A Day in the Life of....a Pro

[golfnut101]

I dont think that is pathetic at all, if in fact the poster is being honest. I think that is dedication to getting to a higher level-one that many here would love to get to, but for whatever reason, cannot. Bojack made reference to this before, as have others. Regardless of chosen endeavor, sacrifice and a dogged determination is needed to get to an elite level. I applaud someone who has a passion, and is willing to pursue it. Maybe it just seems strange to many that the energy is applied to blackjack ? As St. Augustine so eloquently said "love, and do as you please "...

 

[zengrifter]

Regardless of chosen endeavor, sacrifice and a dogged determination is needed to get to an elite level.

Even to become an ELITE NEOPHYTE, like moi! zg

 

[ScottH]

Honestly...the earliest that I COULD retire from my job right now and be able to live the same or higher lifestyle is, ballpark, 55. Not sure if I will stay in the same type of position I am in until I am 55, since I may venture out as a consultant/partnership down the road as my connections improve. But, since I thoroughly enjoy what I do, I don't know if I would truly "retire" then.

Enough about me...I've got a lot going for me these days and I am very appreciative.

Scott, SCMC, I can never remember who is who and what does what, but someone pointed out that you are probably the same person. I could care less, find it a little funny, but what was the gist of your original question about retiring? A salary-type job vs. professional BJ player seems to be an apples vs. oranges comparison.

good luck

Who said we were the same person? That would be pretty pointless for me to log in and out just so I can pretend to be 2 different people.

The point was, that in almost all "normal" jobs you have to work until you are too old to do anything in life. I didn't even have to know what you did to know it was probably the same for you, it is for almost everybody. I don't want to get a normal job because I do not have a passion for working and making a difference in the world, and that is why we are going to practice/play a lot to try do something different and maybe retire early, since I really dont want to be working until I'm 65-70.

If you like your job then work until your old. That's great if you do. I really don't care for "normal work", so if there is any other way, I'm going to go for it.

 

[ChefJJ]

Who said we were the same person? That would be pretty pointless for me to log in and out just so I can pretend to be 2 different people.

The point was, that in almost all "normal" jobs you have to work until you are too old to do anything in life. I didn't even have to know what you did to know it was probably the same for you, it is for almost everybody. I don't want to get a normal job because I do not have a passion for working and making a difference in the world, and that is why we are going to practice/play a lot to try do something different and maybe retire early, since I really dont want to be working until I'm 65-70.

If you like your job then work until your old. That's great if you do. I really don't care for "normal work", so if there is any other way, I'm going to go for it.

Good for you then...go for it. I'm not sure why you feel that you need to defend yourself on your life decision, but it's inconsequential to mine. Different strokes for different folks.

I'm not sure why you think that a person with a "normal"-type job can't live life while they have a steady/salary job. Just got back from vacation myself!

It's all good though.

 

[person1125]

So what is the company christmas party like? Let's see...

SCMC and Scott H sitting around having a 6-pack of miller lite.
or in vegas
Craps Master and LVHCM sitting around having a 4-pack of wine coolers.

 

[GeorgeD]

The point was, that in almost all "normal" jobs you have to work until you are too old to do anything in life. I didn't even have to know what you did to know it was probably the same for you, it is for almost everybody. I don't want to get a normal job because I do not have a passion for working and making a difference in the world, and that is why we are going to practice/play a lot to try do something different and maybe retire early, since I really dont want to be working until I'm 65-70.

If you like your job then work until your old. That's great if you do. I really don't care for "normal work", so if there is any other way, I'm going to go for it.

A lot of truth in that, but many people these days who thrive well into their 70's 80's or more.

As for me, I worked a government job for over 30 years that had pretty good time off and very little mandatory overtime. Can't say there were no stresses or bad times, but life was better than most comparable private industry jobs. Was able to retire at age 56 not rich, but with a decent pension.

Now I can spend my time how I please, refining my game a bit, playing when I want or pursuing other interests.

I'd say too that of my friends the same age, the ones that have wonund up the best off were ones in jobs like mine. Most who worked in private industry may have earned more, but had to endure worse conditions and fewer benefits not to mention some winding up going through downsizing and jumping to other jobs.

