Answer a Few More Questions (Correctly) and Become a Pro

Hi. Come on in. Special treat, I still have some holiday goodies my sister sent - and some eggnog.

The last two times we met, we talked about making a living at low-limit poker. We learned that lots of people are doing it. Now, let's see if you can, or should, think about doing it. Let's consider a couple of dozen more questions to answer for yourself before jumping in.

After taking the big step over the edge, which of your expenses will increase? Which will decrease or be eliminated? Your drive to the poker rooms could be longer, or shorter, than the drive to your present job. Your wardrobe requirements might be entirely different.

What about the fringe benefits of your present job? Will you have to start paying for your health insurance? What about your retirement plan? Figure all of the perks that come your way now at company expense that you may have to replace. Company car? Expense account? Credit cards? Are you confident - really confident - that you can overcome all of this? Do your present winnings indicate that by playing full time you'll do as well as you now do at your job, or better? Be completely honest with yourself.

Why are you thinking about making this move? Can you really do better? Or, do you just like the idea of being a professional poker player? More honesty, please. Have you set reasonable win goals toward which you are willing to work? (Remember, this is a profession, a job.) Do you have a wife - or husband - and family? Do they support you in this venture? If not, you're looking for trouble. Talk it over with them. Eliminate the stress going in. If you can't, you might have too much to overcome. How's your health? If you have problems, your new lifestyle may add stress instead of freedom.

Are you ready for the fact that your income may take some radical ups and downs? You might win $2,000 one month and only $200 the next. Or, it's even possible that you might have a losing month. Can you leave your present job on good terms with your employer? It's mighty tempting to tell him to "shove it," but someday you might need that job again - or maybe a good reference.

Will your friends and neighbors understand that because you don't have a "regular job," it doesn't mean you have time to run their errands, watch their kids, or sit and chat endlessly?

How close do you now live to public poker rooms? Are there games nearby that you can rely on daily? Or, will you have to move to Nevada, Southern California, or some other area with public poker? This would be an additional expense. And keep in mind that where there are public poker rooms, there are people who have been playing every day, so you'll probably encounter a higher level of competition.

What about vacations? There will be a great temptation to play seven days a week, 365 days a year. Don't! That could lead to burnout. You'll still need vacations, and that means taking time away from "work." No work, no pay, and there won't be any paid sick days, either.

Do you have the discipline to maintain a schedule? Your time will be your own, and so will the motivation that keeps you moving toward your goals.

Ask yourself again and again about confidence. Can you really do it? Or, is it just wishful thinking? Think about it. And then think some more before you decide. And here's a helpful tip: If this turns out to be a big decision for you to make - you aren't ready to turn pro. A big decision is big only because you don't have enough information to make it. If you did, you would. Get more information. You obviously aren't comfortable with making the move, for any number of reasons. The specific reasons don't matter; your comfort with the decision, either way, does. When you can make the decision with ease, you'll be ready to go for it. Good luck!

Great goodies, aren't they? This is how they ate at Christmastime in what grandma called "the old country." Now I require repose while I dream of hot chocolate on cold Northern nights. Kill the light on your way out.

Editor's note: Roy West, author of the bestseller 7 Card Stud, the Complete Course in Winning (available from Card Player), continues to give his successful poker lessons in Las Vegas to both tourists and locals. Ladies are welcome. Get his toll-free 800 number from his ad on Page 103.