Anyone quit their job to play poker full time and now they think that

[RobDoral]

[ QUOTE ]
...it was a mistake?

Just curious...
From
most of the posts I've read anyone who has played poker for their sole source of income
"loves it" - "would never go back to their old job" - "things are great now" - etc.
(and I would expect that majority of 2+ 2 ers to be winners in the game...)

But, I would like to hear if anyone (hope the Zoo gets lots of traffic)
thinks it was a big mistake for them to "go pro" (even if they made a lot of money...).
Other reasons could be: they are simply "not happy" - to "not feeling productive" - "lack of fulfillment" - "not feel they are doing meaningful work/contributing anything to society" - etc.

My story: I still work full time...haven't yet quit my "office drone" job, but intend to within the next 3-6 months.

Ps. Now that I think about it, being a pencil-pusher/paper-shuffler/office drone
doesn't really "contribute anything to society," so full-timers, please forgive me if that
may have insulted you! lol

[/ QUOTE ]

I'm going to skip trying to incorporate the rest of the replies and just jump in. I have a full time job but I pretty consistently win more per hour playing poker than I make in salary (but it's fairly close). I actually like my job and adding in health insurance, retirement, other benefits and the fact that I'm guaranteed a series of raises by union contract means I probably make more at my job and I certainly will in the future (but that assumes I'd stay at my current limits instead of moving up where the money I might win could surpass my salary again) . But it's still work and it sucks to have to get up every morning, put on a tie, sit in traffic. Now unlike a lot of people I work the equivalent of 10 months a year so I'll have some full time poker time during those vacation periods if I want it.

My wife actually offered to let me give pro poker a try but I decided against it for a few reasons. 1) The benefits I get in addition to salary are pretty important and the older I get the more critical they'll be. 2) Having a consistent salary means I can plan to buy a home and do other things where borrowing money is necessary 3) Poker doesn't make the world a better place and in fact it probably makes it a little worse. Now this may true of many jobs, not mine, but I really don't want to explain to my daughter that I prey upon weak and stupid people so I can take their money away (I don't have a problem doing it recreationally).

My bottom line is if you don't enjoy what you're doing for a living you should probably do something else. If that means someone wants to be their own boss, quit their job, and play poker as a pro, cool. If poker is no longer fun when you need to win to pay the bills, getting some of that pressure off your back might be worth it. Right now poker accounts for about 1/4 of what I make a year and I'm ok with that. If by some snowball's chance in hell I win a major tourney, you better believe I'm going to quit my job, but I'm personally satisfied with playing poker recreationally and buying something nice for my wife or kid (or me) when I have a good run.

[Equal]

I am going on 2 years as a pro and I love it. Almost every day I get up I can't wait to play some poker (there are some days where I dont want to play lol). I am a competitive guy and I like the fact that the amount of my paycheque depends on how well I do my job.

It's definitely not for everyone though.

[jthegreat]

I think I'd wait to see whether or not they outlaw internet gambling before I went pro.

[chief444]

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And there are definitely other players on here who just didn't like it very much,..and after 6-12 months really really disliked it.


[/ QUOTE ]
Yep.

[Tiltguru]

Depends what you are quitting. If you were the manager of burger king and you quit to play poker I highly doubt you will be feeling un-productive or be any less fulfilled then you were prior to playing poker full time. If you're saving the manatees on the other hand and you quit to sit around your damn house and try and get rich you may not feel so wonderful about yourself.

Basically I believe it depends on why you play poker. People that play strictly for the money tend to be more likely to have problems. If you are playing because you love the game, and enjoy the freedom the life style affords then you may find you feel more productive and more fulfilled.

[Guthrie]

I'd love to go back to my old job, but I've been graylisted and I'm no longer employable in my chosen field.

I'm sure most 2+2ers would love to have my old job too.

[RED_RAIN]

[ QUOTE ]
I'd love to go back to my old job, but I've been graylisted and I'm no longer employable in my chosen field.

I'm sure most 2+2ers would love to have my old job too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, don't beat around the bush or anything.

[fire_fly]

[ QUOTE ]
[ QUOTE ]
I'd love to go back to my old job, but I've been graylisted and I'm no longer employable in my chosen field.

I'm sure most 2+2ers would love to have my old job too.

[/ QUOTE ]

Wow, don't beat around the bush or anything.

[/ QUOTE ]

yeah, hell, lets here it

[AAmaz0n]

I don't think that it was a mistake. I really didn't quit my job, more like the other way around, so I kinda backed into it since I was already playing a lot in my spare time.

It can be a mistake for some folks. There is no structure, so motivation and keeping oneself well rounded can be difficult. I think that is what I struggle with the most; sometimes letting my life get out of balance. It's easy to let time slip away and grind too much and burn out while neglecting other areas of your life that are important to your health and well-being.

Other than that, it's been great. I have a hard time picturing myself ever working for anyone else again after having this kind of freedom to define how,when and where I want to work.

Shauna

[Innocentius]

For the kind of storys you are asking about (people who have seen the downside of playing a lot of poker) I think you should visit the Psychology forum, where such things are frequently discussed.