I guess my point is that if you're young and not well established, you're taking a big risk making the jump into advantage play and thinking you'll retire rich before you're 40. Some folks do, but like professional sports, many more don't.

If being a pro is what you really want, though, I say go for it. Just know that you're taking a lot of risks besides losing your bankroll, so have plan B .... a good education and/or a career or business as fallback. Otherwise you may wind up 50 years old on skid row or a miserably grinding out a meager living playing BJ 12 hours a day.

JUst my $.02

 

[shadroch]

When we sold my family business,I was left with much more money than I could possibly spend in my lifetime,but less than six months of living in Puerto Escondido and Oaxaca and drinking myself to sleep every night showed me the folly of not working.
Your job becomes something much more than a place to earn money.Your work-mates become a second family,and some of your closest friends.
Quite honestly,I make more off my portfolio in a day than I do in a week at my current job(or in yesterdays case,more than in six months of work,Thank you Mr Kervokian!),but at age 46,I have no plans of quitting anytime soon.
I used to scoff at my friends who worked 14 hour days and got million dollar bonuses,thinking they were nuts to work after making a couple of million,but its the action,not the money that is important.

 

[ScottH]

If being a pro is what you really want, though, I say go for it. Just know that you're taking a lot of risks besides losing your bankroll, so have plan B .... a good education and/or a career or business as fallback. Otherwise you may wind up 50 years old on skid row or a miserably grinding out a meager living playing BJ 12 hours a day.

If I go broke I won't become a bum or anything. I'm smart enough that I would be able to get a decent job. So if I take a shot and bust out, I'll just come back, get a job, and build up money to (maybe) try again...

 

[ScottH]

I used to scoff at my friends who worked 14 hour days and got million dollar bonuses,thinking they were nuts to work after making a couple of million,but its the action,not the money that is important.

Yeah, but I don't work for fun, I only work because I need money. Those people that enjoy working (like you) will continue to work no matter how much money they have, which is good. However since I don't have a job that doesn't really matter to the world, if I became rich I would surely quit. It's not like I'm a doctor or a firefighter who actually makes a difference. I just make people food... so if I were to land some serious money somehow I wouldn't feel the desire to keep working just because I'm helping the community somehow. Basically, I'm replacable...

 

[GeorgeD]

If I go broke I won't become a bum or anything. I'm smart enough that I would be able to get a decent job. So if I take a shot and bust out, I'll just come back, get a job, and build up money to (maybe) try again...

That's great, Scott, and very well may be true. Still, you may need to be more than "smart enough to get a decent job". A more definitive plan would be better ... like education or track record in some job.

Think of it from a hiring manager's point of view: you have a guy who became a pro BJ player at 21 and then busted out at 25. Unless he has some education or experience what kind of job would you give him? If I thought like the average joe who knows nothing about advanced play, I'd peg him as a likely compulsive gambler who will probably: a) steal from me or 2) work for six months and split once he has a bankroll (maybe i'd still think #2 knowing what AP is about). I don't need that guy working for me since I have to invest some effort bringing him on board and acclimating him to the position. If I have other applicants who seem just as smart and have a proven employment record in a "regular" job", those are the guys I'll hire.. It might be different if I'm hiring for a McJob, used car salesman, telemarketing, or roofer, but do you want those kinds of jobs?

At the very least you should think about working a regular job a few years while you try out becoming a BJ pro part time. Hell, even if you're a tour guide or bartender in Vegas, at least you would show some legit work history down the road ... not only if you bust out, but you could burn out and get sick of the BJ grind.

 

[21forme]

Scott and other young dreamers:

Get your formal education first. If your get-rich-quick dream works, great. If not, you'll have something to fall back on. You should always have a back-up plan.

 

[ScottH]

That's great, Scott, and very well may be true. Still, you may need to be more than "smart enough to get a decent job". A more definitive plan would be better ... like education or track record in some job.

