I wrote this thread to three other forums non poker related and boy did I get flamed, they screamed up and down because they just knew I wasn't going to get my degree when I clearly said I was going to anyway, but anyhow, I wanted to see what you guys think and see if you can understand what exactly I am saying because they didn't. I got called every name in the book haha.

But here's what I wrote:

Who is really taking the risk?

Today I ran across a coworker of mine, this Columbian girl only 20 years old. I know she is very pampered in her life based of what I have been told, she has a nice SUV, she’s already in her 3 year of college and will graduate next December. However I never really sat and talked with her today.

She was telling me about how she is almost done with school and with working she never has time to have any fun, and how she regrets all this school even though she will graduate soon and she’s not even 21. Her exact words are I feel like I missed out on all the fun I could have been having by going to school. I looked in amazement, at the naivety I see her. I said you have it right I am the one who has it backwards, I partied way too much at your age and now I am 27 and just now about to go to school.

Anyhow this conversation paved the way for our next one today and it was about each of our futures. I told her I am going to get my degree but using it will be another story, she said why? I said I was never corporate material (as I have learned over the years) even though through my life I thought I always wanted to be either an investment banker, financial planner, etc. she then asked what did I want to do, I said I think I have found my calling in poker, I told her that I wake up every morning watch prerecord poker games from tv to analyze them, I print out articles online at work to read when I get home, I buy poker books to study poker theory then I apply what I’ve learned in live games.

So basically I study just as hard as you do in your particular subjects, I said to her, she just said wow. But then her next question got me thinking, she said well isn’t that a risk?
I replied you must take risk in life in order to succeed, she didn’t agree with my logic though so I had to break it down to her my way.

Lets take her scenario first, she is working hard in college, she gets her degree she applies for a company of her choice, who is to say she gets the career? Who can guarantee that for her? She can’t. Ok then for the optimistic out there, lets say she gets the job, she gets promoted over time, almost up to a very important position, then all of a sudden the economy is on the downside, corporations have to make cuts and guess what, you are gone, no regard for your life, your family, what you must do to make ends meet. No control over your own destiny that way.

Now to me that’s a big risk, giving up that much control for medical benefits and the occasional company picnic, all in the name of not leaving your comfort zone.

Now I am not at all saying poker is the key and answer to life, but for me I see it as a passion a dream of sorts, and since I realize I do have talent, why not capitalize on that talent, nurture it, encourage it and make it grow. But of course none of this without looking at the risk. I compare it to other professional sports in that you are a competitor trying to outwit your opponents with your intellect. But again poker has advantages where professional football players, basketball players don’t.

If a professional football player blows his knee, he’s gone for good he has to rely hopefully on the money he’s made to get him by after that, and use his degree that his scholarship earned him to either work in a corporate world, or other industry, but then that brings me back to my paragraph earlier about working in a corporate world.

The great thing about poker (as I see it and explained to her), no one can “blow out your knee” and keep you from the game, keep you from generating income. As long as your mind remains sharp, and you stay on top of your game you really aren’t gambling at all.

All great poker players know to select tables where the fish (people who aren’t’ that great at poker but play regardless only to lose their money to the better players aka the sharks) are and capitalize on their money they are throwing at you. So where is the gambling? Sure you can get unlucky, but as long as you execute your skills, and keep a healthy bankroll you will always be able to be your own boss, secure your own future, make lots of money (lose lots of money), and live out your dream (if you enjoy cards as much as I do).

So I ask who is taking the big risk.

Oh another thing I forgot the reason we even had this conversation was because I was telling her that I wasn’t sure that even if I did pursue my degree and use it, I already know I don’t like the corporate life, so I am not sure I would even use it. Then I explained about the many poker players who went pro who were formally lawyers, doctors, and that they found the freedom they lacked in their highly respected professions playing cards, so it got me wondering if I should just pursue what I feel is my true calling, or go the route of getting a degree only because deep down most of usl feel we should go this route. I wonder…

ummmmmmm.... Lets see, you have no intention of getting a real job or using a degree but you are going to waste 4 years of your life along with probably close to 100K getting it. I don't understand this logic.

If you are a winning player and see a lot more room for improvement why bother?

__________________
I find your response in this thread shallow, and pedantic...

personally, i went to college, partied like hell and got a degree-hell i even went over to visit u guys during my summer holidays and lived it up big time in wildwood

when i started working, i had to study evenings and weekends to get my professional qualification but it was well worth it.

i dont wanna spend the rest of my days sitting behind a desk wondering if the guys on the floor are working their asses off or if she really is sick on a monday again for the third week in a row or whether he really does deserve the pay rise hes crying looking for or if i should sign this report cos it could come back and bite me in the ass if i got things slightly wrong.

my ambition is to fly into JFK, buy a camper van and spend a few years travelling across the states culminating in competing in the WSOP ME (and obviously winning it ) then its australia for a few years and finally back to europe and home.

however i wouldnt do any of the above if i didnt think i could fall back on my qualifications if i hit a rocky patch.

its all great and fun having a dream but imo everyone should have something to fall back on if things go belly up-whether its a degree u spent four years getting or emptying bins once a week along with your old buddy from school

whatever you decide to do, the best of luck in it and may it all work out sweet.

(see you at the final table in bout 4/5 years time )

With all due respect, I think this thread is a joke. Comparing getting a degree and playing poker is a joke. What levels do you play now, where and what results do you get? Even if you are making a consistant profit, the chances of poker flopping are a lot greater than the economy becoming so bad a motivated person with a degree couldn't get a decent paying job. I have a few other thoughts but they may be offensive and I may be off base.

It all comes down to motivation. Motivated people succeed in life. I totally agree that risks must be taken in life. However, these must be calculated risks.

Keep in mind shawn that most people see a college degree as a way to insure their future. They don't realize that this isn't the '80s and college degrees don't go as far as they used to...

My take on the situation is that companies are getting away from requireing degrees for all but specific jobs. They will take "Or equilivant training/experience" As far as being corperate material is concerned, I can't really comment on because I'm the exact same way. The only real big difference is that I have a family to support so I can't take a risky jump unless I have serious amounts in the bank because I have to have insurance and a steady income. My wife and kids come first.

In my opinion, any type of hard decision about your future so early in life is a risk. There are a slight few who determine what they love early in life and work towards that goal and have very happy lives. That's the silent minority. The most of us get the training or degree for a decent career then determine that we hate it, but we have the degree so we might as well use it and make more money doing that then starting entry level in a job we would love.

Personally, I love playing poker. I read about it, watch it on TV, I play it relax, I play it to wake up. I dream about it, I study it and I'm constantly trying to improve. I have also realized that while I love it, I'm not very good. I used to think I was, but I've had to realize that I'm hovering somewhere below average in skill level (there go my dreams of winning the WSOP ME next year ).

I also realize that while I love it, there is no way I could do this for a living. One reason is that I'm not that good, but the other reason is because I have a short attention span. I like tourney play, not ring play. I could never sit at the poker table for 8 hours grinding it out. I have trouble playing consistantly for 3+ hours in MTT freerolls. I realize that I have these weaknesses, and I'm working on them. Right now, Poker is like a decent hobby. Keeps my wife happy because it doesn't cost money and it gives me something to think about while I'm grinding it out at my regular job and things get to the point I want to scream

Follow your dreams when your young. I have no regrets about my past. I spent time in the military, got to see some great places (the navy is great as a travel agent), met a beautiful woman when I needed it and now have a great family. I honestly believe that I followed my dreams and I'm happy for it. If I now have a new dream, I figure that's normal.

__________________
Trons
JstTrons
Toyotatruck

I'm gonna be the voice of non-reason.

Without taking a risk you are destined to not follow through with your dream.

A good example is in the movie Rudy, if he doesn't leave his girl, leave the comfort zone of his family and job, pack up his shit and go to ND it never happens. He has nothing to fall back on once he starts his dream in motion. It is either succeed or fail.

The risk is what will keep you on the right track, with no risk (a job to go back to, or a degree in the background) you cannot fail, you only had a temporary setback to your career. A career that will be one you hate while you sit around in a bar after work wondering what could have been.

Until I was about 25 I was the most steady person you ever met. I don't know what happened but something clicked in my head and said "fuck it, whats the worst that could happen"

I moved to Europe, I failed in staying there, and it cost me considerable sums of money, but i would not pass up the experience I had for anything.

I stopped working and play poker for a living, I have good times and I have bad times, but again I would not trade this experience.

Who knows maybe 2 years from now I quit poker altogether and do something else.

I would rather die living than live dying. not sure who said this

Show me someone who has never failed and I'll show you someone who has never succeeded. Donald Trump

Even if your on the right track you'll get run over if you just stand there. Will Rogers

Glory is fleeting but obscurity is forever. Napolean

Small opportunities are often the beginnings of great enterprises. Demosthenes

Acting on a good idea is better than just having a good idea. Robert Half

Nothing happens unless first a dream. Carl Sandburg

Opportunities multiply as they are seized. Sun Tzu

And so on. Get off your ass set your goal and DO IT. Anyways thats my take on it

__________________
I find your response in this thread shallow, and pedantic...

Also I'd like to add that the last job I had asked if I had a degree I said yes (which is a lie) and they said you're hired.

I paid $0 for my "degree" that got me a job.

Trons is right companies want results, nowadays anyone from a middle class family goes to college. They try to scare you into it by saying "if you don't get a degree you won't get a good job" the truth is unless you are going into a specialized field you don't really need it.

__________________
I find your response in this thread shallow, and pedantic...

you miss 100% of the shots you never take - wayne gretsky

had to add in one of my favs

thats a good one, but you could spell his name right at least

__________________
I find your response in this thread shallow, and pedantic...