I'm going to get flamed: Day Job vs. Poker...

[killakev]

I didn't see any other forum to put this in so I'm hoping it falls under the "views" portion of this forum. Feel free to gang flame me.

I just put up a new blog (shameless plug) and it brought me to the point of wondering what other regular workers and also professional players thought about this (I'm somewhat successful at poker and really have no friends who are pros outside of one who just quit his job and that's only because he's good friends with a successful pro)...

What are the benefits of playing poker? Aside from the money?

What's the hardest thing about turning pro?

Is there anyone who misses the consistency of their day job after turning pro?

All thoughts are welcome and if anyone has any stories about turning pro or going back to a day job, I'd love to hear it.

Thanks.

[The Icon]

i'm a 19 year old student who had previously only ever played online poker for my $$$. (played when underage).
I actually got a job this summer for the job experience more than anything (obv giant paycut from poker) and I find that I enjoy poker a ton more than I used to and as a result play better.

[myke11]

I worked and totally hated it so i quit. I find it hard to work for people and i love the flexibility poker gives me.

[Crazy Porto]

What are the benefits of playing poker? your freedom and doing what you like.

What's the hardest thing about turning pro? putting in the hours and dealing with variance

Is there anyone who misses the consistency of their day job after turning pro? i don't think so..

[FortWorthJim]

I haven't worked in more than two years, but I am starting a job search now.

I burned out after two years of almost exclusively live play. Poker absolutely became a job like any other job, something I was not excited at all about waking up and doing.

I will be far better off having a real job and playing poker on the side when I feel like playing, with no pressure.

You have to know yourself. You really do need to LOVE poker to play full-time professionally. You need to get excited about playing every day, playing as long as you need to while the game is profitable.

I don't think I have ever loved poker. I like poker. But I think in the end, I was more drawn to the mental competition and easy money than the game itself.

[pig4bill]

Why do you have to LOVE poker to make a living from it? Do you think bus drivers LOVE bus driving?

[manub]

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you have to LOVE poker to make a living from it? Do you think bus drivers LOVE bus driving?

[/ QUOTE ]

Well, bus driving can hardly drive you crazy for months. You know what Poker can do to you during a really bad run of cards... It's easier if you love the game.

[glimmertwin]

[ QUOTE ]

Is there anyone who misses the consistency of their day job after turning pro? i don't think so..

[/ QUOTE ]

Bobby Baldwin, maybe?

[FortWorthJim]

[ QUOTE ]
Why do you have to LOVE poker to make a living from it? Do you think bus drivers LOVE bus driving?

[/ QUOTE ]

Bus drivers have to go to work because they will get fired if they don't. Their performance is unlikely to suffer because of their emotion.

Poker players can cut their hours or just play worse if they are unhappy.

[Lurker.]

no medical or dental plans and stuff is key....