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Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally?

08-21-2015 , 11:55 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LotGrinder
I paid well over 50k in court costs from the ages of 18-23. All victimless crimes. Also paid taxes on 70k a year when I had a real job.I'll take my healthcare.

I also hope some broke black guy is using his welfare check to load up on 40s right now so he can find his 300lb gf attractive enough to fuc*.

Stay Mad America.

What were the victimless crimes you charged with?
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:00 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by bumpnrun
What were the victimless crimes you charged with?
I sold Skunk #1, Northern Lights, and other premium strands of bud back in early 2000s for 4k a pop when my best friends Dad sold them to me for 3k.

I was in medical marijuana sales before it was legal.

When I ended up getting informed on 12k was seized and I had 15k court fines, 3k prison stay fine. In addition, I drove on a suspended license at least 20 times and they would zap me a G fine at a time. No prison because I actually had a 70k a year job to drive to.....

Gubment got me for at least 50k.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:07 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Land O Lakes
He's right that you came off as a bit of a sanctimonious tool simply because you pay your taxes and obey laws. That's not something to be proud of but rather is something to be expected as the basic characteristics of being a responsible member of society.
agreed. I will just end this nonsense by stating that I have paid my taxes.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:12 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LotGrinder
I would say year three of playing for a living is when a poker pro should start reporting everything they make in order to start building a credit profile so they can buy a house/etc. You will eventually have to prove to a woman and woman's family you actually make momey from poker if you want to get married, have kids, etc.
I had a pregnant wife and a 2-year-old when I started playing for a living.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:17 AM
Well I hate both of you guys slightly less for your last two posts (not that u prob GAF)

Weed laws are nonsense, obviously. and I rarely smoke it

Breaking the law around road rules is lame but whatever

Taking unemployment while grinding is super scummy, but you already knew that

Pay your taxes. Find another way to meaningfully contribute. Gonna just assume you don't get it cos you are immature as apposed to being terrible people, so one day you will grow up and get it. Pro poker player is nothing to be proud of, in fact its awful

You want a wife n kids Lotgrinder? Good plan. Ive got them..... they are fkn amazing. Heres some troof for ya. You just narrowed down your options by 98% with your occupation. glglg
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:24 AM
Is whoever had the two year old and a pregnant wife the same guy who said he has paid taxes from year one of going pro on?

That would make sense.

I would want my earnings on paper if I had a wife and children.

If it is my first couple years and I am finding out if I have what it takes to be a pro.

Sorry. Not worrying much about paying taxes.

Last edited by LotGrinder; 08-22-2015 at 12:37 AM.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:33 AM
My entire first year playing live I was worrying about learning how to fold top pair/top kick and over pairs to check raising and re-raising aggression from unsophisticated villains. Paying taxes was the farthest thing from my mind. Learning to fold 99-QQ and AK to all 3bets was really hard as well.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:40 AM
So wait...

None of you guys cheat on your taxes in this thread?
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 12:50 AM
Always had a real job, did well part time when I was single and had time.... quit taking poker seriously about 2012 when it was obviously simply not worth it. I really should have quit about 2009 if I'd been smart. You're at the wrong end
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 02:53 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LotGrinder
Everyone who aspires to play poker for a living should be making $20+ a hour at $1/$2 NLHE within the first year of trying to go pro or you pretty much suck and if you can not make adjustments needed to make $20+ a year at $1/$2 in your second year I'd advise you to give up and get a real job.

Lol at any poker pro who would instruct an aspiring poker pro to pay taxes on all their earnings in the first few years. I am not a fraud. I will always kick you the real deal. If you declare 100% of your earnings before you have officially arrived as a poker pro you're an idiot.

Go on and get mad I give that advice.

I like it.

Like I said aspiring grinders, go ahead and take your shot.

Don't let these bankroll NITs and order takers get you down.
Advocating tax evasion in these forums is not allowed. This is not negotiable or situational.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:02 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LotGrinder
Is whoever had the two year old and a pregnant wife the same guy who said he has paid taxes from year one of going pro on?

That would make sense.

I would want my earnings on paper if I had a wife and children.

If it is my first couple years and I am finding out if I have what it takes to be a pro.

Sorry. Not worrying much about paying taxes.
+1

It's always best to keep it simple and just pay your taxes.

I never have to fear an audit. When they look through my past returns and see that I declared things like $50 in cash income for playing my clarinet during a restaurant gig, I don't think I'll get a lot of questions about my poker income assuming my records are good (which they are, all laid out on a spreadsheet showing the results of every tournament.)
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:12 AM
This entire thread is full of nonsensical assumptions. I dont know what it is like being a poker pro but I do know that with hard work a regular job can be pretty great. I work from home and dont get any hassles from my boss. Can take as much time off as I want (like a poker pro I dont get paid when I dont work) and I earn a lot of money and I know I will earn that every year. I also dont have to harm other people in order to succeed. I fact, the opposite is true and that provides a great sense of satisfaction.

I also pay my taxes. A lot of taxes.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:44 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cam427
This entire thread is full of nonsensical assumptions. I dont know what it is like being a poker pro but I do know that with hard work a regular job can be pretty great. I work from home and dont get any hassles from my boss. Can take as much time off as I want (like a poker pro I dont get paid when I dont work) and I earn a lot of money and I know I will earn that every year. I also dont have to harm other people in order to succeed. I fact, the opposite is true and that provides a great sense of satisfaction.

I also pay my taxes. A lot of taxes.
What is this wonderful self-employed job of yours where you enrich people's lives and know how much you'll earn every year?
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 08:46 AM
It always amazes me when people take an over-the-top sarcastroll like Slater seriously.

