Joined: Feb '11
Location: Philippines
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 49
for the last 3 years of my life i'v been playing poker online and cash game, and unfortunately i have a big downswing during that time, i think iv lost like around 500 bucks during that span of time, and my girlfriend is very pissed at me if i went on online and live poker game.
so guys i need your suggestion on this, should i still pursue my dream of a great poker player?
Joined: Feb '11
Location: Philippines
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 49
good day,
been playing first in live poker in our place, like homegames, then when i saw televised poker, i visited some sites do some research on online poker, at first i thought its a rigged game, thought it wasn't REAL.
stakes on playing live cash game are .10C/.20C, and online i usually play micro games, but i dont have a big score though,
here's my question is it worth it to pursue and study more about poker? i mean can i really generate profit from the game "poker" ?
i had upswings and downswings though, but to sum it all, i think got a negative result though, tsk
your still young and have lot of time to study poker..pursuing a career does not happen overnight.. it takes a lot of work and sacrifice.....me im playing for about 3 years read some books.study my game...still not a winning player...can beat freeroll tourneys now....if you love poker you will get where you want....
Joined: Jan '12
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 36 (M)
Posts: 1204
You're only 23, everybody has to start somewhere. Even if you lost 500 bucks I'm presuming you mean you lost 500 bucks within the 3 years and not in a few days because 500 bucks would be alot for someone in the Philippines. But anyway, even if you lost that much, all it would really take to get it back and more is to bink a big $1 tourney on stars or something, and 500 over a period of 3 years isn't too bad.
What I'm trying to say is, you could be just learning, and could have some actual talent. But at the same time this is the micros, its not the greatest place to showcase talent, and its tough even for the best players.
If you truly have any doubt in whether you have talent or ability, I'd give up. Give up on a pipe dream. But never give up on your dreams.
Joined: Aug '11
Location: Portugal
Age: 39 (M)
Posts: 232
Yes if it was during 3 years its not that bad why is your girlfriend so mad? Is she the kind of girl who thinks poker=gambling and evil? I don't think anyone is entitled to tell you what to do with your life.. in fact i believe every men has the answer inside of him even tho he thinks of alternatives. I would suggest tho a possibility .. maybe you set a goal to yourself like turning a small amount of money into X$. It's a good way to start and feel motivated .. practicing a good bankroll management and discipline and makes u feel good if u reach the goal!
Joined: Feb '11
Location: Philippines
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 49
yes i might wanna have a break of,but i certainly want to be back in action thank you for all your advices and i really appreciated on it.
Sadamman, your talking like your 10 years ahead of me lol, no offence , but i thank you for your advice, and il keep that noted on that. thankyou.
occultum, yes my girlfriend thinks poker is gambling and evil, even if im just drinking some beers with my friends, my girl thought we wer playing poker, lol somethimes poker gives headache on relationships though. lol
Joined: Mar '12
Location: Denmark
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 37
Posted by nonoyang: yes i might wanna have a break of,but i certainly want to be back in action thank you for all your advices and i really appreciated on it.
Sadamman, your talking like your 10 years ahead of me lol, no offence , but i thank you for your advice, and il keep that noted on that. thankyou.
occultum, yes my girlfriend thinks poker is gambling and evil, even if im just drinking some beers with my friends, my girl thought we wer playing poker, lol somethimes poker gives headache on relationships though. lol
she must really dislike poker then . 500 bucks in 3 years isnt that much, try losing that much in betting on a single game. i really think you should continue your dream, its a long shot but if you make its at least you will remember this moment and be glad you didnt quit
Joined: Feb '08
Location: United Kingdom
Age: 35 (M)
Posts: 1886
Posted by nonoyang: should i still pursue my dream of a great poker player?
Probably not. Better to face reality than keep on dreaming for years. Sounds harsh but we all have to be realistic sometime.
Now three years isn't that long in poker, it takes a long time to get good and 500 is not that much really in the grand scheme of things. I don't know about your situation but for the average earner in the UK or US, 160 dollars a year is a small amount of their leisure activity. But it all depends on what you can afford. If you have fun playing poker it's worth spending the money but if we're talking more of your income going on poker than anything else then it's probably best to cut down.
On the other hand, if you're only playing poker to make yourself rich, do yourself a favour and give up. I mean you could read a lot of poker books, practice for another few years, study the game until you know it inside out and theoretically you could turn out to be a fantastic player. But there are so many people playing, studying meticulously with the same attitude towards being the best that statistically you aren't very likely to ever make the poker hall of fame. In fact, most players won't even break even.
So my advice is to stop dreaming and just play poker for fun. Set yourself a weekly limit that you can afford and explain to your girlfriend that poker is your hobby, if you didn't spend it on poker you'd only spend it on another vice, and if one day you happen to get really good and win a lot of money, it's a bonus that you can spend on her. Just don't count on it.
Joined: Apr '09
Location: Australia
Age: 40 (M)
Posts: 6483
Posted by nonoyang:
or i will just give up and work a normal life? :/
I wouldn't say give up on playing poker. But if you're fantasising about becoming some kind of "poker pro" it might be worth giving up on that.. Although, if you just want to grind out a living, it should be doable, although if you're not turning a profit after 3 years.. I'd probably forget any ideas about becoming pro.
Joined: Feb '12
Location: New Zealand
Age: 53 (M)
Posts: 145
Posted by nonoyang: occultum, yes my girlfriend thinks poker is gambling and evil, even if im just drinking some beers with my friends, my girl thought we wer playing poker, lol somethimes poker gives headache on relationships though. lol
Yes I know allabout that, and my gf likes playing poker, but it does / can be problem (wanting u do some thing when ur trying win, on final table etc lol), "not spending enough time with her" etc LOL It take's lot time /effort /commitment to be good at poker. dont give up on ur dreams i say, just don't be to impatient set ur self goal's etc and master the basic's then keep moving up level's skill/buyin, learn as much as can, but play for fun first, if u don't, it can be a bore and use good BRManagement helps in the long run All the best
Fact is the chances are you won't be turning pro anytime soon with $500 loses over 3 years, but having said that, it depends you may have +EV when factoring in actual decisions and hands played.
Play if you enjoy it, if not you'll never be great - there's a quote from someone saying if you don't have a passion for what you are doing you will never be great, you need the enthusiasm as well.
. 500 bucks in 3 years isnt that much, try losing that much in 
