Just posted this on another thread but think it is applicable here...

First of all, the term "pro" of course just means that you dont have a job and you make you primary income from poker. Obvious I know, but I think when people talk about "going pro" they need to consider what level of income they want to aim for, whether they would be better off getting a real job, how far does the money go in the country you live, and a million other factors. If you are happy to grind 40 hours a week to earn $30k a year, you could call yourself a pro but if you live in a country where that doesnt go far (like me in Scotland), it isnt much of a life.

Anyway, I played poker for about 3 years to pay my way through my phd. I generally multi-tabled 1/2nlh, and a smaller number of tables at 2/4nlh. I generally averaged maybe 20-25 hours a week, and covered the cost of tuition, rent, and saved up for a 25% deposit for the house I now live in. I also have just about enough set aside for a car when my current banger dies. I was very lucky that I didnt have to work a crap student job, but at the same time I really dont like to use the term "pro" for what I did. Techinally however, I probably was.

A couple of years ago I decided to apply for a job in finance being bored of academia and becoming jaded with poker. Over the last two years I have almost given up playing in order to study for finance exams and work in my new job. Currently, it looks like I may be out of a job (was only a 2 year contract) as the financial state of the uk is not particularly healthy. If I do get a job it will likely be in a compliance/audit type role rather than investment or economics which is what I wanted to do. I am now seriously giving thought to quiting and returning to poker. I would make more money and it excites me more than the thought of a back office job. There are several reasons why I probably wont however:

Firstly, it isnt as exciting as you think! Grinding every day on your own is ok for a while but compared to normal working life it is quite lonely. If I had friends to go pro with it would be a huge boost, but the idea of giving up a sociable job environment to sit on my own at play poker doesnt fill me with huge excitment. If I started playing I would aim to follow a 9-5 ish work pattern in order to make time for my girlfriend and other friends. This is probably a personal issue, but I generally like to be in company each day - especially when doing a job like poker which often requires the need to vent!

Secondly, when you need the money the pressure increases. Downswings are a pain but if you have a mortgage/rent/bills/kids etc, to pay for it would undoubtedly be a lot more stressful. Also keep in mind (in the UK at least) while we dont pay tax on poker income you also dont get a private pension, private health, free shares, or all the other goodies you can get in a decent job. That said, I would be confident if I could manage 8 hours a day, 5 days a week I would earn far more playing cards than I do at the moment.

40 hours a week mutlti tabling is honestly something I dont know if I could manage. My disclipline is a big issue regarding sticking in the hours, and without someone forcing me to switch on every day I would seriously have to work hard to stay motivated. I am in utter envy of some of the guys on here who seem to effortlessly put in 40-80 hour weekly grinds. This also has to be done without letting your game fall. In a normal job you rarely have to be focussed every minute of the working day - in poker you can clock in for a day and one mistake can cost you that days potential profit.

Anyway, hope this post is welcome. If anyone has questions ask away. This is the first time this year I have been posting on 2+2 in my efforts and try to get back into the game I love. If I do go "pro" again I will certainly set up a blog to help me with my disclipline issues. Good luck in whatever you decide to do.

GL sir, live the dream

What's with all the haters in this thread?

I know a lot of people who have a job they don't like just to make money. I have a huge amount of respect for people who burn the bridges and go chase their dreams!

OP created the perfect conditions to take his shot. Everyone is different, while grinding the tables 40 hours a week (or whatever amount of hours you're making) might not be the perfect job for everyone, it might be just the thing for OP. You don't know if you don't try.

gl OP!

I d very much like to believe what is said in this post but because of boywonders graph.. I can not.

i wanna know where hes at and how hes doin. good luck man hope all is well. you have more balls or less brains than most of the people on these forums so whichever one that is will be seen in the end haha do your thing.