The PPA Wants to Know How This Impacts You -- Post Your Story in This Thread!

[Uglyowl]

I started playing a few hours each week in the early 2000's before Pokerstars and Fulltilt even existed. In February 2004 I was diagnosed with cancer and this was a low point in my life. I was unable to continue the long commute to my job from the side effects of chemo and started to become depressed with days I barely had the energy to walk from the couch to the refrigerator. Most of my friends did not know how to deal with my illness and I felt very isolated. I started to play online poker more and more as I was able to make some money and feel productive and met great friends who did not know I had cancer and it felt great to feel "normal" again.

I certainly was unable to drive to a casino and sit at a table, but fortunately I was able to log on and play 45 minutes from time to time from the comfort of my bed. I truly feel online poker kept my mind from thinking about the awful side of cancer more than would have happened with out it. In Sept 2004 I was able to go back to work and my love of poker is still there.

Today I have 3 children and still have trouble driving 2 hours to casinos because my family is more important, I can't afford to spend hundreds of dollars of play (online you can play for as little as pennies) and it is great logging on after they go to bed or while they are relaxing watching a movie. I am able to use my modest profits to save for their college, pay for ever increasing heating costs, and the occasional trip to see trains, animals, a hockey game, or toys for them. It is a very sad day that while we go punished for doing nothing wrong having our funds frozen (mine were going to be used for a summer vacation to Maine) there are real criminals in the United States that continue to go unpunished.

[Jan]

I'm a 48 year old female and stay-at-home mom to my two younger children. I have always loved playing cards as a kid and playing penny poker around the kitchen table with family. Later, I enjoyed the rare trip to Atlantic City or the very, very occasional poker game with friends. When I learned about online poker during the Chris Moneymaker era I started playing online right away. I was ECSTATIC that I could play the game I loved sooooo much whenever I wanted and for as little as I wanted.

I never developed into a professional player and have always played at very low stakes, but I enjoy the competition of the game and over the years have made quite a bit more than I ever deposited. Anytime my bankroll would inch closer and closer to $1000 I would usually withdraw money and purchase things like clothes for my kids. I always left a specific limit online and rarely dipped below that. I haven't had to deposit funds in years, since the days of Neteller.

My husband and I own a house and have two children in elementary school. We lived comfortably for many years, but the past few years has been rough financially for my family. My husband's job security has been very shaky due to the economy. A lot of work he does is now being farmed out to India. His salary has been cut several times over the past few years, vacation time cut, cost of health benefits have gone up, food, electricity, heating. While I have never purported that poker has filled in the gap (it hasn't), I have still been able to withdraw money for things that have become difficult to afford. For example, the dues for my daughter's competitive swim team that costs over $1000 a year. I have consistently used my poker winnings to pay a large portion of that expense.

Now that my kids are a little older (upper elementary) I was seriously considering changing my schedule a bit so that I could have time to play poker more online and was hoping I would be able to supplement my husband's income even more. I have not worked since my kids were born and that coupled with my age in this economy will make it difficult for me to find a job that works around my kids' schedules of school and after school activities.

But more than that, I will just plain MISS playing poker. I feel like a part of me has been ripped away. I will miss the discussions here of online poker, books, theory, even the zoo. While I was not one to contribute often to the forums, I loved reading other's thoughts and have learned so much.

I also enjoyed the comradery that existed with others here. When reading posts here I have smiled, gotten angry, laughed and sometimes cried, like I am doing now.

I hope others not involved in poker read these posts and realize that people that play poker come for all walks of life and are decent people who just want to enjoy their love of poker and make a decent living, that most poker players are decent people who pay their taxes, have families and just want to live their lives as they see fit.

[bobbycharles]

I'm not a professional gambler, nor do I ever intend to be. I'm 45 years old, a REPUBLICAN and veteran of the first Gulf War, married with 2 school aged children. Prior to watching Chris Moneymaker on ESPN, my main hobby was golf. I spent 4 - 6 hours on the golf course on Saturdays - away from my family. But since it took so much time away from the family and was fairly expensive, I took up poker as a hobby.

I play at night after dinner, once the kids are settled. Even if the kids are awake and watching TV, I occassionally can play while we watch tv together.

I know right, Poker as a way to be close to the family? Give me a break, right? But poker does allow me to stay home, rather than go to the casino or go to the golf course etc. It's a convenient, and actually profitable way for me to wind down from a long day at work, and still be in the house with the family.

