Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

I'm 18 and currently going to college.

Ever since i turned 18, and could legally go to my local card club I've been hooked on poker... (Was before, but not to this extent)... Anyways so I'm in college but I find myself thinking/dreaming/talking about poker 24/7 and find it very hard to concentrate on my studies and even getting to class...


MY PLAN if i drop out
I have about 4 grand I can access for my bankroll (I know that sounds low, but that's because I took most of it out to pay for college).

So 4 grand to start with
I was also a driver @ papa johns, I talked to the manager and I could come back if I do drop out. So I'm looking at at least 30hr/week-40hr/week. 15.00/hour (with tips) x 30 = 450-600 per week. So around 2,000 per month.
As for living... I'd most likely move back in with my mom (i know hahahaha) for a while until I can move up limits online and live, so living expenses would be minimal, I say 400/month with entertainment/gas/food/internet I would have to pay for.

I'd use this 2,000 grand by depositing 800/month in my online account and another 800/month (or go at least weekly with 200) playing live poker (6/12limit) Don't flame me about "you dont have the br to play 6/12..." It's a beatable game and I know I can make money on those tables.

Anyways as my BR grows both Online/Live I plan on shifting out of working 30-40 hours to eventually quit being a driver when I can sufficiently run off of Poker.



Any tips to edit this rough plan?
-Ideas, Comments, Flames are welcome

Thank You,
Sven [img]/images/graemlins/cool.gif[/img]

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

I should probably add this, I have a horrible study habbit, it is, non-existant... I'd rather watch infomercials than do hw/study for tests... I'm not dumb, I got a 33 on my ACT, I just find it hard to concentrate on boring subjects...

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]
I should probably add this, I have a horrible study habbit, it is, non-existant... I'd rather watch infomercials than do hw/study for tests... I'm not dumb, I got a 33 on my ACT, I just find it hard to concentrate on boring subjects...

[/ QUOTE ]

Don't do it. College is a great: minimum responsibility and maximum freedom. And you're a smart guy: find some classes you like.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

It's great if you love to party... Which I don't, too many people are alcohalics for me to even begin touching that [censored]. As for finding classes I like, since I'm a freshman I really cant take any of my core classes for at least another year.

I realize people just tell me "shut up and just do your studies." But since I was never challenged really in my life I find it extremely difficult setting goals to become a good student. In high school i never did homework and got good grades on tests. I do this in college now too, but since i am skipping 50% of my classes just out of laziness I feel like i'm just pissing away my money.

I know in my head I should just shut up and do it, but when it comes to it, I find something else to distract my time.

So for all of those people that say I should stay in college, what are some [censored] I can change that'll help me become more successful in college and get off my ass.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

In your situation, dropping out of college to play poker is one of the worst social and financial decisions you can make.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Seriously, I give you about a 95% chance of going BUSTO. I'm in school now and totally know what you mean about not being able to concentrate on your work, but if you drop out with a 4k roll and a $15/hr job, there's no way you are going to make this work. With some serious studying and playing, you should be able to turn your 4k roll into 20-30k by the end of this school year, if not more. Then, if you want, spend the summer working a part time job and playing poker part time. If that goes well, consider not going back to school next year. But to drop out now would be asking to go broke.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

I'd seriously consider checking out the Legislation forum at 2+2 before you make any rash decisions today.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Sven,

Poker is much much more enjoyable as a hobby. After reading your post, I think dropping out sounds like a horrible choice, for both financial and social reasons.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Horrible. You don't have nearly enough money to drop out of college. Dick around for the next four years and get your degree. If you are really good at poker you will have at least 100k by then, probably more. Then you can play poker if you want.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Do yourself a favor and read Professional Poker by Mark Blade before you spend even one more second thinking about this.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]
It's great if you love to party... Which I don't, too many people are alcohalics for me to even begin touching that [censored]. As for finding classes I like, since I'm a freshman I really cant take any of my core classes for at least another year.

I realize people just tell me "shut up and just do your studies." But since I was never challenged really in my life I find it extremely difficult setting goals to become a good student. In high school i never did homework and got good grades on tests. I do this in college now too, but since i am skipping 50% of my classes just out of laziness I feel like i'm just pissing away my money.

I know in my head I should just shut up and do it, but when it comes to it, I find something else to distract my time.

