Becoming a professional poker player is a real possibility, but it requires a brutal work schedule that turns a romantic dream into a high-pressure profession. In poker, less than 10% of players are profitable in the long run.
When I started playing online poker in 2,010 , obviously it was a dream but ,nowadays ,I am still a recreational player with some withdrawals per year.
Honestly, it used to be a dream! But over time, I realized that turning poker into a full-time job comes with massive pressure due to variance. I prefer keeping it as a serious hobby—I love studying the game and playing hard, but without the stress of relying on it to pay monthly bills!mimietmour said:
Absolutely. I think almost everyone who's serious about poker has had that dream at some point. Whether I actually make it or not, I'm more focused on improving every day, making good decisions, and enjoying the journey. If the results come, that's a bonus. ♠️
If "pro" mean having poker as my only source of income then no. I think, that is much to stressfull, and I also think, its difficult to make enough money to cover the cost of living in places like North America or Western Europe, especially if you have a family to support. Just ask yourself, why so many professional poker players end up working for training sites, doing coaching, creating content on Youtube etc.?
The obvious answer is, because its nice to have an at least somewhat more stable source of income to pay your bills than money won playing poker. However I am already a "for profit" player supplementing my regular salary with a smaller income from playing online poker. And I think, this is the far more realistic and desirable dream, that most poker players should persue, especially if they live in a country with high costs of living.
The obvious answer is, because its nice to have an at least somewhat more stable source of income to pay your bills than money won playing poker. However I am already a "for profit" player supplementing my regular salary with a smaller income from playing online poker. And I think, this is the far more realistic and desirable dream, that most poker players should persue, especially if they live in a country with high costs of living.
Could have been a real possibly for me 21+ years ago back when I first started but after some deep considering and thinking it's not the type of lifestyle I wanted to live. It's not a very healthy or good lifestyle and isn't exactly good if one wants to have a long term relationship with a good partner and person not to mention having to spend 8-10+ hours daily in casino playing against the most miserable, unhappy and insurable human beings on the planet. Then there's the drunks, scammers, cheaters and humanities low life's and criminals you have to be around everyday for 10+ hours.
Yeah no thanks sounds a completely miserable, terrible and almost worthless experience and life to live. Where as having a great side hustle, hobby, family and running my own business while having poker as a good profitable side hustle sounds much much much better to me. Too each their own thou......
Cheers!!!
Yeah no thanks sounds a completely miserable, terrible and almost worthless experience and life to live. Where as having a great side hustle, hobby, family and running my own business while having poker as a good profitable side hustle sounds much much much better to me. Too each their own thou......
Cheers!!!
Definitely a dream for me
Sometimes life situations take you to such a position in life that you cannot take chances to follow certain dreams
Especially when you have certain responsibilities
But i definitely do admire those that break through and still achieve their goals
Sometimes life situations take you to such a position in life that you cannot take chances to follow certain dreams
Especially when you have certain responsibilities
But i definitely do admire those that break through and still achieve their goals
No desire to sit in front of a computer everyday for 8-10+ hours EVERYDAY....that's really not anymore healthy then the live poker experience/lifestyle. It's just a bit different type of unhealthy. I'm more of guy that enjoys a job and work that keeps you physically active and in shape.Poker Orifice said:
There was also the possibly that online poker could have been ended any day, month or year. Then what? You either switch to live or end trying to get a real job and explaining why your resume years and years that are blank without a job.....
Nah screw all non-security and unknowns......my advice to anyone younger. Get a trade. Get a good job at decent company with decent boss/owner. Take the upgrade courses if any the good company who hired likely has incentives for such things. Then work your ass off for 5-7 by then you should be ready to start your own business and be your own boss. And without hardly any debt compared going to college. Keep poker as a good side hustle.
Cheers!!!
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Not all professional poker players are proffitable. You need a lot of financial independence to be able to weather downswings or just unprofitable sessions. Some poker pros post their financial results. Shawn Deeb was down a lot of money from the wsop series. Jeremy Ausmus posted his results and I think he was also in the red. A few years back Daniel Negreanu was down millions. So you need backers or to be able to absorb those financial losses. As for me I'm just a bad recreational player. I would not want that lifestyle.
G0930
Captain Fathermucker, Satty Aficionado
Platinum Level
Definetly a dream but it most likely will remain one.
The amount of time you have to invest to compete on a pro level is insane. I work fulltime as a chef and poker on pro level would require much more than my current 43 weekly work hours
The amount of time you have to invest to compete on a pro level is insane. I work fulltime as a chef and poker on pro level would require much more than my current 43 weekly work hours
It is not so easy to reach the top of poker and become a good pro. You need to work hard at the game, be stress-resistant and have a lot of time for constant play. I like the idea of a good run in a tournament with five-figure prizes. Win one of my favorite tournaments and play live at a big event in the Bahamas or Vegas.
For me, poker is just a hobby and a way to earn some extra money from time to time. I've never really aimed to become a professional player because I know it requires a huge commitment to studying the game, constantly improving, and maintaining strict bankroll management. I don't think I'm dedicated enough in those areas, so I'd rather keep playing for fun and enjoy the good results when they come.