I have had the worst couple of months in my life.

[jfreeman420]

I know a lot of people have fallen upon hard times all over the world in recent months. The stock market has been up and down and the job market is getting smaller while the number of applicants are growing. In the middle of all this turmoil America elects it's first black president who seems to be teetering on the edge of the left. This could be great for the country or it could be horrible but only time will tell. It is not my intention to start a political debate so please no comments on this.

If any one cares to read on I just need to vent a little bit because my life has been very tough this year. Like many people I went from making huge money a few years ago to being unemployed this year. I have taken a few jobs and made a little money but nothing significant. In july I took a sales job with a developer in Costa Rica. This was my second hoorah with Costa Rican Real Estate. After a few months with them I realized noone is spending any money and I wil not make a living here.

September I turned 33. October I am out of a job. My savings is about depleted due to the fact I am a compulsive spender and I haven't worked much all year. My lease is up the end of November and I get a letter from the management company with an application for renewal. I have been here for over 4 years and have always paid my rent on time. The rent is not cheap here BTW. There is a new management company and they want to review each individual before renewal. Long story longer they decide not to renew my lease due to a DUI on my record. Unreal. So now I am about broke with no place to live and my girlfriend tells me she is moving to Illinois for a job. Well I can't hold her back so I encourage her to leave.

I say to myself, don't panic, don't go out and get [censored] up because that won't solve anything. Luckily I have some jewelry I can part with and put it up on ebay. I also have a good amount of money in my online poker account so I cash out most of it.

I get an email from the poker room that because of the US laws banning bank transactions for online gambling I have to wait 2 months for a check. I have to move in less than 30 days that won't work. I sell some jewelery and raise a little money but not enough for a move or to live on for a few months.

The icing on the cake was that my coffee maker broke, my iced tea maker broke and the motor scooter that I use for transportation all broke down the same week.

Here is where it starts to turn around. I cashed out my poker money October 3rd and don't expect it until December 3rd. My check arrived on November 3rd!!! Score!!! I have been looking at houses and duplexes to rent in Fort Lauderdale I decide I want to live on the beach. I look at 3 or 4 dumps for huge rent. Then I find a brand new listing for a huge 2 bed 2 bath duplex one block from the beach. The rent is $50 per month less than I am paying now. Apparently the owner hasn't raised the rent in years and keeps the other unit vacant for when he comes to florida. I am the first one to see it and the realtor is getting calls on the place while I am there. I negotiate a reasonable move in price and write them a check on the spot. After a credit check and verifiation of my rental history, I am approved!!! I now have a beautiful home on the beach for ridiculously low rent with noone living next door to me.

I have switched to another poker site with fast cashout option and have been making money. I now decide I am playing poker full time. To top it all off a girl I used to work with (who is 10 years younger than me and my other G/F) called me out of the blue and wants to go out. She lives close to my new home so we will get together often after my move.

To sum up I went from being broke, homeless and alone to having money, a great place on the beach, and a prospect for a new girlfriend. I also stopped drinking coffee, bought a new iced tea maker and fixed my scooter. I am optimistic that my years of playing and studying poker will pay off as my new carreer.

I know a lot of people are going through rough times right now. I want people to know that there is always light at the end of the tunnel. Things do get better and everything happens for a reason. Keep your head up, persevere and never give up.

[gran]

Yes!!!!!!!!!!there is always light at the end of the tunnel and lucky me I work for the government (doing Research) so will not feel the downturn as quickly as those in the private sector...

[Toadtorrent]

Plodding through the unknown is hard...but, WHEN you make it, you will be all the more appreciative of what you have. Good to hear things are picking up!

[LordRasta]

Very cool story jfree. Keep your head up bro.

[stratcat]

I also have been thru some real hard times. Not recently, but years ago. I won't go into detail, but my story could go into a book of success stories. Best advice I ever had: Stay strong, use your head and keep smilin'. Glad to hear things are turning around. I have to investigate this online poker thing....

[TeeJay]

It's awesome to hear your fortunes have reversed themselves so favorably, it certainly sounds like you've weathered the storm and come out the other side

Out of curiosity, is there really money to be made in online poker? At the moment, I'm willing to try pretty much anything to get a little extra cash in my pocket

[Krayfish]

A career out of poker eh!

