I put this in Psychology because I think my issue is most linked to my roller coaster feelings about poker and I didn’t know where else to put the thread. Sorry if it is in the wrong place.


Background: I have played poker on and off online for the past 7 years (age 18-25). I have under this 8 year always dreamt of making a living off poker or at least some nice side money. I have under this time made no more than about 3k$ profit. With training sites, poker tools etc. during all those years I think my real profit is under 2k$. After all this I still feel that I could be making a nice side income if I keep improving. The reason I don’t have achieved more than I have I think is because I dedicate 2-3month to the game, tilt and then withdrawal and don’t play for everything between 6-18months. At the moment I’m a 5bb ev /100 winner at 10$zoom over 50k hands.




Reasons for quitting poker:

- I doubt if it is worth it at least 2 times/days almost every week, this makes those days decrease in overall happiness etc.
-I am currently studying more than 100% so my time is somewhat limited.
-I love the thing I’m studying and I want to make a big career in that field. So I should make everything I can to improve my possibilities there. (poker is maybe taking to much time from this)
-I have tried poker for so long and for so many times and here I am again on square 1 (at least it feels so)



Reasons for NOT quitting poker:

-I still have a big desire to make side money from a hobby and I really can’t come up with anything that I want to do this with besides poker.
-When I’m “in the zone” I absolutely LOVE poker, both to study it and to play.
-I think that if I give it up it is something that I will regret for the rest of my life.
-I think that If I drastically improve my mindset, mental game and other sides of my life (balance, peace of mind etc.) I think I wouldn’t doubt myself with poker and the success could be in the very near future. I would also enjoy the game more.



Has anyone been in a similar spot? Do you guys think I should keep fighting this or redirect all my focus on my career goals instead? (even hurts to suggest this lol)

What are you studying?

My personal opinion is to stick to a career and play as a hobby. That's what I do. Played professionally for a short while and grew to hate it. It stopped being enjoyable and I felt like my life lacked meaning. With a stable career, I can handle poker downswings better, enjoy the game more, still love learning new concepts and trying them out, and feel like my career gives meaning to my life.

Professional poker isn't for everyone and it's not just a question of whether or not you are good enough. The psychology of the grind is brutal and you really have to have the right mentality for it. It sounds like you're like me and just don't have that mindset. And that's ok. Doesn't say anything about your ability or inability. It's just about where you are in life and what you're priorities are. No shame in doing it as a fun, potentially profitable hobby.

Given this I think it's safe to say that the vast majority of non poker players would tell you to quit poker. It's only here, where we understand the attraction of the game and why someone in your position would even consider playing, that you'll get some version of 'fit it into your schedule as a hobby' type of response.

If I was you, at your age w/ a solid career path doing something that you love, I would never touch poker again until after I'd established myself in that field no matter how long it takes.

@Dr.Meh-First of all, thank you for your post.

I study Intelligence analysis and Criminology, got 2 years left. There is just so much more I could do that will make it more likely for me to get a good job and career in the intelligence field than playing poker. Learn another language (Im at the beginner-intermediate level in Arabic atm and could develop it further), I could get a part time job in something related to the field I want to work in (had a job as a prison guard for about a year but quited it in the beginning of this year)

I think you'r right that i lack the right mentality to play the game in a good way, it is affecting me and my stress level a tad to much tbh. And if I decide to continue to go for this I need to make my mental game top priority. It sounds good to play it as a hobby the way you describe it and it is something I will consider for sure. Poker has always been "all or nothing" for me so trying to just play "for fun" could be interesting (and hard to do aswell). My desire to achieve something in poker is just sooo f****** high! sometimes I think the problem is that I want it a little bit to much and that is preventing me from actually getting there.

But I think my problem is not just confined to poker. I have a hard time relaxing and is always getting bad conscience when I don't study or do something else productive. When I'm not productive it makes me feel bad which leads me to get into a lethargic state that range from 1h-3days where I do almost nothing just watching youtube clips etc.

I have had big problems with headaches and stress but after beeing completely free from job and school this summer I feel much better and the headaches and other stress indicators are not here at all anymore!

Thank you for the comment. I think this is spot on and I'm just not seeing it for what it is. Maybe this is just what I need to hear..

