you should gopro that shyte dude.

I did it. I felt like he was expecting it. Now to tell management. Looking at a month before leaving officially.

run good brotha...

Subscribed. GL amused.

Thirteen. That's how many business days I have left before I can officially call myself a professional poker player. The thought is making me both frightened and excited at the same time.

When I last wrote, I had told my boss of my plan to resign and that in turn developed into me sitting with the complex manager and complex service manager (bigger bosses, but people I do not work directly under). This has been my only job and it was proving to be a good career, so telling these people that I would be leaving was a surreal experience. By the end of the week I turned in my letter of resignation making it official. February 7th was what I wrote for my target date.

Since then I've told other co-workers. First were those who hold a similar position to mine--those that I've worked with since I've started here. They were surprised to say the least. I told three ladies over lunch, two who are old enough to be my mom and the other was the one who trained me as an intern. One of the older ladies asked why I would be throwing away my college degree, that my parents helped me pay for, to go play poker. I could have explained that the governement paid for my tuition and that I wasn't using my film degree anyway, but I just shrugged my shoulders. The other older lady spoke up and told me that now would be a better time than ever--no spouse, no kids, no mortgage, youth still intact. Now that was encouraging, coming from a mother of an only child whose age is damn near mine. After all of the probing, they wished me the best and lamented that they'd be losing a great manager-to-be, that they were all looking forward to working with me on the other side.

Once I told the few select people, word started getting around. I've had a couple of random financial advisors come up to me and congratulate me on my next move. The gestures were expected, but they still came as a surprise. I didn't think I'd have this much support. You think I'd be annoyed by now, answering the same questions over and over, but I have found myself speaking with more and more enthusiasm each time. Hearing myself speak about my plans only reaffirms that I really have given this a lot of thought and that I really am ready.

One thing I failed to tell you readers is that my mom got me into the financial sector with an internship and that I work in the same branch as her. So now it might be more obvious why I want to move on and do something on my own. With that being said, I've been able to see some of her interactions with our coworkers--people that she's worked with for more than ten years, people she trusts. Fortunately, they all have been giving her perspectives that support me taking this shot. She seems to have become more comfortable with the idea of me playing poker to support myself, but of course her motherly instincts are still there. It feels like it's every day that she tells me if it doesn't work out, I can always go work for some other financial firm.

On the felt things have been really rough. I had a negative month in December and it continued on to the first part of January. I found myself getting a little whiny, but then I remembered I was consistently getting it in really good and that's what I needed to keep doing. Recently things have been going my way and I hope they continue like that.

New fun goal: Get to PCA 2015.

just wait... you're journey has just begun.

Making it happen!

Wishing you all the best dude. A brave step for you have already been crossed, so i hope its all uphill from here.

Great blog, Ivin, I really enjoy your honesty and POV.

Living my poker life for a handful of years before I got married and started a family was one of the best things I've ever done for myself. The money is so secondary to the experience you will gain from diving into the scene like you are.

There's also nothing like living in Vegas, if that is something you are considering for a period of time--even if it is just for WSOP/DSE.

Are your struggles with pit games exaggerated in your reports or do you think that's really going to be your biggest obstacle to making this work?

Good luck! I really enjoy reading your updates.

Thanks for the words of encouragement!

Glad to hear it. I'm really, really, really looking forward to the experience!

While not exaggerated, I don't think they'll be a huge problem. I have built up great discipline over the years. I'll probably go into the pit during bachelor parties and birthdays, but I am not going into the deep end.

--

Wow it's been almost two weeks since I've given you all an update. Things have been going real well lately. I just took a stab at the HPT series that was in the area and while I went 0 cashes in 5 entries, I felt like I was playing great. I also learned a couple of things about my tournament style that I can improve. For this particular series I decided to have 100% of myself as I'm still working and can afford it. -$4625! Lol. My cash game has taken a large upward swing and I'm really happy about that. It's covered my tourney losses and then some for the year. Confidence is still high and I'm ready to tackle the start of my professional career!