Risky?

[World Traveller]

Good story. Good luck with the poker. I hope I see you on ESPN Poker championship one day.

[patinga]

I think in times like the ones we are facing, it is easy to forget about all the blessings that we do have. It does my heart good that your fortunes turned around. For me this place has been a haven and a pleasant passion to distract me from the other very real and depressing things in life. We just have to remember to keep fighting and never give up. If you fight hard enough then the light at the end gets a little closer until you are finally there.

[TeeJay]

A career out of poker eh!

Risky?

Crazy as it might sound, a while back I heard from a friend, that another mutual friend was planning on becoming a professional poker player, once he leaves the RAF. I've never played online poker, so I've no idea how it would compare to playing in person, but I could definitely be interested in finding out

[jfreeman420]

Out of curiosity, is there really money to be made in online poker? At the moment, I'm willing to try pretty much anything to get a little extra cash in my pocket

yes there is real money to be made. It is not easy. Some days you can make a ton of money in an hour, some days lose a ton of money in a minute. You have to be able mentally to handle the swings.

Keep in mind I have been playing both live and online for about 9 years. I have read several books and lost a lot of money trying to figure out the game. I have only recently really begun to understand what to do in certain situations where I have made wrong decisions in the past. Poker is all about decision making. In order to make money you have to make the right decisions most of the time. I have done this before and done well, but always went back to work. It just hasn't been the right time for me.

With all that has happened and the job market as horrible as it is, I believe it is my time to live the dream.

[rustyrussel]

Churchill said lots of things, but for me, at this time of year and in the current world climate his greatest quote is

"when you find yourself going through hell, keep on going"

How absolutely, completely and utterly true.

RR.

[TeeJay]

yes there is real money to be made. It is not easy. Some days you can make a ton of money in an hour, some days lose a ton of money in a minute. You have to be able mentally to handle the swings.

Keep in mind I have been playing both live and online for about 9 years. I have read several books and lost a lot of money trying to figure out the game. I have only recently really begun to understand what to do in certain situations where I have made wrong decisions in the past. Poker is all about decision making. In order to make money you have to make the right decisions most of the time. I have done this before and done well, but always went back to work. It just hasn't been the right time for me.

With all that has happened and the job market as horrible as it is, I believe it is my time to live the dream.

Thanks for the advice, I figure as long as I stick to the golden rule, of never betting more than I can afford to lose, I won't get too caught up in it. I mean, I appreciate that it's something that needs to be taken seriously (decisions, probabllities etc), but not Serious Seriously, if you know what I mean...

Nothing like living the dream, if only we could all be that lucky I hope things work out with your new lady when you get to meet up

[Chino]

Damn Jody, that's some history!

Good to read things get better but specially that you WILL live the dream...

And lots of luck with the girl, you won't need luck at poker.

Chino.

[P4GTR]

Wow, J. I can relate. So similar, except I haven't had the upswing yet.

making half of what I used to make last year, working in insurance now to make ends meet.

turned 30 in october, started taking classes, things were looking up. Then my girlfriend left me a week before my birthday, lost my place, my dog, (my girl).. etc. moved in with my father and he was almost immediately at my throat for just about anything. Two nights ago I had enough, basically slept in my car and woke up in the morning to drive to stay with my mother until I find another place. My car breaks down on the way over there. (and its an '04 Nissan with 65K miles. its not a piece). I'm broke, trying to save up to move out, im selling my gen.. Just sold my newest rep on here yesterday, and honestly I couldn't care less compared to the scope of everything else those aren't even real problems. I cant afford to take classes anymore, so I didnt register for this semester, and im sleeping on a blow up matress at my moms, waking up with the sun, in my eyes.

But I have to smile. Ive lived negatively for so many years (most of my 20's) that no matter what I won't do it in my 30's. Even if my life is destined to be miserable and always one step forward two steps back.. I'll grin and bare it.

[Krayfish]

Sounds like a bit of a gamble!

Think I will stick to shooting terrorists.

lol

[jfreeman420]

Then my girlfriend left me a week before my birthday, lost my place, my dog, (my girl).. etc. moved in with my father and he was almost immediately at my throat for just about anything

It all sounds like a bad country song.

