Poker profitable? Or not?

JLit · Jan 20, 2020

Patience & Expectations

At 25 Years old, I've only played about 3 years very off and on. Online, I've become much more into tournaments due to the ability to limit loss and control my buy ins better.

However, Live Cash Game in college I crushed, meaning with extremely part-time play I was running $200 buy ins at 1/2 and making about $150/session long run (winter break ran $200 up to $4,000 - $5,000 over the course of about 10 to 12 sessions in 2 weeks.) Lately I've struggled at cash game online & live, and think its due to a lack of patience and having the expectation that I can get to $5,000 fast and have a bankroll again from nothing! But it takes a lot of time, and int he long run exit strategies won't save you.

Exit strategies only prolong the long run and if you're a losing or break even player overall, it won't matter if you pocket your $200 profit and lose it next session or lose it next hand in my opinion. I like to either stop when I feel I am not playing well/am tired or Once up substantially (ie. 2 buyins+), pick a stop-loss like trading a stock where if I lose down to "x" I walk with my profit.

For bankroll building shots may need to be taken, but I believe its important to also have the patience and discipline to take very few, and let it grind up. Cash is a grind because hourly rates apply much more than they do in tournaments. My 2020 plans: Live cash & Online Tournaments using my Freeroll money I'm making. I refuse to deposit online again, at least for now. So far its worked out to get me started, but nothing life changing has happened yet. Hope this helps!

Jlo111888 · Jan 21, 2020

I got a job for me poker is not a way of living but a good way to kill Time.

Hemified · Jan 21, 2020

I don't think the odds are good in making a living at it. Some people play to keep lights on,I play for killing time and its something to do when not playing out somewhere .

kucu2014 · Feb 3, 2020

I should play at other times, as in most cases I had the opportunity to play during the day, which is not where the Full Fishy field goes.

B2199707 · Feb 3, 2020

It can be profitable if you make it your everything

B2199707 · Feb 3, 2020

Most people play just for the fun of it or to kill time

erce · Feb 4, 2020

so far biggest prize 500 Eiro
i mostly play frerols or low buy in mtt

AAlexandru17 · Feb 4, 2020

B2199707 said:
Most people play just for the fun of it or to kill time

Yea If You play freeroll..If You play money they play for money..i dont go on cash table 200$ just for kill time..i go to win more andd more.

GWU73 · Feb 4, 2020

There are few players at any stake that are profitable over the long haul. It is possible. There are some major hazards to be aware of that most people good over. Consider these before you get too hard on yourself.

Bots are on every site and some of them are good enough to beat 200nl.

The rake is proportionately high in the micros, making it harder to be profitable for slightly better than average players.

Cheaters are real and on every site. Also live.

Softer assistance makes otherwise bad players tougher to beat.

Variance is real and it's likely that alone will cause everyone a swing of 20 buy ins at least once. This accounts for a ton of inflated egos and bad luck/rigger stories.

Volume is the great equalizer. The more hands you play the more your skill or lack of it will impact results.

betang · Feb 4, 2020

money in poker does not come easy, but in a long term, and with a lot of study and practice, i am sure it can be profitable.

TheChosenDragon · Feb 4, 2020

Since I restarted 2 months ago, I became profitable.
In the past my problem was the tilting, I didn't had it under control.
So when I restarted, I focused on not tilting, which first didn't work.
But after some time I managed to get my anger under control.
I still sometimes hit my coach, but afterwards I start smiling and I don't tilt.
For 1 month that went perfect, till I hit my 2 weeks straight of hitting nothing.
As that was as good as impossible, I started to get frustrated again and stopped for a few days, but since I started again it's back under control.
I see my bankroll grow little by little every day.

bigredwolf · Feb 4, 2020

Poker, as with other forms of gambling, is extremely profitable - for those who are running the games.
We currently have Phil Galfond losing over $1/2m playing poker and saying it's worth it if his poker website takes off. I think that is all you need to know.