So for all of those people that say I should stay in college, what are some [censored] I can change that'll help me become more successful in college and get off my ass.

[/ QUOTE ]

If you lack the discipline to grind a few classes, can you really expect to grind poker 8-12+ hours a day, 5+ days a week? Yes it's fun, and you obviously have a passion for the game, but grinding the tables, sweating the bankroll, it can take a toll. It's the hardest easy living to be made.

If you bust, what would you have to fall back on? You'd be dead broke and uneducated. You'd end up a 30 yr. old pizza delivery man. Not a pretty picture

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

do yourself a favor and read the legislation forum

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Most of the 'top' poker players are really 'smart'. Many of them have degrees, masters, Phd's, etc... If you are smart, you would get your 4 year then start playing. You can always find a job if things do not work out. You probably have not had a downwards variance swing for a few months...

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]
Don't flame me about "you dont have the br to play 6/12..." It's a beatable game and I know I can make money on those tables.

[/ QUOTE ]


It doesn't matter that the game is beatable.
Any game will still have variance. You are not guaranteed to win at all.

The reason why you don't have a large enough bankroll is because you can't ensure that you have enough to ride through these swings.


The fact that you think you can get away with saying, "I know i can beat this game. So having a short-bankroll is okay" indicates that you just don't understand the point of having a bankroll in the first place nor do you understand the significant chances of losing even in a game where you believe you are a big favorite.


With your bankroll and I'm guessing your relative lack of experience in the game your idea is a ridiculously terrible mistake.
Your 18.
Stay in school.

As has been pointed out before, if you really have what it takes then you can make a ton of dough WHILE you are taking your classes and you can have a boat-load by the time you graduate.


Even staying with it for a yr or two and then having a boatload when your 20 and THEN deciding if you want to continue school would be a MUCH better plan than your current one.


You should seriously consider listening to the advice here because so many different 2+2'ers are actually agreeing on how obviously wrong your plan is.
There have been several players who have a plan of leaving school or their job and give their background and if they have a good chance of making it work then 2+2'ers aren't shy about telling him to 'go for it'.

But you definitely don't make the cut with this really iffy plan.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

YOu obviously have not been reading the legislation forum. Poker is here today, gone tomorrow. DOnt be stupid. College is extremly beatable.

If you are as smart as you say, then you can get by with avergae grades and not even trying. I know many students who got C's and even B's with bare minimum effort.

Studying only takes 1-2 hours a day. IF THAT.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Is there any way that you could set a webcam up so we can watch you freak out when you crash and burn?


I could've easily gotten in 20 hours a week of 6 tabling while i was in college and done well at school. If you're half decent, playing that much should be pulling in assloads even at stakes as low as 2/4 limit.

Realistically, you wont ever want to play more than 20 hours a week anyways. You might as well have somehting else to do in your off hours.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

OP,

Dumbest. Idea. Ever. Read legislation forum.

Thanks,

jrbick

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

only upside of the new legislation: no more of these threads

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

DO IT.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Go to school at least part time.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

drop out IMMEDIATELY. close this window and cancel your admission to whatever university. DO IT QUICK.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Sounds like a brilliant idea. The pizza delivery part anyhow. I'll take a large hawaiian, cheesey garlic bread, and some wings.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

School by day, poker by night.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Sven your either a complete loser or an idiot to think of dropping out of college so you can sit in front of your computer all day.

Here's an idea..schedule all your classes for two days...M/T, M/W etc
Play poker, get wasted, screw girls, live the good life(its all downhill after college) as much as you liek for the 5 other days of the week.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

You could easily make it. You'd have to practice good bankroll management at all times, and make regular cashouts. It's doable. The advantage you have is that you're young and have no dependents, and have a job to go back to. From that POV, I see no reason why not to give it a go.

However, I've been in your shoes. I AM in your shoes, in fact, and I'm pretty much busto and will most likely have to go back to work in the next month. Given, this is due to bad roll management, but it is easy to do even if you are very disciplined.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]

only upside of the new legislation: no more of these threads

[/ QUOTE ]

No, they'll just be replaced by "Should I move to <AC, Vegas, LA, etc> to play poker professionally???"

J

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]
You'd have to practice good bankroll management at all times

[/ QUOTE ]


Would heading out to the B&M to grind it out at the 6/12 with a whopping $200 qualify?

