The adventure begins...

I've been playing recreational poker for several years with a small group of fairly competitive and very talented people. We play home games, bar games and we even spend a little time in the casinos. We talk strategy and hand play, and spend a lot of time giving each other an all-around hard time for donkey plays. We each psychically rub our hands together in glee when a poor player (known as a fish) comes into the game, because we can start to chip away at their stacks. We all talk about how great it would be to get the chance to play big tournaments with big prize pools and even a few of us have dreamed of playing poker for a living. Thanks to a recent downsize by my company, of which I was a part, I think my opportunity to do that has unexpectantly arrived.

We had heard rumors for several months that something was going to happen, we just weren't sure how big it would be. On Tuesday, 5/20/2008 - we were told it would be around 20% of our department. On Wednesday at 12:02, I got the call to meet my manager in a conference room and heard the news.

Honestly, I wasn't surprised my position was eliminated. The company had a history of providing very generous separation packages, so by the time Wednesday came around, I was kinda hoping they would offer me one and truthfully I was also scared they would. I had decided by Tuesday night that if I got a package, I would sit down and seriously decide whether I could give playing poker to pay my bills a go.

The answer is yes.

Amazingly enough - most people are totally excited about me doing this. (we'll talk about the exceptions in a minute) I think the supporters are living a little vicaruously through me. Not that they want to play poker, but they are happy that I am chasing something I've always wanted to do and they looka little wistful for a few moments after they tell me that's awesome.

There are a handful who don't think I should - and there are people who I think will tell me it isn't a good idea. (my parents for example). I don't hold it against them. They love me and want me to be successful in a conventional way - in the way that won't mean I might struggle or go broke. I understand that, but I am by nature, a risk taker. I like new adventures and I'm excited about this one.

I'm planning on approaching it like a business. I plan on playing at least 40 hours a week with a schedule that puts me in a casino 2-3 days a week and at online tables the remaining ones. In addition, I'm planning to split my winnings up in this way. 70% to household expenses and 30% to an account for taxes until bills are paid for the month, then 70% to bankroll and 30% for taxes.

I am being paid through 5/30 - then its off on the big adventure.

My hope is to use this blog as a way to keep the people who know me and are interested updated on my life as well as use it as a way to journal my progress. I anticipate many mistakes and misteps especially in the begining and if my blogging then keeps someone else from making the same ones, than great. Also, From a selfish perspective, journaling my play will help keep me focused and allow me a way to go back and review my decisions as well as those of a few competitors. But this blog won't just be about poker hands and pot odds, it will be about mental state and what a new player goes through getting started, it will be about my life since the lay off and how it has changed.

More on the adventures soon.
peace and love and happiness to all.