Poker as an extra curricular activity?

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I play poker every weekend, I spend like 10 hours a week playing poker. I actually make like $800 a month just from playing poker so it's kind of like a job to me. I wonder if I should mention that at all, I think its impressive that I'm able to do that but at the end of the day its gambling and I'll look like an idiot to a lot of people who don't understand poker and just associate it with the gambler looking to get rich quick and ends up losing all his life savings or something.

the last part....id say the majority of ppl on adcoms dont know the ins and outs of poker and mainly associate it with going to casinos all hours of the night smoking cigarettes and drinking while leaving with no cash.. lol. anything that can be portrayed negatively i'd leave out..unless youve won a gold bracelet or something

Haha for sure thanks for your honest thoughts

Don't put it.


It's not the whole 'misunderstood' thing...but I mean I wouldn't put that for a year I played WoW 5 hours a day....Just has no place on an application.

Just try to image the type of people that will be on the admissions committee. Most of them will be older, mature, professors. The type that remembers the good old days. The type with an emphasis on responsibility and discipline.

While most of them won't care about poker. There is a chance that someone will be negative towards the game. And that one person is going to speak up. No one is going to question him/her, after all, they have to work together. For you its a done deal, next please.... I would not put it. Too risky.

are these house games or casino games?

idk about your area but house games are illegal here, so it might come off as you're loose with ethics

if they're casino games then you'll look even worse going to casinos that often

unless you run into the type of profs in rounders i can't see any advantages here

no

Honestly, i like it. Even if you coined it as (competitive) Card playing. If you are a personable guy, it's easy to spin how poker has many real life applications once you land an interview. Analyzing peoples feelings, thought processes, emotions, deep understanding of mathmatics, odds, percentages, possible outcomes and lines that are associated with it. Its a complex game that requires strong analytically and critical thinking skills, something that has helped you learn how to manage your money (bankroll management) and pay bills responsible, not overextend, and learn about risk taking, cost/risk analysis. Its comparable to someone who has a strong interest in finance & investing, it's just that the stock market might not be "clearly" looked at as gambling.

If anyone thinks it would harm the applicant to list it as an interest, than youre welcome to that opinion and i wouldnt want to hurt the apps chances here.

U kidding me? No dude leave it out.poker?smh

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It's something you could consider talking about in an interview, though. You'd have a much better chance to spin it favorably and talk about the different things you've gotten out of it.

I wouldn't. Let's just say I know some card counters and poker players who make a very legit income and have paid for college and medical school. It has screwed them over because of the perception that they are high risk applicants.

Originally Posted by crax

Honestly, i like it. Even if you coined it as (competitive) Card playing. If you are a personable guy, it's easy to spin how poker has many real life applications once you land an interview. Analyzing peoples feelings, thought processes, emotions, deep understanding of mathmatics, odds, percentages, possible outcomes and lines that are associated with it. Its a complex game that requires strong analytically and critical thinking skills, something that has helped you learn how to manage your money (bankroll management) and pay bills responsible, not overextend, and learn about risk taking, cost/risk analysis. Its comparable to someone who has a strong interest in finance & investing, it's just that the stock market might not be "clearly" looked at as gambling.

If anyone thinks it would harm the applicant to list it as an interest, than youre welcome to that opinion and i wouldnt want to hurt the apps chances here.

Thank you. I probably won't put it on the application, however everything you said is true, it's like a battle of psychology (both inter and outer) you have to be super disciplined to do well. If the adcoms were familiar with all this it would definitely be a positive but sadly I doubt this will be the case..

And I don't play house games, and if I did i obviously wouldn't advertise it. I go to like a poker room (not a full casino, only has poker and food/bar)

Originally Posted by Soccer171983

I wouldn't. Let's just say I know some card counters and poker players who make a very legit income and have paid for college and medical school. It has screwed them over because of the perception that they are high risk applicants.

Shame I dont make enough to do all that, but im slowly becoming a better player. That's really impressive.

