It's all about the downswings. As soon as you have an edge in gambling whether its laying or pro punting or being a better poker player than most of your opponents then you have an advantage. It is however quite small relatively to your roll.
You will have huge downswings at one time or another. Its all about still making the correct decisions while you are having one that sorts the wheat from the chaff. Variance will always come and kick you up the butt. Poker is much more suited to dipping in and out of as a means of relaxation or having a spin up. I look at some of the "pros" who grind live cash every night in casinos and just feel sorry for them.
Online grinders. Well that's just a joke. Surely there are easier ways to make 20/30k a year? And healthier livings too.
You have a perfect spot now surely JB? Decent job with travelling and able to dip your toe in the poker world when you want. Yet you don't need to worry about having a bad run at the tables too much.
I would recommend trying to bink a ukipt or even an ept but your game seem more suited to cash.
Thanks, great post and well put.
My setup is definitely well worked for dipping my toe everywhere, even to the point where I can take overtime from overseas trips as time off.. If I did that id have four weeks leave for every 3weeks away.
This could lead to me getting a salary and only working around half the year.... That's an idea in itself. I could take a couple of 3-4weekers during the year and be a 'pro' during this time.
Im by no means going to ever snap do this.. And it scares the life outa me to consider it. But I am playing better, winning more and I enjoy the whole thing as far as I can see.
Biggest worry is how would I play when I HAVE to win? Losing now, I could just stop and get the same advice from family and non-poker friends "haven't you given it up yet? Its a mugs game!"
My game has been engineered toward cash poker for the last 14months, I enjoy the intricacies of it... And I'm lucky to know a couple of 'pros' that im able to talk to/ ask about it.
One said "dont be ridiculous, why would you give up your job?
![](http://blondepoker.com/forum/Smileys/default/ts.png)
a horrible way to earn money"
As we skyped from Costa Rica, he'd just finished grinding the prime euro some 'time' and it was time for him to go out for the evening with his girlfriend.... Sounds horrid.
![Cheesy](http://blondepoker.com/forum/Smileys/default/cheesy.gif)
But he also told me when he was in a massive hole, couldn't win, couldn't see the end... And even bumhunting wasn't going well.
I understand its a tough way to make an easy buck. The frustrating thing is that im travelong more BECAUSE im doing better at work. But now that's stopping me playing dtd500's or ukipt's or gps's and the juicy games around them.
I respect all of the advice on here and appreciate it, pleno is one of the first people I will be talking to, if I think about this with any intent.
Need to head home to pack and catch my ridiculous taxi... Going to be mega pissed if I miss the main flight as the mini first one only has an hour or so to transfer, last time the airline made me miss it.