Well it's your stand-by reason for posting anything, so you must not realize that it's not really a reason to post something.

I would suggest posting it where I already suggested: a personal blog. Don't worry, I didn't read it.

good for you

no ty and ok.

I think what is clear from your post is that you really do lack a full understanding of the game of Poker. I stopped reading after a certain point, because frankly, life's too short.

Poker only sucks the life out of you if you let it. People who play poker a lot understand the swings of the game, understand that they're going to experience variance. You make so many foolish, FOOLISH assumptions about players and pros that are just embarassing to read, such as:

"I think there are also way too many young players dropping out of college to play this game",

"I think most people who play poker, and by that I mean take it seriously enough to have PT, read magazines, sign up for cardrunners, and discuss hands and ranges, have an unhealthy relationship with the game",

"Hardly anyone who plays poker as a "pro" ... enjoys the game"

I mean if you were to actually stop and think about what you were typing, and actually provide something that resembles evidence for your points of view, maybe you wouldn't be regarded as such an idiot?

these threads are pointless because the OPs always refuse to believe that some people really do enjoy the game

TEA EL DEE OUR

I don't doubt people lie about their win rates, however there is a core of solid players who do do what I wrote. I know I do and I'm half an idiot. I just think your blog entry cuts too wide a swath. Sure, what you wrote is true of some. Letting a game consume your life is a bad thing, even when you are making crazy money. It's especially stupid if you're only making decent money.

The toughest part of playing for a living is the mental aspects and a big part of that is keeping poker in it's place. For those that achieve that mind set, poker can be the cornerstone of a very nice life. If you (OP) can't do this then I think it would be smart to do something else, but don't project your failings upon everyone else.

people always turn these kind of posts into projection, which is fair enough I guess. Interestingly enough, Dr. Phil doesn't have a problem with this. Is it really thar far beyond belief that a player who isn't losing has made these comments? That a player who is a winning player though modest compared to others is saying there is more to life than shipping winnings? That a winning player is saying that there are problems with poker and people are in denial about it?? shock gasp horror.

I think the key is to find a certain balance between poker and your life. I have managed to mix my online poker with school, sports while still being able to hang out with friends and family. If all you do is play, you will certainly end up asking yourself "Why am I doing this?" after some long sessions. I honestly feel blessed as a 19 year old to make very good coin and still be able to enjoy life. Poker has been a great find for me and many other players and I'm very thankful for it.

You seem to have a very negative view on poker. I saw a nice article on poker that I actually showed my dad so he could get a better sense of how poker can be good for you as a person.

Link: http://www.poker.se/artikel-1570-pok...d-for-you.html

Here's a resume of all the points in the article:

Poker Is A Great Teacher.
Poker Improves Your Study Habits.
Poker Develops Your Math Skills.
Poker Develops Your Logical Thinking.
Poker Develops Your Concentration.
Poker Develops Your Patience.
Poker Develops Your Discipline.
Poker Teaches You To Focus On The Long Term.
Poker Teaches You That Forgoing A Profit Equals Taking A Loss (And Vice Versa).
Poker Develops Your Realism.
Poker Teaches You To Adjust To Changing Situations.
Poker Teaches You To Adjust To Diverse People.
Poker Teaches You To Avoid Racial, Sexual And Other Prejudices.
Poker Teaches You How To Handle Losses.
Poker Teaches You To Depersonalize Conflict.
Poker Teaches You How To Plan.
Poker Teaches You How To Handle Deceptive People.
Poker Teaches You How To Choose The Best "Game."
Poker Teaches You The Benefits Of Acting Last.
Poker Teaches You To Focus On The Important Subjects.
Poker Teaches You How To Apply Probability Theory.
Poker Teaches You How To Conduct Risk-Reward Analyses.
Poker Teaches You To Put Things In Context And Evaluate All Variables.
Poker Teaches You How To "Get Into People's Heads."

sure, SOME have said it. that doesnt mean it's true for everyone. it isnt true for myself and many others. sorry that it's true for you.

