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Server Time: 9/6/2008 10:03:01 AM PACIFIC |
 Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 15. Sep 2003 12:45 | ||
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| Hi, first post here. Online poker altered my life, anyone else? Let me explain. I drove a taxi for years and I can honestly say it paid crap. Less than minimum wage. Put in long hours and took out basically just enough to buy your cigs and pay your gas, and 50 bucks to go toward a few of your bills. Credit cards filled in the gaps, and the balances grew mightily each and every month. Anyways thats the background. I'm nearing 50. So one day I'm watching the Travel Channel and see the WPT. Interesting and fun to watch. My girlfriend and I watch it together even. I see an ad for Party Poker and check it out. I enjoy playing in the play money section for about a month. Played only the ring table tournaments and was winning alot of em. Amazing, because I really don't know much about holdem, but heck, it's play money right? So I watch more of the WPT on the Travel Channel and really seem to be getting into poker all of a sudden. Granted, I played poker before, 7 stud mostly, but that was with friends and family with only a few times at a real live casino. Losing always at the real live casinos of course. Thats why I never played again. Been about 20 years since I even played poker I think. So with this, you can understand my hesitancy about transferring money to an online poker site, but I just couldnt help myself and sent in a 100 bucks to Party Poker for the heck of it. Being very poor and debt ridden that was a lot for me actually. It lasted about one week is all. Lost it all playing .50/1.00 holdem. Dang it! I was winning with friggin play money, what da heck happened??? Ok, never one to give up to quickly, I promptly sent in another 100 bucks nine days after the first one. This was back in May this year. Ok, I lost 30 bucks of this second hundred on the first day back! I was now realizing I stink (suck). Figured I better think this out. Went out to Barnes and Nobles and saw a book called Hold'em Poker for Advanced Players and thumbed through it. Seemed like there was more to Holdem than I thought, hmmmm. Swallowed the cost of the book, nearly 30 bucks, on one of my few remaining good credit cards. Actually, it's the one with 30% interest so I figure 30 bucks will cost me 240 before I pay it off. So I got my book, very cool. Figured I'd actually read to comprehend this book too. Took it to work in the cab each day, and since our business usually has us running one 5 dollar call every hour, I got 40 minutes of free time to read. This book seemed very hard to me, I had to freaking read, think, reread, think, reread and think once again. It took me forever to get through the first chapter! Opening hands, memorize, fail to memorize, attempt to memorize again. I did my best, it stunk though. The next chapter is when to play these groups of hands in different positions against varying types of games. Passive, loose, aggressive, tight.....this is all very hard for me to comprehend. Read, reread, read, reread. Oh, hell, you get the picture. I don't play poker online for several days with real money now, no way! I realize now I was a sucker, a complete idiot. I had no clue at all. But I got my book now. I wear the cover off over the next few weeks, and still even today. It wasn't easy, but I figure I was finally 100 times better than before at the least, but still 1,000,000 times less than optimal. But I'm going back into the arena and give it a whirl. And here's what actually happened. From the time I put my second hundred in, bought the book, and began playing again, it was 16 days latter when I withdrew 200 out and still hand a 200 bankroll at PP. Yeppers, I actually won real money all of a sudden. So now June comes and I begin playing alot after work at night, sometimes all night even. But I win consistently and two week later I have another 600 in profit built up. I'm making more per hour online at the .50/1.00 holdem table than I do driving the taxi. So I think it was around the 16th, where I went to work one morning, encountered some grief and decided to never go back. Now I'm without a job, bills, lots of bills come in the mail everyday. Kids to support, you know the spiel. So I take out the 600 bucks in profit I have built up and pay some bills and tell everyone I'm playing poker online full time! Surprisingly, my spouse said go for it. I did. June cashed out another 700 hundred for the last two weeks, and by god, that was alot more than I was making working. July turns out about 1800 to the wiser and I'm thinking this .50/1.00 Holdem action is as good as it gets! But I'm getting drained. I forgot to mention, playing at these limits it takes me a whole lot of hours each days to make this money. Lots of hours. I was playing two and three games simultaneously at times. I was grinding and I was burning myself out. So August comes and I begin to play more single table ring tourneys, 10 buck entries. I was doing pretty well, but I don't know. I'm not sure if my rate of return was as good as the .50 games. But it is a different type of game, more skill involved. I played in a multi table free roll and got to the final table and picked up 750, which was real nice too. Then I retired pretty much for a week, taking nothing out, just reading and experimenting. Got 320 bucks