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As poker has become more and more popular, more people are trying to make a living at it. I did it for 16 years. Those who are successful l(not tournament but live games), for a short time, i.e. less than 7years, I would say are not making a “living†out of it. They may do well for a short time, but as BK knows, real success comes over time, not like some of these one hit wonders back here in the States. Making a living playing poker is a grind, grind, grind proposition and I would not have traded it for the world. As Count Dante stated, his buddies were making a killing. In the short run anything is possible. I’m glad they won, but year in and year out is the true mark of success. Why? Because too many of the one hit wonders haven’t experienced that inevitable downturn and what the hell is going on feeling where absolutely NOTHING goes right regardless of how well you play. Self doubt creeps in, and it can become a monster if you let it. It’s glamorous when your winning most of the time but it’s the feeling of guts spilled on the rocks feeling when your not.
The NL they play now at 1-2, 1-3, and 2-5 limits now, in my and only my humble opinion, is not really no limit poker in its real form. I ain’t knocking it really but simply say that it’s not my cup of tea at limits where bluffing is taken away because of the low limit I know I’m an old fart from the old school, but that’s the way I see it. It is a variant, but not the real thing. Why? Because at these low enter the pot amounts you are taking away one of the true weapons of NL, and that is the bluff. Almost everyone can call 5 or 10 dollars and all too often do. It is designed to let people in cheaply. A real no limit game such as 25-25-50 , allows a true bluff possibility for the $100, not$7. This is NOT to malign the smaller game at all. It is just that when a game like 1-2 or 2-5 takes away a major tool of a good player, then IN MY OPINION, that game is not true NL as it was designed. It is a game designed for the masses and that is a good thing.
Mad German says he has played about 10 times and come away a winner each time. That’s great, but call me in 5 years after playing about 150 times a year and let me know then. No offense at all sir, keep up the good work. But unfortunately, as BK can probably tell you, it’s a very tough way to make an easy living. I could not do it today at anywhere near the pace I did in my younger days. Today, I marvel at all the hotshots and one month wonders who try to impress with because they got lucky for a short time and ain’t afraid to let you know. I have seen almost every king of beat at the poker table known to mankind, and yet even today I chuckle to myself when a new way to lose comes up. Today, so much of the game, especially in the lower limits is really gambling, that is, throw the chips in and I’ll see you at the river. It creates some HUGE pots based on gambling, not well played hands. Again it takes away a major weapon, bluffing, ESPECIALLY in lower limit games, i.e., 3-6, 4-8, 8-16. But often it is a crap shoot since 5 or 6 people per pot are playing low percentage cards and winning with them.
I was VERY fortunate to have made and saved enough during that time to buy some property for my retirement and pay cash for it with my winnings. I still play once or twice a week, but at nowhere near the pace I did when younger. I’m just a grumpy, crusty 61 yr old fart now who sits back and enjoys my remaining time in this life. I will NEVER give up poker playing as I really enjoy the comraderie and the stories from all over. I really don’t believe in bad beats. I do believe in very unusual runs of cards. In truth, no one REALLY wants to hear them, since we have all had them laid on us at one time or another. Deal with them and move on, they’re inevitable. My playing time is now limited to 4 or 5 hour sessions once or twice a week and I love it. Making a real living where you thrive at poker, is VERY VERY tough. Because of the rake (increasing all the time), the tips, and a low enough limit to let too many people into the hand too cheaply, it has become even more difficult to make a living at it, especially in the limits under 15-30. Can it be done? I’m sure someone knows someone who does it, but it sure has to take lots and lots and lots of hours of grinding at the lower limits.
I’m sure many will chime in and that’s fine. But most players are RECREATIONAL players and that’s very good. But making a living at it, ain’t all it’s cracked up to be. I wouldn’t have traded it for anything but there were the inevitable hard times when nothing went right and that’s when I had to dig in extra hard. I often questioned my sanity at why I was putting myself through this, and the answer was not always easily forthcoming. Would I do it again?. YOUR DAMN STRAIGHT I WOULD !! But as I said before, it’s a very tough way to make an easy living. Chime in and fire away….
3P
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CR LOS or PI Come horny, Leave Happy
Being 'over the hill' is damn sure better than being under it!
I was always taught to respect my elders, but it keeps getting harder to find one.
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