YertleTurtle Outdoors Message

[aes14]

I could not agree more with Yertle. Some of you have been blessed with the ability to make a living playing a game and your freedom is your reward. Getting outside to exercise or taking off time to travel (since you can work from anywhere in world with an internet connection) is one of the greatest gifts that comes with being an online pro.

It is great to hear that not everyone who is successful is some math nerd sitting in the dark 12-tabling all day long. Most of you seem to be hardworking people who took the time to learn the game. Leather Ass is certainly a great example of persistance, study, and success from hard work.

On Tuesday (I had the day off work) I made $500 playing 0.25/0.50 NL and I had read LA's blog about having a bad day and only making $500. I looked at my PT, thought about the money, and realized that if I just had a bad day for a pro playing much higher, I must have had a great day for me and was really happy and satisfied with my good fortune. I shut down for the day and went running, then did a project around the house and studied for the GMAT. The free time to do other things and pursue other interests outside of work made me wish I was an online pro.

I think both LA and Yertle have good messages. Work your ass off. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. A perfect balance would be the goal.

[Geoff]

I got some friends leaving for the Appalachian Trail this week. Pretty much the same type of experience.

60-70 days sounds short. Do you ride one of those speed bikes or a mountain bike?

GL and hope you get out of the downswing soon.

later,
Geoff

[Leatherass]

"I think both LA and Yertle have good messages. Work your ass off. Enjoy the fruits of your labor. A perfect balance would be the goal."

I completely agree. I have a paranoia that makes me want to make all my $ first before I start enjoying it too much. I try to go for balance but at the same time it's so hard to throw away opportunitys to make $ especially when making it is so new. If I were 45 and already had a few million in the bank that would be one things. I don't know. I guess I just over do it sometimes and try and grind it out and really get ahead of the game. I guess if I knew poker was going to be perfectly legal and open to everyone in the US for the rest of my life I would likely play much much less.

[cottonseed]

I am of the same mindset as Yertle. I just got back from a week at the beach with family and friends. I spent a couple of days on the beach skim boarding, body surfing, and throwing frisbee. Then spent another few days in the bay scalloping.

To me the best part of being pro is simply freedom to come and go as I please. If it weren't for breaks like this playing poker would just be another job to me. Obviously, I am not going to make as much money spending 5 or 6 weeks out of each year at the beach but that is fine with me. Utility marginally increases and after a certain point each extra dollar in my bank account doesn't make me as happy as spending time out in the wild and with family and friends.

However I really admire LA. The ability to grind tons of hands is something I just do not have. He actually inspires me to log hands. I am always thinking to myself if he can play 100K hands I month then I should definitely be able to consistently log 40 or 50K.

I would hate to look back ten years from now and see that I wasted the greatest financial opportunity life will probably ever throw my way. On the other hand, I would hate to look back I see that I wasted an opportunity to have the freedom and experience that many spend their entire lives working for and most can only dream about.

Balance is the key and is easier said than done.

[YertleTurtle]

I'm glad to see my comments have generated some interest. I have the utmost respect for Leatherass and his ability to grind and I am sometimes torn by the idea that I should make money while the money is good. I also know that I am not built to work 40 hours a week - every week. Don't get me wrong - I am a very hard worker. I've been known to work 400 hour months but the more playing poker feels like a job the worse I play. I need a healthy dose of exercise, music, film, family and friends to keep me sane.

As for my bike trip, I currently ride a road bike but would have to buy what they call a touring bike to go across country. Its basically a road bike that is built to take more weight. Riding 4000+ miles in 60 days is alot and the secret is to keep your weight as low as possible. I have some experience with lightweight backpacking and the difference in terms of mileage and wear on your body is amazing compared to traditional backpacking.

As for my downswing I guess I spoke too soon. I've made over 250 BB in the last two days so looks like things are shaping up for July.

YT