ObeyTheDog 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I've never been a very active poster. I've tried to contribute quality over quantity in the strategy forums. I've offered lessons of experience (and not necessarily lessons of wisdom) from the only perspective I know. I'm not a 'balla' or a 'wizard' or a 'gangsta'. I'm 25 years old, dropped out of college after my sophomore year five years ago, and moved to Vegas to play cards for a living.I'm not the best and I have made mistakes in this game. While I've tried to make the best decisions, I've certainily made my fair share of bad ones. I don't have the best poker resume, but for those who know me, I hopefully have a good personal one. I've loaned money to some of you, some of whom I've never met, and almost always got it back in a reasonable amount of time. When I'm at the table, I behave like a human being, taking lessons from the quiet professionals, and hopefully showing some of the personality-impaired that not all young players are disrespectful brats. I grinded from the lowest sit and go's in the glory days of PartyPoker and PokerRoom, climbed the limits steadily, and scraped enough together to buy a modest house in vegas burbs known as Summerlin. I lived an awkward existence of a young 20-something. I got to bed at a decent hour, went to Church on Sundays, and even when things were at their best for me in poker in 2007, took excellent advice from a trusted friend and went back to school to complete my degree. Before poker, it was my dream to be an English teacher. I realized that life is long enough to have multiple dreams and there is no substitution for a quality education. I also learned that while I was drawn to poker for the money, it was simply not enough. For some, it probably is and the rush of the game is perhaps enough to satisfy for a lifetime. When I was 22 and had tens of thousands of dollars, I did what most kids would do. I thought I was rich and dropped a lot of cash. I gambled, played poker, bought a car, played more poker, bought a nice watch, etc. I would move up in limits too fast, get knocked around, and drop back down. If I was steaming in a cash game or had rough tournament at a casino, I'd drop a lot of cash in the pits at casinos. It was a terrible lesson to learn, but one I'm glad I learned, because it certainly helped me come to realize just how important bankroll management is to a poker player's success. Poker is a rollercoaster sometimes as we all know. I would wake up then, cash for $10,000 in a tourney and think "Wow, I'm rich!" When I'd feel like I was playing with "free money", I always seemed to perform better. Some call this "running good" and it's purely coming from a high level of confidence. When you have a few big scores or have a solid week or month of earning tens of thousands of dollars at the tables, you start to feel invincible. For some people, this thinking is probably dangerous, but for me, it always seemed to give me that extra bit of control over the table to make perfect decisions. Earning money at poker was easy and as soon as I had enough for a house, I bought one, mostly because I hated roommates and hated the strip, so that eliminated condos/apartments. It was just me and my dog and the occasional fleeting girlfriend and that was just fine by me. I liked being able to kick my friends out at the end of the night, although I didn't mind the out of town crasher as some of you know who took over my house during past WSOPs. After a few years, I realized that for a personality like mine, a highly addictive one, poker would eventually run its course regardless of the money. I wasn't contributing anything useful to the world and I was getting bored. I was a year away from graduating and I had just met the love of my life. I knew in the first month that we were dating that I would marry this girl. As some of you know, with a serious relationship, sometimes your focus at the tables can go away. I didn't want to admit it then, but I can safely admit it now that I played badly for several months and donated a lot. I simply wasn't in the right state of mind. I was in love and happy, but not focused on the game of poker. If you take your eye of the prize, you can lose your winning edge. I'm not saying don't fall for someone. She is the best thing that ever happened to me and this last December, we got married. I've never been happier. The hunger for the game is not the same. That could be coincidental, or it might be a lesson to be learned. I loved and to some extent, still love poker, but for some people, you only have enough room to love one thing. After the 2008 WSOP, I took a nice long break from poker. I played the occasional tournament, usually on the stake of my poker brethren, but I now had a grasp on what was important in my life. I am now a few months away from completing my degree. I'm finally going to be in the classroom full time, teaching a subject I love, and filling a void that poker simply could not fill. Yeah, the pay sucks, and the hours can be long, and the gratitude nonexistent, but just like the days when I was first learning the game of poker, first grinding away those $5 sit and go's...it has me filled with excitement and anticipation of the unknown. Being a rookie again at something is a wonderful feeling because once again, I'm a student, learning, and this time, contributing and giving rather than taking. In the spirit of giving, I've decided to share these lessons. I've had the pleasure of having some of the best poker players mentor me in my journey and I'd like to pay some of that forward. If you can learn anything from my experience as a professional, then I hope my story serves you well in your progress as a player. I hope you don't repeat my mistakes and understand the trials of taking chances and doing this for a living. I know I haven't been around much this past year and maybe this explains some of that. While I certainly won't be around very much anymore, I still check in and read from time to time. I will be happy to answer any questions. I have the rest of this month off before I begin my student teaching and would also be willing to offer any insight and training in poker if anyone wants to PM me and work on their game. I can't promise perfection...just honest lessons from experience. Good luck at the tables and in life. Link to post Share on other sites
JubilantLankyLad 1,957 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 congrats and well said. you may not post a lot but you always post quality. Link to post Share on other sites
JubilantLankyLad 1,957 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 wait wait wait. is this free? BE UPFRONT DAMMIT! Link to post Share on other sites
silkyjonson 1 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 You seem like a great guy, glad to hear you are doing well. GL with teaching, you can always come back to poker whenever you feel the need. Link to post Share on other sites
steve7stud 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great story. Congrats on getting married and the new career. Link to post Share on other sites
vbnautilus 48 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 My wife won't let me play poker.;)GL teaching, Obey. Sounds like you're in a good place. Link to post Share on other sites