kucu2014 · Feb 7, 2020

According to bankroll management, I can play at maximum NL4 ...: \ I know it sounds weird, but when I play there, I just feel like my game is worth nothing because it's the lowest limit and most players, just hobbyists, raise in MAD mode. before the flop, it is impossible to fold, but it is very difficult to isolate ... Eg: I have JJ in my hand and raise 4 big blinds and 4 of 6 players call me: \ Or eg I have AA and I bet 3 , all the same way 4 out of 6 players call ... And since we are looking at 4-5 on the flop, so in most cases 1 always flops better ...

YoloASAP · Feb 7, 2020

kucu2014 said:
According to bankroll management, I can play at maximum NL4 ...: \ I know it sounds weird, but when I play there, I just feel like my game is worth nothing because it's the lowest limit and most players, just hobbyists, raise in MAD mode. before the flop, it is impossible to fold, but it is very difficult to isolate ... Eg: I have JJ in my hand and raise 4 big blinds and 4 of 6 players call me: \ Or eg I have AA and I bet 3 , all the same way 4 out of 6 players call ... And since we are looking at 4-5 on the flop, so in most cases 1 always flops better ...

Hello, I found your comment to be a common problem for newer/amateur players. You're playing at Micro-Stakes. I call those tables, the "cIRCUS", because at those tables, anything and everything can happen. you often have people who don't know how to play proper poker, and will call any two cards to see a flop, and will call anything with maybe a middle pair, or even an ace high. So the best strategy I would advise when playing these tables, Is play TIGHT/Aggressive. Fold anything pre-flop that's not a premium hand, or depending on position maybe a little more of a range of hands, like 10/Js, Q,Js. Also people tend to try to limp in the hands often, so if you have a more premium hand, make it cost a little to see a flop. maybe raise 5-10 big blinds, depending on circumstances of course, like peoples chip stacks, what you think they might have, your position, etc... BUT the major point here, is you have to play tight against these players. Because they will ALWAYS, chase flushes and straights, they will play loose, etc... Sometimes you might have to adjust your play a little accordingly. Maybe everyone at the table is playing super tight it seems, Soo then you should play a little looser.

Overall, you should play tight and aggressive when sitting at the micro-tables, that will surely change your profits, try it out and you will see.

In your examples, it sounds like you're not playing aggressive enough. Because if you had pocket aces and 3bet, maybe your 3bet wasn't big enough, you have to look at things, like what's their chip stacks, make a bigger bet than usual if they have bigger chip stack. Orrr with pocket aces, maybe instead of the 3bet, go ALL-IN. Surely then you would get some of the weaker hands to fold, and prolly get some donks to call with like ace/x.

Good Luck on and off the tables,

ason

kucu2014 · Feb 7, 2020

YoloASAP said:
Hello, I found your comment to be a common problem for newer/amateur players. You're playing at Micro-Stakes. I call those tables, the "cIRCUS", because at those tables, anything and everything can happen. you often have people who don't know how to play proper poker, and will call any two cards to see a flop, and will call anything with maybe a middle pair, or even an ace high. So the best strategy I would advise when playing these tables, Is play TIGHT/Aggressive. Fold anything pre-flop that's not a premium hand, or depending on position maybe a little more of a range of hands, like 10/Js, Q,Js. Also people tend to try to limp in the hands often, so if you have a more premium hand, make it cost a little to see a flop. maybe raise 5-10 big blinds, depending on circumstances of course, like peoples chip stacks, what you think they might have, your position, etc... BUT the major point here, is you have to play tight against these players. Because they will ALWAYS, chase flushes and straights, they will play loose, etc... Sometimes you might have to adjust your play a little accordingly. Maybe everyone at the table is playing super tight it seems, Soo then you should play a little looser.

Overall, you should play tight and aggressive when sitting at the micro-tables, that will surely change your profits, try it out and you will see.

