I quit my job today to be a professional poker player...

Make it work - luck is what you do with it.

Holy moley, kid. What a ballsey (does ballsey have an e?) thing to do. I think that you've got the right kind of mind for poker. Lots of the top players are or were computer wizzes. Still scary.

I'll be rooting for you and looking for you on tv. I watch a lot of the poker shows.

Holy moley. (Repeating myself. )

If you run into Mike Matasow, please kick him squarely in the groin for me.

Bon chance, buena suerte, and good luck.

That's incredible Craven! Wow, do I admire your courage. I have actually considered doing the same since my restaurants folded, because I'm no fan of corporate crap either… and the only thing I really excel at is managing sales forces… which isn't really very enjoyable or fulfilling (though my current position would have me being your neighbor in Escazu within a year).

Tell me; how good are you? I mean, how did you determine you are qualified? Have you played extensively in live tournaments? Live Casino games? Against Pros or amateurs? Online? I found that on Party Poker I can hold my own, but can never quite win enough to cover the rakes in the long run. I can play the same $50 for hundreds or hours, but eventually get bored and sloppy. In person, I've only played local amateurs, who are not terribly skilled, and I dominate 8 games out of 10… but I have no way of relating that to playing in a casino. I can figure my outs and pot odds, almost instantly and accurately… and believe I'm better than average at picking up tells, but I've never tested myself against real players for real dough.

How did you get an invite from a Vegas Casino? I don't remember ever reading about you spending much time there?

Please tell your tale… I'm fascinated!

And of course, I wish you the best of luck and a lots of rushes before you suffer a dry spell.

Ps. Is it just me; or does Daniel Negreanu seem to have superhuman abilities to read his opponents?

Not just you. The man is either psychic or a warlock.

Oh, boy.

I don't know anything about all the odds, but I get the adventure. I sympathize insofar as I'd be a squashed pellet in a corporate place. Have my qualms re what you are going into, but if you ever need a place to land, you can have the 'living room'.

You will equilibrate as you age.. none of my business; I'll venture to say you'll pinpoint a place as a nest, maybe later than earlier, may avoid it at the time.

Good adventure along the way --

I've been frequenting casino poker for 2 years now (live cash games, tournaments only for fun). I've played a lot online but also mainly for fun. I play no-name pros (i.e. people who have been making a living off of poker for years but aren't on TV) every day and have played TV pros only a few times. For example I played a $5-$10 no-limit cash game 11-handed with Humberto Brenes and Arturo Morales and came out with a 50% gain on my money in 2 hours.

I can play a tight grinding game or a loose-agressive game where I don't play my cards and am comfortable switching gears. There are nuances I am always picking up and I'll never stop learning but I'm already good enough that I know that as long as I play at limits for which my bankroll supports a dry run I am going to be cash-flow positive.

And I know I'm good enough to go at least up to $25-50 when my bankroll supports that level.

Past that I have no idea (but will one day find out). Either way, I know I can make a living off the stakes I already can afford to play at.



I've actually never spent any time in Vegas. I'm going to be doing this in a casino here, which is both a bit scary (because there's a lot less poker action here) but also comforting (I can get by on very little if need be).



Nah, he just talks about it more (so do I, and I think telling others what their cards are is something we both do too much). People like Chan and Ivey are better IMO but don't advertise it as much.

On luck, I wish you the best. (I forgot that as I worked what I thought, out.)

No worries, as long as I don't have any REALLY bad luck within the next 8 weeks I'll be ok.

Well, you could smack my gob with a feather, but I certainly do wish you great pleasure and enormous good fortune!!!

Lucky people view misfortune as shortlived and overcome it quickly - hoping, you aren't (too) often in such a situation!

Good luck!!!

Zo.......(stroking fluffy white lap cat)....you sink you can beat me at Poker, eh Meester De Kere?

Vell, I vill geev you some teeps.

You zee, you haf to know ven to hold zem, und also know ven to fold zem, you alzo haf to know when to walk avay, und alzo ven to run.
Never count your money ven you are zitting at ze table, az zere vill be time enough for ze counting ven ze dealing ist done.

I sink zese vords vill make a mighty fine zong vun day.

Cool dude. Obey your roll and keep us posted.

Just don't bet the hamsters.

Seriously, best of luck to you.

The gentleness of all the gods--and goddesses--go with you.

Well, good luck!

I wish you lots of good luck!

Viva Los Vegas, Craven.

Very cool. I play a lot of no-limit online holdem. I do great with play money (current balance is 6 digits), but I'm too chicken to play for real green. Best of luck and keep us posted.

May Fortune smile upon you!

As I am the most risk-averse person you are ever likely to meet,
I think you are absolutely, positively out of your mind. (Well,
someone had to say it.) Nevertheless, I envy you your chuzpah.

Sock it to'em, Craven.







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