When ever 'normal' people talk to me about my working arrangements they always focus on the risk of having to rely on the game for a slice of regular income. I don't really see this as much of a risk, if the worst came to the worst I could always go back to full time 5 days a weeks 9 till 5. Sure I'd most likely hate it, having tasted the freedom and flexibility that playing poker offers it would be tough to return to the hard slog. But if the chips were down (the pan) it's an option. Even if I were to quit work 100% and things went pear shaped I would most likely not have too many problems in getting a decent job on a half decent salary. I have nearly 10 year experience in the IT industry so I'm lucky I have these options.
There are a group of players that on one hand I envy and on the other hand I kind of feel a bit sorry for. I envy them because they are bright (many have or are getting uni degrees) , they are young and they have more disposable income than I could ever have dreamed of when I was 21. Of course the piles of cash of come from Poker. They travel the world stopping in 5 star hotels and want for nothing. Life is good for these guys.
But this lifestyle once discovered and tasted comes with a down-side. Once you've had the money it's tough to go back to anything else. A 2:1in Economics from Leeds Uni is all well and good but most graduate jobs start off on not much money. Sure if you do well you can progress in most companies within a few years, but having tasted such a life who'd have the patience to work 45hr weeks for a few hundred quid, half of which gets donated to Mr Brown?
Now while the poker is new and fresh, then great! But the trap is that you can't afford to do anything other than play poker, even if you want to. You don't have a fall back plan and quite justifiably can't be bothered looking one. Before you know it you could be 35 years old looking for something more from life and find yourself stuck on the shelf playing poker till the end of your days! Scary thought, isn't it?
3 years ago
10 comments:
I'm trapped too!
Argh!
Good luck for 2007.
lol... there's worse places to be trapped snoop... gl
geeezus, what a ray of sunshine you are... ;-)
all the best for the new year fella,
you going to make to to deuville? Tony
On reflection the last bit is a bit doom and gloom. I'd just been two outered... what can I say! No chance on Deuville, on account of hardly playing a hand in Nov / Dec. You changed ur name again Tony?
good article, i have had this convo with many a poker player and i agree with what your saying Jim. It is oh so important to have a fall back. poker may well not be around forever but your need to earn proper wages will.
depressing yet sane...
dibble
v good point jimbo. i off to get a job right now.
btw, you have any links to decent rakeback on crypto sites with sterling accounts?
tyia
Cant think of any off hand but will let you know if I find one.
BTW good luck with the job hunting...... http://www.monster.co.uk/ :oP
$100k a month. Tough life. Holla.
tyia, rakeback for cyrpto sites with sterling - littlewoods, i can sort you out with 30% back (the new limit) and 10% of gross rake into a personal sponsorship fund, drop me a comment with ur email at www.bluff2win.blogspot.com and i will tell you more if you want
Post a Comment