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Dude get some education 1st its not so easy as it seems and 4000$ is nothing. I have couple friends who didnt want to go to college and after 7 yrs they still working [censored] jobs.

Plus they banned online poker for US recently [img]/images/graemlins/frown.gif[/img]((

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Dropping out of school to put in 30-40hrs/week at Papa Johns instead of playing poker? Isn't playing poker the whole point in dropping out not to have some crappy job?

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]
In your situation, dropping out of college to play poker is one of the worst social and financial decisions you can make.

[/ QUOTE ]

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

If you got a 33 on the act, go to some state college which will give you a full ride or almost a full ride (i know b/c well, i got a 33 and have a box full of full ride offers in my basement), play poker online in your spare time, which will be an fing ton since your classes will prob be easy to you, get a degree, and get wasted/bang chicks while you are at it.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

very nice hand

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Easy preflop fold. Keep it as a hobby for 5 years and then decide again.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

go for it mate!! you only live once!!

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

I cant really offer anything totally original to this thread but I would like to reiterate the thoughts of many.

Its probably the worst thing you will ever do for numerous reasons.
I quit university because I hated it and I currently make a living gambling on the internet and it bores me to death. Yes, the money is good but seriously what are your expectations? Unless you are a superstar it becomes a definate grind and you WILL become withdrawn/put on weight/ have mood swings etc because of it. Theres also a serious issue of self worth to consider as well because take it from me, sitting playing poker all day, every day does nothing for your self-esteem.

Also, as others have mentioned have a look at the legislation of online gambling because its uncertain at the minute.

Im very fortunate to have other irons in the fire for the future and, in all honesty, I still live like a student anyway, so its not so bad, but if I planned on doing this forever I would go crazy.

Take a long look at yourself, your ambitions and where you see yourself in the next 5/10/20/40 years before you take this seriously.

Good luck.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

the self-worth issue long-term is definitely worth considering.


IMO, any males in the college age-range should be prioritizing going out with friends and/or meeting girls. Not staying home on your computer all day (says the guy with 9-zillion posts on 2+2).

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

[ QUOTE ]
IMO, any males in the college age-range should be prioritizing going out with friends and/or meeting girls. Not staying home on your computer all day (says the guy with 9-zillion posts on 2+2).

[/ QUOTE ]

Its kinda weird for me because I'm not in school, and this would be my 5th and last year if I were going the entire year. I've already done enough partying and don't need to get crazy every night so I have no problem playing as much online poker as I need to.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

getting crazy every night or partying is different than having some sort of social-life that includes friends and/or a girl.

My take is that the internet is so prevelent now that there are lots of borderline shut-ins who just don't get out very much.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

You are an IDIOT.

Re: Thinking of Dropping Out - My Plan
 

Sven,

Can you drop out without destroying your GPA? This might seem like a small concern, but you can really make it hard to change you mind in the future if you dig a deep hole grade-wise.

You’re asking for random advice, so here goes. If you are putting zero in to college, you’re going to get zero out. The whole learning thing only works based on what you put in to it. If you are smart enough, you can fake your way through and get a nice diploma. The real-life value of that piece of paper is somewhere between zero and something. If you go to school and get an education, you end up with something truly valuable.

Based on what you said, you may not be ready for college. There’s no sin in that. You might be better off admitting it before you get 3 semesters of 0.00 GPA that will drag down any future plans. I know several people who wished that they had taken a year off before they started school. From that point of view, I have no issue with a poker playing holiday.

A lot of people took issue with your statements about being a professional poker player as an alternative. You mentioned having near-zero expenses and an outside income for new buy-ins, so you have very little chance of being truly broke. The thing is that with a $4k bankroll and only playing $6-$12, you also have little chance of making a substantial living. Maybe after a year of playing you’ll have a 6-figure roll and know that you can beat big games consistently. Most people here say that this isn’t the likely scenario.

If you need some time to get your head around the meaning of higher education, go for it. Work some lousy jobs, travel the lower 48 playing in home games, learn the life of a poker pro, or anything else you want. Not many people turn this hobby in to a living, but you might be one of the lucky few. Manage the discipline to leave college in good shape, so that you can return if you want. For someone who is planning on managing a large bankroll, this shouldn’t be a huge step.

Good luck.

Doug