Then again, given my own life experience of people taking me seriously when I didn't think that was possible, I really shouldn't be surprised.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 09:31 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Poker Clif
Advocating tax evasion in these forums is not allowed. This is not negotiable or situational.
This is stupid. It's a relevant part of the discussion, and no matter how badly people on 2p2 want to lie to themselves, we all know that $1/$2 NL "pros" who are 24 and live at home with their parents with a monthly nut of $184 aren't paying taxes on what they make.

I would happily be willing to bet one could not find 10 people on this entire website who have a completed tax return that covers a full year worth of 1/2 NL play.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 09:46 AM
Wait...so none of you guys currently cheat or have cheated on your taxes in the past? You've all logged your poker sessions and paid taxes on the earnings at the end of year if you came out ahead? Even if it was just a few k?

Lol. Spare me.

Last edited by LotGrinder; 08-22-2015 at 09:54 AM.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 09:57 AM
Quote:
Originally Posted by LotGrinder
Wait...so none of you guys currently cheat or have cheated on your taxes in the past?
as a former professional poker player and somebody studying for the CPA exams, please let me correct the logic that's been laid out.

The IRS isn't just some tax collector that sees you file for 2 years of 0 income, (or not file at all, LOL good luck with that) and forgets about it. They are a legitimate business that is trained to find every sort of mistake we, as taxpayers make. Of course, they aren't really worried about the "small fish" in the market, so the not paying tax on your 20k earnings or whatever isn't a huge deal. Of course, I don't condone this and you should pay on what you earn regardless of the income because its the law.

That being said, it will create this "oh I don't have to pay taxes because I've never been caught" mentality, and then what do you do? You can't actually buy any assets or anything because you never claimed income.

If you want to make it as a "live 1/2 professional" (which is really just ****ing absurd as it gets", I suggest doing things on the up and up because the IRS is a very cruel mistress if you try to **** them.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 02:08 PM
You didn't actually answer his question. Otherwise, good post.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 02:49 PM
of course live pros cheat on their taxes - 99.9999999% of people who work heavily in cash cheat on their taxes.....there's no need to argue that.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 02:56 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by cam427
This entire thread is full of nonsensical assumptions. I dont know what it is like being a poker pro but I do know that with hard work a regular job can be pretty great. I work from home and dont get any hassles from my boss. Can take as much time off as I want (like a poker pro I dont get paid when I dont work) and I earn a lot of money and I know I will earn that every year. I also dont have to harm other people in order to succeed. I fact, the opposite is true and that provides a great sense of satisfaction.

I also pay my taxes. A lot of taxes.
1.You don't know you'll earn that every year - successful businesses are ran by the most cut-throat individuals around - if you're making a lot of money you better be producing big time or else you're #1 on their radar to get bounced for a college grad.
2.Poker might appear to be a "hustle" but most businesses(especially sales) are much more deceiving/predatory/etc.....in poker the rules are layed out in front of you - the rules cannot be broken....if you go into an auto dealership they try to sell you on everything and will con their way into adding additional insurances/parts/etc to your purchase that its very hard not get hustled in some way or another even if you're on top of your game.....most businesses in the US are predatory in some manner and use backdoor methods to getting more money out of the consumer - to say poker is worse then an insurance salesman/realtors/auto mechanics/etc is crazy.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:04 PM
Numbers are off imo but for the sake of discussion let's just say it's 9%.

9% extra is still 9%. As a professional poker player you should be obsessed with percentages.

As said before, healthcare is super expensive. It's going to take up a significant percentage of a grinders income.

Vs a reg career, pros are giving up room for promotions, fixed raises, and building a CV.

Some employers even pay a % of tuition if you want to continue education.

And then there's stuff like paid sick time, Sunday pay, holiday pay, paid vacations, and other kicks like 401k matching up to 6% that's pros miss out on.

The list goes on.

You'd have to be crazy to just want to grind out a modest living playing poker.

A player would have to have zero options in order to even consider it ie felon.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:09 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Siculamente
Numbers are off imo but for the sake of discussion let's just say it's 9%.

9% extra is still 9%. As a professional poker player you should be obsessed with percentages.

As said before, healthcare is super expensive. It's going to take up a significant percentage of a grinders income.

Vs a reg career, pros are giving up room for promotions, fixed raises, and building a CV.

Some employers even pay a % of tuition if you want to continue education.

And then there's stuff like paid sick time, Sunday pay, holiday pay, paid vacations, and other kicks like 401k matching up to 6% that's pros miss out on.

The list goes on.

You'd have to be crazy to just want to grind out a modest living playing poker.

A player would have to have zero options in order to even consider it ie felon.
I'd agree grinding out mediocrity in poker(2/5 or lower) is a long term waste of time but grinding out mediocrity in the white collar world is even worse.....atleast playing poker for a living you have the chance to be great/get into other businesses/etc - if you're working for someone making 50k/yr and the best case scenario is 80k/yr that's very depressing.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:15 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Z06Fanatic1
of course live pros cheat on their taxes - 99.9999999% of people who work heavily in cash cheat on their taxes.....there's no need to argue that.
You just said that 1 out of a billion people who work in cash don't cheat on their taxes and not to argue with that.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:17 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Land O Lakes
You just said that 1 out of a billion people who work in cash don't cheat on their taxes and not to argue with that.
posts like this keep intelligent conversation on these forums to a minimum
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote
08-22-2015 , 03:18 PM
Quote:
Originally Posted by Land O Lakes
You just said that 1 out of a billion people who work in cash don't cheat on their taxes and not to argue with that.
C'mon. His point is obvious, as well as correct. The deflection and denial by people in this thread is comical. Your average casino low-to-mid stakes player isn't paying taxes on their earnings and you know it.
Are there any Live Poker Pros That Don't Regret Their Decision to Play Professionally? Quote

      
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