One of the nights I made the drive back from Thunder Valley, which was an hour and a half drive of shame. (4 drives of shame I made in the last two weeks!) I had the option of getting some rest, going to the local card room to grind cash, or going to my friend's 30th birthday party. I chose the last option to get some balance in my life and it had been a while since I'd seen my friends. When I got there most of the food was already done, but I did get some cake before taking a couple of celebratory shots. A couple of people I had met at another one of their parties had come up to me with questions--something I was expecting, but it's the enthusiasm they have and their encouragement that always surprises me. One couple even said their parents own a condo on Flamingo and that they'd try to hook it up with good rent during the series! Score!

My friend's older brother, who I met for the first time, had an amazing amount of questions for me. But I suspect it was because he had quite a few drinks in him. He said he'd love to play me heads up and I said sure that'd be fine. He was just absolutely stoked that I was going to live this dream of mine. It got me thinking that I really can't fail here. Not because I don't want any I-told-you-so's from my parents. Not because I don't want to go back into the workforce. I can't fail because a lot of people have faith in me.

Also happened during that party: Other friend's little sister coming onto me really hard--but I know she's looking for a baby-daddy so I had to let it go! I've got a career to focus on lady! </brag>

February 7th is getting closer!

Next time you can crash at my pad

Should've said that before you came down Friday

Good seein ya!

Thanks for the update amused! It has been to long!

In order to get my Christmas bonus I need to stay an extra week. I asked if I could just use up my sick days while still in the books. Management told me no. I just think management is not prepared for me leaving.

02/14/14 is the new day.

bastards

o well; just look at it as another week of pay

you're not leaving before using up all of your sick days are u? If so, definitely use them up; you earned them

My mistake was that I asked if I could just use my sick days for that week. Why did I ask? I should have just done it. Anyway I don't wanna look bad on my way out so I am just gonna suck it up.

That sucks bro. Mo money though.

Few quick notes:

Maddie texted me the other day. She supposedly deleted my number. Keeping my distance, but it's fun to have a "pen pal".

Got to chat with Allie the cocktail waitress a little bit. Sweet girl, but she has a man of 7 years. And considering we're nearly co-workers it's best I don't make things awkward.

Gotta focus on the new career! And equally important, my health. Anyone who's met me knows I'm not in the best shape.

Got smacked hard the last two days of playing. Combination of dirty suckouts, right-read-wrong-execution, and set-ups.

My friend was in town for a couple of days. Went to some dinner at a friend-of-a-friend's-brother's house. I fell asleep while people were drinking and watching music videos, lol. Watched the snoozefest of a Super Bowl. Played a few new card games my roommate had bought.

For those of you board gamers that follow this thread, definitely try out these games:

Hanabi - This is a cooperative game. You start out with a hand that you cannot see, but all other players can see. The cards each have a color and a number, depicted by fireworks. The goal is to play the cards in ascending order from 1-5. Each turn you can either play a card, give information to another player ("these three cards are blue" or "these two cards are 1s"), or discard a card to gain more time. Super tricky game as your moves are always limited and it's about retaining information. Fun, but there's no competition.

Love Letter - Game sounds cheesy, but it's fun because each round only takes a couple of minutes. You can even play this game with a deck of cards as long as you write down what each card does. My roommate created his own Mario themed deck instead of paying for the game, lol. The story of the game is that you're trying to show the princess your affection, but there are other suitors. You use the people in the castle (depicted on the cards, associated with a number) to try and deliver your letter. So each player (2-4 players) is dealt one card. You then burn a card and the first player draws a card. That player has to now discard one of his/her cards. When this card is discarded, the ability on the card must be played if possible. At the end of the round, remaining players compare their cards and the highest ranked card wins a point. It's the abilities on the cards and the card counting and deception that makes things tricky.

