I think i'm right in saying most online poker pro's are currently under 30 without too many responsibilities, and can just about handle the unsociable hours, bankroll swings, and unconventional lifestyle. For most of us, this won't always be the case, and online poker might not be around for ever, so............

How long do you intend to do this as a job?
What do you want to do afterwards?
What exit strategies do you have? How are you going to get back into mainstream employment?

I'll start - I'm hoping to be playing another 2-3 years max,. Afterwards I possibly want to do go back to university to do an MBA, or maybe use money earned in poker to invest in small start-ups, as a business angel. I still want to play for fun occasionally and play the WSOP in June, but I don't want to be dependent on an income from poker.

Hoping for some interesting ideas/perspectives

Vagrancy or perhaps bank robbing.

idk tbh
if i can make a steady amount of money each year, i have no problem doing this for as long as possible
i do plan to get some sort of degree eventually.
maybe doing some sort of animal help thing, where i dont make enough to live on, but play poker on the side, idk

gonna open a bar or restaurant or something with doubledave22 and live happily ever after

can i change to being doubledaves employee and hoping to one get get promoted to manager of his restaurant?

also, as a waiter, i will not stop complaining about tipping

RIP chunk.
idk i never killed anything when i volunteered at the aquarium. i can see myself working there

I intend to do this until the industry collapses or I become a losing player.

If i have enough money would prefer to open a business of some sort.

Exit strategies: Fall back on uni degree or maybe study something else.

I'm currently on my way to getting a degree (still have about 2 years left, but its going good and so far and im on the honour roll). So I'm going to play poker until i dont enjoy it anymore or the industry collapses than I will look into opening my own physiotherapy clinic or somethin of that nature. Or i will just be a part time poker player and look to start some other businesses, still not sure what kinds tho unforuntately. But I think as long as i enjoy poker I will keep playing it, however long that is.

 

Originally Posted by wywrot

I thought about this question a long time ago, everyone needs a solid exit plan in whatever line of employment they are imo...
I'm finishing off my last year(5th year) at univ of toronto in finance. I had a 4 credit schedule every year so I could have time for poker while setting myself up for life just in case things didnt go right.

After 5 years of playing it now turns out I didn't need to use my education after all and getting an entry level job in finance wouldnt pay anywhere close to what poker is offering. So about 3 years ago I had enough money to invest with and I started to buy property with my brother as a partner. This solved my job dilemma as I got very passionate about being entrepreneurial and investing my winnings. We now own a real estate company that has 6 properties and hopefully 9 by the end of this year, so when or rather if I'm done living the poker players lifestlye I now have this as a backup option where the money involved is big enough to keep me motivated and fulfilling enough that I would actually care about it. I still plan on doing my MBA but it wont be for another 2 years.

As far as what's next after that is TBD since in enough time I'll be financially free for life and I'll have to find a bigger and more meaningful passion that doesnt revolve around money. Won't have to worry now for another few years at least.

this man has got it figured it out pretty much.

online poker is going no where

 

Originally Posted by p0cket00

I'm currently on my way to getting a degree (still have about 2 years left, but its going good and so far and im on the honour roll). So I'm going to play poker until i dont enjoy it anymore or the industry collapses than I will look into opening my own physiotherapy clinic or somethin of that nature. Or i will just be a part time poker player and look to start some other businesses, still not sure what kinds tho unforuntately. But I think as long as i enjoy poker I will keep playing it, however long that is.

You quit poker every week!

Visionary - we've obviously spoken about this a fair amount but assuming it doesn't all go tits up, I'll be happy doing something i enjoy for a small wage like soccer coaching. I have no real desire to turn any poker winnings into a multi-million dollar business.

However, Wywrot's route is obviously an impressive one and property is something that interests me.

I don't see myself ever not playing poker. In five years it would be nice to start transitioning out of the grind, and have other means of making income - perhaps only playing 1-2 days a week.

If the games become too difficult in the very near future (extremely unlikely) I'd probably purchase an affordable franchise like a Subway. It would kind of suck to work longer hours for much less money, but it beats working for the man. I do have a college degree but I strongly dislike office environments and social hierarchies (particularly when I'm the wage slave) so it's doubtful I'll put it to use - nor do I really think anyone would hire me after a huge resume gap.

once the dow jones hits 15k, I shouldnt have any worries

may venture into some sort of entreprenuership; its an idea; but who knows. Franchising as mentioned. I've got one franchise in mind that I think would do very well in a city close to me, Indianapolis.

 

Originally Posted by JMaster130

I don't plan on playing poker full time forever, but will continue doing so for at least another year and then will reevaluate on the turn. I see poker as a means to an eventual end: my goal is to make enough money so that whatever I decide to do after poker is not motivated by money. I like doing what I want, it's that simple. I have an undergrad degree from a good school and will probably do something more mainstream eventually, possibly involving psychology. I see myself going to grad school at some point, and am hoping to make enough from poker to pay for that as well.

Poker will probably be a part of my life forever, but I can't see myself wanting it to be the center of my life for more than the next couple years.

2 milly badge but still hoping to pay for grad school??

Real estate probably.

 

Originally Posted by bcdrmr

Explain? It sounds to me like you think you need a degree or experience to succeed in which case you haven't studied entrepreneurs very much have you?

well he does have a point, its very hard to run a successful business. all of the hot-shot entrepreneurs you hear about are either true geniuses or got really, really lucky. most people fail miserably. undergrad degrees are pretty pointless but experience in an industry is CRUCIAL. most poker players without much experience (including myself) would be much better off going the franchise route, at least for awhile.