try to go pro!

Now stop laughing!

I’ll be just part time at first because I’m also back in school for the first time in 10 years.

Unlike the other people here who have gone pro, I’m not going pro because I am great player, I’m going pro because I can win enough to live on and I think I can become a good enough player to make good money.

I do win at the 50NL tables while multitableing, so assuming I continue to play like I have been lately I expect to make about $15 an hour.

With the experience I'll get playing so much more, I hope to be able to become a good player, and then go full time pro with nice fat paychecks!

Wish me luck =)


- David

[Estrop]

Are you getting rakeback? I like rakeback.. I play 4 50NL 6max tables and I make about $20 an hour including rakeback.

[Trikflow77]

what is the definition of pro these days?????????????

[a500lbgorilla]

what is the definition of pro these days?????????????

I'm a pro-ameteur. Or pro-am. Or Pram. Or Pam. Or Pm.

-'rilla

[Laeelin]

I'd define pro as doing something as your job.

is there another way to define it?

[FyrFytr998]

Professional Poker Player is such a jaded term nowadays. Anybody with an internet connection and time can call themselves a "pro" now.

In "MY" opinion. A true poker professional is someone who makes thier entire livelyhood playing "Live" at the casino. Plyers like Ivey, Harmon, Brunson, Greenstein, Chan. All those high stakes ring game players are true professionals to me. As well as all the regulars you see at the huge money tournies. I know winning money online is no different than live. Like I said, that is just my personal definition. I really think the number of winning online players is skewed with the ability to multi table. During live play you only have the table you're at to ply your supposed "skill".

So please don't take any offense, all you online gurus of the felt.

[DaNutsInYoEye]

In "MY" opinion. A True Poker professional is someone who makes thier entire livelyhood playing "Live" at the casino. Plyers like Ivey, Harmon, Brunson, Greenstein, Chan. All those high stakes ring game players are true professionals to me. As well as all the regulars you see at the huge money tournies.

There are many professionals that base their entire livelyhood playing live and they don't play limits anywhere near the people you mentioned. Go into pretty much any cardroom in Vegas or AC and you'll see many of these people playing 30/60, 40/80, 100/200, etc. and derive all of their income from it.

I totally agree with you that with online play the term "professional poker player" doesn't hold as near as much weight as it use to. To define a professional player as being only the highest stakes players is off base though. People playing lower stakes live can easily pull down $50-several hundred dollars/hour playing lower limits and be making as much or more than people with more conventional careers.

To limit "professionals" to only live play is incorrect as well. Look at people like Elki and TwinCaracas on PokerStars. These guys bring down literally thousands every day. There are people just like them on PokerStars and other sites doing the exact same thing. Even someone consistently bringing in a few hundred/day can earn a respectable living. Even people with other careers are making a lot of money playing part-time.

[UncleBuddy]

Professional Poker Player is such a jaded term nowadays. Anybody with an internet connection and time can call themselves a "pro" now.

In "MY" opinion. A true poker professional is someone who makes thier entire livelyhood playing "Live" at the casino. Plyers like Ivey, Harmon, Brunson, Greenstein, Chan. All those high stakes ring game players are true professionals to me. As well as all the regulars you see at the huge money tournies. I know winning money online is no different than live. Like I said, that is just my personal definition. I really think the number of winning online players is skewed with the ability to multi table. During live play you only have the table you're at to ply your supposed "skill".

So please don't take any offense, all you online gurus of the felt.

I agree with you. I refer to myself as a semi-pro player, as I am drawing a regular paycheck from poker. It's helped out a bunch and now my wife is seeing the benefits of me spending hour upon hour playing poker on the net. It also helps me kill time as I spend every other week in a hotel room somewhere for my day gig.

[Phyl]

A professional poker player is someone who derives their primary income from poker. Someone who multitables the party 1/2 successfully as their only job for minimum wage is still a pro. There isn't any skill or income level you must surpass to be granted the title of professional, just for poker to be your job.

Congrats Laeelin, best of luck.

[Gatlin Dan]

I'm a Pam.
-'rilla

This explains so much

[gutshot]

Good luck, man.

[Eric]

Laeelin,

I hope things go well for you. Be sure to give us updates.

[midas06]

Yeah, gl mate. How many FTRers have gone pro now?