ObeyTheDog 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 ;)GL teaching, Obey. Sounds like you're in a good place.Thanks. The argument usually goes like this."Honey, I want to go play poker.""So go play.""No, you don't understand, I can't play poker anymore. You sucked the life out of me.""Oh, so you nicknamed it life?"/argumentOn an unrelated note, a guy at my church calls himself "Poker Player for Jesus" and knows DN apparently. Kinda made me crack up....I didn't believe him until I saw it on his business card...and there it was "Poker Player for Jesus". So THAT'S what I've been missing. Link to post Share on other sites
vbnautilus 48 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 btw, what subject are you gonna be teaching? Link to post Share on other sites
ObeyTheDog 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 btw, what subject are you gonna be teaching?English....middle school for now. We'll see how I like it and then I might move to the high school level. I think I'd eventually like to teach at the college level, so I'm going to stay in school for awhile. UNLV FTW! Link to post Share on other sites
Zach6668 513 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great post, Obey.I don't think I've met you (I'm sure I would remember, it's just that 80% of my time in Vegas is spent being drunk), but hopefully I'll have that pleasure this summer.You make a lot of points that a lot of young 'pros' don't quite get. I know I certainly didn't when I first quit my shitty job and turned pro. It's nice to have some quality insight on this board, into a profession that really isn't as glamorous as a lot of people think it is, based on what they see on TV and read about in the high stakes blogs, etc. Link to post Share on other sites
bigcoled 1 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 http://www.tworags.com/blog/bond18/post/11...etting4_betting Link to post Share on other sites
20TN40 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 OBEY!!! Just a day or two ago, I was wondering where you were and how ya been. It's great to hear that you are so happy and excited! Good luck in all you do! Link to post Share on other sites
ObeyTheDog 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great post, Obey.I don't think I've met you (I'm sure I would remember, it's just that 80% of my time in Vegas is spent being drunk), but hopefully I'll have that pleasure this summer.You make a lot of points that a lot of young 'pros' don't quite get. I know I certainly didn't when I first quit my shitty job and turned pro. It's nice to have some quality insight on this board, into a profession that really isn't as glamorous as a lot of people think it is, based on what they see on TV and read about in the high stakes blogs, etc.I don't think so. I was around a lot during the December Bellagio events in 2007, but didn't do any of the meet-ups last summer. This summer for sure, I'll stop by.OBEY!!! Just a day or two ago, I was wondering where you were and how ya been. It's great to hear that you are so happy and excited! Good luck in all you do!Thanks man. Heck it seems like years ago when we played on a team in the Sunday 100k donkament. I definitely went through a period where I felt really guilty for ignoring a lot of people last year, including really good friends and even my brother. Now that the wedding is behind me, I think i can begin to make nice now. Nah, f*ck 'em all. Link to post Share on other sites
GetSprung 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I don't think so. I was around a lot during the December Bellagio events in 2007, but didn't do any of the meet-ups last summer. This summer for sure, I'll stop by.Thanks man. Heck it seems like years ago when we played on a team in the Sunday 100k donkament. I definitely went through a period where I felt really guilty for ignoring a lot of people last year, including really good friends and even my brother. Now that the wedding is behind me, I think i can begin to make nice now. Nah, f*ck 'em all.I didn't move away! I'm still two minutes down the road please don't ignore me. Glad to hear all is well. Link to post Share on other sites
ObeyTheDog 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Author Share Posted February 8, 2009 I didn't move away! I'm still two minutes down the road please don't ignore me. Glad to hear all is well.ha. Ok, I'll help you get your GED. Link to post Share on other sites
GetSprung 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 ha. Ok, I'll help you get your GED.Uhm...I think we got lost somewhere in translation. Link to post Share on other sites
Solar 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Thanks for posting that, good read.I'm one of the ones that Zach speaks of. Reading the high stakes blogs and assuming its a super glamorous and awesome life. Not that I'm anywhere near being a 'pro'. But for now, it's on with the studies. Probably starting teachers college either half way through this year or at the start of the next. Good luck dude. Link to post Share on other sites
bigcoled 1 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great post, Obey....80% of my time... is spent being drunk...... It's nice to have some quality insight on this board, into a profession... as glamorous as a lot of people think it is...FYP Link to post Share on other sites
Merby 3 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great post Obey,You may not think you post that much, but I know that I for one always look forward to reading your threads. You have gained a lot of wisdom in your 25 years and I wish you and your wife all the best.Cheers,Meby Link to post Share on other sites
FCP Bob 1,320 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Thanks for your great post as usual.If you want it to hopefully poker can become a nice hobby for you that you do for the enjoyment and entertainment while keeping the negative elements out of it.Have a great life. Link to post Share on other sites
Darth Maple 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Great post.Best of luck in life and your chosen career path. I hope it all goes according to plan. Link to post Share on other sites
fighter 4 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I followed alot of your posts and really enjoyed them. Can you please do a poobah type post about razz before you move on. ( IIRC it was you that grinded razz live for a living, correct me if im wrong) Link to post Share on other sites
ziioo 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Glad to hear it's working out.. I get p'd off in the classroom with the best of 'em (and occasionally busted poker forum / article hopping) but if you can find a subject, students and school that you like then teaching is great. GL with everything Link to post Share on other sites
chgocubs99 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 Good luck man.You are one of the friendliest people in the poker world, and have been for awhile. You're a model for all poker players to follow when it comes to class. Link to post Share on other sites
troyomac 0 Posted February 8, 2009 Share Posted February 8, 2009 I may have asked you this before, I forget, but is your dog's name Obey, or are we just supposed to do what it tells us?Congrats on getting married, and following another dream! Link to post Share on other sites
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