Man, reading that article almost makes me think you could land a nice job by stapling a copy of it to a job resume after listing poker as one of your previous employments.

I agree with the point that dropping out of school to become a pro player is a bad idea.

As to the rest of your post, however:

You imply that the negative things you cite about poker, mean one should seek something else in life to do instead, at least professionally, I'm not sure that holds water.

Look, I have a good job. I take home (barely) in the six figures. It lets me have a really nice house, it lets my wife stay home and take care of the family, it lets me take the family on a fricken Disney cruise in the summers, and it lets me take the wife out to a 150 dollar dinner on occaision.

And the only reason I show up to this job every morning, the ONLY REASON, is that it pays me good money.

So if poker is your job you aren't skipping with happiness to the computer everyday to start your work? How is this different than any other freaking job in the world?

At least a successful poker player (I suspect) doesn't have to spend 60 hours a week at work (plus 12 hours a week commuting), doesn't have to check his blackberry on the way to bed and find out he has to fire up the computer for some so called work emergency that will keep him up another couple of hours, doesn't have be on call essentially 24/7... You don't want to play poker for a living because its too tough, fine, that's your choice and I don't really care what you do for a living, but don't go cry me a river about it as if there's something unique about your job not fulfilling all your emotional needs. Do your work, find your life fulfillment in the rest of your life.

IMO

--Zetack

I think poker is still very profitable at the moment, so I do not agree with op 100%. That being said, I am very glad I got my degree. People that get into good schools (top 20) and drop out midway through for poker are out of their *%$#ing minds. College is so easy that u can easily squeak through to the finish and still get a ton of poker in. Also, the game is profitable now only because of the Eurofish imo. This of course unless it becomes legal again in the US and all the TV watching donks start depositing again.

If poker remains "illegal" in the minds of most US citizens and if the poker boom slows in Europe (or Europeans get better, which they will) we are all screwed.

Grunch

Luckily Full Time Jobs do not suck the life out of you (cough cough)


Err would you like some fries with that ?

tl;dr but

OP: Did i see you playing 2/4 on FT with a like 270 dollar stack?
lol

"I am actually a winning player when I am on my game"
does that mean you lose overall but win sometimes?

lol

only if you let it

I think people are guilty of taking poker far too seriously. I play so I dont have to work while I am at uni and playing a few hours a day makes me more than a menial 9-5 job. Anyone who is even considering going "pro", dropping out uni, giving up a career, etc, should be good enough to play 1/2tables a few hours a night and make more than most people earn in a day. I like to moan about bad players, cold cards, suck outs, and everything else, but seriously we are playing a game and making a fair bit of money out of it.

Now if I decided, as I might, after my studies to play poker for a bit rather than finding a job, im sure things may be a bit more stressful, but even then at the very worst I lose my bankroll and get a job like everyone else. It really doesnt do any harm to keep things in perpective. Working for minimum wage in some dead end job would suck the life out you- playing a game for money really shouldnt

wrong and wrong

People who are actually responding to Britts (typical) post are too funny. I honestly didnt read past the second sentence - but I already know what its (generally) about.

Britt - I would really encourage you to start a blog - because this site is not your personal blog space. The only things you post on here are aimed to induce some sort of negative reaction and get a rise out of people, not discussion (like you state).

I also suggest you educate yourself on as many aspects of poker as you can before you continuously...tirelessly...time after time...post threads that show your incompetence.

[] Existential angst is cool.
[] Searching for meaning makes you great.
[] You're a winning player.
[x] STFU

tl;dr

Doyle Brunson: "buddy, I sat here all day and haven't made a pair"

Yea, I can tell you read none of it. @@

I was in the Royal Courts of Justice on the Strand today, seeking an extraordinary writ to free Britessential from himself. I was not successful, alas.

Brit, you're very amusing at times but don't take things so seriously.