Having a "Real' Job

[golfnutt]

I have seen so many posts where having a 'real' job is seen as anathema. I don't need to rehash them, but having a corporate job ain't that bad.

Here are the benefits from my job:
1) Structure
Oddly enough, I need this. If I don't have some deadline of sorts or having to report my work, I will absolutely goof off. I have learned this about myself. When I was playing poker full-time, I wouldn't even have 'time' to work out. Now I work-out 6 days a week.

2) Steady paycheck.
Same amount every 15 days. But it is a very healthy amount and it more than covers all my expenses.

3) Interaction.
I hated going to casinos because of the people there. Just weren't my type. And Internet play doesn't provide much either. I need forced interaction or I probably would have become like the Unabomber and fire off manifestos. Also, my job challenges me everyday. Much more than learning how to play suited connectors from middle position.

4) Skill learning.
I could get a job within +/- 20% of my current salary in one month if I got laid off. I have built a solid network and have generated transferable skills.

5) Society.
I hate falling into the traps of societal pressure as much as the next person but there is something very strange about saying you play poker for a living. There are some that are very interested, but many view you as a degenerate gambler.

6)Other benefits.
I get a car allowance. My company has a suite for hockey and baseball games. I have an expense account. I have 5% matching 401k. I get 4 weeks paid vacation. I get 80% of my health care paid for.

7) Poker
I can still play poker. I get in maybe 12 hours a week and I don't have to worry about relying on it which has allowed my game to flourish. And I find it fun again. Clicking a mouse for hours a day is rather repetitive and dull.

For those that say I failed as a poker pro, you are right. I was a spectacular failure. Not on the monetary side, but as a passion. If you are not passionate about it, you are doomed to failure.

Cheers

[Rek]

And?? Not sure of the point in posting. Poker as a living is not for everybody. To start with not everybody is good enough. We are all different - horses for courses. Nothing wrong with your choice for you.

[RustyBrooks]

I think I recall Alan Schoonmaker saying that poker is a really nice 2nd side job but for most people, not a good primary job.

[Henry17]

I could respond to each item but that would take too long. If you are happy then you made the right choice. Starting a thread though implies a need to justify your choice which makes me think that at some level you might be envious of people who choose a different route.

[golfnutt]

[ QUOTE ]
I could respond to each item but that would take too long. If you are happy then you made the right choice. Starting a thread though implies a need to justify your choice which makes me think that at some level you might be envious of people who choose a different route.

[/ QUOTE ]

I could respond to each one too. Very easily.

Not envious at all! I wish the very few that can and WILL pull it off all the world has to offer.

My point is that a job ain't that bad as the teeming young masses of 2P2'ers reckon it to be.

[Henry17]

[ QUOTE ]
My point is that a job ain't that bad as the teeming young masses of 2P2'ers reckon it to be.

[/ QUOTE ]

That depends on their priorities and preferences.

I am sympathetic to your position in that I feel that a lot of these people don't have enough accurate information to make an informed decision. This might lead to a bad outcome but people make decisions from imperfect information all the time so it is their choice.

[OnYourBike]

It usually depends on what kind of job you are giving up. Most people aren't giving up careers or high ranking positions. Most are people who have just graduated or left school, have only just started their career or work menial jobs.

[Yoshi63]

Care to expand on what exactly your job is, and what you do in it?

[ReMMy]

Of course you are going to choose a day job over poker. People play poker for a living full time when it no longer makes sense to have a day job. Your job description puts you so far above where the majority of people on this forum would fit into the corporate world that your points while valid for you are meaningless to them.

The higher your corporate potential, the higher your poker ability needs to be in order to ignore said potential. Joe Nobody who left his job at Best Buy could be 1/3 the player you are and not even consider going back to work.

If you have to think about, weigh options, or ask for advice/validation, then professional poker isn't for you. The answer to the question of whether one should go pro is simply that the question should never be asked.

[golfnutt]

[ QUOTE ]
It usually depends on what kind of job you are giving up. Most people aren't giving up careers or high ranking positions. Most are people who have just graduated or left school, have only just started their career or work menial jobs.

[/ QUOTE ]

Precisely! My first job out of school I made $25k a year. That was $12.50 an hour. But that was a critical job that afforded me the opportunity to be where I am today.

That is why it is my opinion that those 'low-ranking' jobs are more important than a 'high-ranking' job. That is where you learn everything. You are paid many times over in experience. Plus, those jobs are made for young people. You don't see people in their 30's starting as financial analysts.


I work in finance for a private equity group.