for a refund on a tourney I won the entry for 10 bucks invested. So I paid the bills for August, goofed off for 10 days into September, and realize I need to ramp it up cuz I got about 1400 in bills coming in and nearly nothing in the checking account! Boom, back to the grind now. I'm making it. So the question is, what the hell am I doing? I still have no clue. I keep a bankroll of 200 and cash out at 300. Never came close to losing a bankroll since that first attempt in May. At this point, I'm not even worried about losing one, but I should be, since I'm POOR as can be and where would I get a new one if I did? I couldn't. The bills eat up every penny I have taken out and then some. I should be a nervous wreck I suppose, but this is the most fun I've had in a long time. I'm going to continue until I can't. Might be a week, who knows, I sure don't. As long as I don't lose my 200 bankroll I should be alright. I got about 6 large out over the last three months on that 200 invested. So even if I bust out and have to go back to driving a taxi one day, what was lost??? 200 bucks is all. Anybody else have a similar experience like this? And I did quit smoking during all this, three packs to nothing! Well, nicotine gum helped. Gunty | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, shorn, 15. Sep 2003 12:59 | ||
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| Well, it hasn't altered my life since I still kept my day job. I wasn't (and still am not) comfortable turning something that I love to do as a hobby into my job as that might make it more of a grind. But, I do understand the allure that it has for you. Be careful though Gunty...you have a had a great run, no doubt, but those things can turn around. Every poker player, pro or otherwise, goes trough good and bad stretches. I would suggest that if you have steady bills to pay that it might be better for you to keep the steady job and use your free time at night and weekends to earn additional poker revenue. Just my 2 cents. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 15. Sep 2003 13:32 | ||
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| Shorn I've gone through several bad stretches already. A five day period in June with no cashouts, a seven day period in July, a nine day period in August. By no means have I not experinced fluctuations. I can go two or three weeks sometimes taking cash out each day, then go those stretches like that right after. Very frustrating. But I always maintain a viable bankroll regardless. If two hundred can even be considered viable. But I'm learning more and more why that happens to me as I go. If I play a certain style, two games at a time, I can usually win at will. It's just very boring sometimes and I find myself reading online while playing, or often watching TV. I need to just stay focused on the games at hand is all. Also, not play when I'm tired. Thanks for the advice. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, shorn, 15. Sep 2003 13:43 | ||
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| More power to you then. I hear you about getting bored with it...I run into that especially if I have been playing too many days in a row for too many hours. I can't keep mentally fresh my 6th day in a row of playing. Good luck to you and by all means use this forum for questions. There are many very successful pro's on here (Roy, Mike, Grant, Barry, Mark Gregorich, 4POKER, Andrew Wells, others who I am surely leaving out) who are happy to dole out super advice. So take advantage. Steve | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 15. Sep 2003 14:02 | ||
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| Shorn, I think I'd be embarassed if a real poker player read my story. I realize now I entered this endeavor with no bankroll to speak of. I have worried about this key factor at times when I haven't been able to cash out daily. What would happen if I lost my 200 bankroll? I'd be screwed. I made 6 grand on that 200 bankroll and without it I could make nothing. I need 1600 minimum to pay the bills each month so I have no leeway here at all. I need another 400 to buy food and such. So 2000 I must make, and if I make less I charge the groceries that month. I can't let that happen even once, cuz I'm running out of credit now. Christ, if this isn't walking a tightwire I don't know what is. Hehee. But hell, driving a taxi is no different. You can have totally dead weeks and even dead months. But knowing now that if I lose that 200 bankroll I'm totally screwed makes me do what it takes not to lose it. If I ever do then I will become seriously depressed I'm sure. I'll have to find some outs in that case. I do have a 100 bankroll at a second site just to be on the safe side, so actually I'm a 300 bankroll guy now. Hehee, wow I know. Gunty | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Squaliform, 15. Sep 2003 15:49 | ||
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| Enjoy the rush as long as it lasts, because they never do. Poker is a tough way to make an easy living. You will get bad beat, it happens to everyone. I have played professionally for over 10 years. I would not recommend it. Stay at your cabbie job. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 15. Sep 2003 16:43 | ||
