$500 is enough to sit on a $5/10 poker table. Im assuming this is limit holdem?
Now I can say this.... poker is as tough as trading. There are plenty of games with new fish around but the higher the stakes get the better the players. I have been playing poker for quite some time, ever since I was in middle school. I am probably a better poker player than trader. But the one thing that stopped myself from continuing to become a full-time poker player was this: "Do I really want to do this for the rest of my life?"
The answer was no. Now I enjoy the game of poker and I make some income here and there whenever I play. I have played with hundreds or maybe thousands of different players and there is always one thing in common. The players who win are usually the same crowd. Even in online poker.... I recently visited a poker room where I used to play a year ago. I checked out the high stakes table there and I only found 2 players I truly recognized from before. Its the same as the WSOP. In the 2006 WSOP, an amateur called an all-in made by a professional. Before the call, the amateur said, "Ok! Let's gamble". Now the professional won that hand... and he remarked, "Im not here to gamble. Im here to win!"
I have had numerous amounts of people asking me to teach them how to play poker. I have tought several and have seen only 2 player amongst the group of about 10 who are now making money consistently. Even the players that used to win are now washed out... when they going on a losing streak they blame it on the game. They never look into themselves and realize that it is their style of play that needs to be fixed.
Now almost always when I am asked to teach them poker.. I tell them no. A winning poker player thinks differently from a losing poker player. No matter how much I teach them and sit at their side during a game.. if the mentality isnt there he's not going to win. I know they are plenty of poker players who make a very good income playing. But whenever someone approaches me and asks me if he should become a full-time poker player... I never recommend it. If you are good at it great! Play on your free time and make that extra side income. But I personally get more gratification and the feeling of accomplishment as a trader. Just my thoughts
