WARNING LONG ASS READ BUT A GOOD ONE SORRY LOL

I feel it’s pretty entertaining but If you don’t care about how I got to this point please skip to the last 5 paragraphs and see what I’m needing to know.

What’s up gents I have been a lurker for about a year and a half, but decided I really needed to make this thread..

So you probably don’t care but a little background on me. I have played golf at a high level since the age of 12 (currently 23). My plan my whole life was to play professionally on the PGA tour. I travelled all over the southeast and competed in national level tournaments as a kid and in high school.we won the Georgia state tournament my junior year, one of the guys on that team is now playing right below the pga tour. My Dad played professionally for about 10 years on a much smaller level than the PGA tour but had a sponsor who gave him an American Express card to charge all expenses and tournament entry fees on and a free brand new BMW to drive at the exact same age I am now. He travelled all over the country and competed in tournaments so he knew what it took to make it to that next level. Well I decided to turn professional right out of high school and figured I’ll go to school only if I have to. We were that confident I would make a living playing golf. I set the course record at 16 from the very back tees at a course in Georgia that still stands today (62 -10). I told him “dad if I can just pay my bills even at a smaller level hitting a golf ball then I will have fulfilled my life’s goal.” Sure I wanted to be rich and on the PGA tour, but doing something you love for a job is what life’s all about and I would be happy.

So fast forward to me having only 3 professional tourneys under my belt.. I had only “cashed” in one of them for a couple hundred bucks profit. But was starting to hit my stride and play some great golf. So one day I’m in the Fitting center trying out some new driver shafts and just remember taking a rip at one and it felt like someone stabbed me In my spine with an ice pick on my lower back. I instantly doubled over in pain and I knew something was wrong. I went to one of the very best chiropractors in Tampa bay that is the Tampa Bay rays official chiropractor ( I live in Clearwater FL). I did this because my whole future is going to be in this persons hands. Well he took X-rays and it turned out my lowest vertebrae on the right side was literally bent outwards ever so slightly and that’s what was causing the pain. He told me the torque I was putting on my back with my swing speed was tearing my back to shreds (have a 120 mph swing speed hitting 300 yd drives since I was 17). I had never had any trouble until I turned professional and had to put In some serious hours. Well just like that it looked like my career was over before it started. He slowly but surely got me to where I could take full rips with a driver again and all looked like things were going up.

However in the back of my mind every time I went and hit balls or played I was thinking about my back. What if it gives out on me it feels tight all the time. It doesn’t hurt but will ache a little and it is so worrysome while you’re out there trying to focus on the course and shot at hand.

Then one day while I’m moving I get a call that my mother had passed away in her sleep from heart failure. Out of nowhere. I was already teetering on what I’m going to do with my golf career and that just ruined me. I don’t remember the 4 months maybe even the 8 months after she passed away. I was in such a funk that cannot be explained. We were very close even though she still lived in Georgia. When I went back to play golf I just didn’t have it mentally or physically. I knew that ship had sailed. Such a sinking feeling.

So 3 weeks later in December of 2016 I’m at my house and my roommates friend is talking about going to the casino which I loved to do when I had the money too I’m like alright cool let’s go. So I’m wandering around and see this hallway people are walking down and out of pure curiousity I go down it and find the poker room. I see all these tables with people sitting playing poker and had no idea what I was looking at. I thought they were playing against the house as far as I know. That’s how little I knew about it. My birthday was the day before so I had a lot of extra cash on me at the time I said the hell with it I’ll buy in for 100 at the lowest no limit table 1/2. One of the first hands I played I made a straight and got it all in with a set for like a 300 dollar pot. I walked out an hour and a half later with about 375 dollars in profit. I was hooked instantly.

Next day I’m on YouTube and I come across this thumbnail pic with Doyle sittIng in front of like 200k in cash and I’m like wtf is this old man and why is he playing a card game with all that money. Obviously had no idea who he was or how he got the money. Over the next week I probably watched 20 hours of Doyle playing cash games and read his book all in the same week. I was extremely intrigued and was learning everything I can about No limit Holden. I had messed around and played for pennies a few times as a kind but generally didn’t know poker from baccarat haha.