EDIT: It is just that everytime I start playing again I always think that "I have time to get really good at both, both my study/job/career and poker"

Let me stress again what I think of your situation: You are in a great position. You are young, love what you are studying, and have what looks to me like a wonderful career path. You should do NOTHING to get in the way of that. I realize that poker is an outlet, a stress reliever for you, and a potential source of some small amount of extra income right now. But, for that small amount of money, you are risking a huge reward bec you can better spend the time learning your profession to the highest degree possible. Anything, ANYTHING, that gets in the way of that has to be discarded. Give up poker, at least until you're established, and feel good about it.

Haha three days ago I was thinking about asking this question, describing my situation and pros and cons, with the EXACT same thread title all ready to post it. I'm also 25 and a small winner since I was 18 who is studying something else. The only reason I didn't click post was because after writing it out it became extremely clear to me that it's best I quit. I really enjoy the game though and can't get enough of even reading strat so it's painful. I don't see myself ever being able to handle playing poker without it interfering with my life.

I can't offer a unique perspective, but I just wanted to share how eerie of a feeling I had when I first saw this thread near the top, shocked that I misremembered actually posting it.

If you have played for 7 years straight and have not been able to turn it into a career and have a real career option sitting in front of you that will be much more stable, I would agree with others in this post that you should put poker on the back burner for some time. Come back to it as a hobby to make a little side income later on. When you do come back maybe try the local casino where the play is softer and your online experience may give you an edge. But yes wait until you're done with schooling and have your career started, it will be more satisfying and enjoyable.

I'd suggest you to quit anything that doesn't make you happy. Either toughen up and work on your game no matter what or quit. Play when you have a chance if it's not your passion.

Clearly poker is not your passion OP.
Chase your passion OP. You r young.

That's not accurate at all. Just because someone doesn't want to make a living at it doesn't mean they aren't passionate about it. I have a lot of hobbies I am passionate about. Poker being one of them.

'' I have a lot of hobbies I am passionate about. Poker being one of them. '' > Then u have not found your passion yet. A passion consumes u and drives u is not even a rational thing.

There is no need to be a hobby monogamist

i have other hobbies, but poker is my passion

Seems like u haven't found ur passion either Aces.
Is like being in love u just know.

U can enjoy very VERY much having sex with a lot of different girls but if u r in love u r in love with just one girl. Even though u keep having sex with the others.

GLGL

I don't normally do this when people are trying to argue semantics because they can't make a valid point but here ya go:

http://www.dictionary.com/browse/passion

But hey, I won't stop you from writing your own dictionary where you can make up whatever definitions you want about existing words.

Incidentally, the way you define passion is what we normal people call "obsession." I know you don't agree but someone can be passionate (or in love) without being obsessed as you describe.

I'm not sure how amazing of a game poker is to be obsessed with it on the level some people in here are saying. It's a great way to make money, test your mind, etc. but at the end of the day it's a card game (with a lot of skill and strategy which we all love) even pros nowadays are talking about how boring poker can be. Even if you are obsessed with poker that will likely burn out at some point and you'll realize that there are just frankly more interesting things to do in life but poker is fun and can be a great way to make money.

hit the pause button on your life for like a month and dedicate yourself to poker 100% (eat sleep breathe dream poker) if it doesnt work out just go back to whatever your normal life is, your better off doing poker 100% and FAILING than being wishy washy thinking ''what if'' regrets will follow you for the rest of your life & losing a month of your life is meaningless

That's actually not a bad idea.

To make money at online poker on a consistent basis u need to be obsessed with it.
Hit me back when u guys find ur real passion. Clearly not poker

GLGL

You guys are almost hilarious to me. To make money at online poker you don't need obsession, you need consistent play and GTO/+EV play. Are the bots on these sites "obsessed" with poker? No you dumbass. You people are hilarious to me sometimes on this site you clearly need more of an education and logical thinking. This isn't Rounders just be normal.

Whatever dude

Well shoot I mean if you want to come on here belittling people because they aren't "obsessed" with poker blablabla then I'm going to own you because you kind of look like a tool anyways.

Lol. Being average vs. successful. Of course you can make $ playing online. But you will not be one of the best without passion. You need a drive to become better every day.

He's arguing that one can be passionate without being obsessed. And he's correct. Do try to keep up if you're going to comment.

Well shoot I mean if you want to come on here belittling people because they aren't "obsessed" with poker blablabla then I'm going to own you because you kind of look like a tool anyways.

i don't know what a tool is but i know u r not passionate about poker leveled

GLGL