Think of it from a hiring manager's point of view: you have a guy who became a pro BJ player at 21 and then busted out at 25. Unless he has some education or experience what kind of job would you give him? If I thought like the average joe who knows nothing about advanced play, I'd peg him as a likely compulsive gambler who will probably: a) steal from me or 2) work for six months and split once he has a bankroll (maybe i'd still think #2 knowing what AP is about). I don't need that guy working for me since I have to invest some effort bringing him on board and acclimating him to the position. If I have other applicants who seem just as smart and have a proven employment record in a "regular" job", those are the guys I'll hire.. It might be different if I'm hiring for a McJob, used car salesman, telemarketing, or roofer, but do you want those kinds of jobs?

At the very least you should think about working a regular job a few years while you try out becoming a BJ pro part time. Hell, even if you're a tour guide or bartender in Vegas, at least you would show some legit work history down the road ... not only if you bust out, but you could burn out and get sick of the BJ grind.

I already have a work history that shows I am dependable. My first job was at the age of 14, and I worked there for 4 years. I got another job in the service industry and have been there for 3 years, and am currently still working there and am in good standing with the company. So I am 21, have been working for 7 years, and have only had 2 jobs. That should look good to an employer.

I have never had trouble getting a job, in fact, I didn't even have to look for either of those jobs, they found me.

If I have other applicants who seem just as smart and have a proven employment record in a "regular" job", those are the guys I'll hire

You'd hire me, trust me.

 

[sagefr0g]

........
Basically, I'm replacable...

no your not Scott.
but there are lots of fish in the sea. :fish:

 

[ScottH]

no your not Scott.
but there are lots of fish in the sea. :fish:

Haha, thanks sagefr0g...

 

[Canceler]

Paradox of the Day

Yes, Scott is a unique individual, just like everyone else!

 

[Craps Master]

I wake up at noon. I screw around all day doing whatever I want and then I go to bed around four in the morning. Today I went to Ikea with my girlfriend, and then went and had some mung bean pancakes for dinner. Tomorrow, I'm going to go get some new shoes. I'll probably watch the rest of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind tonight (I fell asleep half-way through it last night) and maybe watch Big Trouble in Little China tomorrow. If you were refering to work, as in casino gambling, well, I'd say I put in about 30 hours of work per month, give or take. Mine is a life of leisure, complete with a nice stream of ever-increasing passive income, very efficient casino work if and when I feel like it, and movies and books interspersed between trips to the sushi joint down the street with the occasional $1000+ comped meal at one of LV's finest restaurants thrown in.

 

[Xenophon]

I wake up at noon. I screw around all day doing whatever I want and then I go to bed around four in the morning. Today I went to Ikea with my girlfriend, and then went and had some mung bean pancakes for dinner. Tomorrow, I'm going to go get some new shoes. I'll probably watch the rest of Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind tonight (I fell asleep half-way through it last night) and maybe watch Big Trouble in Little China tomorrow. If you were refering to work, as in casino gambling, well, I'd say I put in about 30 hours of work per month, give or take. Mine is a life of leisure, complete with a nice stream of ever-increasing passive income, very efficient casino work if and when I feel like it, and movies and books interspersed between trips to the sushi joint down the street with the occasional $1000+ comped meal at one of LV's finest restaurants thrown in.

What kind of edge and bankroll does a professional gambler need to work only 30 hours per month? What kind of flux are we talking here?


X

 

[positiveEV]

So around 3,000 hands a month? You would not even overcome a single standard deviation by playing a complete year like that!

 

[Craps Master]

What kind of edge and bankroll does a professional gambler need to work only 30 hours per month? What kind of flux are we talking here?

That really depends on what the professional gambler in question is trying to accomplish. I'll say, though that I've had one losing month since January of 2005, and the loss was so miniscule it was essentially a breakeven month. Granted, I was putting in more like 100 hours per month back in '05, but that's been on the steady decline as passive income and efficiency in working hours have grown. I used to do a lot of card counting, but in the last couple of years, I don't think I've played blackjack or any other game with an edge less than about 3%, and sometimes with an edge upwards of 20%.

 

[Craps Master]

So around 3,000 hands a month? You would not even overcome a single standard deviation by playing a complete year like that!

You're stuck in the 1% edge paradigm, huh? Not everyone plays that way.