Semi-Pro Question (First Post)

[borgataboy7]

my schedule right now is that I work my regular job from 10-6:30 PM M-F. I usually get home by 6:45, and take an hour to eat, relax, whatever. At about 8 PM, Im jumping on to 2-4 tables, playing for 3 hours on average. Im generally not well rested or completely focused when Im playing, as the tv is generally going or Im multitasking. On the weekends, I almost always play live, about 18 hours, but sometimes I stay home and play less hours online. Lately its been all limit, with a NL MTT thrown in.
As far a "pro" bankroll goes, Im hearing differing opinions here, from 500bb to 1000bb +. I know some decent players that go through massive swings, but somehow end up ahead. Id much rather make less and take fewer swings. Id be more than just fine making 150bb a month plus rakeback. Im not the most solid limit player, but Im disciplined enough to be a small winner.

I would ideally have something like 2000 BB plus expenses if I were to play without a backup plan. I feel I can find a comparable job within a month or two if things dont work out, so it might be worth the risk with 600 BB or so. I dont have enough stats on myself to be this confident tho...

[tessarji]

I would recommend establishing good habits from the beginning.

Turn off the TV and close your internet browser. I think listening to music is fine if you need more stimulation.

Take a break every hour at first, for 15 minutes. Stand up, stretch, take a snack if you are hungry.

When you start feeling like you don't want to play any more in a day, go to your blinds and then immediately stop.

This will help prevent burnout particularly at first, and if you do well you can consider relaxing these rules.

[borgataboy7]

This might be on the opposite end of the spectrum here when it comes to developing good habits, and it might label me as a donk, but...What about these "calculator" programs that seem to be flooding the market? Are any of these things useful, does anyone use them? Are they going to give me any real insight? Also, old articles seem to suggest that poker bots are on the verge of ruining online poker. Does any of that have merit these days, or are people still using these bots?
I know this may come across as completely noobish but Im just curious.

[swope]

you should get yourself a pattern mapper, ldo.

[borgataboy7]

despite working in the tech industry I know very little about all these poker tools. I was just curious. Anyhow, its probably better for me to make my own decisions.