http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hHDbCC0Ongs

I wasn't able to embed the video, but I'd highly recommend giving it a click before reading on. Eliot Smith speaks to me at the moment.

http://www.pokerhand.org/?5539929

***** Hand History for Game 46238064583 ***** (Poker Stars)
$400.00 USD NL Texas Hold'em - Thursday, July 01, 10:00:07 ET 2010
Table Monoceros (Real Money)
Seat 5 is the button
Seat 1: FGBR ( $898.50 USD )
Seat 2: CrabClaws ( $742.00 USD )
Seat 3: LSP16 ( $634.15 USD )
Seat 4: umychipcaddy ( $850.70 USD )
Seat 5: LK_Revolt ( $1060.60 USD )
FGBR posts small blind [$2.00 USD].
CrabClaws posts big blind [$4.00 USD].
FGBR posts ante of [$0.80 USD].
CrabClaws posts ante of [$0.80 USD].
LSP16 posts ante of [$0.80 USD].
umychipcaddy posts ante of [$0.80 USD].
LK_Revolt posts ante of [$0.80 USD].
** Dealing down cards **
Dealt to CrabClaws [ Kc Ts ]
LSP16 folds
umychipcaddy raises [$11.80 USD]
LK_Revolt folds
FGBR calls [$9.00 USD]
CrabClaws calls [$7.00 USD]
** Dealing Flop ** [ Ac, Qc, Jc ]
FGBR checks
CrabClaws bets [$24.00 USD]
umychipcaddy raises [$56.00 USD]
FGBR folds
CrabClaws raises [$148.00 USD]
umychipcaddy raises [$782.90 USD]
CrabClaws calls [$558.20 USD]
umychipcaddy wins $108.70 USD
** Dealing Turn ** [ Qd ]
** Dealing River ** [ Qs ]
CrabClaws shows [Kc, Ts ]
umychipcaddy shows [Ah, Jh ]
umychipcaddy wins $1495.40 USD from main pot
umychipcaddy wins $0.80 USD from main pot

I am 'retiring' from professional poker. I've had so many last straw type moments and I've decided to throw in the towel. I think that a month of rungood, final tabling an MTT, hell even winning a 400 bb pot at nl400 could have imparted enough momentum for me to keep on fighting the good fight. But sadly none of those things have occurred in the last six months.

I truly can't take the pressure, constant frustration and heartbreak of the game any more. It isn't through any lack of effort or laziness that I'm making this decision. In fact, the most successful poker player I have ever met (and had the pleasure of rooming with in Vegas over the last couple of weeks told me I was actually trying too hard. Hopefully with some elbow grease I can come by success in whatever comes next. Suffice it to say these last months haven't been the most optimistic ones of my life, but c'est la vie.

As a final nod to the community, I would like to thank everyone that has helped me along the way. It has been appreciated more than I can express.

I hope you dreamers accomplish the goals you set. Sincerely, good luck.

Brandon