[Miffed22001]

trikflow77 wrote:
what is the definition of pro these days?????????????


I'm a pro-ameteur. Or pro-am. Or Pram. Or Pam. Or Pm.

-'rilla

No.
You're a 500lb chimp wuhahahahahha :P

Good luck on the pro stuff.
Only wish i was that good.
Still building a br (and when ive got my masters degree ill be able to earn a shitload anyway.....)

[DoGGz]

Yeah, gl mate. How many FTRers have gone pro now?

Quite a few. No idea how successful some have been because we normally never hear from them again.

[journey075]

no offense or anything, but youre going pro with a 1.2k bankroll? do you live by yourself?

what is the definition of pro these days?????????????

I'm a pro-ameteur. Or pro-am. Or Pram. Or Pam. Or Pm.

-'rilla

Hi Pam.


Good luck Laaelin, hope all works out well!!

[DavSimon]

Professional: A practitioner with excellent practical skills and proven results in his field, engaged in a profession or engaging in as a profession or means of livelihood.

I don't think being a poker "pro" has anything to do with where you play (online or casino) or what stakes you play (large or small) but how you define yourself and the way you make your livelihood.

My livelihood is derived from playing poker and hopefully other poker related ventures in the future....which means that I left a 10 year conventional career behind to pursue poker as my sole source of income. I am still developing as a player and I am thankful my wife has her own business since currently I would not be able to support both of us and maintain our lifestyle on the income I derive from poker. Poker pays for our insurance (not cheap!) poker pays for groceries, poker provides fun money....but I would not be able to pay my car payment, the mortgage and all the other bills as well -yet. I have confidence I will get there. The dirty truth is that playing poker for a living is not easy....not in the least. I am having a blast pursuing this new "career" but I am here to caution everyone. Be sure you have a lot of savings, a sufficient bankroll and have a very - very clear plan.

I will succeed, I will give myself enough time to make it....I have the drive, knowhow, motivation and support to prosper. I approach poker as a business, I have a proven track record and excellent practical skills......I am a Professional Poker Player.

Laeelin, I wish you good luck and prosperity in your new career.

See Doggz....we don't ALL disappear.

[Laeelin]

no offense or anything, but youre going pro with a 1.2k bankroll? do you live by yourself?

none taken..

That 1.2k was $5.50 just 20 days ago playing a lot less than even part time.. I'd be happy with half that as an hourly scale. Several things "clicked" all at once, and I have been making good money at this ever sense. While I only have about 25k hands of history to go on, and thats not enough to be sure, it is enough that i'm willing to make the attempt...

Also, I've been self employed for years as a programmer, so it's not like I burned bridges and cant go back to my old income if this doesnt work (even ignoreing my savings)... *snicker* ... I have outs! =)

BTW: I wouldnt even think about it if I didnt have the saveings to handle several months without income. IMO you shouldnt even think about it without a good savings account.

[nomofoshobro]

let me preface this by saying that i wish you well, and if you put in your best effort, i am sure you will be successful......

......but i have to say that turning $5.50 into $1200 in 20 days sounds like you had a hell of a good run. did you have a bad run of cards in there somwhere? if not, you can be sure to expect it sooner or later. you sound like you are on top of the world right now. i just want to know if this will still be something you want to do after you lose half you bankroll to a bad run. if the answer is yes, then go for it, and i am sure you can do it.

good luck.

[Laeelin]

let me preface this by saying that i wish you well, and if you put in your best effort, i am sure you will be successful......

......but i have to say that turning $5.50 into $1200 in 20 days sounds like you had a hell of a good run. did you have a bad run of cards in there somwhere? if not, you can be sure to expect it sooner or later. you sound like you are on top of the world right now. i just want to know if this will still be something you want to do after you lose half you bankroll to a bad run. if the answer is yes, then go for it, and i am sure you can do it.

good luck.

Heh, yeah, I have had a good run, and i'm still on a good run.

I did have a very bad run a couple days ago where it felt like everytime I had a hand someone else had a better one (Bankroll went from $1032 to $639 in one long, bad, run.. KK vs AA, 999QQ vs JJJQQ and things like that.)

I do believe that I've had better than normal luck, but after 25k hands I dont think it's just luck. =)

But just in case, I'm burning no bridges, and playing it safe.

