Hello community, what do you think about online poker? Fun, extra money, or a career?

[ZenonBR]

What is your current perception of online poker, based on your experience and your games? Can you say that poker is a hobby, a dream of a professional career, or just a way to earn extra money with freerolls?

We know that being a successful professional player requires time and, above all, volume. Many have obligations and bills to pay, so investing full-time in poker seems crazy. Besides being a variable income, there's no guarantee you'll have a return.

I see many selling the dream of getting rich with poker, but with so much variance, to turn our skill into profit, we need a lot of volume. In other words, perhaps poker is marketed as an easy opportunity to get rich, aka the famous "easy money" marketing.

What is your experience with poker, especially online, and how do you view it in all its nuances: variance, skill, game volume, long-term, and the possibility of becoming a professional?

Share your opinion and what you think about it.

 

[rsparente]

Extra money and mindfulness training. If I can deal with downswings and bad beats and control only what I can, I use it in my life as well.

 

[Baco]

Certainly, if you study and dedicate yourself, it can be a very lucrative profession - but also a very difficult one.

 

[fundiver199]

Fun if you play in a responsible way, extra money for some (including myself) but not a good choise of career.

 

[ramdon p358]

I see it as a way to earn extra money. When I earn some money, I use it for household expenses.

 

[Yaviness]

I honestly treat as a hobby first. If I can earn a small amount of money on the side, that would be nice but at this moment I just want to get better and see in the moment what happens.

 

[successlaw]

I would like to say that first is passion and after this is fun

 

[ztibor72]

Now it's just fun and a little extra money.
There was a time when it was a career, but fortunately that's in the past.

 

[bremp555]

That’s a really interesting topic, and I think the answer depends a lot on each player’s mindset. For me, poker should start as fun, something that challenges your brain, gives you excitement, and lets you compete in a unique way. Of course, as you improve and understand the game deeper, it’s natural to start thinking about the financial side or even a career path. But if you jump straight into poker chasing money, it usually ends in frustration, because variance and downswings can be brutal.

I see poker as a mix of skill, discipline, and emotional control, but also something that should remain enjoyable. The best players I’ve seen are the ones who still love the game even when they’re losing. If you stop having fun, the game turns into stress instead of strategy. So yeah: fun first, money (maybe) later.

 

[fernandovr]

For me, poker is more of a hobby. I enjoy playing for fun, and it’s great when I manage to earn some extra money. But I admit I don’t have the discipline needed to become a professional

 

[GrannySmit77]

There is no such thing as a get rich quick scheme. Very few people make money in poker. I remember watching one of Daniel Negreanu's vlogs a few years ago. He was talking to Mike Mattusow at the wsop. Mattusow had cashed a few events but he was still down quite a bit.
It's just entertainment. Iy you go pro you need to be able to sustain losses.
As for freeroll, some are ok, most are a waste of time. The few cents you make, better get a second job and you'll make more.

 

[Poker Orifice]

There is no such thing as a get rich quick scheme. Very few people make money in poker. I remember watching one of Daniel Negreanu's vlogs a few years ago. He was talking to Mike Mattusow at the WSOP. Mattusow had cashed a few events but he was still down quite a bit.
It's just entertainment. Iy you go pro you need to be able to sustain losses.
As for freeroll, some are ok, most are a waste of time. The few cents you make, better get a second job and you'll make more.

In the year 2025 I would say Mike Matusow is not a good example of a professional poker player. The ones making it in today's environment are doing a TON of work on their game.
I've seen players playing in an average buyin of $11 to $22 tournaments who were previously ranked in the Top 100 players in the World just 10years ago (including one who was previously ranked #1). If players are doing the work and staying current, they will no keep up. BUT others who are working very hard and are succeeding but as you mentiond it's not a 'get rich quick' scheme. It's more a longgggg, slow, steady grind!

 

[Poker Orifice]

What is your current perception of online poker, based on your experience and your games? Can you say that poker is a hobby, a dream of a professional career, or just a way to earn extra money with freerolls?

All of the above! (except I don't earn extra money with freerolls... I play in a few of the Cardschat ones because it's nice to play a game over a coffee in the morning)