I play no more than $11 - $12 buyins with the occassional Sunday Million if I win a satellite. When the economy slowed last year, I was able to supplement our income with some of the money that I had built up on the site. While that was not the main reason I was playing, it sure was nice to have it there.

I feel like I've lost a friend. Imagine if you're a golfer and the DOJ decided to outlaw golf because too many golfers are killed by lightening. Or you like to garden, and the EPA decided gardening caused cancer and decided to protect you from it. You can't crochet or knit because the DOJ decided knitting needles caused too many injuries. The hypocricy of our government (dems & republicans alike) is just astonishing.

My best friend died in a B52 during Desert Storm. We both fought, and he died, for our rights to live free; to make our own decisions. Without a doubt, this is a HUGE infringement upon our rights - the ones I fought for - and a very sad, sad day for these United States.

[mogo]

I currently have $27,000+ stuck on FullTilt Poker. I am a mid-stakes grinder and 100% of my income comes from playing poker online. I have a wife, a 3 year old son, and a 2 year old daughter that all depend on me. I moved to Charlotte, North Carolina from Long Island, New York two years ago. I was in the mortgage business for 12 years and when the mortgage industry collapsed, my wife and I decided it would be best to move to a place with a lower cost of living than Long Island. We both researched on the internet and discovered a great community in Charlotte. We sat down and figured that we would be able to afford to live here based on my income from online poker. We built our home and lived in an apartment for one year while our home was being finished. We just moved into our home July 2010. I was just starting to hit my stride online and was relying on online poker in order to pay my bills. The money that is stuck on FullTilt currently makes up all my business capital. I have been in business for myself one way or another since 1996 and I treated online poker exactly as a business (it has many parallels.) I have no brick and mortar casinos within a close proximity to where I live.

I am now forced to try and travel to Vegas/Florida in order to try and grind out bill money. I am without my business capital (which has been frozen on my full-tilt account) and I will also have to make enough to cover my travel expenses (flights/hotel/rental car/food/etc.) as well as cover my monthly living expenses. Not to mention I will now be away from my family, which is what hurts me more than anything. The main reason we decided to move and try this lifestyle was so that I could spend quality time with my children. They have grown accustomed to having me around and I fear what it will be like for that them at such a vulnerable age when daddy isn't around now that he's forced to constantly be on the road.

- Mogo

[Jan]

^^ There is a story thread in this forum. I think this post would fit nicely into that thread.

[JimSB]

While the DOJ's action doesn't ruin my life, it leaves a big hole in it.

I am a retired computer programmer who is fascinated by the mathematics and psychology of poker. I frankly am a gamer, not a gambler, and found online poker to be perfect entertainment and mental stimulation. For less than $10, I could get several hours of enjoyment and actually win some money. Over several years, playing literally thousands of hours on line, I increased a very modest bankroll by about 25%, became a slightly above average player, and received thousands of hours of entertainment. As I put my money in before the UIGEA, and never needed to reload, if the government seizes my money, I will consider them to be no better than thieves.

I do not understand the government's action. The legitimate on-line sites were begging for regulation and legalization. With every transaction on the computer, it would have been easy to ensure that all proper taxes were withheld and the government would have a steady stream of income with no risk. While certain lawmakers are opposed to gambling on "moral" grounds, I suspect that there is a lot more going on here, with big financial interests using the legislators they own to stifle competition, in addition to ambitious prosecutors wanting to get their names in the newspapers.

Shame on you Federal Government!

[Nairb]

I am a 41 year old married father of three that started playing poker for fun in 2006 then by the middle of 2007 when I was making what I consider a decent amount of extra money from my hobby. Since then I have paid for 100% of my vacations, Christmas for the kids, anniversary gifts and other "EXTRAS" my primary job cannot afford. I run a GM Auto Dealership group as my primary job and have come to count on poker as my supplemental income stream, which the DOJ and our legislators feel I shouldn't be allowed to have even though I have paid taxes on 100% of the money I have earned playing poker. I have put in countless hours of study in order to be able to afford myself the little luxuries in life. Due to this happening this may be our last family vacation for a while, thankfully already paid for the one in June. Christmas for the kids will be a little leaner than usual, but overall I am just disgusted that the US feels the need to protect me from myself. Given the situation, economic climate, and overall level of satisfaction in the US with our leaders I am amazed that this is what they choose to spend their time and resources on. But then again should I be amazed? Our leaders are obviously inept and could care less about anything except re-election.

