Last Friday, a thread popped up in Poker Discussion entitled “Tough ‘Life Decision,’ need some quick answers.” In it, PocketFiver Matt MDG0RD0N Gordon lamented over whether to travel to Australia to participate in the PokerStars-sponsored Asia Pacific Poker Tour (APPT) Sydney event or go to class and adhere to the wishes of his family. It’s a situation similar to ones that other poker players have faced in their lives. So what did Gordon do? Did he decide to cross the Pacific or remain in New York?PocketFives.com: Now that you’ve had a chance to weigh all of your options, what have you decided? Will you be traveling to Sydney or going to class?
Gordon: I just had to weigh all of the factors like anything else. I took some heat for creating the thread from several posters, saying how asking a bunch of poker randoms isn't the answer and how I'm too immature and all of that. Of course, I wasn't and never intended to make the decision simply based on a bunch of responses, but I wanted to hear opinions from people of all ages and backgrounds, which is exactly what I got. I was pleasantly surprised to get [so many] responses.
I feel I have more to lose than just missing six days of class, which is a result of the people who have the largest investment in my life saying that missing a week of school is just too important. I’ve proven that I can win seats to big events and I'll have a chance to travel around and play cards at a later, more appropriate time.
PocketFives.com: Why did you enter the APPT Sydney satellite if there was a chance that you might not be able to go?
Gordon: It was a 50,000 FPP satellite that I'd been eyeing for a few days predicting an overlay. PokerStars confirmed in an e-mail that they didn't even expect 60 runners. Since I figured there was going to be a ton of added value, I sold off some action and asked my father what he thought. In the original post in the thread, I put what he said, which was that he wouldn't let me fly around the world to play tournaments and miss a week of school. I didn't think he'd actually hold himself to that and tell me to burn the package.
PocketFives.com: Live tournaments aside, how will you continue to improve and expand your poker game?
Gordon: It's going to be tough, especially since I don't have the support from my grandmother, who is paying for my tuition. My parents understand that it's a skill game, although they had me work two part-time jobs this summer because they didn't like the idea of me gambling for an income. I suppose if I can balance school with poker and life, things will work themselves out.
I'm a sit and go grinder at the moment, looking to dabble in cash games and multi-table tournaments soon. It's a catch 22 because I don't have the freedom to make all of my own decisions since I'm still financially dependent on my parents and grandmother. To get there, though, I'd have to support myself via poker, which would hurt my performance in school.
PocketFives.com: What’s your degree in? What are your plans after graduation?
Gordon: I'm a math and statistics major. I'm not sure what my plans are exactly. My father runs his own business and is successful. I want to follow in his footsteps, but I don't really want to work the standard nine to five job that others do. For now though, things have to change and I have to balance poker with my schoolwork and college activities better. Hopefully, I can buckle down and see what I can do well in.
PocketFives.com: Tell us how you got started in poker.
Gordon: I played in small $5 cash games in eighth grade with friends and later put some money online. I lost it, but got better by reading books, finding the forums, talking to others about poker, and putting some more time in online. I haven't really looked back.
Check out the original thread in Poker Discussion and feel free to weigh in on the discussion.
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