Tell me why I can't go pro

[PShabi]

Considering rakeback and my winrate, let's say I just avg 2BB/100 hands. This is even a bit conservative.

I make $20/100 hands.

I play 325 hands / hr. (again, conservative)

I make $65 / hr.

I play 25 hrs / wk.

I make $1625 / wk.

Roughly $84,500 / yr.

Even if the tax man rapes me for 30%, I'm looking at $59,150 for the year.

Tell me why I can't do this.

[Talking Poker]

How many hands of $5/10 6 max do you have in your PT database now?

Before you think about going pro, I'd like to see you try 10/20 and 15/30 and see how you do at those levels too. You're BB/100 will decrease (it should), but your total profit could certainly increase. It's almost the same game. Remember, you're my little 6 max protege. And with as little as I've been playing that game recently, the student may have become the teacher.

As for your question... the biggest reason I can think of for you to not do it is............. Stress. Poker changes a lot when it becomes your primary source of income. It's a job where you can actually go to work all day (or week or month!) and actually come home with less money than you started with. When the bills start piling up, that can be EXTREMELY stressful, especially when you have a family to support.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Poker is an awesome second job. It's the best gravy around.....

That said, I still think with the right attitude and family support (what does you wife think of this?), it's doable. You have the skills.

[melioris]

I assume that you have taken a set period time and proven that these numbers are manageable? Then the only thing that I see missing is bankroll consideration. Can your bankroll afford to absorb a bad streak AND the required monthly withdrawal for living? How many months of living and how long of a bad streak (how big of a bankroll) is enough safety net for you before the losing and diminishing bankroll starts to affect your playing?

[JPSmiley]

What is wrong with the situation you are currently in? I would be happy if i could make that much a week on the side and have some fun doing it. Why not work and play poker just like you do now, or maybe work part time instead of full time.

Edit : by the way, if anyone is looking for a bankroll booster i highly recommend casino whoring. Ive made over 1k in the past month just casino whoring like 10 hours a week.

[PShabi]

I'll answer more of these questions when I have time. You guys pose some good ones.

I have decided that I would like to move back to Indiana (the place I spent my whole life in before I moved to Florida 5 years ago). Unfortuntately for me, jobs in education/coaching do not necessarily become available until the summer months. My current job wants to know in a week if I'm staying or leaving.

So, I'm thinking about biting the bullet and making the move w/o a job. My plan is to begin a job search as soon as I get up there, however, if something doesn't work out by August, I'd have to rely on poker.

So, in a perfect world, I'd get a job in my profession and just keep poker as a great side job. But, the world's not always perfect.

Also, the appeal of making my own hourse, doing what I want, when I want, and also making some nice coin have been knocking at my door.

[PShabi]

I've got a lot of 5/10 hands in the PTDB. Granted a good portion from the beginning were big losers, but I've proven that I can win at a solid rate since January.

Also, those #s I stated above are a bit low. I claim a 2BB/100 rate. However, to keep that I'd actually only have to win 1.5BB/100 w/ rakeback.

I've taken a few stabs (lost $1200 yesterday ) at 10/20 but w/ not great results. I'm currently 4 tabling 5/10 and mixing in a GREAT 10/20 game when I can.

Breaking myself in.

Also, as a note to everyone:

If I do this, it would probably only be for one year. Coaching is still my heart and soul.

[thrash1294]

If you can make 59,000 a year thats damn good ,I would try it if I had enough saved to pay all my expenses for 1 yr set aside and did not have nothing to lose .

[bunny]

I think the only way you can possibly do this is, if you have enough of a bankroll, (apart from the poker bankroll) to live well for 1 year. This way if things don't go well at poker, you won't be in the poor house for that 1 year.

If you win, though...I'm pretty sure you're not going to stop at one year. You say that now, but eventually that 1 year will turn into 2, 3 or maybe even 5 years. And you will, most definitely forget about your "heart & soul" job, because it won't matter to you as much. (not if the money's that good)

Poker is stressful but also very addictive.

Coaching (a real job) guarantees you a paycheck. Poker doesn't. What may seem great today (winning streak) may not be so great tomorrow. Think about it long and hard before you make your decision.

But... most important, is the family. It's going to be just as stressful for them, but if they're willing to stand by you, and you feel that positive about it...then go for it. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[MAYHEM45]

I think you should definitely go for it man. If your family supports you that is a great safety net, and you also have us and this forum as a backup net as well.

I will be doing the same thing this summer, moving out with 4 friends and supporting myself entirely from poker. I may have a sweet $20/h factory job lined up that I may take if things dont go well, but when I am making 5 times that from the comfort of my air conditioned house, I may just not bother.

I dont think you are the blogging type, but I think it would be great to keep an online journal of sorts of your "year as a pro." It would help to look back when you are having a rough month, and I'm sure would be hilarious for others to read as well. I know I would.

Best of luck to you man.

