Dale 'daleroxxu' Philips Hints at Quitting Poker

(Photo: Pokerstars.com)

Imagine that you had a "normal" 9-5 job and your income over the past six years has drastically fallen by about 80%. Wouldn't it seem logical to perhaps begin thinking of other ways to make money?

That happens to be the predicament that Dale 'Daleroxxu' Philip finds himself in at the moment. The online poker pro and blogging globetrotter is considering turning his back on the game and joining the rat race once again due to a changing industry in which it's becoming more and more difficult to excel.

Philip told The Independent that back in 2010 he was pulling in £10,000 a month on the virtual felt, but now considers himself fortunate when he can increase his online bankroll by £2,000 per month.

Bye-bye Boom

"The online poker boom is well and truly over," Philip insisted, resulting in "far fewer players playing online and the ones that are there have a much higher level of ability than in the past, so they're tougher to beat."

We can check off a number of reasons why online poker has changed drastically since Philip left his home and IT job in Edinburgh, Scotland six years ago to embark on a journey that has seen him visit more than four dozen countries, all the while funding his travels through online poker. Increased online gambling regulations in some nations, less loyalty rewards coupled with rake increases from poker sites, and many opportunities for players to learn and improve their game would certainly make that list.

The end result has been a tough go of it for online poker pros like Philip, who is contemplating whether or not to get his suits pressed, shine his shoes, and make a return to the information technology field and a regular 9-5 gig. He admits that it would be a difficult transition after spending more than half a decade as a vagabond online poker pro.

He Got Fired for What?

Whatever his eventual decision, Philip stated that he has no regrets over the choices he made over the last six years. Except, perhaps, his choice of enthusiastically rooting for Netherlands (his second favorite team) against Spain by performing a "get it round ye" gesture during a showing of a World Cup match in 2014 while representing PokerStars as a Team Online Pro.

Philip's exuberance was not appreciated by the hometown Spaniards and complaints to PokerStars' brass caused his sponsorship contract to be terminated over the incident at the UKIPT/Estrellas Poker Tour Marbella, a PokerStars-sponsored event. The online poker giant reportedly deemed Philip's behavior inappropriate as a brand representative. Check out the accompanying video and decide for yourself.

Ah, while working for corporate big shots, one has to toe the company line. Should Philip decide to leave his online poker days behind him and join the typical working class, he may have to get used to more instances of catering to the whims of his bosses and less freedom to do as he pleases.