I’ve always looked at poker as a hobby, with a hope that it might supplement my income. So no expectations beyond some extra pocket money. Like others have said, being a pro holds no appeal to me. I think the grind needed to do this full time would suck most of the fun out of it.
It is true that poker is a long career, like the story of the turtle and the rabbit, the rabbit can play more aggressively with his bench and win more money than the turtle, but in the end the turtle will be more successful because he studies constantly and controls his bench to play poker. 😳
Poker is in my DNA...I was born after an all-nighter...my mother's water broke while playing poker. I practically came out of her womb holding a straight flush. But I never had dreams of being a poker pro. I knew I didn't have the discipline and drive. Now, in retirement, I enjoy poker as entertainment, usually on vacation when playing live poker.
What I like about poker as a competition is that, at 5'1", I could not compete in sports I love at a high level...I could never beat Roger Federer at tennis, would never beat Tiger Woods in golf, can't hit a 100 mph fastball or hit a 100 mph slapshot to beat an NHL goalie...what I can do, on the short run, is compete in the odd hand and win against top poker pros...and I have done exactly that at the 2019 wsop Colossus...22,000 entries, and I was able to make it to Day 2, finishing in 1560th position and cashed, beating quite a few pros along the way. Richard Seymour, 3 time Super Bowl champion with New England Patriots and 5 time all-pro defensive lineman, who now plays pro poker tournaments, and does quite well, was kind enough to double me up on Day 2...didn't help that much, as I was out about a half hour later...but what a rush. The money was inconsequential.
What I like about poker as a competition is that, at 5'1", I could not compete in sports I love at a high level...I could never beat Roger Federer at tennis, would never beat Tiger Woods in golf, can't hit a 100 mph fastball or hit a 100 mph slapshot to beat an NHL goalie...what I can do, on the short run, is compete in the odd hand and win against top poker pros...and I have done exactly that at the 2019 wsop Colossus...22,000 entries, and I was able to make it to Day 2, finishing in 1560th position and cashed, beating quite a few pros along the way. Richard Seymour, 3 time Super Bowl champion with New England Patriots and 5 time all-pro defensive lineman, who now plays pro poker tournaments, and does quite well, was kind enough to double me up on Day 2...didn't help that much, as I was out about a half hour later...but what a rush. The money was inconsequential.