I'm broke, trying to save up to move out, im selling my gen.. Just sold my newest rep on here yesterday, and honestly I couldn't care less compared to the scope of everything else those aren't even real problems.

Yes those are just material possesions. I have bought and sold more gold, diamonds and watches than your local Pawn shop. I have been up and down more times in my life than most people twice my age. I used to be mad and depressed when I had to sell my stuff, but this time I looked at it quite differently.

I amproud that I made enough money to buy nice stuff. I am thankful that my stuff can help me out in my time of need. I will work harder this time and will eventually get more stuff.......

And lots of luck with the girl, you won't need luck at poker.

Thanks Chino. You know there is a saying, "lucky in cards unlucky in love". I guess you can't have everything, but I will surely try.

[digitalnrg]

Been through this route myself before years ago so I know how you feel. It's nothing wrong being a full time poker. Who knows one day you will be wearing a WSOP band along with 10+ Millions. The moral of story: keep your head straight through the tough time because everything happens for a reason.

[UB7]

Hey man, life is good! Even though our economy is in crisis you must always remember there are people in this world that would kill to be in your shoes Your livin' the life, playing poker on the beach? Sounds good to me! A word of warning, be careful with bodog, they are going under. My brother has over 100k locked up in his bodog account and they wont cash him out. Keep your head up man, just like poker life has its swings. Good things are coming your way!

[Cats]

@ jfreeman,

it most have bin a rough time and as you learned there is always a sun shiing behind the clouds.

We life in a world which is dominated by money and i have to admit that right up untill now i still think that money can be very important.

I dont' want to sound sentimental but the most import thing in lfe is ( IMHO ) is that you wake up every day in good health every which comes next is a bonus.

Carpe Diem

Cats

[TeeJay]

Sounds like a bit of a gamble!

Think I will stick to shooting terrorists.

lol

If it pays, and keeps a roof over your head...

I'm a pretty good shot, any vacancies going?

[Nightstroker]

Im sure this will make everyone feel better!

[AllergyDoc]

So, is the place next door still available? I could use some beach time.

Me and gambling though, it's just lose and lose.

Nice turnaround for you, bud.

[Chronus]

Thanks for the advice, I figure as long as I stick to the golden rule, of never betting more than I can afford to lose, I won't get too caught up in it.

Please be very careful... a friend of mine seems to be mutating into a compulsive gambler who won't go out anywhere but the casino anymore... He only plays poker, and has been to Vegas twice this year already and it wouldn't surprise me if he goes for New Year's too. He seems to hang around with poker buddies he's met there. he's told me sometimes he's made losses as well as wins. he always says he is around even but I can't believe it. Sometimes he's down a few thousand, but I have a feeling it could be quite a bit. He was uncontactable for a week after a bad day once. He's lucky he lives at home with no rent or bills to pay apart from his car.

So be very very careful.

Another friend of mine says that it starts with the rush of a big win... then you always want to recreate that and bet higher and higher, until it stops being about the money and it's just about getting that high... just like drugs. The guy is a psychotherapist who was a compulsive gambler up until a year or two ago. It took him years to quit. Now he wants all betting shops and casinos banned. (Of course this doesn't happen to everyone... but if you ever feel that urge, just stop and quit it altogether).

One guy we both know fled the country from the loan sharks... only came back recently afte 6 months or so away. He would bet on NHL games without knowing anything about it, just cos he liked the name and needed to gamble. He still hasn't been able to kick the habit.

If you decide to get into online poker (and that is a lot better than other forms of gambling, but is still gambling!) make sure you do what you did when you joined RWG .... read read read There are books by the top poker players out there that you can read as well... some strategies will only apply when you are betting with certain levels of money as well, so don't expect it will work in every situation (eg. someone is more likely to risk his 20 pence than his 20k on the off-chance).

Don't forget, for all the big-time winners, there's a bunch of losers who must donate their money to these winnings...

Good luck!

And good luck to jfreeman (great story by the way) ... he's the poker expert around here

Edited November 10, 2008 by Chronus

[tenacious_b]

it always does my heart good to hear someone take the [censored] life hands them and make a top shelf martini out of it. congrats, and have fun riding the wave of your newly found success, but as Allergydoc warns....be careful. Just as spending can become compulsive, so too can gambling....even when you're not winning.