In your examples, it sounds like you're not playing aggressive enough. Because if you had pocket aces and 3bet, maybe your 3bet wasn't big enough, you have to look at things, like what's their chip stacks, make a bigger bet than usual if they have bigger chip stack. Orrr with pocket aces, maybe instead of the 3bet, go ALL-IN. Surely then you would get some of the weaker hands to fold, and prolly get some donks to call with like ace/x.

Good Luck on and off the tables,
ason

Thanks. Probably right, analyzed the game very well. Have a nice day

kucu2014 · Feb 11, 2020

I've been watching these "reg" players and they also play 4-5 tables, with Full seat and ultra aggressively. No matter what hand you have, if you raise 3 BBs, they will immediately bet 3Bet. After the flop, if you call 3 to 4 will bet.

dopustim · Feb 11, 2020

I like the process of the game in the poker.not looking for profit

JopyJoost · Feb 11, 2020

Recreational Poker Player

dopustim said:
I like the process of the game in the poker.not looking for profit

I am a recreational poker player and not good enough to win large sums of money. I just enjoy the game. If I win some money it's a bonus and I seem to lose it quicker then I win.

Just a side line here. I noticed the Platinum Card Freeroll at Pokerstars the other day and did enter to play. The max players was originally 35400 +or - then a few days later it was 55400 + or -. Then some more days passed and the max players was 100,000. Just curious why this changed so drastically??? I realize it's a freeroll but??????

kucu2014 · Feb 12, 2020

Seriously, I don't know what I'm playing. Whatever was in my hand today, the other always came down better, whatever he had ...
I was consistently failing with the top cards, constantly coolers, badbeats ...I don't know how I play to win. Today I felt like I was doing whatever it was, because I was really bumping into it ...

AizenFalck · Feb 12, 2020

I do believe poker requires more experience than study, also every player knows luck is fundamental in the game and do not depends on the player or tournament type. But, responding to your question, I do beleive you can live by playing poker, but you need time, luck and experience to do so

kucu2014 · Feb 19, 2020

I don't know what to do ..... Here are the PS strategies .. Good .. but it doesn't help if you just almost always have the other hand right ... or you just have a better hand ... So if they draw 5 kits against you where you are 80-90% your favorite and your seat goes off then you can't do anything like me now that people are out of the game ...

TheDev · Feb 19, 2020

Statistically poker can only be profitable for a very select group of people. Especially tournament poker players. A tournament is only going to pay out 5-10% of the field usually which mean +90% of people are losing money. And the percentage of people that consistently cash more often than not cashing is going to be even smaller than the 5-10%. Statistics on cash games may be a little different but I still think it's the same general idea.

All in all, players that are consistently being profitable are typically the best players out there.

erce · Feb 19, 2020

Mrmercurial1 said:
In order for you to become profitable in poker, you must follow some rules.

-stay focused
-manage very well your bankroll
-study a lot
-practice a lot.
-dedicate yourself

this is the receipt for success.

Good luck and have fun!

totally agreed, with dedication you can make living aut of it. in the world there already is wining players why you can be one of them.

luckyou · Feb 19, 2020

There are many profitable poker players - you can see many of them playing on Twitch.tv. Streamers like "All in PAV", "Buehlero" and "Iregption" are all profitable players, and they have proven this in real-time on their streams.

If you want to be a profitable poker player in this day and age, you need to both put in the hands AND study.

some39thing · Feb 19, 2020

I was profitable back in the day. Im still trying to figure out the current state of poker

Poker profitable? Or not?

JLit

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Jlo111888

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Hemified

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kucu2014

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B2199707

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B2199707

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erce

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AAlexandru17

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GWU73

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betang

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TheChosenDragon

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bigredwolf

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kucu2014

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YoloASAP

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kucu2014

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kucu2014

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dopustim

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kucu2014

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kucu2014

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TheDev

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erce

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luckyou

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some39thing

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