Tell me why I can't go pro

[PShabi]

Considering rakeback and my winrate, let's say I just avg 2BB/100 hands. This is even a bit conservative.

I make $20/100 hands.

I play 325 hands / hr. (again, conservative)

I make $65 / hr.

I play 25 hrs / wk.

I make $1625 / wk.

Roughly $84,500 / yr.

Even if the tax man rapes me for 30%, I'm looking at $59,150 for the year.

Tell me why I can't do this.

[Talking Poker]

How many hands of $5/10 6 max do you have in your PT database now?

Before you think about going pro, I'd like to see you try 10/20 and 15/30 and see how you do at those levels too. You're BB/100 will decrease (it should), but your total profit could certainly increase. It's almost the same game. Remember, you're my little 6 max protege. And with as little as I've been playing that game recently, the student may have become the teacher.

As for your question... the biggest reason I can think of for you to not do it is............. Stress. Poker changes a lot when it becomes your primary source of income. It's a job where you can actually go to work all day (or week or month!) and actually come home with less money than you started with. When the bills start piling up, that can be EXTREMELY stressful, especially when you have a family to support.

I've said it before and I'll say it again: Poker is an awesome second job. It's the best gravy around.....

That said, I still think with the right attitude and family support (what does you wife think of this?), it's doable. You have the skills.

[melioris]

I assume that you have taken a set period time and proven that these numbers are manageable? Then the only thing that I see missing is bankroll consideration. Can your bankroll afford to absorb a bad streak AND the required monthly withdrawal for living? How many months of living and how long of a bad streak (how big of a bankroll) is enough safety net for you before the losing and diminishing bankroll starts to affect your playing?

[JPSmiley]

What is wrong with the situation you are currently in? I would be happy if i could make that much a week on the side and have some fun doing it. Why not work and play poker just like you do now, or maybe work part time instead of full time.

Edit : by the way, if anyone is looking for a bankroll booster i highly recommend casino whoring. Ive made over 1k in the past month just casino whoring like 10 hours a week.

[PShabi]

I'll answer more of these questions when I have time. You guys pose some good ones.

I have decided that I would like to move back to Indiana (the place I spent my whole life in before I moved to Florida 5 years ago). Unfortuntately for me, jobs in education/coaching do not necessarily become available until the summer months. My current job wants to know in a week if I'm staying or leaving.

So, I'm thinking about biting the bullet and making the move w/o a job. My plan is to begin a job search as soon as I get up there, however, if something doesn't work out by August, I'd have to rely on poker.

So, in a perfect world, I'd get a job in my profession and just keep poker as a great side job. But, the world's not always perfect.

Also, the appeal of making my own hourse, doing what I want, when I want, and also making some nice coin have been knocking at my door.

[PShabi]

I've got a lot of 5/10 hands in the PTDB. Granted a good portion from the beginning were big losers, but I've proven that I can win at a solid rate since January.

Also, those #s I stated above are a bit low. I claim a 2BB/100 rate. However, to keep that I'd actually only have to win 1.5BB/100 w/ rakeback.

I've taken a few stabs (lost $1200 yesterday ) at 10/20 but w/ not great results. I'm currently 4 tabling 5/10 and mixing in a GREAT 10/20 game when I can.

Breaking myself in.

Also, as a note to everyone:

If I do this, it would probably only be for one year. Coaching is still my heart and soul.

[thrash1294]

If you can make 59,000 a year thats damn good ,I would try it if I had enough saved to pay all my expenses for 1 yr set aside and did not have nothing to lose .

[bunny]

I think the only way you can possibly do this is, if you have enough of a bankroll, (apart from the poker bankroll) to live well for 1 year. This way if things don't go well at poker, you won't be in the poor house for that 1 year.

If you win, though...I'm pretty sure you're not going to stop at one year. You say that now, but eventually that 1 year will turn into 2, 3 or maybe even 5 years. And you will, most definitely forget about your "heart & soul" job, because it won't matter to you as much. (not if the money's that good)

Poker is stressful but also very addictive.

Coaching (a real job) guarantees you a paycheck. Poker doesn't. What may seem great today (winning streak) may not be so great tomorrow. Think about it long and hard before you make your decision.

But... most important, is the family. It's going to be just as stressful for them, but if they're willing to stand by you, and you feel that positive about it...then go for it. I wish you all the luck in the world.

[MAYHEM45]

I think you should definitely go for it man. If your family supports you that is a great safety net, and you also have us and this forum as a backup net as well.

I will be doing the same thing this summer, moving out with 4 friends and supporting myself entirely from poker. I may have a sweet $20/h factory job lined up that I may take if things dont go well, but when I am making 5 times that from the comfort of my air conditioned house, I may just not bother.

I dont think you are the blogging type, but I think it would be great to keep an online journal of sorts of your "year as a pro." It would help to look back when you are having a rough month, and I'm sure would be hilarious for others to read as well. I know I would.

Best of luck to you man.