[BlibbityBlabbity]

What would your other option be? If you move out there and don't land a job before the school year starts, what else would you do? You could do a blog called "Phabi's Year @ WalMart" but I would think that if it is temporary and you have some money set aside if you hit a bad run and aren't bringing in the totals you would like, then go for it.

Clean up in aisle 10....and bring a mop!

[PShabi]

Jizz-mopper!!! That's a career path!!!!

Actually, if I move up there my options are:

1) Find a tasty coaching job (when I say coaching, always imply teaching as well) that fits EXACTLY what I want.

or

2) Poker

If things hit the fan, I'd substitute teach on the side a little. But, the thing is, it's not going to go bad.

I'm a pretty good decision maker, and I'm definitely taking some time with this one. I'm weighing all the factors (cost of living, taxes, etc). It's a little scary.

And yes, if I did make the move, I'd definitely blog it.

[Talking Poker]

Well that's enough to get my vote then!

[thrash1294]

the blog is a great idea I know i would read it and link it to my pitiful site

[bunny]

I think you can...I think you can... I KNOW YOU can...I know you can...

Blog or no blog, I'm already a fan.

[Talking Poker]

True.... I mean, Indiana is MUCH closer to Canada that Florida.

[PShabi]

Just talked to my mom about this:

Holy Shit!!!!!!

[Robbie Robb]

"Holy Shit" she's super supportive or "Holy Shit" she's disowned you for even thinking about it?????

[eejit101]

Lol, i was thinking about it, but worked out how much id earned net rather than gross, and it wasnt as much as i thought. Going from the style of a losing player to a winning one for me was a longish time. Overall now id say in a year and a half, as ive just cashedout my WHOLE bankroll, i am in total, $13,500 up.

I mean most of that is recent, after my moves up and tourney wins being more often, but i couldnt do it yet.

Good luck to you if you go for it man, but make SURE your family is behind you if you do it, as its them that need you to be earning, not us.

You will have all our support if you go pro online, which im sure youll appreciate, but the real backing you need is from your wife/kids, letting them know that if your gonna eat and pay bills, your gambling to do it.

[SirFWALGMan]

It can not cost that much to live in Indiana, why the hell not. I think you sound emotionally sound enough to play for a living. If it effects your mind HAVING to rely on the money then you could quit.. go ahead and screw around with it for a few months it would probably be a good experience.

[PShabi]

Option B

[Akverno]

I've been lurking this thread for a while. I say go for it, as a question of curiosity how hard is it going to be to get a teaching certificate for indiana? If you don't have one for the first year you're up there anyway playing poker for a living may be a decent way to pay the bills while you're taking classes and preparing for the certification exam. Plus you get paid in more in most states as a sub if you have that little piece o paper, which I'm sure you already know. That's my 2 cents.

[melioris]

It is understandable, as pretty much nobody wants to say “my child is a professional internet poker player and supports his family this way” until you have done it successfully. If you do this, and if you are successful, I am sure your mom will come around.

It is somewhat similar to the plotline of Breakin' 2: Electric boogaloo.

Ok, not really at all, but kind of sort of.

[BlibbityBlabbity]

LOL

[bunny]

Bridge Club Scenario:

1st Bridge member: I'm so proud of my son, he's a doctor. Doing quite well in NYC.

2nd Bridge member: Oh, how nice....my daughter's a C.A. (passes around his daughter's business cards)

Mrs. Shabi silent....

1st member: So Mrs. Shabi, you have a son right? What does he do for a living?

Mrs Shabi: Oh... well, he keeps himself real busy...new house in Indiana, wife & 2 kids. He used to be a basketball coach here in town.

1st member: Very nice, but what does he do, now.

Mrs. Shabi: Ohh... Now? Well....like I said he's real busy with his new home and hasn't gone around to "job hunting", but he's .....he's....he still keeps himself busy. (blushes)

2nd member: So he has no job? With a family to support, a new home and no job?

Mrs. Shabi: Well, no....not exactly. He's still working, if you can call it that. He's a "Poker Player."

1st & 2nd Member : (look at each other, not knowing what to reply)


---------------------silence-------------------------


You're a grown man. If your wife supports you on this, and you want to do it so badly, then do it. Your mom won't disown you. She's just watching out for her "baby boy." Explain to her that this is what you want to do and that it makes you happy. To make her feel better... tell her you'll look for a part time coaching job.

If you don't do this, you'll always think about it and wonder if you would've been successful at it or not. Get r done. I honestly think you can pull this off. Can't wait to read about it in your blog.

?

[eejit101]

If you called my mum a bridge player i think id be insulted.

but anyhow...

Poker playing if you are making money isnt a sin, its not a crime, its not even frowned upon. My dad is a bank manager, at the bank where my accounts are. He knows what and how i play, he even comes round sometimes, and he loves this forum by the way.

NO shame in doing what we do professionally