Is it feasible to make a living from poker without other sources of income?

fernandofcp · Sep 2, 2025

It's certainly possible to make a living playing poker without other sources of income, but the hard part is actually achieving that feat. Professional players who make their living exclusively from poker are on a different level of competition than recreational players like me, who are still far from achieving their goals. Good luck to everyone trying to make a living solely from poker. It's difficult, but not impossible.

Cooking · Sep 2, 2025

If you are really good players, yes, but that's probably 1% of the players. So, the odds are against you, but maybe you are the 1%. I'm definitely not the 1%, so, for me, is just a hobby.

NSX_Amfe2nat · Sep 2, 2025

It is possible if you have strong discipline and know how BM works

janwar · Sep 10, 2025

I think it’s possible, but really tough. Even good players can have months where they just run bad, and if poker’s your only income, that can be super stressful. Most pros I’ve seen either have a side hustle, coaching, or something else to keep money coming in when variance hits. If you want to go full-time, you’d need a big bankroll, strict discipline, and be ready to grind a ton. It can be done, but it’s definitely not as glamorous as it looks when you just see someone winning big scores on TV or Twitter.

Mazembe · Sep 10, 2025

We all know that there money is there because the Poker industry is one of the richest, but you need to have a good bankroll (good funding) in order to really make something happen. You can't tell me that you're going to deposit the last $100 in your account and start living from that, that's too much pressure, you will play scared money. And one thing about money is that it likes to go where there is already

UngureanuDan · Sep 10, 2025

Yes, it’s possible but very tough. You need strong skills, discipline, bankroll management, and emotional control. Variance makes income unstable, so many pros add coaching or content. Only a small percentage truly succeed long-term living solely from poker.

Fallenglory · Sep 10, 2025

Surely it's possible. You probably need a starting bankroll + need to have the costs of living expenses covered for a period of time. But much like with other forms of gambling you see the winners. You rarely hear about the losers.

If you seriously think of poker as a main source of income, you need a backup plan as well.

rufininha14 · Sep 14, 2025

Yes, I think it's possible, but in the beginning I believe you have to have another source of income until you build up a good bankroll to be able to play, not counting the months of variance, but yes, I believe you can live off poker.

LiviuRo123 · Sep 17, 2025

I think it's possible, but very difficult. Only a small percentage of players can make a consistent living from poker without other income. It requires strong skills, discipline, good bankroll management, and also the ability to handle variance. For most people, it's safer to keep poker as an additional source of income or a passion rather than relying on it completely.

primrose · Sep 17, 2025

Fallenglory said:
need to have the costs of living expenses covered for a period of time.

Yes, very underrated aspect. At this point I could probably afford a home while also growing by bankroll, but starting out, there was no way I could have made it with poker if I had to pay rent. My total win after the first 100 sessions was... (checks) ... 4500€. I don't pay a lot for food etc., but there are still some minor expenses, so probably real win was slightly above 4000€, which means about 40€ per session, and I didn't play every day.

... and speaking perfectly honestly, this is probably an unusually good result as well, I think it's pretty common for professional players to be down after their first 100 sessions. I had some beginner luck for sure, and probably learned faster than most, also I started just playing short-stacked for months.

So yeah, no way this would have worked out if you start with normal expenses. You either need to live very cheap or start with enough of a buffer to get over the initial hurdle. You should probably plan to play for around 0 for the first 6 months, at least.

fewerz · Sep 18, 2025

Many young people these days get into poker and make it their way of life. Their living are proof that it’s possible. But as the years go by, it becomes harder.

Reddog888 · Sep 18, 2025

Honestly, keeping a winrate nowadays feels like trying to jog on a treadmill while someone keeps raising the speed. Yes, rake hikes, tougher regs, and sneaky AI bots all hurt. You can still win at micro/medium stakes, but making a living? That’s closer to break-even… unless you’ve got superpower

chicbulls2 · Sep 18, 2025

you would have to treat poker like a job, which is pretty hard to do, so basically no

kolan90 · Sep 21, 2025

I think you can make money if you're a professional.

mclay · Sep 21, 2025

absolutista2021 said:
Understanding the increase in rake, the tougher tables, the automation with AI of certain decisions, does all this have an impact? Can you still keep a winrate at micro and medium levels to make a living from it? or is it more like break even?

If thousands of players make money just from this, then it’s possible.

Mantinhoo · Sep 21, 2025

Yes, it’s possible, but very difficult. I choose a much simpler path. I have a full-time job and I supplement my salary a little with poker. I feel financially secure knowing that if poker doesn’t go well, I’ll still receive a paycheck from my regular job

pep12343 · Sep 21, 2025

Yes, it's possible, but I think the biggest challenge is mental. Controlling your emotions and movements, knowing that your life depends on your game, without having a fixed and guaranteed salary, is very complex.

Toruk Makto · Sep 21, 2025

You just have to dedicate yourself to that... I believe so.

Dimidrol2 · Sep 21, 2025

If you want to believe in miracles, try it, but it's very tiring. One person wins, and time is priceless.

SPANKYSN · Sep 21, 2025

absolutista2021 said:
Understanding the increase in rake, the tougher tables, the automation with AI of certain decisions, does all this have an impact? Can you still keep a winrate at micro and medium levels to make a living from it? or is it more like break even?

Break even is a win. Can you make a living at it in low stakes? Yes, but highly unlikely.

Poker Orifice · Sep 21, 2025

Brigistul said:
After winning a big tournament, you can make a living from Poker! To achieve this, you need to play thousands of hands in freerolls, then move on to small buy-ins, participate in step tournaments, and if you're lucky enough to win a ticket to the big tournament and place in the top three, then you have a chance to live off POKER!"

So basically are you suggesting that anyone who plays poker can make a living from poker as long as they have a sufficient bankroll to be able to play? Or are you saying one needs to start off at the bottom and gradually work their way up.
I'm curious though, why would someone who is wanting to earn a living from playing poker, need to play thousands of hands in freerolls? I would think this would be a way to slow down their progress as opposed to doing the opposite.

Brigistul · Sep 22, 2025

Poker Orifice said:
Deci, practic, sugerezi că oricine joacă poker își poate câștiga existența din poker, atâta timp cât are un bankroll suficient pentru a putea juca? Sau spui că trebuie să începi de jos și să urci treptat în clasament?
Sunt curios însă, de ce ar trebui cineva care vrea să câștige existența jucând poker să joace mii de mâini în freeroll-uri? Aș crede că aceasta ar fi o modalitate de a-i încetini progresul, în loc să facă exact opusul.

Yes, first as I said, you have to play a lot of freerol tournaments to learn techniques, possible losses with good hands and wins with hands that do not qualify to be played and that you play from different positions depending on the other players, how they play different hands, etc.This way you can build a bankroll with which to try to win you win tournaments with small buyins and so gradually grow! Everything is done in time. And I still have a lot to learn even though I have been playing for many years... Success!

thwenth1983 · Sep 28, 2025

Good afternoon everyone, yes, it is possible to make a living from poker's unique income. On Twitch, you can see several players earning high annual profits.

I play low limits and earn more than I did when I was working. I used to work on the beach in Copacabana selling cheese under a very hot sun, and thanks to poker, I now work from home.

swedishpanda · Sep 28, 2025

You should have a great passion for the game I think.
Patience. Nothing comes for free. You have to put in an incredible amount of time

ztibor72 · Sep 28, 2025

I think it's still possible, but it requires a lot of hard work, learning, and perseverance.
It doesn't matter how much you live on, in many places it's better to go to work, and that's a sure income.

Is it feasible to make a living from poker without other sources of income?

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