Professional Poker?

[Caddyman]

I'm sitting here watching these guys play big money poker and was wondering what it takes for these guys to be so successful at this game. I know it's a game of people and being able to read them as well as crunching numbers quickly. IDK. What a cool job if you were successful.

[ParrotHead]

Its a grind, just like anything else you have to do for a long period of time.

[Cash Calloway]

A lot of these pros are not even winning players and some are broke. Gavin Smith, Mike the Mouth, Gus Hansen, TJ Cloutier. Michael Mizrachi owned a load to the IRS before he was staked by Patrik Antonius and final tabled the WSOP ME a year ago.
I question myself if many of these so called "Higher Level Thinkers" really have great game or just go on incredible streaks. Islidur I've watched do plenty of moves that have no reasoning behind them and can be found on any 1/2 cent game.
Ask yourself why so many of these players pump out books, dvds, training sites, web sites and need contracts with any sponsors they can get as well as having pieces of one another in tournaments. Why even did old Doyle Brunson put together the book Super System back in the 70s to educate other players. Perhaps because even then the game was so tough to beat with the variance that he was searching for other forms of income.

[Rabbit's Foot]

All of those pros are staked. It is a rough life to live. The winning streaks are great but when you hit a losing streak you feel like you hit rock bottom. I tried it for about a year, playing 5-6 days a week and profited money but the emotional ride is what's hard to adapt to. I want to start doing it again but just 2-3 days a week as a side job to supplement my income. A lot of fun but can be very stressful.

[Caddyman]

Sounds interesting but def. like a grind. I have no idea how to play poker so probably not in my future, but it would be fun to learn a bit.

[JR7302001]

I think Mike "The Mouth" Matusow lost most of his money to that UltimateBet scandal!

[smooth53_98]

Originally Posted by Rabbit's Foot

All of those pros are staked. It is a rough life to live. The winning streaks are great but when you hit a losing streak you feel like you hit rock bottom. I tried it for about a year, playing 5-6 days a week and profited money but the emotional ride is what's hard to adapt to. I want to start doing it again but just 2-3 days a week as a side job to supplement my income. A lot of fun but can be very stressful.

I second that thought. My uncle was a professional gambler after he retired out from Fort Monmouth - total grind, but was easy to stomach with his pension. He'd play the ponies 3-4 days a week; play poker and blackjack otherwise... when he'd hit a bad run, he'd take some time off (living off his pension and some side consulting). It is stressful work as your primary income - I haven't had a losing year with horse racing, but it is still under 5% of my take per year (focused on getting my professional self together a few years back - promoted, etc.) - at my peak, my gambling was 10% of my income.

[justdonating]

I used to play part time for a living. Ring games not tourneys. The game is a grind to say the least. No matter how good you play there is an element of luck involved because the cards don't give a shit about odds. I'll take the steady check and benefits from the man any day over grinding for $200-$500 a day.....I still play but it's limited to 2 days a week, primarily in bigger games (PLO, Omaha Hi/Lo Split, Low Ball 2-7 Triple Draw). Knowing my livelihood doesn't depend on cards has actually made me a stronger player....

[Rabbit's Foot]

Originally Posted by justdonating

I used to play part time for a living. Ring games not tourneys. The game is a grind to say the least. No matter how good you play there is an element of luck involved because the cards don't give a shit about odds. I'll take the steady check and benefits from the man any day over grinding for $200-$500 a day.....I still play but it's limited to 2 days a week, primarily in bigger games (PLO, Omaha Hi/Lo Split, Low Ball 2-7 Triple Draw). Knowing my livelihood doesn't depend on cards has actually made me a stronger player....

Exactly. When you are thinking man I need this money for my house/car payment you don't play the same. A poker pro told me at the table once that I needed a FT job to work and just do this on the side. That way when you hit a losing streak you have money for your house/car etc. It always helped me that when I sat down at the table I considered the money gone.

[ParrotHead]

Originally Posted by JR7302001

I think Mike "The Mouth" Matusow lost most of his money to that UltimateBet scandal!

I think blow might be part of his money problems as well?

Smooth, any suggestions on how to get better at the ponies, books to read, etc. Always had a fun time watching them, just never really a clue besides a few minor tips.

[vividjohn45]

you should learn the game. i win 85% of time at fixed texas hold em cash.

[Rabbit's Foot]

Originally Posted by vividjohn45

you should learn the game. i win 85% of time at fixed texas hold em cash.

Want a medal? You are obviously just a STUD!

[aztriman]

Originally Posted by Caddyman

Sounds interesting but def. like a grind. I have no idea how to play poker so probably not in my future, but it would be fun to learn a bit.

Read the Harrington on Hold 'Em series. I only bet NFL, and I play poker in the off season a few days a week. Games have gotten tougher since the Black Friday, but once it's fully legalized here in the US, it'll be a gold mine once again.

My advice, learn to play now and take advantage of all the newbies once it goes legal.

[NightCap424]

stick to counting cards and black jack....

[smooth53_98]

Originally Posted by ParrotHead

I think blow might be part of his money problems as well?

Smooth, any suggestions on how to get better at the ponies, books to read, etc. Always had a fun time watching them, just never really a clue besides a few minor tips.

PH - I learned a lot from my mentor (uncle) while a teen - 20+ years later I took what he taught me, coupled it with my fascination with numbers (and prowess in excel)... I learned a few circuits, tracked things that few others did (jockeys, trainers, niches, track bias, key races, inter-relation between circuits)... I have a wealth of well researched and documented angles that I use in tandem with fair odds, etc... hard to pinpoint any specific book; but discipline is key. On average, I look at 2 - 3 racing cards a day to maybe find a handful of plays - that, depending on track conditions and scratches may go away.

I have been meaning to post some book reviews in the horse racing section or handicapping mall section - I will get on that!