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| Right, I hear ya. However, I think I'm just catching quarters, literally, from people who toss them carelessly over their shoulders. Whereas you, a professional player for ten years, probably are playing against some damn good players who don't pitch nuttin over their shoulders unless you put a gun to their head first, or a well timed bluff. I'm hitting minor league pitching I think. It's not that hard, really. The rewards are quarters, but hey, scoop enuff up and you got something. Trust me, I'm not on a rush here. It's more like a plod. A long time consuming plod day in and day out. I'm probably the only person in the world that would have the temperment to plod in such a manner. I sure don't know anyone else who would do it. Maybe only a truly desperate soul could plod so steadily as I. That's why I'm here posting today, I was looking for a kindred plodder. Anyone else out there been plodding for quarters? | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, LJH, 15. Sep 2003 13:14 | ||
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| DEAR GUNTY, CONGRATULATIONS. WHAT YOU ARE DOING IS FABULOUS. KEEP ON TRUCKING, AND LET US KNOW IN A YEAR HOW MUCH YOU ARE AHEAD. LJH | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Schuster, 15. Sep 2003 13:26 | ||
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| I think this is one of the best poker stories I've ever heard. Props to you Gunty. Keep up the good work, but be very aware that it is possible to catch bad downswings. Try to have something to fall back on and don't burn yourself out. Also, check your local library, they may have some poker books you can check out to increase your knowledge without costing you a dime. Myself, I'm a college student, so by definition, I am (was?) poor. I start playing online about a year ago after playing on and off since I was a kid (never serious though) and now I'm making that steady income for food and the occassional entertainment. It's fun to play, and it sure pays better than my summer job did. I do "rely" on it, but if push came to shove, I could get by without it, which is comforting. I'm not sure how I would handle playing in your situation, but good luck to you. Keep yourself mentally fit and keep up the good work. Lee | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 15. Sep 2003 13:43 | ||
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| Lee, Thanks for the kind words and your own story. I have a son in college myself. Poor kid was in a car accident, not of his fault, and became paralyzed from the neck down. It's been four years since and he's been in college for three of them. Talk about courage. He's living in a frat house and loving it too. Talk about long odds in real life..... I figure if he can make a run at life as a quadriplegic, then I can at the very least pay the bills and make a run at a 1000 bankroll!! We'll see I suppose. But anyways, our library sucks for poker books, the one they had was an antique from the 30's I think. So I went out and purchased four more on my own. 'The Theory of Poker, The psychology of poker, Tournament poker for advanced players, and Play poker like the Pros. The last one I didn't find all that useful. The others I haven't digested yet at all, but they seem great sources of information. Get that degree Lee, Gunty | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, shorn, 15. Sep 2003 13:47 | ||
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| You might also purchase "Winning low Limit Hold'em" by Lee Jones as I think you are still playing the lower limits. A really good and easy read with strategies applicable to the lower limit games, those $5/$10 and below. I ahve worn out the cover on that one... | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Andrew Wells, 15. Sep 2003 15:52 | ||
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| You're just spinning your wheels barely getting by. You can't afford to take consecutive days off just to see the credit card bills relentlessly arrive. If you get a week or two ahead of the due dates, you need to concentrate on increasing your bankroll instead. It's almost a mathematical certainty that if you play long enough, you're going to be facing some stretches where nothing works right even if you play perfect. If you're playing as a full time pro you must have increased your working capital enough to withstand not only a bad month, but the certainty of bills, food, rent, and another bad month. You have been very fortunate not to have encountered a significant downswing yet. You have been running extremely well for this limit and I realize it beats driving cab, but if your credit is maxed out - you're walking a greased tightrope without a net. Sorry if this is harsh, but you haven't experienced the long term realities of playing full time yet. Maybe you'll be one of the very few who succeed, it is possible. Seriously consider getting rid of the debt, it is the major factor holding you back, poker or otherwise. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Bentzen, 15. Sep 2003 16:44 | ||