Originally Posted by ataha

Shame I dont make enough to do all that, but im slowly becoming a better player. That's really impressive.

The best example is a couple. The guy plays poker (bodog/bovada) and various live casinos and the wife is a bj card counter :$)

haha talk about a tag team. Mrs right might be out there at one of these poker tables, gotta keep an open mind

Unless you are a sponsored professional, I would leave it out. If they ask you about hobbies at an interview, then maybe delve into it.

I don't see anything wrong with it but maybe don't put down the actual hours you play ( ;
If they ask during the interview, keep your poker face on! I say be yourself and yes find out if what you're doing is considered legal.

Originally Posted by dantemac

Unless you are a sponsored professional, I would leave it out. If they ask you about hobbies at an interview, then maybe delve into it.

That's what I plan on doing, thanks!

Originally Posted by Msmouth

I don't see anything wrong with it but maybe don't put down the actual hours you play ( ;
If they ask during the interview, keep your poker face on! I say be yourself and yes find out if what you're doing is considered legal.

What I'm doing IS legal! Why would I advertise doing something illegal, unless the person interviewing me is a rap artist I don't think it'll work lol

Originally Posted by sacapuntas

Haha, don't be a hater, let's go heads up and let me take your money

Noooooooooooooooooooo!

I put bartending for dexterity and got in. Do you ever deal poker games. Maybe it's something to look into.

A lot of people on admission committees are conservative. It might bother some. They want unique and well rounded but only to a point.

Let me play devil's advocate here. Standing out is a good thing, it would raise a few eyebrow's at the very least, perhaps in a good way. ---->

@hardline Thanks! And let me say I love your display photo, I can't wait for the new season to come out already. What an amazing show.

This is more like a hobby. If you make money then put is a work experience, professional poker player.

Originally Posted by ataha

@hardline Thanks! And let me say I love your display photo, I can't wait for the new season to come out already. What an amazing show.

Really? I almost feel that the ending of last season was so perfect they should have just stopped there.

Don't list poker unless you have won part of the pot at a major tournament.

You can always bring it up on an interview if they ask about hobbies.

Originally Posted by johnnydrama

Really? I almost feel that the ending of last season was so perfect they should have just stopped there.

Don't list poker unless you have won part of the pot at a major tournament.

You can always bring it up on an interview if they ask about hobbies.

Honestly I feel like tournaments look better than cash games from the outside (people who don't understand poker) if you play cash games and win it's looked down upon more than if you play tournaments and win, with tournaments, does that make sense ? Maybe I should start playing tournament games, saying I won a tournament sounds better than I play poker every weekend and usually win

Originally Posted by ataha

Honestly I feel like tournaments look better than cash games from the outside (people who don't understand poker) if you play cash games and win it's looked down upon more than if you play tournaments and win, with tournaments, does that make sense ? Maybe I should start playing tournament games, saying I won a tournament sounds better than I play poker every weekend and usually win

The thing with cash games is as long as you have a few suckers playing with you, it's easy to win.

To show off skill, you need to perform well in a tournament.

So the consensus is don't put it on the application, but if asked about my hobbies I shouldn't be afraid to be honest and mention it at an interview?

Originally Posted by johnnydrama

The thing with cash games is as long as you have a few suckers playing with you, it's easy to win.

To show off skill, you need to perform well in a tournament.

Yeah I wouldn't call myself a "professional poker player" i just target the fish that come out on the weekends to drink and relax

Originally Posted by ataha

Yeah I wouldn't call myself a "professional poker player" i just target the fish that come out on the weekends to drink and relax

I'm definitely a fish . What you do is pretty impressive in my eyes. However, ADCOMs might perceive poker means casino means you're this type of person with all the stereotypes that go with it.

If you have solid stats, just play it safe. Your stats will get you in. When interviewers advise you to be yourself, it's just a way for them to get the truth out of you (my opinion). If you have any hobbies that might raise a red flag, I suggest not mentioning it.

