I think that if a player a poker professional wins good money, then why not create a family for yourself, it’s very good for a professional to have good money to support his family, but that his wife doesn’t mind that he plays poker and she must understand that at some moments he will be busy playing and will spend less time for the family, or there is another option for the professional, if he has won much and enough, then you can think of starting a family and throwing and spending olshe time with family!
Children depend on how old they are. When they are small it is impossible. You should have plenty of time to study the game and become professional. If you want to get to be a winning player you should be doing just that.
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Dzob said:
In your case, no !! (If you ask such a stupid question)
Here are some similar questions for you:
1) Is it possible to be a professional football player and have a family?
2) Is it possible to be a successful lawyer and have a family?
3) Is it possible to be an engineer in a gas company and have a family?
4) Is it possible to be an entrepreneur and have a family?
5) Is it possible to be a teacher and have a family? etc.
Think ...
Dzob said:
I thought a lot about this issue when I did poker first steps. On the Internet, I found an interview with Jeremy Ausmus (5th place of the wsop 2012 sorry then he did not win) where he shared tips on how to find a balance between family, life and poker. I saved myself in notes and sometimes even now I reread them. Maybe someone will come in handy.
Jeremy Ausmus’ Tips for Poker Dads (and Moms):
- Explicitly acknowledge priorities: If factors like health and family rank below your poker career goals, then maybe your long-term priorities don’t line up with having a family.
- Set and enforce boundaries: Maintaining work-life-family balance requires setting boundaries. Ausmus explains that he and his wife abide by a set schedule. If you plan to play live cash games every day from 4-10 p.m., then enforce that time frame and don’t stray from it. To take it even further, if you want “life” time then consider setting time into your calendar, and set reminders/alarms. As Ausmus puts it, “Discipline and self-control is what works when you have a family or are thinking of starting a family.”
- Communicate: In any field of work, including poker, both spouses need to know the stress level and work load of the other. Things like the shared/synced calendar are helpful in that regard. But open communication is paramount. If either spouse feels overwhelmed or stressed, openly expressing that to his/her partner is a must.
- Continuously adapt: Life as newlyweds differs greatly from life with a child and even more from life with two children. Recognize that achieving work-life balance is a never-ending process. It’s okay to make mistakes because they can help you evolve as a partner, a parent, and even as a poker player.
- Trust and honesty: Having poker as a career is not for the faint of heart. Being able to talk to one another about the ups and downs can only help build a stronger relationship. Understanding the game and being honest about the status of your bankroll will not only save your sanity but also save your partner’s.
My husband says he wants to be a professional poker player. Has been trying to persuade me of supporting his dream. I think he is twisting the reality of admitting he has an addiction vs being a professional poker. Our 15 years of marriage has been a struggle. We have been through not paying our mortage and bills and with his paycheck being used for gambling. He also takes a week in a casino playing, without any means of communication, no text, no calls and would turn of location too.
Balancing professional poker and family life requires careful planning and communication. Prioritize by allocating dedicated time for both poker and family activities, ensuring you set boundaries to guarantee quality time with loved ones. Keeping open lines of communication with your family about your poker commitments and schedule is crucial. Involve them in decision-making to foster understanding and support. Efficiently manage your time by scheduling poker sessions around family obligations and use tools like calendars or Apps to stay organized. Focus on the quality of time spent with your family rather than the quantity, making the most of your time together by being present and engaged. Establish boundaries for your poker play to avoid neglecting family responsibilities, sticking to a predefined schedule and avoiding impulsive decisions. Take care of your physical and mental well-being to maintain balance, making time for relaxation, hobbies, and activities that recharge you. Remain flexible and adaptable to changes in your schedule or family needs, being willing to adjust your plans accordingly. Lean on your family for support and understanding, and surround yourself with a supportive network of friends and fellow poker players who can relate to your situation. By following these tips and prioritizing both your professional poker career and family, you can achieve a fulfilling balance in your life.
I'm not a professional poker player, but my family doesn't know I play poker. I told them that I like poker many years ago, but all I heard was criticism and complete misunderstanding of this game. For many people poker is a game of chance, not a sport. And many people do not realize that it is possible to earn money in poker without investing real money. 🙁Dzob said:
Most pros turn pro in their 20s and later have a family, and often continue to be pro player. Obviously its tougher to first turn pro with a family, but like anything it's possible with the right approach. One of the difficulties is the best games are at awkward hours for family life (depending on your timezone)
I lived from poker for years and I can say that I had girlfriends who didn't have a problem with it, but there were also those who couldn't accept it, and this relationship didn't last long.
I have several pro friends who can play poker with children and wives.
So if you find the right partner and find the right schedule so that the game doesn't come at the expense of the family, it can work.
I have several pro friends who can play poker with children and wives.
So if you find the right partner and find the right schedule so that the game doesn't come at the expense of the family, it can work.
I don’t know such players, because I'm simply not interested in them outside of the gaming table. From my own experience, I can judge that it is really difficult to combine this; there is always a choice between spending an evening with your beloved and playing a busy “load”
Plenty of jobs require long periods away from home and family. Jobs can require sacrifices in certain areas of life. Some are very much worth it.
Playing poker and going on all the big tour events to earn money, can be a job. (I personally would not want to make a job of it, it would spoil it for me).
Playing poker and going on all the big tour events because you can (freely or financially), is for fun.
A sponsored poker player is a poker professional. Entry and expenses are generally paid for by sponsor, but only a % of winnings earned during event will belong to player, as wage generally paid through the sponsorship deal. Sponsorship deal dependent on value of player.
An unsponsored poker player is just an independent/career poker player. Pays own entry and expenses. Keeps entire winnings and is under no obligations. To do this successfully you would have to be in a good place in life. (Would be nice to be there).
Playing poker and going on all the big tour events to earn money, can be a job. (I personally would not want to make a job of it, it would spoil it for me).
Playing poker and going on all the big tour events because you can (freely or financially), is for fun.
A sponsored poker player is a poker professional. Entry and expenses are generally paid for by sponsor, but only a % of winnings earned during event will belong to player, as wage generally paid through the sponsorship deal. Sponsorship deal dependent on value of player.
An unsponsored poker player is just an independent/career poker player. Pays own entry and expenses. Keeps entire winnings and is under no obligations. To do this successfully you would have to be in a good place in life. (Would be nice to be there).
a lot of people see tweets from pros, recordings of high limit games and streams from high action games and think “look at how much these guys are making and look how easy it is!” What those people don’t take into account are the effect on family life. The time and focus it takes to become a winning player. The intelligence it takes to become a TOP winning player. The bankroll and finances it takes to compete in even low high limit games. And, most of all IMO, the mental maturity it takes to handle being a professional. I think probably 95% of professional poker players would benefit time with there family's
I am more than sure that such a combination is possible. Professional players, that is, real professionals, play poker and make a living from it. For such players, poker is just a job. Can a man who works at work have a wife and children, is such a combination possible? ....... The answer is obvious in my opinion 🙂Dzob said:
