Hello everyone - due to a few recent life changes I'm contemplating taking a few months off from work to take a shot at playing live poker for a living. Before I take the plunge I just wanted to bounce a few questions off of the regulars who play at Running Aces and Canterbury; most notably, to those who play the 2-100 spread and $300 survival tourneys.

Firstly, I want to make sure this is even a feasible opportunity - the poker climate has changed tremendously over the years but from what I've read online everything indicates that these stakes are beatable in a live setting for a solid TAG player who has discipline and the ability to identify his opponents' level of play and game select. I guess what I'm looking for is a response from any winning live regs on the following:

1) For the 2/100 spread games at RA what earn rates have you experienced and what is your playing style?
2) For $300 survival tourneys what are earn rates (and your playing styles) and how many days a week could one expect to log 6-8 hours of playing time with little waiting time between games running?
3) What is the overall player pool looking like these days at both clubs? At these stakes I'd imagine there are plenty of loose-passive regs, weekend warriors, and other profitable spots if one is game selecting - I guess what I'm looking for is what has your experience been in 2012?
4) What would you consider an adequate bankroll for a TAG in the 2/100 and the 300's?
5) Does RA run a 5/100 spread and how often does it run?

If anyone can offer a response to any or all of these questions it'd be much appreciated!

Orphan

I'll give this a shot....

1. I have only played there a handful of times, so I can't speak to that question.

2. my winrate from the beginning of the year until now is 22BB/hr. which I don't know if that is sustainable. I play a nitty to tag style depending on the line-up.

3. At canterbury there are some LP's, some Lag's, and some guys who like to make big laydowns(you know the type) very few Tag's. Everyone I have played with is beatable.

4. I play with about a 5k, but have another 5 in reserve. I can't ever imagine using it though.

Overall, just using Canterbury, I don't think it is feasible. not enough games going and not enough action to make it a sole source of income.

But, I don't want to discourge you. If you do want to try it.

good luck to you sir but I do believe you are asking all the wrong questions.

1. how much money do you make in your day job? Will the amount you can project to earn in this relatively small stakes game come even close to it?

2. do you think your quality of life will improve by playing poker live professionally?

3. what is the rake structure at this casino, is there a significant jackpot drop? are there comps?


4. are there bigger games to move up into? you say there is a 5/100 spread but you do realize that this is pretty much the same exact game right? In fact, eff stax mean even less in that game because larger preflop raise sizes and the cap effectively make it a $100 straight game after the turn.

not to be a downer, but while 1/2 and 2/5nl ARE beatable, they are not a way to make a living and anyone I know who has been successful in those games grinds a day job too. I think your prospects for making a living off a 2/100 spread limit game are pretty bad...that is unless your ultimate goal is self inflicted gunshot wound :' (