If you don't have good stats and you're trying to stand out in some way, then maybe you should mention this and someone might be really impressed with it. It's a risk worth taking if you don't think your stats will get you in.

Originally Posted by iralex801

I'm definitely a fish . What you do is pretty impressive in my eyes. However, ADCOMs might perceive poker means casino means you're this type of person with all the stereotypes that go with it.

If you have solid stats, just play it safe. Your stats will get you in. When interviewers advise you to be yourself, it's just a way for them to get the truth out of you (my opinion). If you have any hobbies that might raise a red flag, I suggest not mentioning it.

If you don't have good stats and you're trying to stand out in some way, then maybe you should mention this and someone might be really impressed with it. It's a risk worth taking if you don't think your stats will get you in.

Honestly with low stats I would think that it would look worse saying you play poker, i can totally see them thinking 'maybe the reason your stats are so low is because you're out there gambling instead of studying' lol

Originally Posted by ataha

Honestly with low stats I would think that it would look worse saying you play poker, i can totally see them thinking 'maybe the reason your stats are so low is because you're out there gambling instead of studying' lol

True. Nevermind that part of my advice then lol. I'm just saying, if you have good stats, just play it safe.

I was a professional online poker player for 6 years before applying to dental school. It was my only source of income and how I payed for my undergrad.

I didn't put it on my application, but it came up in every interview (understandably, since it was such a big part of my life). I didn't have a single negative reaction (to my face at least, ha!) and it certainly can be a great talking point if you handle and present yourself well (investing, self discipline, the rigors of self employment, etc.)

Originally Posted by nlbaker7

I was a professional online poker player for 6 years before applying to dental school. It was my only source of income and how I payed for my undergrad.

I didn't put it on my application, but it came up in every interview (understandably, since it was such a big part of my life). I didn't have a single negative reaction (to my face at least, ha!) and it certainly can be a great talking point if you handle and present yourself well (investing, self discipline, the rigors of self employment, etc.)

That's super impressive, i was wondering if there were still any legitimate online poker rooms? I heard about the ponzi scheme with full tilt, are there any still around?

I agree with the work experience idea. If it is a significant source of income, and it's tournaments and not cash games, then it is a job.

Bovada is still running. That's the old bodog site.

I'd say do whatever it takes to make you stand out! If it's your passion it's your passion. You are who you are, just be yourself.

Originally Posted by Soccer171983

Bovada is still running. That's the old bodog site.

I just wanna say Bovada's software is utter crap, I've been on it ever since you posted this, I'm only up $2.40 I asked for my check now and hopefully they don't give me a headache cashing out. So many unbelievable things happen its ridiculous.

Had these two happen back to back, I swear.
All in KK vs 33, flopped trips and he get's a flush with one of his 3's lol
All in with AK flopped a straight, again the same thing happens (another player at the table) I believe he went in with a pocket pair and got a flush by the river.

I sound like a sore loser (or sore winner?) but is this what people call online poker?

It's scary.

Originally Posted by ataha

I just wanna say Bovada's software is utter crap, I've been on it ever since you posted this, I'm only up $2.40 I asked for my check now and hopefully they don't give me a headache cashing out. So many unbelievable things happen its ridiculous.

Had these two happen back to back, I swear.
All in KK vs 33, flopped trips and he get's a flush with one of his 3's lol
All in with AK flopped a straight, again the same thing happens (another player at the table) I believe he went in with a pocket pair and got a flush by the river.

I sound like a sore loser (or sore winner?) but is this what people call online poker?

It's scary.

That's why you play conservatively against idiots.

If someone doesn't know the stats and is aggressive, they may stay in with garbage.

There's always a chance of a low pair beating AA or AK, that's just the game.

Have you played on bovada? Were you able to make consistent profit over a long period of time?
Also... if someone goes all in preflop and you have pocket aces/kings are you telling me you can fold that hand knowing the guy has been going all in with sub par hands?