Poker & University

Hello.

In my personal experience I believe that putting poker almost entirely to one side during your studies is the right way to go. Like you, I always found it hard during my studies to apply myself consistently and would end up looking at hands etc. online and thinking about poker when I wasn't playing. And I wasn't even a winning player: I had just caught the bug and was messing around at NL25. In the end I just stopped playing and content myself with watching the occasional video, and my studies really benefited.

I suppose it comes down to whether or not you need the money to support yourself throughout university. If you don't then it's probably worth having a break and trying some other things out there: you'll perform better in school and generally a be a more well-rounded individual, and that's really important both for future career opportunities and for your own future happiness. You're only going to get one chance to have everything you do now available to you -- poker will always be there, more or less. You can always come back to it.

If you are studying physics then I really don't think you need to consider a career as a professional poker player (esp. if you're still at NL50). The safety and satisfaction you will get from (professional career + poker as a hobby) > (poker career). As you noted, there's a lot of risk involved, not to mention the problems you will have returning to decent employment down the line if it goes wrong when a lot of employers (I assume) are not going to be too keen on the large gap in your employment history, even if you were semi-professional in those years.

That's just my 2 cents. Good luck with whatever you do though, hope you can make it work for you.

I like this thread, it's the complete opposite of the usual "should I quit uni and play poker" threads.

I'd say there is no need to quit poker entirely. Just experiment with ways to clear your mind before studies. Firstly I'd say give yourself a schedule. Plan each day for poker time, then a decent break incorporating exercise out something. Then make sure everything poker related is off. Try printing off your notes and shutting your computer off. Then get your study time in. or take your notes to your uni library and study there in a section away from computers.

No need to give up poker if you enjoy it

Originally posted by bennisboy
I like this thread, it's the complete opposite of the usual "should I quit uni and play poker" threads.

I'd say there is no need to quit poker entirely. Just experiment with ways to clear your mind before studies. Firstly I'd say give yourself a schedule. Plan each day for poker time, then a decent break incorporating exercise out something. Then make sure everything poker related is off. Try printing off your notes and shutting your computer off. Then get your study time in. or take your notes to your uni library and study there in a section away from computers.

No need to give up poker if you enjoy it

Yes, speaking personally - giving up stuff cold turkey is quite hard so this approach makes sense if your this way inclined

hi, i study physics as well at university, first year i played a lot of poker right from the start missed a lot of lectures and almost dropped out, ended up carrying on but failed the year so had to resit. managed to get back on track by attending lectures last year and passed, now into 2nd year i find it much better when i don't play much/any poker, for first time in 3 years or so i had a whole month off poker during exam time and ended up doing really well.
I still do play a bit because its such good money for me but main thing is balance and if you see it getting in the way of sleep/studies re-evaluate how much you are playing. The extra couple $ you make in those days arent going to change your life longterm.

But yeah i find the main problem this year is whenever i play poker my mind is constantly on it, and it seems you have same problem so i find just not playing at all during the week is the only answer, and cutting it out completely during exams is best way forward.

GL

Thank you guys for your opinions!

Originally posted by dylboi011
But yeah i find the main problem this year is whenever i play poker my mind is constantly on it, and it seems you have same problem so i find just not playing at all during the week is the only answer, and cutting it out completely during exams is best way forward.

GL

So that means that's the best to play only at weekends (or just 100% quit)?

Originally posted by wnbMG
Thank you guys for your opinions!

Originally posted by dylboi011
But yeah i find the main problem this year is whenever i play poker my mind is constantly on it, and it seems you have same problem so i find just not playing at all during the week is the only answer, and cutting it out completely during exams is best way forward.

GL

So that means that's the best to play only at weekends (or just 100% quit)?

its fine to play weekends or even during week if you need the income, just be honest with yourself if it starts to affect your studies then reduce amount you are playing, in my case it works best if i only play when i have no work to do on weekends, but maybe you could manage better

Originally posted by dylboi011
its fine to play weekends or even during week if you need the income, just be honest with yourself if it starts to affect your studies then reduce amount you are playing, in my case it works best if i only play when i have no work to do on weekends, but maybe you could manage better
i saw u are mid/highstakes player. do you think education is that important that u are almost stopped playing because of it?

