I replied to a post on 2+2 that someone mentioned on the pokerisk forum, thought I'd leave a copy of the response I made here as I think it is an interesting and undeveloped subject in the poker world (especially good for any players looking to go pro)
The thread + his story can be found here http://forumserver.twoplustwo.com/54/poker-beats-brags-variance/2-years-degeneracy-tl-dr-also-pather-aler-1124887/ my response to it is below (and on the thread) - the gist of it is that he has been a poker pro for a few years and its messed him up mentally and financially lol and he seemingly has no direction in life.
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In my opinion mate, you need a "manager" for your poker - most successful poker players do this them self (maybe without even realising); but this person, especially if he plays poker but not at the same level/with the same passion as you and is already a friend who cares about your well being, this could bring a lot of benefits....even if just as a friend to help you through the tough times which every poker professionally goes through, financially and mentally!!!
We have to remember that poker playing as a profession is relatively new to the world, there is so much we need to learn and understand about it for it to work, e.g. the luck factor that no-one can control, how do we manage or prepare for something we cannot control? We also have to understand (as with most things in life) that to be a winner you have to stay ahead of the game - it is the same as having your own business, except this is in an undeveloped environment....
There are no standards or "starter packs" for poker players (you have to find it and learn it yourself, the good thing is that it is maturing very fast due to the internet and forums such as this and other learning facilities), you are not taught it at school or university, you don't know how good you have to be or how much luck influences the game, how much money you need to start out, what games you should play, how often you should play, how to prepare yourself mentally - any person could just go for it as a poker pro tomorrow and throw them self into an oblivion of financial and mental instability that could last for years and have a very negative outcome (which unfortunately sounds like you I am sorry to say). No generation before ours has done it before, you can't ask your e.g. dad, who has been a butcher for 40 years, how to manage your bankroll to sustain variance or how to cope/get out of a down swing that has lasted 3 months lol!
Anyway I think a manager could help you, s/he could; manage your roll/determine your game selection/control your temperament/provide encouragement and motivation/create ambitions and goals with you/talk honestly with you about how you feel and what you want to achieve/aid you in improving/etc.
I would not be surprised if in the future poker "managerial" services are offered to full time players as consultancy, although I guess some of the staking companies and mentoring services do this already but not so specifically....however there are certainly a lot more books focusing on it rather than poker strategy in recent times.
I've been playing poker for 3 years full time and there is a lot in your story I can relate to (although a lot less extreme lol, saying that I did live by myself for 3 months in Vegas playing poker on borrowed money only to come home to England with a big debt and very depressed :X) so I can't help but have a soft spot for you ha
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I think with girls just remember that they are a little bit more sensitive than guys...so maybe tone it down a bit around them? lol although lets be honest no-one really knows anything about girls, so it's not worth worrying about. You might as well just be yourself and have a good time. What happens, happens.
I think you should aim to be a good person though, it makes me sigh to read about your story's of drugs and hookers....have you ever slowed down for a second and asked yourself "what do I really want to achieve with my life, who do I want to be, how do I want to get there? Is this what I want???". I do not say this to pass judgement, as it is not my place to, but to offer my opinion.
Seemingly long reply apologies.
Hope it works out well for you, and gl at the tables ;)
Vegasngative
HI Steve,
ReplyDeleteI don't know how I found your site, but I really enjoyed reading your post. Why? I am in relationship with a professional poker player (actually I'm going to get married with him next year - wish me luck lol) and I am also his "poker manager". I am very happy someone in this world recognise the hard work there is behind his winnings :-) Just for joking, sometimes I tell my bf he's my full time job lol
Anyway, I worked in the poker industry as poker manager but I'm not a poker player even if I understand what u guys go through.
I manage my bf's money. Without any offences, I think poker players are a bit gamblers - considering the positive aspect of this word - in the meaning that u guys play with money to make money and I believe sometimes it's hard for you to understand that poker money is real money, but at the same time if you weren't a bit of a gambler u would have never make money out of poker. That's why with my boyfriend we agreed that all the financial part is my business only. I pay bills, rent, invest his/our money,etc. And every time he needs money he come to me and ask for it. That's something it works very well between the 2 of us and my bf doesn't mind that I control the financial side also because I am very good with money.
Of course, I can honestly say I have a big part in his mood. I always do my best to create an enjoyable enviroment around my bf, if there are some problems, I make sure I solve them and don't say anything to him (unless I have to, of course!).
Plus, even if I am mad at him, I never fight with him if he's in a poker session and I always wait till he has finished to work. That's a point most of poker players' girlfriends must understand! Never fight with your bf if he's playing poker, please!!! :)
Then, I do everything at home, I never ask my bf to help me in anything. I clean the house, wash clothes, prepare food, go to the supermarket, etc... So he's fully concentrated on poker. I also make him coffees or teas lol he doesn't have to that either lol And above all, I feed him with real and healthy food, because most of the time u guys eat junk food while u play poker because of course you can't make food while you are playing 20 games. But what you eat it's very important in order for your brain to function properly (and I know i probably sound like your mom lol).
But on the other hand, I have to say that, as much as I love my bf and I will give my life for him, be in relationship with a poker player is NOT easy at all. It's hard when his downswings negatively influence our relationship, when he's pissed because he didn't win and he's sad. I hope he will learn and improve to keep a bit more separate our relationship from his swings. What I do to go over his swings it's enjoying as much as I can his upswings and the moments in which he feels like "God" and be stronger and always support him when he's down because at the end there is the luck factor that it doesn't depend from us :)
Oh well...best of luck at the tables and I hope you have someone who helps/manages you!
Cheers!
Hi Poker Angel :) Thanks for the response - I only just read it (Just found out about the comments section lol!)
DeleteWould be interested to know how you two have been getting on and the up's and down's you have been through.
I have to manage my own poker (I consider it my own business) any tips or advice from your experience would be greatly appreciated.
Hope you're well and gl to your team at the tables :)
Steve