Lost in life? career change?

[Participant]

Learn how to develop poker software and get your name out there for junior jobs at gambling software suppliers.

Said with absolutely no authority on the subject, but surely at least gambling companies couldn't be judgemental about your history of poker. They may even see it as an asset.

 

[helpimcrap]

See a careers advisor.

 

[Stretch]

its got plenty IMO

A successful poker player is numerate has a good understanding of probability, risk, game theory. A good online player is also likely quite technical, will track their play, maintain a database of their hand histories and their opponents + analyse those... so you can throw in data analysis, stats into the mix.

A good live player has excellent soft skills, they need to put up with/ignore angry regs, be friendly/generate rapport with the fish & keep them at the table, make them feel good even when they're losing. Build relationships with casino staff, have a network of them ready to text them when certain whales walk into the casino.

Yes, but people are firstly looking for someone who can turn up and work at defined time periods, who can form professional working relationships with colleagues and customers, know how to work in a team and respect decisions of others (aka their boss), and have some sort of relevant skill.

I think opportunities for the practical application of game theory and sweet talking fish are going to be fairly limited at entry level corporate positions, unless he's applying for the secret service.

I'm not saying that the other qualities you mention aren't useful. It's just he has no proven track record of the basics, and he might be better served by saying he ran a business and plays cards in the evening.

 

[helpimcrap]

Yes, but people are firstly looking for someone who can turn up and work at defined time periods, who can form professional working relationships with colleagues and customers, know how to work in a team and respect decisions of others (aka their boss), and have some sort of relevant skill.

I think the opportunities for game theory and sweet talking fish are going to be fairly limited at entry level corporate position, unless he's applying for the secret service.

I'm not saying he can't do these things, or that the other things you mention aren't useful. It's just he has no proven track record of the basics, and he might be better served by saying he ran a business and plays cards in the evening.

In all fairness playing poker and gambling other peoples money he'd do well in the banking industry....

 

[dowie]

Yes, but people are firstly looking for someone who can turn up and work at defined time periods, who can form professional working relationships with colleagues and customers, know how to work in a team and respect decisions of others (aka their boss), and have some sort of relevant skill.

I think opportunities for the practical application of game theory and sweet talking fish are going to be fairly limited at entry level corporate positions, unless he's applying for the secret service.

I'm not saying he can't do these things, or that the other things you mention aren't useful. It's just he has no proven track record of the basics, and he might be better served by saying he ran a business and plays cards in the evening.

turning up on time is a given, much of the rest of those are 'soft skills'

as for the relevant skill, domain knowledge - that is what he's working on

and no he likely wouldn't be better off telling a lie

he should sell the poker experience properly

 

[mithrandir]

Mainstream Apprenticeships are up to 24 year olds then not a lot of funding thereon. However there are apprenticeships in some areas for 25+.

AS mentioned, might be worth seeing a careers adviser for some advice and guidance.

 

[KaHn]

Join the forces, RAF or something similar?

KaHn

 

[Redz]

CF202

 

[si777]

What level of tables do you play and how many?

Played up to $2/$4 (400nl and PLO) play a bit smaller now a days though, can play up to 12 tables but normally average around 8-10.

I would advise you be honest with prospective employers about the CV gap. Tell them that you have been a poker player for the past 7 years and if that's a problem for them then you can't do much about that. Have you had any other jobs during the time you've been playing poker?

I'd suggest you do some research on what type of job you might be interested in doing. What are your strengths and interests? It's likely you'll have to start at the bottom and work your way up, particularly with a lack of qualifications, though that doesn't have to hold you back. You could look into some sort of open university or night school course in a field that interests you.

Once you've had a think about it and got an idea of a few areas that interest you I'd go to a career's advisor and see what they suggest. Hope that helps.

Thanks for your reply, No I haven't had any jobs since I started playing poker sadly. Also I don't mind starting at the bottom.

I see your from Bournemouth I live right near you well about 30 mins, I live Lymington.

