Trees879 Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Been playing for around 6 years, only more seriously for around 6 months. Lost $2000-$3000 over those years. When I first started playing poker it looked like a promising way to make a living. Then, as I started playing more and more, (culminating this past week), I realize that poker is a very difficult (and somewhat miserable) way to make a living. I can't tell you how many thousands or even tens of thousands of hours that I've spent playing poker with nothing to show for it. And those lost hours are something that I'll never be able to get back. (and I'm only 18). I'll be attending university in September (for math/finance) and I was hoping to play poker during those next few years as a way to make a living. I want/wanted to be a winner at poker, and have put in many hours of study, but sitting in front of a computer screen for 9-12 hours, only to breakeven or even lose 10+ buyins is frustrating as hell. I decided to post it here, seeing as the advice is generally alot better than in other parts of the forum. I know that ultimately only I can answer this question, but I'm looking for feedback from other people who are in, or have been in, similar situations. I'm leaning towards calling it quits, as most pros probably don't make over $100K, and yet there are so many other professions (within the realm of entrepreneurship and financial management, which I someday hope to enter) that do. In other words, it seems alot more +ev to be the operator of a poker site (or any business for that matter) than a player. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
deadlydaveLDN Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? You don't enjoy poker, you don't win at poker and you'll be going to uni where there are so many better ways to spend your time that playing poker. Pretty obviously, you should at least be taking an extended break to enjoy uni, if not quitting entirely. Edit : take this from someone who wasted a lot of time/opportunities at uni. It's all worked out ok in the end, but I still wish I'd put a lot more into/got a lot more out of that experience. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
wurzel133 Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? yes quit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ThePokerPad Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? I'd have a break and when you do return, just play when you feel like it and turn the computer off when your not in the mood to play. You will be a lot happier making money as an entrepreneur than playing poker full time, may as well get the best of both worlds by keeping poker as a hobby. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BAM Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? yes quit Yes, there is more to life than money and poker, you have your whole life in front of you don't blow it now. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
rossom Posted February 20, 2011 Share Posted February 20, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? I wouldn't say quit completely, but I would definitely suggest toning down your playing time substantially. Its fine if you play poker on odd occasions that your free and if you find it enjoyable. However, it seems that you have perhaps become disillusioned with the game. This may be just that you are putting yourself under pressure to play for vast periods daily. If I was you I would take a break from poker, and perhaps play sporadically and see how that goes. However, don't pressure yourself to try make a living off it, as poker will always be there after College. Get your degree first and than, if you still want to, you could try your hand at making a living off it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? I wouldn't say quit completely' date='[/quote'] He's not enjoying it and not making money - seems like a no brainer to me to quit! I cant see any real reason for him to play. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaulc Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? confused, you state in brackets you are only 18,yet your age in your profile is 23, i would go back to primary school 1st before doing a math/finance at Uni. and yes definately quit Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? 18 and playing for 6 years - started when you were 12? :loon And at the age of 12 you thought it "looked like a promising way to make a living"? :lol :lol :lol Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
everyone Posted February 21, 2011 Share Posted February 21, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? try short stack strategy i think it will help you Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DogsTrust. Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? I realised a long time ago that very few people are good enough at poker to make a living from the game. Like any sport ( if it is a sport? ), there are very few Beckhams and Phil Taylors at the very top of their chosen game. However , there are many thousands of amateurs in the UK who compete and gain enjoyment from taking part. I am not saying amateurs aren't trying their hardest to win, but more than anything it is about having fun rather than being dependant on poker to put food on the table. My advice would be to regain your love for playing poker and forget about the glitz and glamour shown in magazines and on tv. At the end of the day there are only a handfull of players good enough to live the champagne lifestyle. We all secretly strive to play poker at the highest levels and prop up the old pay check with a EPT bankroll booster, however a bit of realism is needed with a game like poker. Play poker for fun, stick in at University and don't do drugs :lol . ( Deep down, I still want to be a pro as well :lol ) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
teaulc Posted March 22, 2011 Share Posted March 22, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? I realised a long time ago that very few people are good enough at poker to make a living from the game. Like any sport ( if it is a sport? ), there are very few Beckhams and Phil Taylors at the very top of their chosen game. However , there are many thousands of amateurs in the UK who compete and gain enjoyment from taking part. I am not saying amateurs aren't trying their hardest to win, but more than anything it is about having fun rather than being dependant on poker to put food on the table. My advice would be to regain your love for playing poker and forget about the glitz and glamour shown in magazines and on tv. At the end of the day there are only a handfull of players good enough to live the champagne lifestyle. We all secretly strive to play poker at the highest levels and prop up the old pay check with a EPT bankroll booster, however a bit of realism is needed with a game like poker. Play poker for fun, stick in at University and don't do drugs :lol . ( Deep down, I still want to be a pro as well :lol ) :clap:clap:clap Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esox Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? Been playing for around 6 years, only more seriously for around 6 months. Lost $2000-$3000 over those years. When I first started playing poker it looked like a promising way to make a living. Then, as I started playing more and more, (culminating this past week), I realize that poker is a very difficult (and somewhat miserable) way to make a living. I can't tell you how many thousands or even tens of thousands of hours that I've spent playing poker with nothing to show for it. And those lost hours are something that I'll never be able to get back. (and I'm only 18). I'll be attending university in September (for math/finance) and I was hoping to play poker during those next few years as a way to make a living. I want/wanted to be a winner at poker, and have put in many hours of study, but sitting in front of a computer screen for 9-12 hours, only to breakeven or even lose 10+ buyins is frustrating as hell. I decided to post it here, seeing as the advice is generally alot better than in other parts of the forum. I know that ultimately only I can answer this question, but I'm looking for feedback from other people who are in, or have been in, similar situations. I'm leaning towards calling it quits, as most pros probably don't make over $100K, and yet there are so many other professions (within the realm of entrepreneurship and financial management, which I someday hope to enter) that do. In other words, it seems alot more +ev to be the operator of a poker site (or any business for that matter) than a player. When you get to uni, why not try to pick up a job dealing if you have a casino local to help with your finances and use the experience to learn lots for free? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GaF Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? When you get to uni' date=' why not try to pick up a job dealing[/quote'] Just dont get caught or else you're likely to miss your exams through being banged up! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Belgareth Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? I think the dealing idea that ESox suggested is a great idea. That way you will be learning more about the game and give you an idea if you want to spend a lot of time playing. But if you got a good financial mind then there are definatly ways of making more money then you would playing poker if your not passionate about it. Good luck at Uni hope you enjoy. :beer Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
PGremlin Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? How much does a job being a pokerdealer in a local casino pay? And what hours? Can that be combined with a full time study? Might be a way for PL live events to get a experienced pokerdealer :ok Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
avongirl Posted March 24, 2011 Share Posted March 24, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? Might be a way for PL live events to get a experienced pokerdealer :ok We've already got one. :ok (actually, more than one I think) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
babyroxanne Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? Why not play it occasionally? But if its really hard for you, then better quit ;) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Esox Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? :rollinJust dont get caught or else you're likely to miss your exams through being banged up! hey not all students are like that:rollin:rollin:rollin:rollin Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Yorkshire Pudding Posted March 25, 2011 Share Posted March 25, 2011 Re: Should I Quit? You should quit putting spam links in your posts I reckon :) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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