One question, why is it that I can walk into the convenience store across the street from my dealership and spend my life savings on lottery tickets, I can deplete my bank account at the liquor store, yet someone somewhere that probably has never calculated equity on the flop can pick and choose what they feel is acceptable or not, and legislate to a point of seizing peoples money. Free country my ass, free as long as you only participate in the legalized forms of gambling THEY deem acceptable like lotteries supposedly for schools that over 75% of the revenue generated goes to "administrative costs". Its like one huge cruel joke and a slap in the face of every American that have put more time into studying and educating ourselves in our chosen game of skill than those that are dead set on removing our rights in our supposed "free country"!


If every poker player in the US voted based on this issue changes would happen. Thats what I plan to do, care to join me?

[aceskay]

I am a 26 year old semi-professional poker player that also coaches tennis. I have been playing poker for a significant portion of my income for the last 5 years. During that time I've paid thousands of dollars in taxes to my local, state, and federal government, traveled extensively both domestically and internationally, and bought a house here in Pittsburgh, PA.

While I'll still be able to support myself by giving tennis lessons, my income has been essentially slashed by 60%, and I will certainly not spend money in our economy the way I have for the last half decade. The idea that people in nearly every other country around the world, including the likes of Russian, China, and Iran, are able to play a game of cards on the internet for money and we are unable to do so here in the United States of America is sickening. Our government has attacked our personal freedoms in a way that is simply unacceptable.

[Richyrich9987]

I am a 23 year old senior Undergraduate studying Finance.

I am not a grinder trying to make a living at the game. I am not supporting a family (although my girlfriend and I will be moving in together soon). I am not without prospects. I prefered live poker to online when I could afford it. Still, online poker provided me with an escape from the stress of looking for a job after graduation. It was also a cheaper alternative to me (free, actually, since I just "let it ride" with freeroll winnings) than going to a casino and playing stakes above my means. I would like to say I was some great player who was grinding out his tuition by playing online, but I'm not. I'm just a student of the game who was improving (more recently than before) whose ability to learn and enjoy the game has been stunted.

Online poker was a place to hone my skills for relatively little money and just enjoy my time how I wanted in the comfort of my home.

[GatorXP]

I am a 39 year old online poker professional....or at least was.

Due to bad luck, poor judgment, failed business attempts and many other factors that are of no importance at this point, almost two years ago i found myself with $300 left to my name and unemployed with not many prospects. While i do have a B.S. Degree, the economic environment plus my distaste for the corporate world finally overcame any and all hesitations that had kept me from contemplating going pro in the past. I had played for a hobby, sometimes very heavily, in the past. Before making this decision I spent many hours reading, many things including these boards, and contemplating if this was something i could, should, or would do.

The General consensus of all the things i had read was "dont go pro" and i new i should when i read all those things and still knew i could and wanted do it. So i went down to the walmart, grabbed a preloaded cc and deposited $100 of the $300 i had to my name.....$3 in fees....$97 in the BR. Went to the 10nl tables along with some $5 or $3 sngs and went to work.

Fast forward like three Days later and i was down to $20 in my BR. But i was not deterred, i knew in my mind this was all about "want to", and in my mind there was no other option. I dropped down....5nl, 2nl....i studied more i played more.

Things got better....some rakeback hit...started doing well at SnGs, I found it very difficult in the beginning to beat the rake at the micros, not only due to lack of skill probably but its just darn more difficult anyway but Sngs and RB really helped me build my BR. I practiced Good BRM for the most part....i did take chances moving up, shot taking etc....but always knowing i may have to move back down if it didnt go well and it always didnt go well for sure.

The moral of the story being not only the hours of playing, millions of hands i have put in, 100s of hours studying, poker has been one of the most difficult and rewarding careers i could have asked for and i have felt truly blessed and proud to be able to play poker for a living.

I feel deeply saddened by the events on Friday, this is not the land of the free and is it billed, it has now become the land of special interests, a stark light for us poker pros has been thrown on that fact. Although the masses at large will hardly noticed as their freedoms are slowly stolen right from under their noses as well.

I have just purchased a house about 3 months ago, which i basically had to furnish from scratch. So this has obviously put a burden on my cash on hand. Over the past couple months i have just rebuilt my BR to a comfortable level while using most of my cash on hand and planned to make some sizable cashouts next month to replenish. Obviously this plan is now hosed. I can probably make it another two or three months.

I dont really have a B&M within commuting distance. The closest one which is like 1.5hrs and only has 200nl, and with the big rake, thats not even an option.

So at this point i am keeping all options open including leaving a country that has lost its way.

..........................

A wise and frugal Government, which shall retrain men from injuring one another, shall leave them otherwise free to regulate their own pursuits of industry and improvement, and shall not take from the mouth of labor the bread it has earned.
Thomas Jefferson

[djs1070]

I hope you are going to edit out stories from people saying they are 20 or 21 years old and have been playing for 5 years.

This can't be good can it?

And I will be posting mine shortly just trying to get it all together

[fds]

I'm a 30-year old professional poker player. I've played poker as my sole source of income for approximately 5 years. Prior to that, I was an attorney for about 1 year at a very highly ranked, "prestigious" Wall Street law firm. As a litigator at my law firm, I defended the biggest banks and corporations from their many atrocities against humanity. Despite the "prestige" of being a Wall Street lawyer, I quit that job to play poker. The DOJ has now rendered me unemployed for the time being.

I quit my job because I found that I was aiding and assisting powerful corporations and even some government officials to systematically suppress the world's population, essentially steal and plunder from that population, and create a tyranical government that is run solely by corporations and Wall Street for their own interests. As a lawyer for these individuals, I assisted them in those endeavors. I decided that I could not morally continue to work in that powerful, prestigious profession. I'm sure, however, that some of the lawyers in the SDNY prosecuting this case also worked at a similar firm or plans to work at a similar firm and does not have the moral qualms about doing so. But I, a poker player, do.

As a poker player, I've interacted and discussed poker strategy with my colleagues on a consistent basis. I've found the overwhelming majority of these people to be very bright, dedicated, honest and disciplined people. I have transferred well over 100K to other players that, in most cases, I've never even met, and I always received my money back from them. I've met other players for dinner, drinks, and social outings, and have found my colleagues to be fun, interesting, and witty individuals. I've always looked forward to the opportunity to meet and interact with other poker players. In contrast, while at my law firm, I avoided all social outings because I found them patronizing, boring, and self-serving (often with an agenda beyond merely social interaction).

Comparatively, I am lucky because I kept a small % of my net worth on the indicted sites. I do not have to worry about paying my rent or feeding my family. But I feel for my colleagues that have had their livelihoods accosted by our government and by those individuals at the DOJ that have no problem ruining people's lives for their own political gain. In the last two days, I've seen our international poker colleagues, who are lucky enough to not live in a supressive, police and welfare state, offer assistance to U.S. players. They have offered assistance to those of us who will now need to move out of this great land of ours. Those poker players have offered to assist in finding apartments, setting up bank accounts, getting Visas,, etc. etc. These are the types of people in our poker community.

Because of the actions by the DOJ, I am currently researching which country I plan on moving to. I believe that I have been a productive member of society; I pay hefty taxes, perform pro bono legal services periodically, donate to numerous charities, and even coached a youth basketball league. I believe the U.S. will lose many other productive and bright individuals, but I don't think the government cares because we do not engage in the fraudulent practices by the corporations and government officials in their neverending quest for power. Our interests and livelihoods, like any other average American citizen, are irrelevant to them.

Finally, I'll just note that my law firm represented many Wall Streets banks, hedge funds, and private equity groups that stole billions from average Americans. Ethically, I could not work at a place like that. The DOJ, however, has not indicted even one of my former clients. But I have to move out of the country to play online poker.

[Skallagrim]

Every story is good and we need every one.

There is not going to be much sympathy for the indicted sites among the politicians and the general public, that is just a fact of life.

If we are going to get any real movement in our direction it is going to be because this action by our government has hurt tens of thousands of pros hard, hundreds of thousands of semi-pros bad, and deprived millions of recreational players of the pursuit of happiness.

Back to the stories.

Skallagrim

[Nichlemn]

As a non-American, this thread more than anything else makes me grateful that I can still play. I shouldn't take it for granted that my country's government won't suddenly ban online poker.

[-DJM-]

I am a 36 year old with a PhD in chemistry. I moved to playing poker full-time 3 years ago after 5 years of moon lighting as a semi-pro. What forced the jump? The economic meltdown which made it near impossible to find another job. I have no idea what my future holds since the economy still hasn't rebounded in my field. Grinding at the local casino is not a possibility since I suffer from an extreme asthmatic condition. Online poker provided me an outlet to get through these tough economic times. I have paid thousands of dollars in federal and local taxes from poker yet I cannot file for unemployment when my business goes belly up.