 

[si777]

why not go to uni?

carry on playing poker in your spare time too for the three years you're there to cover living costs/tuition - get a better idea of what you want to do

also making a living from poker is something a fair few employers would respect (assuming we're talking about rent, bills etc.. having to come from poker rather than just spending money when living with mum and dad)

if not uni then I'm sure there are a few on here who can advise on getting some basic IT quals, experience...

might be worth targeting poker/gambling related companies for IT roles too...

I haven't really looked into the UNI option thanks I will take a look into it.

I have done some minimal research within Poker/gambling companies from what I know most of the companies are looking for competent qualified people.

Lots of unanswered questions?

Do you claim any benefits?

Why have you decided to give up professional gambling?

Take any job you can find to start a portfolio of employment, this will help in the future.

OP is drug dealer wanting to go straight, just my 2p.

Don't claim benefits never have,

I don't want to give it up fully I just don't want to do it full time,

Being a poker player might sound all good and that but to be honest it's probably one of the hardest jobs out there, I mean with people getting better and better it can be really tough, So you have to make sure your learning and keeping up with the times. Not only this the mental aspects really and screw with you, I've had many months where I have netted a loss, then start to question your ability.

Not only that, me personally I don't really enjoy playing any more, I mean I'm actually waking up in the morning and thinking lets get poker over and done with and I know this such a bad mind set.

 

[HEADRAT]

What about Croupier with a mind to becoming a "Pit Boss"?

 

[Craig321]

Not only that, me personally I don't really enjoy playing any more, I mean I'm actually waking up in the morning and thinking lets get poker over and done with and I know this such a bad mind set.

My point was in regards to exactly this though. I bet you'll end up feeling the same way eventually about a desk or IT job.

Have you investigated getting in to something like forex? If you've been getting by on poker then you must already be good at managing your risk. There's more to it than just gambling. You'll still go through losses etc. though which I guess you might not want.

 

[dowie]

Have you investigated getting in to something like forex? If you've been getting by on poker then you must already be good at managing your risk. There's more to it than just gambling. You'll still go through losses etc. though which I guess you might not want.

I wouldn't do this OP - poker is different in that it is much more realistic to have an edge as you can select your table and the level you play at is determined though the stakes.

In FX it is very likely you'll not have an edge and no amount of risk management can help with that.

 

[Moley]

Have you considered playing live instead of online? With the years of experience online and the volume of hands you've played I would expect you to crush the fish at live tables and you'd probably find it a much more enjoyable experience as you'd be dealing with real people. OK so you wouldn't be able to grind out 12 tables but playing 1 table at higher stakes and concentrating more on the game could well help you improve your game too.

Good luck either way.

 

[dowie]

^^^

move to London for uni, play at the Empire, Hippodrome etc.. Friday, Saturday

get more £££

then play at the palm beach

 

[russell664]

Is there anything IT which interests you?

You can get on an apprenticeship with say a Level 2/3 diploma in IT, and while the pay isn't great, it will set you up for any other jobs you wish to move into.

 

[si777]

I get what some of you are saying about do I really want to give up poker for a office job.... Maybe I don't know how good I have it as I have never had a job, but I'm only a small stakes player and it gets me by, I can't/not really saving money for the future, So actually buying a property for myself may be hard. I won't give up poker, I just want to play part time and maybe just play poker tournaments instead of cash games.

Anyway I applied for a couple of jobs heard back from a few of them which are no's but that's expected, but I had a call from a college today and they said they would try and get this company to give me a shot at least with a interview, so fingers cross.

Again thanks for all your inputs.

 

[FoxEye]

Teach yourself how to code and get a job as a coder, plenty of work available:

http://www.webref.eu/learn-how-to-code.php

http://www.webref.eu/web-design-tutorials.php

I'm not sure that's true, everywhere. So you'd have to add the proviso that OP is willing to move (eg to London), if he isn't there already.

In my neck of the woods, there are no coding jobs at all unless you have 5+ years working at Google already, with two PhD's But then the SW sucks for tech jobs.

Also the forums I read suggest that more and more coding is going to India, and once it's gone it tends to stay gone.

I have first hand experience of that last part. When BT came in took over the running of our council IT (for whom I worked), we ended up talking to Indian guys over the phone a /lot/. I have nothing against them, just pointing out the sad reality that this kind of work is going overseas.