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| Must say I found your story to be great indeed. I, myself is a student, but besides playing poker (Mainly Low-limits) I still work to be sure not to be screwed at the end of the month. The reason why I began playing poker, was to find an alternative to rip the online casinos for bonus money. Every night I would sit with my blackjack chart and play just enough to collect the nice sign-up bonus money that the different casino give out in order to attract customers. If a promotion offer wasn't good enough (You are supposed to wager a certain amount of dollars, before you can withdraw), compared to the pay-back of around 96% in BJ I wouldn't touch it. It made me around 8000$ in half a year, but as I wasn't the only Dane doing it, most of the casinos began barring people from Denmark or added special wagering requirements for Danes only...(that's the reason if you ever wondered) I know it's still possible to make some money in that way, if you're not from Denmark that is. But it's a one-timer only.... Be sure not to go on tilt playing afterwards, coz it will be a dead-end.. Just my Danish 2 Krone and best of luck to you | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 15. Sep 2003 17:03 | ||
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| I hear ya. Walking a tighwire sucks. I've been walking one for years now. Basically though, what seperates you and the way you think from me, is you have a fear of losing what you got. I on the other hand have got nothing so there's nothing to fear. You see, when things really can't get worse, there can be no downside. Therefore I have very little stress and thoughts of losing my 200 bankroll hardly factor in my thinking. No worries. The one thing I learned quickly in the last three months is how to limit losses online. Simple. I recognize a good game and I smell a bad game for myself. I quickly leave the latter and plant myself in the former. Not hard to do. But if all else fails, I quit for the day. Really, I just quit when I recognize the fact that the cards will not be going my way that day. And somedays they won't be. So I read a book or watch a movie instead. Not so hard to do. When you only have 200 after a cash out, and you lose 30 bucks of that during the day, I notice quickly. Something is not right with me if that happens. Either I'm playing a different style than what I know will work, or I'm goofing around in different type games. So I just disconnect and move away for awhile. It's always amazing what a good night or days sleep will do for a person. And there's always a game tomorrow online. And most important is I refined a certain style of play for a certain type of game that I know will work if I want it too. But I have to WANT it too or I will be washed out quicker than I care to be. In other words, I have to stay motivated somehow to pick up the loose change lying in the gutter all day. It's about that much fun for me, but it works. Sure, I'd like to be playing in all those multi table tourneys which I find a blast, but that isn't going to pay the bills right now. I only know how to clean the gutter, thats all I'm good to do for now. So, thats what I will do. Adios | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Andrew Wells, 15. Sep 2003 19:32 | ||
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| There's nothing wrong with beating up on the lower limits, that's supposed to be bread 'n butter. It's making minimum credit card payments for primarily interest with a major portion of your efforts that I see as probably going to keep you from advancing in poker as you should have (given that you presently are clearing 2000 per month at .50-1.00). If you didn't have that expense you might be doing just as well at 2-4 or 3-6 by now. I don't have a family to support either, it's just me and a conservative lifestyle. I would still have a desk job if I were married or had kids. Actually, I don't have an irrational fear of losing. I've lost many sessions too, and I've gone broke many times. If I have several bad months (a significant possibility) and can't recover on a live 3-6 table for an extended period, I'm going to have to become an employee again. Thousands of hours at the tables has me always thinking in terms of bets instead of money. If there's a secret to success, for me it is always trying to play each hand the best I can, and let the money take care of itself. If you indeed think you have nothing to lose and your back is against the wall so to speak, you still have to leave yourself a way out. I had a good friend who drove cabs, so I know how shitty that business can be for a driver. Particularly when you rent for 12 hours and aren't assured of minimum wage. Sometimes he'd pay the $75 for a shift and come home minus for the day after gas, so it is closely related to the poker lifestyle. I'd recommend you look into the possibility with your commercial license of doing package deliveries instead of people, as a back-up if you have a bad run on the Internet. Maybe you are a natural top player, because I assure you those are extremely good results for the past three months even for someone world class (limit notwithstanding). If you truly have nothing to lose, then empty whatever little credit you have left into an investment in groceries. Then declare your insolvency in court, and give yourself a real second chance. I think that paying interest for a long time is going become the real backbreaker on any kind of poker career, because you seem to have talent and a desire to succeed at cards. Whatever you decide to do, be sure it is best for your family first. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, ADAM THE EXPERT, 16. Sep 2003 05:19 | ||