Originally posted by wnbMG
i saw u are mid/highstakes player. do you think education is that important that u are almost stopped playing because of it?

yeah in my priorities it is. other peoples is different. but for me, i cant see myself playing poker full time as a career and physics is the only real field i could see myself getting a job in plus its super cool and interesting, my main income for the foreseeable future will be poker and after uni i will probably play "full time" while travelling for a bit, but atm its silly to narrow my options to just this game, even if i would make a lot more money in the short term

To me, it seems like education would be #1 priority because of some logical reasons.. It's a solid income, as well as it's long term. Poker seems like shaky.. like what happens if you bust and lose all of your money? You won't have a good job as a backup plan, or what if poker becomes illegal where you live, you will have to move to other countries.

If you are looking to play poker full time, it's good to have a back up.

Originally posted by dylboi011

Originally posted by wnbMG
Thank you guys for your opinions!

Originally posted by dylboi011
But yeah i find the main problem this year is whenever i play poker my mind is constantly on it, and it seems you have same problem so i find just not playing at all during the week is the only answer, and cutting it out completely during exams is best way forward.

GL

So that means that's the best to play only at weekends (or just 100% quit)?

its fine to play weekends or even during week if you need the income, just be honest with yourself if it starts to affect your studies then reduce amount you are playing, in my case it works best if i only play when i have no work to do on weekends, but maybe you could manage better
i don't need income
do you advise moving down few limits if i play only @weekends?

A lot of people have the wrong idea of University. I and I'm sure a lot of other people believed that once you graduate from University and obtain your degree, you'll have a steady paying job and your life will be a lot better compared to a person with a high school diploma or GED.

The truth is a lot of people can't find jobs in their field once they graduate. Is it because their chosen field is very competitive like yours? Yes and because they have no real experience, bad economy, etc.

I'm not saying you should drop out and pursue poker full-time, just don't overvalue a degree like a lot of players at the micro limit overvaluing AKo.

Originally posted by maythany
A lot of people have the wrong idea of University. I and I'm sure a lot of other people believed that once you graduate from University and obtain your degree, you'll have a steady paying job and your life will be a lot better compared to a person with a high school diploma or GED.

The truth is a lot of people can't find jobs in their field once they graduate. Is it because their chosen field is very competitive like yours? Yes and because they have no real experience, bad economy, etc.

I'm not saying you should drop out and pursue poker full-time, just don't overvalue a degree like a lot of players at the micro limit overvaluing AKo.

"And we bust this donkey, overplaying AK as usual" - Water Boat.

I also play while I go to school and I have for 3 years with moderate success in both school and poker and here are some tips for you:
1) Dont play at all on the day of an exam
2) Never use poker as an excuse to skip a lecture
3) Never use poker as an excuse to skip a social event
4) Plan ahead and stick to your plans regardless of variance
5) If you feel a desire to play poker when you know you shouldnt dont be afraid to use the "self exclude" feature offered by most sites
6) Do not ever play internet poker on campus.

Also there is no shame in taking a 2 year break from poker if you think you need to. Just remember Uni>Poker.

Originally posted by metza

Originally posted by maythany
A lot of people have the wrong idea of University. I and I'm sure a lot of other people believed that once you graduate from University and obtain your degree, you'll have a steady paying job and your life will be a lot better compared to a person with a high school diploma or GED.

The truth is a lot of people can't find jobs in their field once they graduate. Is it because their chosen field is very competitive like yours? Yes and because they have no real experience, bad economy, etc.

I'm not saying you should drop out and pursue poker full-time, just don't overvalue a degree like a lot of players at the micro limit overvaluing AKo.

"And we bust this donkey, overplaying AK as usual" - Water Boat.

Hilarious video! ♠_cool: ♠_cool: