Is it accurate that 96% of players lose money?

VNagy333 · Dec 11, 2024

That's where I belong 😄

63burner · Dec 11, 2024

google: "It is likely that only around 30% of poker players are winners over the long term. And only about 10% are significant winners (i.e. make a meaningful side income or can consider going pro)" MY THOUGHTS: 30% is a pretty high winning average. I also wonder if they broke down into: single table games, heads-up and MTT tournaments.
I'm on a current bad run, so I'm making up for all the big winners, bringing it back to the mean, the norm.

5

danricepoker · Dec 11, 2024

7 years poker pro + coach here. Yes, 1 in 18 roughly make more than break even!

But, as with anything, getting to the top 5% is not that hard. Standards are low from the population (the lowest ever in human history perhaps)

If you regularly go to the gym 3 times per week, you are in the top 5% of people exercising in the world, roughly. Similar i'd say with poker

Top 1% is a different story, but also not too tough with good guidance! Nobody has that 😅

Leandro6803 · Dec 11, 2024

Yes, I believe that around 90% of players lose, due to factors such as playing for fun, poker variance and lack of theoretical knowledge of poker.

Rob Hobson · Dec 12, 2024

If it’s not, it’s close to it.

Sschafell · Dec 12, 2024

I believe it's close to that!

Falai_san · Dec 12, 2024

The percentage is exaggerated.

Of course there are losers, but that's part of the game.

The important thing is that the returns from profits are higher than the losses.

player4533456 · Dec 27, 2024

I've seen this statistic around and was wondering as well if it's accurate. As far as I know it comes from poker room insiders and I think there's a reasonable chance the numbers are true.

Stringy · Dec 27, 2024

i loose money 96% of the time lol

Chebchoub · Dec 27, 2024

rj_montana said:
Is it accurate that 96% of online poker players lose money? I have seen several users on this forum in several threads throwing this statistic around. I would like to know if there is any basis for it; what study or source is this 96% figure based on?

And if you do not agree, what do you figure the statistical breakdown is amongst winners, break even players and losers? Thanks! 5️⃣

Hello

Poker is like other games, there is no difference, as there is always a winner and a loser. In my opinion, I believe that everyone who reached the paid seats has won, even if he did not win anything much, but he won by having fun and gaining experience.
Even with regard to cash games, if someone keeps his money and does not win anything, that is okay. He can win another time.
Poker is an adventurous game. Whoever wants to take a risk can do so, and whoever wants to play with discipline, the profit is often greater than the loss.

RALF_AK · Dec 27, 2024

I believe that 83% of the total field is at this mark... those who study and correct their mistakes will always be positive in the long run.

Munchies11 · Dec 27, 2024

You can add me to the losing money stat line

Colbefc · Dec 27, 2024

As I have been playing poker for over 50 years now I would say that it's probably more
like 99% of players are losers.
Years ago there was good rakeback to be had, I was a prop player for a couple of years getting
120% rakeback on a couple of sites.
I remember on the Cryptologic network you could earn $100 bonus a month easily by playing regularly ,
these days bonuses are useless to the average player and rakeback is like the brain of the average Trump
supporter, practically nonexistent.
I think there are very few people who actually make money playing poker.

besttest11 · Dec 29, 2024

First of all, I am not a pro player. I am just a below-average player. Let me tell you about myself. I have never deposited money into any poker website. In the beginning, I earned money from freerolls and then started playing bounty tournaments with buy-ins ranging from $1 to $3.

Around 90% of the time, I reach the money, and about 5-7% of the time, I finish in the top 5 ranks. I play one tournament daily due to my job and other commitments. Still, I can easily earn $200 to $500 monthly without depositing any money.

I understand it's not a lot, but I’m just giving you an example of what a below-average player like me can achieve.

Herkstwin · Dec 30, 2024

Firstly - this question needs context. And that is determining what is meant by 'winner'. Someone can play a hand and win. Or several hands (session) and win. That is rather useless info. In my opinion, a poker winner is someone whose long-term bankroll is in the black. Ups and downs over the month and years are part of the journey.
Obviously, only the online poker rooms know the answer to that - through the data they have to have on each client. Poker tracking software would also provide some insight, but not much. The biggest challenge is THE RAKE. In the long run, all players are paying the rake which eats into profits.
I won't estimate what the percentages are because that is just guessing, in which case my estimate/opinion is worthless.
There is only one place where I can reasonably estimate - my weekly live game among a group of 6-10 friends. Only 2 of us are long-term winners. We both keep our own records. None of the other players keep track. They play for fun, and it is fun taking their money. In this context I am in the 5, 10, 20% of players who are winners.

Rmi · Dec 30, 2024

rj_montana said:
¿Es cierto que el 96% de los jugadores de póquer online pierden dinero? He visto a varios usuarios de este foro en varios hilos de discusión que han utilizado esta estadística. Me gustaría saber si hay alguna base para ello; ¿en qué estudio o fuente se basa esta cifra del 96%?

Y si no estás de acuerdo, ¿cuál crees que es el desglose estadístico entre ganadores, jugadores que no pierden y perdedores? ¡Gracias! 5️⃣

At low levels I could say yes. Not at high levels anymore.

louuu19 · Dec 31, 2024

The claim that 96% of poker players lose money is often cited, but it's not entirely accurate. Studies and data analyses suggest that the percentage of losing players is high, but it varies depending on the sample size and criteria used

SPANKYSN · Jan 11, 2025

I do not know if the 96% is accurate, but it is close enough for me to say that I'm in the majority.

Leroydubz · Jan 11, 2025

Unknown

Is it accurate that 96% of players lose money?

VNagy333

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