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| Dear Gunty First of all, congratulations of joining the ranks of us professional players. Quite a story, indeed. I know cab drivers, and can identify with your income (or lack thereof) plight. The only successful ones, are those who develop a following of regulars, and/or get involved with "funny business" Anyway, here is so advice from someone who has REALLY 'been there, done that" It sure sounds as though you are getting frustrated with the .50-1.00. But, if it ain't broken, DON"T FIX IT. Poker is a GRIND, it's SUPPOSED to be boring, and involve LONG hours. If you want to increase the limit of the game you play, take heed to the following: (1) the larger the game, the better the players. (2) the larger the game, the more bankroll you need. Every once in a while, I play a .50 1.00 game, just for kicks after making my income for the day. And I can see why you are making a living ! ! ! ! I have even thought to myself "gee, if I had to, I could make maybe 1800 a month in this game, eight hours per day. Although 1-2 players, aren't exactly playing like DAVID SKLANSKY, they are NOT anywhere NEAR as HOPELESS as the .50- 1.00 players. So, if you are thinking that you can make the same money in half the time, ERASE those thoughts from your head. According to my estimates, you could make about 55% more money, taking into account the doubling of the limit, but the increase in opponent skill. HOWEVER, $200 is not NEARLY enough, to insure long-term survival, at this limit. It is, at the level you are currently playing. Getting bored? Buy an Omaha and a stud book. These games offer FAR FAR FAR FAR greater skill for the trained player, than hold em, and are plentiful enough to insure a steady supply of games. Here is a goal for you, make it a year goal. Maybe you didn't know this, but most sites and casinos, have what they call "propisition" players. These are people who are hired to help start, and keep games going. I don't know all the details, but have spoken with several on the site where you play. From what I gather, they play 3-6 to 5 -10, and are paid fifteen bucks per hour. There is a waiting list. Prior to the advent of the internet, All of the people I know who made they're living in poker (except for one superstar) had jobs as prop players. It sure helps, to say the least, to know that you are going to get your salery, win lose or draw ! ! ! ! ! ! But, to be able to work this job, you need a workable bankroll Why don't you try some $22 buy in, no limit multi table tournaments? win one, and you have your bankroll for a prop player. Meantime, start studying omaha, stud, and stud high low. Don't be a one-game player. Then, get on the waiting list, and when your spot comes up, you'll be in hog heaven!!! Making a salery (and of course profit, although less, as you aren't always playing, sometimes waiting) All from the comfort of your home. But please, please, don't move up in limit, until you have the skills and the BANKROLL requirements. I'm really scared that you might do this, I can sense your frustration with the hours required to make a living in .50 1.00 I know many people, who DESTROYED their lives, and poker careers, by doing this. Any poker subject what so ever you'd care to discuss, email me at adamofalaska@hotmail.com | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Giocatore, 16. Sep 2003 11:30 | ||
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| Gunty, That is one hell of a story. I'm glad poker has worked out for you and that you were able to make such a good profit playing low limit. While your results are nothing short of extraordinary, you should prepare yourself for the inevitable streak of cold cards which is bound to happen sooner or later, especially at those limits. I noticed that you mentioned in several of your responses that you wouldn't seem to mind if you lost your $300 bankroll, taking into consideration that you are already up over six large. While $300 is an adequate bankroll for 0.50/1, you should do whatever it takes to protect it given your financial situation as per your story. As for poker literature, Shorn was correct in recommending "Winning Low Limit Hold'em" by Lee Jones. I have read the book twice already and definitely picked up a few pointers for improving my game. Furthermore, since you said you play exclusively low limits, I think this book will help you tremendously considering it's not uncommon for half the table or more to see a flop at those limits, which is precisely what the book is geared towards. I wish you continued success and look forward to reading about your progress on this forum. Buona fortuna. Giocatore | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Gunty, 17. Sep 2003 09:32 | ||
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| Thanks guys for the nice replies by everyone, and the great advice too. I guess it's comforting to know that there are others in the world that understand about this subject. You know, I was starting to feel like I was living in some self-exiled poker bubble. Yesterday was very frustrating for me. As I may have said, at my main playing site I keep a 200 bankroll and when it goes above 300 I cash out immediately. I started the day with about 250 and figured I'd get my 100 out pretty quickly, but that didn't happen. I hit 286 and was looking for that one hand that would top 300. I looked is about all I can say. For the next 5 hours it was nothing but BS outcomes. You all know the ones, flop a set some idiot hits the gut shot on the river. I swear, after about the third set that got topped in fifteen minutes I began shouting at the