For many of us, the dream of becoming a professional poker player is still very much alive. We may not always be lucky enough to play against the best in the world, but we can still simulate the experience on television or online. However, after years of trying and failing, it can be a challenge to decide what to do next. Where do you go after you’ve talked to the pros and bet on your rivals? More importantly, how do you prepare for the next stage of your life?
In this article, we will discuss some of the options available to you and whether or not to pursue them. We will start by looking at the positives and negatives of your current situation. After that, we will examine the various paths available to you and help you make the right decision for your future.
The Positives
First off, you have the choice of multiple paths now. When you entered the poker business, you were forced to follow the traditional path to success. These days, with increased competition and a smaller number of poker sites, you can actually go in several different directions. Some of the options are:
- Stay in Poker and try to improve your game
- Join a poker site and try to make money
- Start your own poker site and see if others follow your lead
- Do something else with your life
Each of these paths has pluses and minuses. If you are looking for a stable job in an established organization, you might decide that poker is not for you and decide to pursue something else. On the other hand, if you are a natural born leader who loves meeting new people and having new experiences, you might choose to go into poker full-time. Also, if you have the guts to take a risk and are looking for an opportunity to do something new, you could also consider starting up your own poker site or taking a lead role in one that is already established. Last but not least, if you are passionate about poker and want to continue playing after you’ve retired, there are several states that allow you to do this. You will need to check with the state licensing agency in your area to see if there is any restrictions.
The Negatives
While there are several positive paths available to you now that you are no longer restricted to one career choice, there are also several that are questionable. First off, and most importantly, if you have lost a lot of money betting on your rivals, there is no getting it back. This is especially true if you are trying to play pennies (or smaller stakes) against big-name players. If this is the route that you have taken, you might end up in a bit of a pickle. Even if you manage to win back some of your losses, it will still not be the same as having cash in your bank account. Also, if you are seeking stability and a steady paycheck, you might find that poker is no longer for you. It’s important to keep in mind that nothing is forever, and as soon as the economy improves and people are feeling more secure, you will most likely see an increase in the number of professional poker players getting their feet wet again. Some might even decide to enter the field full-time.
Another negative that comes with the territory is the fact that you will have to deal with people who enjoy playing poker for a living. They might not always be the most pleasant individuals to be around, and it will certainly be a culture shock to meet people who are actually paid to play games every day. It’s important to keep in mind that the majority of professional poker players are very generous people who will go out of their way to help others. Still, it will be something new and different to have a job that you enjoy doing but that doesn’t require a lot of effort. Being a professional poker player isn’t for everyone, and you will have to be prepared for the fact that some people might not like you very much. Just remember — they aren’t necessarily trying to hurt you. They are just acting according to their nature. This, too, will pass, and until then, you might just have to put up with a little grumbling. It’s part of the territory, and you have to decide whether or not this is something you are willing to deal with. Just keep in mind that it is usually the little things that they complain about that you will find most irritating. For example, they might complain that the TV shows you watch are all about money and not about having a good time. They will begrumble that the games are rigged, but they will also respect your opinion and choice of shows if you make the effort to understand their side of the argument. This might seem like a lot to take in, and at first, it surely will seem like an impossible feat. When you are in the middle of it, though, the penny will start to drop, and before you know it, everything will make sense. Once you do, you will be able to move forward with your life and make the right decision for the next stage of your career.
The decision you make will depend on several factors. Among them, you will want to consider your personal circumstances (spouse, children, financial security), what will make you happy (job, hobbies, friends, travel), and your overall outlook on life (pursue excellence, be self-reliant, and accept your abilities and limitations). While some of these questions will be easy to answer, others will require you to dive into your heart and find the answers yourself. Only then will you be able to make the right decision and take the next step in the right direction.
There are many options available to you. Once you’ve made the decision to enter the world of poker, you will have to educate yourself on the subject. To start, you could do a lot of reading. There are several books on the subject available, and getting your hands on them will make you well-versed in the game. Even if you decide that poker isn’t for you and would rather do something else with your life, you will still be able to continue playing on a recreational level. Some states actually allow you to continue playing with as many as three re-entrys per year. This is something else that you will need to check with the state licensing agency in your area to see if there are any restrictions.
The important thing to keep in mind is that you are not bound to one path in life. This is not to say that you should rush headlong into something without thinking. You should take your time and make the right decision. In the meantime, take pleasure in the fact that you have the option of several different paths and can make the right choice for you.