Prose from a Poshboy

[RickBFA]

Lenders are running scared of the regulator in the new regime following MMR (the mortgage market review).

One aspect of this is putting increased scrutiny especially for lenders on affordability.

Its a political hot potato but has turned the mortgage market from one which was too relaxed into one that is very risk averse.

Unfortunately Arbboy, whilst I understand your point of view on risk, the lenders have to assess ongoing serviceability of the lending, especially in the new regime.

Some of the underwriting decisions I've seen are just crazy.

[SuuPRlim]

i think poker players are an example where the system doesn't quite fit the needs. However what are the banks supposed to do, learn all about poker? Seems way easier just to tell all the poker guys to GTFO and come back for a mortgage when they have a proper job.

[david3103]

So, Alex, how's your cooking these days?

Any exciting plans for Christmas?

[cambridgealex]

So, Alex, how's your cooking these days?

Any exciting plans for Christmas?

Cooking has taken a step back lately because I have an in-house chef who loves cooking and is excellent. Hit the jackpot there....

Plans for Christmas are quite exciting this year because I'll be sharing Christmas with Victoria who doesn't really celebrate Christmas in her culture so I'm really looking forward to sharing all the little quirks and traditions with her. Never spent Christmas with a girlfriend before so that's something new.

Then I'm going to meet her family in Riga for a week over New Years (and my birthday) which is going to be really good. New Year's for them is a really big celebration (much more than Christmas) so it'll be interesting to experience that. Lots of Vodka I hear!

Then I'm going skiing with my brothers which I'm REALLY excited about. Used to go every year as a child, and also on school trips a few times - probably been 15-20 times lifetime, but haven't managed to go for ages. Last time I was skiing it was on a day trip with Ian Gascoigne in Salzburg in 2012!

Click to see full-size image.

[cambridgealex]

I've just spend a lovely few days with my Mum and new hubbie Peter. We had some great talks and I've made a couple of big decisions.

Click to see full-size image.

I've decided that whilst I don't have a clear opportunity whether that be a job offer, a line of work or career that I'm passionate about pursuing, a suitable investment or business opportunity I will carry on as I am.

I think with Poker, I've hit the jackpot really. I've found something that for the most part I love doing- I love the freedom, opportunities and lifestyle it affords and I make good money. I have security to a certain extent because I have staking deals and can always get staking deals so I don't have much financial risk. There's always the risk of not earning money and just bleeding away through expenses. But I think my strategy of just being staked for tournaments and using my bankroll for live cash games which I've been a consistent steady winner for 5 years at is a good one. You have the odd losing month but it's pretty low variance.  And I'm always putting myself in situations to win huge sums in tournaments.

It would very likely take at least 10, maybe even more years in employment before I was on the kind of salary similar to my earnings from poker. Some will read that as a very arrogant or cocky thing to write, but it's entirely relevant and true. During which I would likely be actually far less happy than I am now, with very little freedom, and who's to say any more fulfillment?

I've realised I'm a grass is greener guy. Always thinking I can have it better elsewhere. Yet I have had so many moments in poker where I think this is absolutely the most amazing feeling. Getting a huge bluff through, getting a big hero call right, dominating a final table, feeling like you've outplayed a good player and so on. I'm sure you all have. I've had so many times whilst out celebrating wins, or friends wins, or in any number of amazing places poker has taken me, where I just think I have the best life and I don't wanna trade it for anything. Just because the downtime in between big tournaments is often not very exciting or fulfilling isn't a good enough reason to jack it all in for an unknown job or career. I think it's totally unrealistic to expect complete happiness, satisfaction and fulfillment from a job 24/7.

I will keep my eyes and ears open for opportunities. I see myself maybe more as a self-employed kind of guy. But whilst I still love much about the poker lifestyle, and whilst I still feel I can make excellent money in the game, until something solid and concrete comes up by way of an alternative - I'm going to stick to poker.

[atdc21]

Hey Alex, glad you have come to a decision about what to do, seems a good idea .  Have you got your original staker for tournies ? not sure if it has been said on here or not?  Now you have sorta come back on here a bit will you be posting reports from trips/tournies again, always an interesting read imo.

[cambridgealex]

Hey Alex, glad you have come to a decision about what to do, seems a good idea .  Have you got your original staker for tournies ? not sure if it has been said on here or not?  Now you have sorta come back on here a bit will you be posting reports from trips/tournies again, always an interesting read imo.

I am enjoying posting too and will do so more now, especially with DTD events coming up.

As far as tourney reports and day to day updates I think I'm still siding with not doing them.

It's just so hard to get it right. You can't feel frustrated about a winning day, or a losing day if you had a winning day yesterday. Or a losing month if you had a big win last month. You can't feel too good about a win or a hand you feel you played well or a performance you're proud of.

Too many hand histories bore some people (myself included!), too much strategy disadvantages myself too much when playing other uk regs.

I know everyone that replies will say they don't mind, they like the honesty, the raw emotion one experiences after a session.

But there's many people who won't post who it rubs up the wrong way, and I don't like doing that, especially when I sympathise completely, even agree with them.

And when you strip all that out then it becomes rather dull writing. There's not much to talk about.

So I'll just write when I have something interesting or funny or just if I feel like it

[George2Loose]

Was pretty obvious you were just having a wobble and would carry on with poker.

All the best with it- hopefully see u soon

[Sulphur man]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/grrrrains-uks-first-cereal-cafe-to-open-in-london-9838161.html

Shit just got real.

[Eso Kral]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/grrrrains-uks-first-cereal-cafe-to-open-in-london-9838161.html

Shit just got cereal real.

Fyp

[Sulphur man]

http://www.independent.co.uk/life-style/food-and-drink/news/grrrrains-uks-first-cereal-cafe-to-open-in-london-9838161.html

Shit just got cereal real.

Fyp

Nice work :-)

[marcro]

What percentage of your play is tournaments v cash?

[pleno1]

nice, it's times like this that you sail through to a big score
At WPT, gls there

[cambridgealex]

What percentage of your play is tournaments v cash?

These days probably 80/20 tournaments/cash

Historically about 50/50

[blueace]

Alex,
Great Freelance career with travel paying £250 a day plus tips  http://www.britainsbestguides.org/
Investments: Managed investment funds with a good track record (you probably already do this)
http://www.investsmart.com.au/managedfunds/topfunds (not a uk site but you get the idea).
Gl