Quote:
Originally Posted by OnTheRail15
It's not that difficult to figure out guys. If there were someone who could fire you from being a poker player if you didn't put in 40 hours a week, most pros would have zero problem doing it.
And if you define "pros" as people who already do that without the threat of a boss firing them, it's even less difficult to figure out.
By that measure, it must not be very hard to get drafted into the NFL- dozens of people do it every year; it must not be very hard to listen to someone singing and jump in on the saxophone in tune in rhythm - every city has a few guys on the subway who can do it.
Just because a bunch of really good poker players who spent a ton of time honing their skills and in many cases moved around the country to make their dreams come true can do something doesn't make it easy or even standard.
Quote:
Originally Posted by prophet73
once you have achieved a certain level of knowledge (and yes, continued study of your play and opponents) the actual activity and time spent in a cardroom isn't harder.
Even if it's no harder, it's also no easier.
Every person has their skills, plus things they like, and maybe most importantly, **** they're willing to tolerate. For example, I am pretty intolerant of accounting **** and maybe not coincidentally terrible at it - when I cleaned out a safety deposit box I overlooked an embarrassing number of 1k chips and found them a few months later. Accounting is hard for me, poker is moderately difficult, science is easy. It's way easier for me to put in a 60 hour week sciencing than a 30 hour week pokering (I tried to put in a single 30 hour week once, hilarity ensued). I suspect for others it's the other way around.
As a whole - training to get to a high level, availability of games (I have it in my mind you play or played at the Oaks - the 30/60 may not even run 2,000 hours/year there so even if you're willing to put in the hours you just physically can't), monotony of discipline on a day to day basis - is poker harder or easier than any other occupation? Probably harder on the first two due to lack of training options and game options. But even if you're in a good location and have solid relationships with elite players, it's at least no easier than any other job. Everyone has to put up with a day to day routine that's often pretty boring.
The difference is that at a salaried job you get paid whether you fall asleep in a meeting or actively participate. Even an hourly worker could pretend to be sorting things in the warehouse and sneak a nap. To that end, the day to day of poker is more like a freelancer or contractor - you don't get paid unless you actively work.
Last edited by callipygian; 08-07-2017 at 02:49 PM.