I don't think anybody's "jumping to this guy's defense." Just offering different opinions. You and Lukie are the voice of reason here, for sure, but poker is not an entirely reasonable pursuit. If, and I mean if, he's in a financial situation where he can try this and not wind up divorced and living in a cardboard box...it's still probably not the best idea, but screw it. People stay in jobs they hate their entire lives for fear of financial disaster--I at least give him credit for trying to figure a way out, even if it's a long shot.