So I started researching the best books and watching everything I could find on NL strategies. I came across Andrew Neemes Vlog on YouTube and that was where I started training myself. Stupid I know but I had to start somewhere and with no advice it was what I thought was best. I started taking 100 bucks to the hard rock sometimes 85 but I would always try and short stack it. Certainly not GTO but I had no idea about variance and bankroll management or anything like that. Well I’ve always been a lucky person I know That. I won like 1500 bucks over about 20 hours the first month I played 1/2 cash games. Went broke quick by buying in the fulll amount and skill and variance got the best of me haha. After that I would go broke and be taking 100 dollars that I couldn’t lose to the casino. And just losing them. This went on for like 2 months when one day my dad asked me to deposit some cash for him and on the way to the bank a lightbulb went off. “Hmmmm lemme just take 100 and go buy in and win some money I really need it.” Long story short I lost 1k dollars that day after playing for about 15 hours chasing my lossses. and had picked up aces 7 times and lost with them 5 times.. Not an exaggeration. Variance is a *****. At the time I knew nothing about Variance and should have never taken the shot to begIn with. I had to tell my dad what happened and he was more than upset. I couldn’t mention the word poker around him for probably close to a year after that. He thought it was basically like going to a slot machine. He knew nothing about it at all so I can’t blame him all he knew was that I lost 1k dollars of his money.
I didnt play near as much for the next 4-5 months but would still study and keep up with the game watching tourneys and live at the bike streams.

Fast forward to summer of 2017 and I’m playing as many tourneys on America’s card room as I can afford to while taking a shot in live cash games every now and then. But this whole time I’m training myself watching videos reading strat. And following the game studying as much as I can. My best friend who I started sharing my love of poker with had gotten into the game. So in Fall of 2017 He gets with this Asian girl who’s parents are veeeeery wealthy. She likes to go to the casino. I think you know where this is going. She starts staking us in the cash games and not asking for any return or even make up. She was thinking she is staking my friend but obviously he is helping me out as well. During this time I really learned how to play live cash and was also putting that money into online MTTs. I really got some experience he moved In with me and we started playing full time. Our lives were poker. Well one day he decides to go nuts and basically spends the whole bankroll at a 2/5 table and a baccarat table over 3 days. About 16 thousand dollars just down the drain. Next thing you know I am moving back to Georgia where most of my family was, broke to take a job selling cars. I had done this for a short stint right out of highshool so knew I was decent at it and could make good money. I had no choice. I hated it. But was making about 4500 bucks a month and not even breaking a sweat. The hours were grueling and you have no life outside the dealership that’s the problem.

The whole time I’m working I’m playing online poker nonstop. Even at the dealership I’m playing BetOnline on my phone lol. I had access to my own bankroll and no one could tell me what to do with it. Plus I was armed with so much more understanding of the game. Well the swings online are absolutely nuts and betonline may or may not have rigged hand algorithms but that’s another story lol. After running very deep and cashing a good amount in a big tournament I decided you know what I just need a break from poker I have been studying and playing for 2 and a half years straight and I can’t even play seriously there’s no casino anywhere near me I have to play on these shady ass websites. Screw it. I withdrew it all And I didn’t play a single hand for about two months. I focused on work and saving my money.

About 2 months ago The manager that really knew how to run the dealership left and the place went to ****. People stopped coming in to buy. I knew it was time to move on. I go back and move in with my uncle and worry about what to do with my little nest egg of money. 2 weeks ago I’m sitting at my grandmothers house and playing some online very small stakes for ****s and giggles. (Made like 100$ deposit on ignition). My dad calls me and we’re talking he tells me he’s been going to the poker room out of boredom and playing 2/4 limit. (He is retired at 58 he did very well for himself..Not bragging because he was the kid who had to pick 2 used shoes that matched out of a bargain bin. People would make fun of his clothes and **** because they were so poor. So he had this inner drive to be successful and I’m very proud of him for that. It’s provided a great life for him.) anyway in this phone conversation he ask if I want to go to Vegas. Super random. I’m like.... uh ya. So I drive down here to Clearwater and plan on staying for a week or so and maybe we’ll go to Vegas maybe not but I will get to spend some quality time with my pops regardless. He starts talking about poker and ask if I want him to stake me a buy in and go play at the hard rock. Obviously the dude abides.

