One true part is that most people expect it to be glamorous and find out the hard way it's not, but it goes a bit over the deep end. Those guys are not degenerates because of poker. They are attracted to poker because it's a good way to lead a degenerate life. But not all pro poker players are degenerates. Life is what you make it. The article forgets to mention that.
I was there, before the holdem revolution, most ly lowball. Switched to holdem, waited with other sharks for a big fish. Low pay per hour, second hand smoke and just scumbag players drove me out. At one of the small card rooms in a bowling alley I grew up near had a triple murder as a disgruntled player, yes I had played with him, came back after dumping, and felt insulted and laughed at, shot the dealer and two players. Right there at the table. Between that and the Vietnamese smoking their opium laced cigarettes, it was time to find a new vocation. Plenty of onliners now, but that just passed me by. I cannot think of a less glamorous lifestyle. I think the biggest drawback is the time consumed makes for no normal existence. Many of my friends, who I gave my books to, just wrecked their lives. Always earn in the long run, but always wanting to get to the higher limit table. Brutal. Best Wishes...OF
