i'll no longer be living 'the life'... *updated*

[finztotheleft 0]

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 0]

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 0]

good luck, dudley. best wishes.aseem

[RyanM 0]

This was a great post, thanks.

[AKoffsuit 0]

This was a great post, thanks.

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

[No_Neck 0]

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 0]

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 0]

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 0]

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 0]

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

[ddudley 0]

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.

Most of the 18 months I spent playing one table at a time on an old laptop. Two months ago I bought a new computer with a 20" monitor so I could multi-table. Now I play 1, 2 or 3 tables at a time. The original intention was to see if I could 4 table for 35-40 hours per week. I quickly learned that multi-tabling was not really what I was looking for in poker. I like to take time to think about what I'm doing and make the right play 100% of the time. That's just not possible for me when I'm playing 3 tables (never even got up to 4). I was also making way too many mistakes and mis-clicks with 3 tables running. On top of that it took all the fun out of the game. No use in playing poker for a living if it's not fun...I mostly play at Pacific and Party, but I occasionally play Bodog, Paradise and PokerRoom. I've also tried UB and FullTilt but found them to be way too rock infested at 5/10 and above.I too, was putting too much pressure on myself to win. That just doesn't work, you can't force the cards to do what you want. When I can just concentrate on making each play on each street correctly then I play much better and enjoy the game a lot more. I can always tell when I'm playing well because I totally forget about money and wheather I'm up or down... I'm totally focused on each individual play. I probably need to go back and read "Zen and Art of Poker" again. It's a great book if you havent read it yet.

[ddudley 0]

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

I've played at the Bay101 three times. Never played at Garden City. Didn't really like playing there. Tables are very loose passive. Gererally, I don't enjoy playing live. I think theres a previous post about this subject if you want read more about why.

[ddudley 0]

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.

I've had a good week so far, up over $1200. Knock on wood.

[gobears 0]

Good Luck OP - I think that living in the bay area makes it very tough to play poker professionaly. With the high cost of living, you'd have to multi-table at fairly high stakes to maintain a decent standard of living.If you decide to go back to playing poker full-time, is there any reason why you wouldn't relocate to a cheaper locale?Also, I have played in one MTT at Bay 101, terrible structure as the blinds increase so fast that it's equivalent to a turbo online tourney with much higher fees.

[ddudley 0]

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 wouldn't have believed it could be that bad for that long, if I hadn't been through it myself. I tend to spring leaks after I've had a really good run of cards. I start to think I can't lose and play way too many hands way too far. I could attribute the first 3 weeks to leaks, after that it was an insanely long run of really bad cards. There were mistakes made but, no more than when the cards are running good.

[ddudley 0]

If you decide to go back to playing poker full-time, is there any reason why you wouldn't relocate to a cheaper locale?

I should relocate but that probably won't happen. GF is from California and wants to stay here. We have thought of moving to San Diego but it's just as expensive down there.

Also, I have played in one MTT at Bay 101, terrible structure as the blinds increase so fast that it's equivalent to a turbo online tourney with much higher fees.

Good to know I was right about the structure and never wasted my money.

[brian67 0]

Wow i didn't know i had so many locals on this forum. I live right by garden city, and i play there and bay 101 all the time. What limits do you guys play there, and how often do you go?

[UNCpoker 0]

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 wouldn't have believed it could be that bad for that long, if I hadn't been through it myself. I tend to spring leaks after I've had a really good run of cards. I start to think I can't lose and play way too many hands way too far. I could attribute the first 3 weeks to leaks, after that it was an insanely long run of really bad cards. There were mistakes made but, no more than when the cards are running good.

Hang in there, when the cards start running bad, how much do you tighten up your starting hands? I know if I am running bad, or have had several bad beats, I get really tight for a bit.Just hang in there, if you are playing correctly it will come around in a big way.

[Abbaddabba 0]

Though i have minimal experience, i think that if you really were intent on playing cards for a living, it would be best to take a dealing job on the side initially to suppliment your income.Not only is it a steady income, but you also get to 'learn' while being paid. Instead of having to use your spare time to study the game, you can get paid to do it. If the casino allows it, you can just as soon join in on the juicier games after you finish your shift. That's what i want to do this summer. I'd probably play 3/6-5/10 on the side, without dipping into my living expenses that're funded by the dealing job and take it from there. Rent a place with a couple of friends in Niagara... and go with it. With three casinos around and two running 24 hours, it shouldnt be hard to find a game at all hours at any limit i can play. Plus - niagara is notorious for having horrible players.I dont really care so much about making a killing - if i built enough to comfortably play at the 10/20, i'd be content. I think it'd be fun. I doubt ill get a chance later in life.

[koolromeo 0]

Though i have minimal experience, i think that if you really were intent on playing cards for a living, it would be best to take a dealing job on the side initially to suppliment your income.Not only is it a steady income, but you also get to 'learn' while being paid. Instead of having to use your spare time to study the game, you can get paid to do it. If the casino allows it, you can just as soon join in on the juicier games after you finish your shift. That's what i want to do this summer. I'd probably play 3/6-5/10 on the side, without dipping into my living expenses that're funded by the dealing job and take it from there. Rent a place with a couple of friends in Niagara... and go with it. With three casinos around and two running 24 hours, it shouldnt be hard to find a game at all hours at any limit i can play. Plus - niagara is notorious for having horrible players.I dont really care so much about making a killing - if i built enough to comfortably play at the 10/20, i'd be content. I think it'd be fun. I doubt ill get a chance later in life.

i think that dealing is a great idea. the dealer is the only one at the table that is guarantted to make money.

[Fullhouse7 0]

I posted this elsewhere, but for the vast majority here or anywhere, a P/T or F/T job is +EV. It gives me a more balanced view of life, even though it is working for the man (however, we all work for the man/woman due to BILLS). Watch the video (about 7-8 mins)----http://www.pokerbustouts.com/content.phpFullhouse7 :wall:

[ddudley 0]

Though i have minimal experience, i think that if you really were intent on playing cards for a living, it would be best to take a dealing job on the side initially to suppliment your income.

A good idea and one I considered briefly.How much do dealers make per hour? It would have to be $40 or more to make me seriously consider it.

[ddudley 0]

I posted this elsewhere, but for the vast majority here or anywhere, a P/T or F/T job is +EV. It gives me a more balanced view of life, even though it is working for the man (however, we all work for the man/woman due to BILLS). Watch the video (about 7-8 mins)----http://www.pokerbustouts.com/content.phpFullhouse7 :wall:

It's good to get a look at the dark side of poker. But, you have to ask yourself, what do all these people have in common?Answer: They would be complete losers even if they never played a hand of poker.If you don't have the intelligence, disciplin and emotional control to be successful at something else, you'll never be sucessful at poker either.

[UNCpoker 0]

Though i have minimal experience, i think that if you really were intent on playing cards for a living, it would be best to take a dealing job on the side initially to suppliment your income.

A good idea and one I considered briefly.How much do dealers make per hour? It would have to be $40 or more to make me seriously consider it.

That can vary from place to place and also if you keep your tips or have to split them even with other dealers or give a percent to the wait staff/floor helpers.

[Abbaddabba 0]

How much do dealers make per hour? It would have to be $40 or more to make me seriously consider it.

I sincerely doubt that it's that much.