I'm trying to make up my mind about whether or not to get a REAL job. Its been a tough decision and I still haven't made up my mind yet. This is my view on the pros and cons of getting a real job...........
PROS
1. Sense of security
What I mean by this is the fact that with a job, I would know for a fact that I'd get money every week, or pay period. It would be guaranteed. I don't have that with poker. I can win money 5 weeks in a row then have a losing week, which is always bad. It can be extremely stressful to have to worry about that all the time. A consistent paycheck would be nice.
2. I can do both
I wouldn't have to quit playing poker just because I had a job. I could play some nights of the week, and on the weekend. I can make extra money from poker, which can be seen as a way to "boost" my salary. I can still try to qualify for the WSOP, and take my vacation time during that week and still make it to Vegas. Poker would still be very much a part of my life.
3. Benefits
I've been paying out of the pocket for health insurance lately. I also have no retirement plan lined up, and other important things like that which are offered in a job I would get. That's money I'd be potentially saving (although alot of it probably comes from my own salary), and I wouldn't have to worry about the future. This also goes hand in hand with the sense of security.
4. I want a new truck
This may sound unimportant, but I really want a new truck. My car has about had it, and I'm sure I've done my fair share in ragging it out. I've wanted a truck for a while, and I can't get a loan with no job. The only way I could get one now would be to co-sign (which I don't want to do) or to pay cash (which obviously I can't do). I want a truck!!!!
5. Getting back into a routine
This is something I want to do because poker has made me lazy. Being able to get up when you want and do what you want pretty much all day every day is great, but it has its downsides. Its boring for one thing. Another thing is that its not healthy. I want to get up at a decent time and have something to keep me occupied during the day.
CONS
1. Lack of Freedom
Yes its true that a good routine may be something I need, but you gotta love the freedom of playing poker whenever you want to. You see, it takes less than 40 hours per week playing poker to make the same money I would be making per week working 40 hours at a real job, so I can play less than I would be working. And not to mention the cash games run 24 hours a day, so I can play when I want. I'm my own boss, I can take trips when I want to take trips, and I can take days off whenever I want to. In a job, I don't have this.
2. I love poker
Everyone says that whatever you do for a living should be something you love to do. Well, I love poker. I love everything about the game. I find it fascinating that in a game with luck so heavily involved, there can be long-term winners. Everyone gets dealt the same cards on average throughout their playing time in their life, but only the good players will show a profit. I feel that I'm very experienced in this game at only 23 years old, and there's nothing I'd rather be doing. Poker will always be in my life, whether a job or a hobby.
3. Chance to move up
Ever since I've discovered WorldPX.com, I've saved a ton of money. The absense of rake is huge when you 3-table 2 to 4 hours per day, and I believe if I keep it up it will help my bankroll grow tremendously, giving me the chance to keep moving up and making even more money. Yes, I know you get raises in jobs, but only a small percentage. I think I have a real chance of moving up soon and making even more money in poker.
I know I've listed 5 pros and only 3 cons, but despite this I still see it to be a very even argument. The 3 cons are huge and can be divided into several other cons. I'm just going to chill out and keep playing poker the next couple weeks. We're going to Panama City June 16th, and when I get back I should have my mind made up on whether or not I want poker as my only source of income. So I still have about 2 weeks to think about it. During those 2 weeks I'll be grinding out at PX 3-tabling almost every day. Maybe I'll go on a tear and say "forget a job!!" Later........
