Too much poker for me!!?

Question

i'm addicted to poker and i don't know if i want to stop or continue.

i've made ALOT of money playing online and offline poker. i've played on pokerstars for about a year now and i've made alotttt of money but i think i play way too much. I make more than i would with a normal job (currently around $31/hour and i usually play stakes 1/2 max. I am only a student, though, so i have my whole life ahead of me. I'm not sure if i want to stay strong in school or make a living off poker after i graduate...?

btw, i am slight bipolar, so if i get in a really bad tilt i tend to lose alot of money, i'm getting alot better though at putting up with losing because it's just part of the game, you get sucked out on alot. Overall i'm up alot because i'm always watching pot-odds and labeling players etc...

Answer 1

i just cashed out $200 last sunday, and another $520 ten minutes ago, doesnt seem to be a problem if you can control it from taking over your life (i.e spend time in school/friends etc etc)

the way i do it is, i keep 100 in my bankroll and build it up to 300 then i withdraw 200 every week or so, except i flopped a straight and a guy all in'ed me headsup for 200 dollar pot, hence the 520 withdrawal

point is, poker is a good moneymaker as you say so yourself, much better than my 7.40 p/hr "real" part time job anyway...

high stakes/ pro poker is brutal though, so i'd suggest keep playing poker as a side thing

Answer 2

I think what the first person posted would be an excellent idea for you. Keep you bank roll limited to what  youd feel comfortable  playing with and withdraw the rest. Hence making you play better and knowing you cant tilt it off.

Answer 3

if you have a mental illness, you should stay away from gambling.

if you want to go pro, usually the main characteristic is an unusually accurate ability to read opponents, which can't be learned.