monitor. The dog got scared, I got more and more frustrated and my bankroll went all the way down to 225. I finally did regroup late in the afternoon though. Determined to get a cashout I finally got one at around 9 PM. Just played one .50 holdem table. Sometimes the one table at a time is better for me, as opposed to two tables, when things aren't going ideally my way. I started playing at the individual players instead of their cards. Almost like I was angry at them and expected their money as a reward. I don't know, that was an atypical day and night. I like the easy days. I saw many flaws in my game yesterday. I'm getting better at spotting the flaws now. I made a ton of bad decisions all day. If I could only optimize my playing skill to a consistent level I would do so much better. I'm hoping that will come. Anyways, back to the grind I suppose. Two observations from yesterdays play though. 1. In a loose/passive game where virtually everyone comes in, it's a losing proposition to raise with AK, AQ, AJ, and even the AA, KK, QQ,JJ, or any other pairs. After losing with AA and KK at two tables simultaneously at the same time, I realized they just aren't worth the raise pre flop and the ram to the river. At least one of the eight players who come hit their draws, or a weak two pair. 2. The other observation then was for loose games to only call preflop regardless of what I held. If something good flopped, go for a checkraise on the turn. It seemed to work with aggressive bettors and passive callers very well. But when the table mix changed and it became tight/aggressive, preflop raising with top hands did work well again. It's amazing how some people in these low limit games have no problem reraising to 4 bets with only a draw, or a mediocre hand with little hope for improvement on the river. Again, thanks for the feedback everyone. It really has helped my mental aspect the last two days. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, Mark Barnett II, 18. Sep 2003 10:35 | ||
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| meant to post last week but things happened. my wife and i are one of the ones whom Bankruptcy helped, we had to declare about 10 years ago cause of lack of income *which of course started getting fixed once we declared* and we bought a house about 2 years ago and things are going great. BK is to give someone a second chance *what they do with it is their choice* one suggestion grow your bankroll overtime, not sure how often you try to cash out but just slowly add to your bankroll each time you cash out. example might be you cash out when your bankroll reaches 300 bump that up $10 each time so like next cash out is 310 or higher then 320 or higher then 330 and so on *thus increasing your bankroll to 210-220-230....* and if 10 is too much or too little just go up and down as your life dictates but each time your cashing out you should reward yourself by making sure your bankroll grows just a bit too. | ||
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| Re: Is my Online Poker experience typical?, drewclouse, 23. Oct 2003 02:08 | ||
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| I too have a good online experience...and a question too, if you can make it to the end...(if it is too boring, could you please skip to the end for the question? I really need it answered) This past summer, I started playing poker on Party Poker for the first time. I had some poker experience with my friends, where most of the time I did well, and really enjoyed it. So finally, I decide to put in my first $50 into an account. Being a poor college student in California, this was a big investment for me. I had some fun with it, but I eventually lost the entirety of it. Now after tasting what it was like, I was determined to win, because I was sure I could. I began my experience at the $25 no limit and pot limit hold'em tables. About 2 weeks and thousands of hands later, I'm 300 in the hole. Depressed and dejected, I put in one more 50 and, after a few more weeks of struggling, I finally broke even! It was at this time that I decide to order a book I had read about online about low limit hold'em. This turned everything around. I realized how bad of a player I actually was, but once I realized this and changed the way I played, I was actually able to win. It started out small, making $20-30 every couple hours, but as I got better, I was able to consistently make about that much an hr at the 25 pl/nl tables. (and compared to any other job that would be available to a 19 yr old, this was a dream come true). Once I got bored with those tables, I tentatively made my way to the 2-4 tables. Amazingly again, I was able to consistently make money, so again, I bumped up to 5-10 tables which is where I successfully reside now. Before school started in September, I had built my bankroll up to about 2500, and now, with a relatively easy class load, I am able to bring in approximately 1500 a week. If nothing goes wrong, this will be a great way to help pay my way through school! And now this brings me to my problem and question. I am 19 years old playing on party poker. I have so far cashed out 3000 to my bank account. I know I will have to pay taxes on this money, but is there anyway I will get in trouble for playing poker in CA (even online) since the legal age is 21? Can they (IRS, gov't,...ect.?) even find out? What should I do? | ||
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