Also, if it is just a long good run and I normally make half of what i'm making now it's still good money.

This started right after several things "clicked", so I dont believe it's just luck. I think I am able to make good money doing this=)

[Irisheyes]

That 1.2k was $5.50 just 20 days ago playing a lot less than even part time..

Is there some magic secret to this that I'm missing?

I started with $10 and in a 1.5 months all I've managed is $120!?

I'm impressed.

[Laeelin]

Is there some magic secret to this that I'm missing?

Play very bad players and camp =)

edit: almost forgot... you also need 8 table! =)

[Legendash]

What irisheyes may be missing is that 25K hands is a massive number (1300 hands/day), its taken me 2 months to play 10000 so i'm not surprised your roll has increased somewhat, i only 3 table as opposed to 8 which probably makes up some of the difference but you're obviously playing a lot. Good luck dude.

[Laeelin]

50 hands/hour per table * 3 hours * 8 tables * 20 days = 24k =)

[frands1]

I wish you luck and succes in your goal!
I have a questions.
How did you start with just $5.50?

[Tim Vecchioni]

someone most likely sent it to him...

[Laeelin]

nah, i cashed out most of my bankroll, and then hit a downswing taking everything I had left... (bankroll managment is so important)

then 7sultans then sent me an email saying :

* Token Return *

The World Series of Poker qualifying level tables have closed!

We see that you still have tokens to play in 1 or more of these levels and have therefore decided to refund you on your tokens.

Your account p7sr12345678 has been credited with $5.50.

Thank you for participating in this awesome tournament and congratulations to those of you who won the seats!

[JJDylan]

dont forget to post when you go broke




nah, im j/k....good luck, i wish i could do the same...

[CCIE SOON]

Good luck dude.....FYI i found this article on Full Tilts website a few days back, its an interesting read and gives you perspective for what the definition of "Pro" has become...

http://www.fulltiltpoker.com/proLessons.php?lesson=19

[Laeelin]

Well, after the first month, I didnt have much of a profit to show. (+$1000ish), but I learned a lot, and am already up about $2000 this month (counting rakeback).

I even made a website to update with daily information to help keep me on track.

www.laeelin.com (click the messageboard link on the home page)

Things are looking good so far, though I'm dissapointed with last month, that was mostly my own fault, and now that thoes leaks are patched I'm doing a lot better.

[shazbox]

your site isn't working...hope things are still going well.

[BankItDrew]

a professional is someone who makes a living mainly from their specific profession.

[midas06]

quality bump

[gabe]

midas!

[Bmxicle]

gabe!
Midas!

[boost]

bmx?
gabe!
midas!

[Reidak]

2c flour
2 tsp baking powder (not baking soda that arm and hammer stuff)
tsp salt
1/4 cup olive oil (tastes the best)
2/3 cup milk

[flomo]

i just jerked off to an avatar back there



jesus midas!

[Bmxicle]

bmx?
gabe!
midas!

?

[mrhappy333]

WTF, 2005? there was poker back then?

[givememyleg]

That 1.2k was $5.50 just 20 days ago playing a lot less than even part time..

Is there some magic secret to this that I'm missing?

I started with $10 and in a 1.5 months all I've managed is $120!?

I'm impressed.

fish!

[frosst]

WTF, 2005? there was poker back then?

(sigh) to have started playing poker in such a sea full of fish. a dream indeed.

[boost]

still a sea full of fish imo

[mcatdog]

WTF, 2005? there was poker back then?

(sigh) to have started playing poker in such a sea full of fish. a dream indeed.

You would have been one of the fish though, back then people just didn't have access to the same training tools that we have today so you can't just assume that if you'd started 2 years earlier you would've progressed just as fast.

[frosst]

still a sea full of fish imo

o i agree there's still fish, but the way everyone talks about it back then, it sounds like at any given table there'd be 3 guys willing to stack off 2nd pr

frosst wrote:
mrhappy333 wrote:
WTF, 2005? there was poker back then?

(sigh) to have started playing poker in such a sea full of fish. a dream indeed.


You would have been one of the fish though, back then people just didn't have access to the same training tools that we have today so you can't just assume that if you'd started 2 years earlier you would've progressed just as fast.

thats true too. better to learn to be good now than to make money and not really be good and lose my bankroll after UIGA