Why I Quit Poker after Playing Professionally for 10 Years

[CrusherCake]

I've grinded up from low to midstakes poker while working a full-time job and realized a very similar idea, although the realization came to me in a different mindset. Fundamentally, poker doesn't create value in society, it's a zero sum game. Someone has to lose for another person to win.

When you build a business, you can create win-win scenarios instead. For me, I think that's part of why the poker grind felt soulless, you're only in it for yourself. I hope you're doing well in your business ventures, good luck with the journey!

[pyrodaddy]

Spending 10hrs a day surrounded by 9 other dudes In a circle....there's better things to do

[Eric-tjtg]

Interesting that the algorithm brings you to me now, as I've long watched and (less so) played poker for a while now. Sounds like you've thought this through, and I'm wishing you the best with your entrepreneurial goals. Best!

[BrettMcNary]

Everything has a cost. Take the same amount of time you've taken to play poker and apply that same amount of time to anything else (small business etc) and ask which has more value? (Value comes in many forms- happiness, relationships, goals etc) I've played poker for 25 years, but only for a month at WSOP. I spend the rest of my life building businesses, raising family, living in the mountains, speedriding, skiing, biking, hiking, hunting and flying airplanes. As I get older I'm very happy I've spent the majority of my life being physically active, and not spending it at a poker table. Year round poker seems like a miserable existence, and those who live it are allured by the "freedom" and "independence" it most of them are not happy. Like I first mentioned, everything has a cost, and as I get older happiness and health are more important than money. Build multiple income streams, and then do what makes you happy. MUCH better life EV. Play poker because you want to, not because you have to.

[pcktpar]

I played 12 years professionally and moved on to buying and selling video games. I find it a lot less stressful. Fun and a lot of work and not as much profit (yet) but fairly risk-free routes to higher wealth. And honestly - after enjoying the luxuries poker provided it doesn't take much to make me happy so I don't need much income anyway. Food and rest and buying some board games and I'm a happy man. Good luck with the transition!

[Michael_Bancroft]

I quit playing poker professionally in the early 2010s. You'll never get rich grinding. You need to develop ways to make money while you sleep. Now I play recreationally for some extra cash, and am having fun doing it.

[ek]

Played from age 16 to age 33. Currently 35. I used to be able to sit down for 12 hours and time would fly at the tables. Now if I just sit for even 1 hour I just want to leave. It just feels like a waste of time.

[mathewfrankland]

Hey man, stumbled across this video having never seen your channel before and I must say it's kinda scary how much of a similar path we are currently on. I've traveled the world for the last 7/8 years playing cash games making good 6f. I now have plenty of funds for the medium term but no where near enough to hang it up. I also want to start transitioning into business. My current short term plans (1y) are to study alot of mtt strat to get back into that a bit (used to play full time before cash and I think live MTTs are where the money is still going to be, especially wsop and I think it'll be good for me to be able to hop in and out. Take a week to go play a series and then back home) and then secondly I'm also trying to consume as much information as I possibly can on starting a business. The problem is this seems so open ended. I have capital to start a business but no skills and therefore no real idea where to start! What is the name of your discord channel? I'd love to join along and discuss things we come across that are helpful to our journey

[shinonkim]

Good for you! I've also quit poker before (professional, making @150K per year) to go into other directions, mainly due to boredom, wanting to make deeper connections to the world and people around me, and an existential dilemma of not contributing to community. I gained a masters degree but started playing poker again on the weekends to supplement my income temporarily until the new ventures are sufficient monetarily. You can do it and can come back at a temporary basis if need presents itself.

[Chekmate]

the most single sacrifice of playing poker is the loss of time - one day you’ll wake up and realize 15+ years have gone by and you haven’t accomplished much and if you’re lucky you made some money - you probably don’t have a retirement account, no real estate, no wife, no family and you’re pushing 40+ …nothing including money can substitute time, unfortunately I learnt this the hard way

[justkpop_official]

Kids that are thinking of grinding for a living. DON'T BOTHER.

[Nikita-wtbu]

Brooo, as a 500+ ps player have a exactly same thoughts, doubts and feelings. Instant sub

[Stockholm_Syndrome]

I started playing 2003, lost some (very little) for about 2 years. Then I started studying poker and boom I won alot for many years. I was a "pro" between 2005-2012 when I realised playing poker for a living was boring. So I got a real job. And since 2013 I only play for fun with friends and about 1-2 times a month I visit the local casino. And every 3rd year I go to Las Vegas. That's enough for me. I still beat the lowest games both online and live. But it's just so boring grinding hours after hours.
Subbed.
Good luck.
Greetings from Sweden

[TheCraydee]

Yup. I'm 29, back when I was 18-21 I sacrificed every Friday and Saturday night playing poker. Walking into the casino and on the way seeing other people my age going to bars/clubs, forming friendships and relationships.

My hourly over the years worked out to be $40ish dollars.

I came to the conclusion that it was simply minus life EV. On the contrary, a guy the same age as me at the time in my poker social circle, is one of the highest earning tournament players of all time.

The downsides far outweigh the upsides if you don't somehow snowball a tournament bankroll early on, cash games however are mind numbing and you'll essentially be earning a low class wage unless you shot take high stake games and get lucky early.

[karolislatakas]

It's funny that you uploaded this video when I stopped playing poker after 8-10 years. I decided not to try my luck in the scoop series, because this year I didn't win 1st place even though I played small field mtt. And nice bike:) cycling is one of the best things to forget all the downswings and move on.

[KevinBarryTV]

the editing, production value and story telling is incredible. Great stuff Flo!

[doinitlive]

I quit poker after playing for 15+ years, about 3-4 years of that I played full time it was a very stressful time.

[Vagorim]

I’ve been playing poker professionally it doesn’t matter how many pots you win or how big your wins are it’s seriously more stressful than working a 9-5 job and I’m not saying it’s stressful because you sit at a table (it still is) but working your money for rooms? Food, grinding an hour away tossing hand after hand then hoping the good hand you have actually sticks. Maybe it’s different because I have that mindset business but honestly I’m getting burnt out and mostly I hate the games my mind play when it comes down to a showdown and your wondering if your opponent is bluffing or beats your hand. The thing I hate the most are bad beats and everyone that’s played for more than 10 hours knows exactly what I’m talking about.

[rajshresthajuneja]

Good luck you and would like to know how its going a year since you made this video.

[hcorazao]

This was the precise video i was looking for. Thanks for this content. I quitted professional poker to get back to my business because i had similar thoughts, but for the last 8 months I can factually say that im a break even business owner, and its bringing me more problems than solution. Ive been thiking really seriously going back to professional poker. I will answer in this video 6 months from now. I also tried doing business and playing poker at the same time but it doesnt work out, my best results have comed when i play poker exclusively, but i got burn out and feel of trying something else