Really sad to do this, but it's for the best...

So as poker has taken up more and more of my time, my grades in college have slipped more and more. I am beginning to realize how difficult it is to play poker for a living in this day and age and school was always my first priority and it always will continue to be my first priority. I have no doubt in my mind I will come back to poker at some point in the future, but I am just not making enough money playing to justify the time I have spent behind my computer and shit just gets real after awhile.

My dream is still to play for a living some day, but until that time comes, I need to step away. I withdrew most of my money online. During my run, I made $11,803.19, but maybe even more importantly, I learned a lot about the game, about games, about investing, about math and odds, I learned about how much a struggle it is to invest in anything, I got real hands-on experiences with money, made friends, enemies and more. 3+ million hands later, it's time to close a curtain on my "poker business".

I appreciate everyone who has shown support to me in my journey and every railbird during my runs. I also appreciate any and all advice I was ever given revolving around poker and poker-like decisions, situations, learning, etc., including the advice I disagreed with. It takes thinking that challenges your own thinking to fully be able to justify your own thinking.

And even while I'm away from poker, I will still continue to learn to improve, just by the decisions I make within my own life, and with my brain learning new knowledge just from life, someday I will come back, sharper than ever like a sponge coming back from where I left off.

This isn't me quitting poker; this is me quitting poker for now. I will never give up on a dream. That's just not me. Someday, somehow, I'll make it in this world, but continuing to attempt to do so right now would be very irresponsible and an anchor in my educational path, and that's the last thing I need.

With all this said, see you all SOMEDAY, on a big stage,

Jason
(and if any of you want to keep in touch, PM me and I'll add you on FB or give you my number or email or something.)

Damn, good luck with the schooling man. Shows you're smart with your priorities in the right area.

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Originally Posted by DocHo11idaze

Damn, good luck with the schooling man. Shows you're smart with your priorities in the right area.

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Thanks, I just hope I'm doing the right thing.

Very smart move, but I'm gonna miss you. ='( At least come join us for a fr every once in a awhile!!

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Originally Posted by rghy2

Very smart move, but I'm gonna miss you. ='( At least come join us for a fr every once in a awhile!!

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Maybe over winter and spring break. I just feel like once I come play again, I won\'t be able to stop and I really need to take some time off from it.

nice post, school is way more important than poker. Like Pro Athletes only a handful can make a living at it. GL jason

Jason sad to see a good player spend more time away from the tables.

the mature decision to make take care of that education first - poker will always be there

I\'m a University professor, and I\'d say to you what I\'d say to any of my student athletes - I truly understand and support your dream of playing in the big leagues, but very few folks get that opportunity, so you need to have a backup plan for a career that will make you happy. Good decision - you probably do need to go cold turkey at least for a while because we all know how hard it is to resist that draw to the felts.

Jason best of luck in school im sure you will do well and get your grades back up, ive always been a big fan and you know this. let us know how things are going. cya around

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Originally Posted by jasonv12

Maybe over winter and spring break. I just feel like once I come play again, I won't be able to stop and I really need to take some time off from it.

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It'll be much easier to balance your time once you're out of school and don't have to worry about studying/homework when during your free time. Try to graduate before you're 21 so you can make your big comeback then!!

Great choice Jason. Many of todays students throw their education away to chase the poker dream. You can always go back to poker, but it is tough to get back into the education thing and pick up a valid college degree once you get older and need to make money. Wish you the best, I have the utmost respect for someone who can make the choice to bear down on studies.

In my opinion that's very smart move Jason. Get your education and then you can decide if you want to play poker to profit. You're young I would guess, so you have many years to try and live your dream. Having a solid foundation (your degree) to build on will go a long way in the future. Goodluck

Thanks for the support everyone. I wish you all well. :)

Get your Degree/Diploma, Find a great Job, and come back to the game stronger, stable, and with a way safer futur ! Best of luck in school Jason !

GL in ur studies jason... w ay better to get all that done before poker.. and u have won a good amount more money online too, so sure u will win more in the future:)

Wise choice. You're priorities are what's important right now, and once you have finished your schooling, you'll be happy with your choice :)

best luck...bye

Smart Play - This game will always be here when and if your ready to pick it back up.

$11 grand in cash doesn't hurt either

nice to see that SOME students of the game(of poker, life, and school) GET IT! kids your age have done well enough at the tables to quit school, but the tables will ALWAYS be there! Unlike an athlete, where the physical skills will diminish over time, the brain LOVES more time!

A lot of people associate professional poker as a fun life where you have a ton of money and get to travel the world and see great things. A ton of pros do get this life but there are there are many more who are stuck behind a computer screen grinding 50 hours a week making $10 an hour. When we think about how great it must be to play professionally we always think about staying in a high roller sweet in vegas with tons of cash and the ability to do what ever you want in the city (kind of like the movie 21). We never think about the guy who grinds 50 hours and wonders if a downswing will get in the way of him being able to pay next months bills. I know how it feels to grind out poker jason much like you and some others from po. Although I have not made as much as you from poker this year I have made a few thousand and its not easy. The swings can be incredible and the difference between going on a downswing when your playing $5 games and when your playing $30+ games is incredibly different. With the current state of online poker in the US is extremely difficult to use it as your way to become the pro with a great life. On sites like stars there is obviously a lot more games running with better payouts. Not only that but they have series like the WCOOP, SCOOP, and live games that you can satty into and make a fortune and a name for yourself in the poker world. Hopefully someday soon we will have the ability to play on these great sites and it will make the jump a lot easier to become a pro. You are smart for taking the time to get a good education. The market is not there but hopefully soon it will be back and you can take advantage of your skills and reach your dream but in the mean time stay in school and work hard.

I think your making the right decision by furthering your education,but since your going to quit anyway why don't you take a real shot.go the money maker route sattellite,big tourney ,huge cash,just a thought.

Sometimes ya gotta take a break. Everything in moderation. Except poker, and weed!

hey man what a awesome thread that really put's things in perspective for everyone. Gl to you with school, and hope that dream comes true for you. making a good choice in the long run. i wanna finish school myself, and need to get my butt in order. take care

condemn, good luck with the schooling man. displays you're smart with your main concerns in the right area.

Back up grades ,and come back ...;)

ITs funny what hands people play in poker and win