He goes and sits at the 2/4 limit so he can learn how to play more before he jumps to no limit if at all. My dad couldn’t handle the swings and losing aspect so I don’t think he ever will play it. He is legit pissed off and ready to leave after losing 50 dollars hahahah. Anyway We do this same ordeal about 4 times and I won on average about 200$ over about a 3 hr session every time. He said to me I honestly am shocked to see my money back and I considered it gone. He did not think it was possible to see an ROI.

Tonight were standing outside the poker room before going in and he says you know I’d like to see you make a living in this poker thing I believe you know what you’re doing.

The thing is he was going to fork up 4500 dollars to send me to PGA tour Qualifying school. You play about 20 rounds of golf and out of god knows how many people 125 people make it. Talk about a shot. I told him I want to use that money and another 5k as a poker bankroll and try and grind 1/2. He told me to lay out a game plan and how I will use the money and we will get it done.. This is my chance. If I’m ever going to do something with this game the time is now. I know I am good enough to beat the live games at the hard rock. .The players are incredibly bad and I hardly end up at a table with a good reg I recognize. If they are I sniff it out quick we stay out each other’s way and pick on the fish. Or I’ve gotten so much better with table selection so I’ll just transfer tables all together because there’s literally 13 1/2 tables going at night most of the time if not more. I’ve read on here a lot of people saying a 20-25 am hr win rate.

What do you guys suggest I do and do you think 4500 is enough of a roll to get started grinding 1/2?

Even though I usually buy in @ 100BB i told him that a super safe roll would be 30k.. (max BI is 300$ at 1/2 so 100x Buyins.) however I know we are going to have to compromise.It took me an hour to write this and if you read all of it I really appreciate it I hope you enjoyed it. I am welcoming all advice on how to go about this and really appreciate you guys input. GJ


Feel free to follow me on Instagram or twitter and let me know you did, I’ll follow you guys back. Always love having someone to talk poker with.

IG: g_jonesi Twitter: DoUseeThisCoat0

I will be updating the thread as I progress. GL to everyone

GL man sorry to hear about all the BS that led you to this but i hope you make the best of it.If you are confident you are a winning player 4500 should be more than enough.just remember that this is just a race to get to 2/5.playing 1/2, especially on a stake is gonna be rough. After variance and rake get done with you. Whatevers left of your winrate is barely gonna be enough for you let alone pops.

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I really enjoyed the read. I just started a Poker Goals and Challenges thread myself grinding live 1/2 with a $2,000 bankroll but i'm padding my roll back to 2k with money from work if I dip too low until I'm building it, that being said I think 4500 is a safe start if you're a winning player. I think 30k for 1/2 live is way over the top that would be even a decent roll for 2/5 or even 5/10 I think. Just make sure to keep good logs of your sessions so you can eventually figure out an hourly and such. Look forward to seeing some hand reviews from you!

Oh for sure I plan on moving up as soon as I feel I have enough of a roll and can consistently beat the 2/5 games. My dad isn’t looking for any return on his money really. Just wants to see me do well. I appreciate the advice

Glad you enjoyed it! Yeah I’m definitely going to start keeping better track of every hand I play in each session and getting feedback from you guys. I just wanted to know if 4500 was enough before I use someone else’s money.

4500 is likely plenty if you are actually a decent winner in the games and assuming you don't need to pay living expenses out of the bankroll. Long term what is your goal though? Because being a 1/2 or even 2/5 live grinder is not going to be a great choice for a career. You'd be better off working a standard job and then playing poker for extra income on the side. Gl if you decide to do it though and just make sure you focus on playing well and improving and not on your short term results.

If I’m being honest I would like to eventually grind 5/10 and take it from there. Just see where it goes. It is essentially a free roll I’m starting with so whatever happens is a bonus. I have been studying a lot more the past few months than I ever did. I am a winner in my 1/2 games averaging about 23$ an hour over 100 sessions. Small sample size yes but there are many Ws I forgot to log and it seems very hard to make mistakes at 1/2 so I really only lose with cooler/ beats. Not bragging by any means but I know where I’m at compared to the guys that are at my casino day in and out. Thx for the feedback man I really appreciate it!

Advice #1: don’t bluff. Seriously. You can make plenty without ever bluffing. Eventually when you become better you can mix the occasional bluff into your game. But you have to do it against the right player at the right time. You won’t know who/when until you’ve been doing this for a while.

Advice #2: play for the nuts and get as much money in the pot as possible when you have the nuts. Chase draws to the nuts only if you are getting the correct pot odds. Generally that means a pot sized bet on the flop and a 1/2 pot bet on the turn.

Advice #3: set mine for a reasonable price against relatively big stacks. Get it all in at some point if you flop your set.

Advice #4: go all in on the flop with huge combo draws (OESD+FD or SF draw).

Yeah I have an aggressive style but generally don’t bluff much at all unless it’s for table image. I appreciate the advice brotha you reiterated a few things I have been thinking about.

I'd just quit poker now and golf if I could golf...

Hahaha solid advice +1

I try

An amazing post Jonezy007 and a great read.

The thing I like best and which is wonderful is the great relationship you have with your Dad.

Good luck in your journey. I think you coming from a golf background is a very good fit for pro poker because some of the qualities needed are very similar: concentration and focus, mental strength and stability, determination and work ethic, taking your medicine (bank roll and buy in management), (in the rough off the tee, play out sideways and settle for a 5, don't be a hero and shoot triple bogey), and bouncebackability when dropping a shot the ability to steady the ship with some solid pars and then a birdie / the ability to handle a losing poker session or a downswing.

I wish you all the best.

I don't have a great deal of expertise in NLHE cash games but others ITT I am sure will give you some great advice.

Subbed and good luck man, sorry to hear about your mum but glad you have a good relationship with your old man. I think you could get away with playing 100bb deep until you hit 6k, if you drop back down to 4k reduce to 200 etc but technically deeper is better, 20 buy ins SHOULD be ok if you are a decent winner. Make sure you post some hand histories for the grind and take good notes and be critical of your play.

Subbed. GL man. Followed you as well on ig

This. GL OP.

Thank you guys for the advice and kind words. Have t played in a couple days but I’ll be getting after it tonight. Will definitely take notes and post some hands. Also very appreciative of anyone who read all of that and glad you enjoyed it!

What’s your IG my man

I’d open up a golf range, give lessons to juniors and host a game after close. Junior lessons are money, and running a cash game will net you about 150k a year easily, cops really don’t care about poker games unless there’s drugs, other illegal table games like BJ or sports booking is involved. But playing for a living is a big mistake.

Could you elaborate on why you think it’s a mistake?

Its not. Most of the time when i read posts about how its "not worth it" to play professional poker. Most of these guys either have way better options or are just salty about all their failed attempts at going pro. They dont factor in that everybody is at diffrent points in there life where putting the effort in to make this lifestyle work is worth it. Like you, or the guys who have to do back breaking labor 40+ hours a week for a job/boss they hate just to make half of what a decent player could make. To them 10-20 dollars an hour isnt worth taking the shot. To me it absolutely if failing is just gonna put you exactly where you started. Im talking to myself as much as i am you right now lol. What im trying to say is i think you should take the plunge and try to go pro. I know i am.

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The stress of it is no joke, you will have no social life as you have to play when the fish play and that’s all weekend long. Trying to get loans or credit for stuff when you tell them you play cards for a living. If your smart enough to beat poker then your smart enough to do something that can make you a hell of a lot more money than poker can.

Wrong.......

It is a free roll for me wont have to pay back the money regardless. At this point no one can tel me not to do it I’m just wanting to go about it the right way. I agree bro what the **** do we have to lose?? Would be right where I am right now. I just need to stop playing online lol.

At this point telling you not to play poker for a living is too late. My advice is to take advantage of the freedom that poker might bring you be it financial freedom or other. Since poker room open 24/7 you can create your own schedule and use the free time to work on something else. Take a couple course in something that you feel passionate about at you local community college. This will allow you to hang out with normal ppls close to your age group and help balance out all the negative ppls you will encounter in a poker room.