A few thoughs after catching up on this thread (pages 14-20).
1. Aruging about whether lawyers or poker players contribute more to society is pointless. You could make the same arguments about singers, dancers, actors, athletes, college professors, and anyone else who doesn't "make things."
A lot of entrepreneurs don't "make things", whether it's a kid with three paper routes, someone with a landscaping business, or a self-employed poker player.
2. I reject the idea that "the game has passed you by" after a certain age. Mike Sexton is still getting WPT cashes (not bad for a part-time player in his 60s). Doyle Bruson won a WSOP bracelet at age 76.
I didn't even start playing poker until my late 40s. I'm 57 now, I realize that I'm too tight for today's games, and I'm studying Johnathan Little's books to help me fix that. It's actually a lot of fun when I raise UTG with 33 or 65s and everyone folds because they expect an old guy to be playing something like TT+, AK.
3. I agree with the post that says it's all about work ethic. I put in at least 45 hours every week between working and studying, and I'm clearing other things out of my life so I can work even more. If you have a great work ethic, you can put in the volume to make some serious money. And if you're always studying, the game won't pass you by. Older players who have made, or are making, the necessary adjustments to remain competitive at the highest levels include Daniel Negreanu, Mike Sexton, and Phil Hellmuth.
4. A poker player, just like anyone else, should cover all his bases. We all need to think about insurance and retirement, pay our taxes, and take care of our families. (I think I said earlier in this thread that my wife has most of those bases covered. That's true, but in addition I can start collecting my miltary retirement pay at age 60.)
I will probably never be a poker millionaire, but I'll never be a broke player, because I'm not interested in backing, selling pieces, or in any other way playing tournaments that I can't afford.
When I was starting out, I actually turned down an unsolicited offer from someone who wanted to back me to move up from $5 to $10 SNGs. I had said in a post that I practiced good bankroll management and didn't move up until I had enough buy-ins for the next level. I guess that's a wierd concept for some people.
Last edited by Poker Clif; 11-20-2012 at 02:20 PM.
Reason: Spelling error, added the part about my retirement pay.