Re: OK, so
Given your description, I say forget grad school. Unless there's something very specific that you want the Ph.D. to do, it is likely to be a big waste of time, financially if nothing else. While I don't regret coming to grad school, I don't think I'd do it again if I could start over. There is nothing stopping you, really, from doing something else and then making an effort to hang out with grad student types if that's what you want.
Given that you are presumably doing well at poker, you're probably in a somewhat better starting place than a lot of people who strike out to start a business for themselves in terms of having something to keep you fed for a bit without racking up considerable debt.
|