The "1" card (5 in the deck) - Choose another player and name another non-"1" card. If you choose correctly that person is knocked out for the round.
The "2" card (2 in the deck) - Look at another player's card.
The "3" card (2 in the deck) - Compare your card with another player's card. The player with the lower rank is knocked out for the round.
The "4" card (2 in the deck) - You are immune to abilities until your next turn.
The "5" card (2 in the deck) - Choose a player to discard a card and draw another card.
The "6" card (1 in the deck) - Choose another player to swap cards with.
The "7" card (1 in the deck) - If you also have a "5" or a "6" in your hand, you must discard this card.
The "8" card (1 in the deck, also known as the princess, or whatever love interest you may choose) - If you discard this card, you are knocked out for the round.

Super fun game. I'm now thinking of taking a deck with me wherever I go. 16 cards, easy to teach, easy to pick up, and it's fast!

Awesome thread, If i'm ever not feeling lazy and decide to make the hour trek to the Grand, drinks are one me.

It's Monday, but it doesn't feel like Monday. When I get into the office, the phones have already been taken off of forwarding. I sit down after taking my coat off and take a brief look around my desk, which is cleaner than usual. After starting my computer, I fire up Outlook and though I have dozens of e-mails to go through, one in particular sticks out.

The subject reads: Ivin's goodbye party

The career change suddenly feels more imminent, yet I don't feel any more anxious than before. A wide grin forms on my face as I file the e-mail into my personal folder. Now that the whole office knows, I can do something I've been waiting a while to do. It takes me several minutes to type the announcement on my phone, but finally it's "facebook official".

The amount of "likes" that comes in is overwhelming although expected with the status being one of those "life events" such as getting married, giving birth, or graduating. It's the actual replies from close friends and acquaintances that's surprising. There are well-wishes and congratulations, but also messages that commend me on following my dream, saying that I'm an inspiration to others to try and do what they love.

Yeah, now I'm sounding a little pretentious, but that's the response I got. Maybe the post will show up on the "idiotic/annoying/narcisstic facebook statuses" thread in OOT.

2/14 - Last day of work
2/15 - 2p ME @ 101Casino
2/17 - Spend time w/ family, last cash session at the home casino for a while
2/18 - Fly out for my first full series!

Subbed. Best of luck man.

GL buddy, gonna follow with great interest, maybe I'll follow in your footsteps.

The kid has talent and following his heart. Now time to take the journey.

GL to you! I remember when I told my dad, "I'm moving to Vegas to play poker" and he was none too pleased. But that was to be expected... That was was 16 years ago, when I was 21, pre poker-boom, and it was the best thing I ever did. It was so important for me to follow my own path and discover the life that was waiting for me.
I'm excited for you and think you're making a great decision. To me there's very little downside because you can always go back and get a 9-5 if you decide that poker isn't for you. Also, you want to do it now, because it will be MUCH more difficult later in life when you have attachments. (house, bills, wife, kids)
A couple of years ago, my wife and I moved from socal back to the bay area were I grew up. It was time to come back and help with my ailing father and also get to spend some time around my newborn nephew. Even though I know my parents still don't understand why their son took such a different life path than all of their other friend's kids, I know that they are proud of me for the person I've become. Follow your dreams, be a good person, and don't worry about what anyone else thinks. It will all work out in the end.
Although I wasn't continuously a professional poker player since that day I moved off to Vegas, I am back to playing poker. I play at bay/matrix so maybe I'll run into you one day.
Your adventure begins in a few days! Best of luck!!!

Btw, don't know if you've come across this yet, but there's a blog, Jesse takes a shot @ blogspot, that chronicles a guy's decision to quit his job and play mid to high stakes LH. Financially he was sucessful, but recently, after 5 years of poker, he decided to go back to the 9-5. It might be of interest to you reading about the challenges he faced in the every day poker grind. It is pretty entertaining as well.