Life as a poker pro. It could be so nice and chic. But is it really possible to make a living playing cards?
Who doesn’t dream of making a living from gambling? And what could be more natural than this game? Again and again one hears and sees about professionals or especially online players who can more than make a good living from their earnings from playing, and who can often even afford more than those with “conventional” jobs. The question is: Can really everyone who feels like it earn money this way, or does a little luck also belong to it?
Can you make a living playing poker?
Let’s dive right into the pivotal question: Can an ordinary individual turn poker into a sustainable source of income and make a living from it? The answer, in essence, is a resounding yes. Making a living from poker is indeed a feasible pursuit. However, it’s crucial to acknowledge that it’s far from easy. Nevertheless, it’s not solely reliant on luck, at least not to a significant degree. Poker is unequivocally a blend of skill, strategy, and cognitive prowess, as much as it encompasses elements of chance.
In the realm of poker, particularly within larger tournaments, the timing of the right cards is undeniably crucial. There will be moments of varying luck, where fortunes may sway. In such situations, the outcome can teeter between a successful career as a poker player and financial adversity, prompting a difficult decision regarding one’s poker journey.
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Is poker a safe profession?
However, if you manage to make the leap and get to grips with the subject of poker so intensively that your skills are refined enough to play with a maximum probability of winning and to minimise losses due to bad luck, you can certainly make a good living from the world’s most popular card game. That this life is not pure chance is proven by the fact that the best-known and supposedly best poker players in the world have in most cases not just won once out of pure luck, but have repeatedly bagged high prize money at tournaments. An example of this is the Englishman Jack Sinclair, who has only been taking part in renowned live tournaments since 2017, but has already collected several large prizes. Most professionals have a comparable career and have secured their existence after only a few tournaments. Of course – and this has to be said quite clearly – things can also go quite differently and you can lose everything. Poker is therefore certainly not the safest profession.
Nevertheless, Sinclair’s career is not a rarity. And it has one thing in common with almost all poker careers today: its beginnings can be found on the internet.
Online poker can be a comfortable job and can also be played from the couch. However, no one should take it too lightly. At least not if the game is to become a job.
Earn money with online poker – helpful tips
Anyone who wants to earn money with poker today and make a good living from it has, in principle, hardly any other option than to get started via the Internet. After all, there is no better place to practice playing around the clock and from anywhere. In addition, you can start with very small amounts of money and then increase your level of experience and confidence in the game as you gain more and more experience. Many poker pros also never switch from online play to the real tables and do not play tournaments. They earn so much money with their daily poker routine that they don’t care at all what happens away from the computers. They enjoy the comfortable and good job they can do simply by playing from home.
However, anyone who starts playing online poker should, on the one hand, know the Dos & Don’ts of playing online and, on the other hand, internalise some helpful tips. We have summarised the three most important ones in our opinion below.
First of all, it is important to build up reserves for the so-called downswings. Even absolute poker pros sometimes play hands for several hours where they simply don’t have any card luck. It is precisely for these cases that it is important to have enough money on the side to get back on top and, of course, to cover living expenses on the side. At least 20% of the money that accrues monthly as “basic costs” should be added to what must be earned through poker in order to be able to see the game as a secure job.
Online poker rooms are financed by the so-called rakes. These are contributions that players collect per pot they play or per tournament. These rakes are usually rather low in cash games, but can easily amount to 5% or even 10% of the tournament buy-in in tournaments. If you want to earn money with online poker, you should definitely look out for poker rooms that offer players good rakeback deals and pay back parts of the rake if you play a lot of hands.
Professional poker players should always consider poker as a real and serious profession and therefore also develop a routine and, for example, never play when they are overtired, have drunk alcohol, are angry at someone or something, etc. – even if the temptation at their own PC may be great. Because all these things flow into the game and influence it (mostly) negatively. It is important to be able to discipline yourself in order to earn your money with poker!
Conclusion
In summary, it is indeed possible for individuals to make a living playing poker, but it is far from easy and comes with significant challenges. Poker involves both skill and chance, and while skill plays a substantial role in long-term success, luck can still influence individual games and tournaments.
The career of a professional player is not without risks. While some well-known players have achieved substantial winnings and secured their livelihood through this game, there is no guarantee of success, and losses can also be significant. Therefore, poker is not considered a safe profession.
Online platforms have become a popular venue for aspiring players to hone their skills and potentially earn money. Many professionals have started their careers online, where they can practice extensively and gradually increase their confidence and experience. Some players never transition to live tournaments and make a comfortable living by playing online from the convenience of their homes.
To succeed in the world of this game, players should be prepared to handle downswings, periods of bad luck, and maintain financial reserves to cover living expenses. Additionally, seeking out rooms with favorable rakeback deals can enhance earnings. Lastly, discipline is crucial in maintaining professionalism and avoiding distractions or emotional influences that could negatively impact one’s game.
In conclusion, while it is possible to make a living playing poker, it requires a combination of skill, discipline, financial management, and a willingness to embrace the uncertainties of the game. Success in poker can be achieved, but it is not a guaranteed path to financial stability, and the risks involved should not be underestimated.