How I Became a Professional Poker Player

This is a story I wrote in first person, because it's easier for me to write that way.

Those who have romantic notions regarding professional poker players are probably thinking more of those who hit the tables at casinos, not a professional video poker player as myself.  I don't like all of the added factors of table poker.  My game is with a machine, and at times gets so monotonous that killing flies is an exciting pastime.  Don't envy my career.  I just do this to pay my bills.

I'm not that different than other people.  My last job wasn't a dream job either, it was just the opportunity I chose.  I was in customer service in a department stores for years.  I mostly handled exchanges and refunds   I was fired from my customer service position.  That was not the first time in my life I was terminated from paid employment.  The first time someone fired me, I was told the reason was because I couldn't type fast enough.  I think the truth is I was fired was because I wouldn't go on a date with the owner of the company.

My last customer instigated the situation that caused me to be fired from customer service at the department store.  He was an older used car salesperson with a voice that sounded like he'd inhaled many cigarettes over a lifetime, and a little helium more recently.  I'd helped him a few times in the past, when I was just walking through the store he would solicit my assistance.  

In those days, I had a love for anything involving video poker, and anything related to coffee.  Ironically, the car salesman was exchanging a coffee maker, and my carelessness with said-machine was the major cause of the demise of my employment.  This wasn't a cheap coffee maker, it was a two-hundred dollar device that was the only brand this older gentleman would use.  His smoker's helium voice explained, "I run a car dealership, and I keep coffee brewing 24-7.  I only buy this brand.  The only problem is, I don't have a receipt.  I only want to exchange for the exact same model.  In fact, I already got one off the shelf."  This prompted me to ask how he had paid for the coffee maker.  I was told he had used cash, so I informed him I'd just need his driver's license or equivalent identification.

"No problemo.  I just need to go to my vehicle.  I'll be back in the next 15 minutes."

So, the two coffee makers were left on the counter, and I  went about some of my other tasks.  I was getting a broom and dustpan from a closet.  When I was behind the broom closet door, I heard a voice say in a tone that reminded me of spilled marbles, "I'll have to bring this back tomorrow, I don't have my license with me." I yelled back that this was fine.  So, then I was sweeping, and moving around like a dancer, when I noticed the new coffee maker was gone, and only the old, well-used, defective coffee maker was sitting there.  The store where I worked was non-union, and my employer could fire me for any reason, even if it wasn't a good one. 

What was once a fun compulsion became drudgery.  After I chose  to make my living playing video poker, I had to play a lot more hands than I'd ever played in my life.  I can't drink alcohol while playing, because my livelihood depends on winning.  I need to win more, and lose less.  Lots of my time is spent watching instructional videos or reading poker strategies.  In good weather, I ride bicycles.  It's entertaining, and it's healthy for me to get exercise and take a break from playing poker, which has become my livelihood.

Life, like cycling,takes balance.  No matter what I do to make money or take care of myself, I must always remember to have fun as well as work.  As long as gambling is my professional career, I must take time for myself to relax and rejuvenate in a way that differs from my occupation.