sandy358
Rock Star
Platinum Level
Sounds like an extremely miserable job.
But anyways, I guess it is just studying a lot then grinding a lot then studying a lot again and so on. For online you have to know GTO well, people online usually play rather well these days. For live, I guess, GTO won't be a bad thing to know, but I guess mainly general exploits and knowing how to read players well are much more important. And, of course, grind, grind and grind again.
primrose
Visionary
Bronze Level
You need to actually be good at the game. "I've played for 16 years" is not a qualification. There are regulars in the casino I play that have been there for longer than that, and they're still losing players.
This is related to the What's the Most Important Skill in Poker question and my answer there. People have this tendency to treat it as a status question. You have to do XYZ to Earn being a professional. Like study for this amount of time. Study that amount of hours per day. Go to a school. Hire a coach. Do this. Do that.
You don't have to do any of the above. If you're good at the game you're at the game, regardless of whether you did the Properly Respectable Things or not. If you're bad at the game you're bad at the game, even if you've played for decades, study the game, take it seriously, and even have a coach. And unfortunately it is very possible to do all that and still be bad, especially if what you're actually optimizing for is just looking good and justifying your play, rather than improving. I cannot stress enough how much of a problem this is. People's ego is by far their biggest obstacle to improving at Poker, not for everyone but on average.
The only things you actually have to do are (a) proper bankroll management (there is no way around this -- if you don't have bankroll management, variance will get you), and (b) keeping track of your results. (b) is also the only way you actually know whether you're a winning player. You need to keep track of your results, and if your results show that you're winning (across a sufficiently large sample), then you're winning. This is the only metric that counts. It doesn't matter whether you've played for 10 months or 10 years.
Aside from those general points, I mean the most important question would be whether you want to be playing live or online, those two are widely different.
This is related to the What's the Most Important Skill in Poker question and my answer there. People have this tendency to treat it as a status question. You have to do XYZ to Earn being a professional. Like study for this amount of time. Study that amount of hours per day. Go to a school. Hire a coach. Do this. Do that.
You don't have to do any of the above. If you're good at the game you're at the game, regardless of whether you did the Properly Respectable Things or not. If you're bad at the game you're bad at the game, even if you've played for decades, study the game, take it seriously, and even have a coach. And unfortunately it is very possible to do all that and still be bad, especially if what you're actually optimizing for is just looking good and justifying your play, rather than improving. I cannot stress enough how much of a problem this is. People's ego is by far their biggest obstacle to improving at Poker, not for everyone but on average.
The only things you actually have to do are (a) proper bankroll management (there is no way around this -- if you don't have bankroll management, variance will get you), and (b) keeping track of your results. (b) is also the only way you actually know whether you're a winning player. You need to keep track of your results, and if your results show that you're winning (across a sufficiently large sample), then you're winning. This is the only metric that counts. It doesn't matter whether you've played for 10 months or 10 years.
Aside from those general points, I mean the most important question would be whether you want to be playing live or online, those two are widely different.
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roberto51
Visionary
Platinum Level
I've been playing poker for 22 years. Sometimes I win more at poker per month than I earn at work. However, it never occurred to me to quit my job and bet on poker. Consistency, willpower, and learning from mistakes must bring tangible results sooner or later. You can't get discouraged at the very beginning if things aren't going well.
eberetta1
Legend
Loyaler
Yeah. To become a poker player as a main job, you need to win enough to pay the bills before you quit your regular day job. With houses going for around 200k minimum that would mean you need to win about $70k a year before poker can be your main jib.
dannystanks
Visionary
Silver Level
I have much respect for the players that actually play poker for a living, it’s something I would never want to do only because it would totally take the fun out of it for me. Well and I suck at it lol. Good luck to you I hope you kill it!!
john_entony
feed the Fox
Loyaler
Yes, my main advice is to not be afraid to experiment and believe in your own abilities! I can advise you to designate a fixed amount of bankroll for poker. Your goal is to earn the amount of money every day that will be enough for your daily existence. Choose your most successful type (tournaments or cash) and go for it! 
R.Melnyk77
Visionary
Platinum Level
Why you should make poker your main job. It's risky. If, for example, tomorrow in your country online gaming will be illegal, then what?
You will have to move to another country because you won't be able to work. Poker is a great game that can generate income, but I don't think you should put everything you have at risk and make poker your only and main source of income.
W
wushibala
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I don’t think everyone can make a living from poker.
Personally, I don’t think I could do it either.
Sure, there are good runs from time to time, but over the long term, I doubt poker alone could support me financially.
Personally, I don’t think I could do it either.
Sure, there are good runs from time to time, but over the long term, I doubt poker alone could support me financially.
Poker Orifice
And Still...
Platinum Level
What about the people who are already doing it?
If everyone went on your advice, nobody would excel in poker.
maronza1
Legend
Loyaler
How many people have tried doing that, and ended up with misery, debts etc
RALF_AK
Visionary
Platinum Level
...start as an extra income and then take stock... when you're playing consistently and playing high buy-ins, then it's time to decide which path to take... until then, keep building your bankroll and playing within your limits...
Alex Houngan
Rock Star
Platinum Level
It’s important to remember that being a professional poker player isn’t like having a regular 8-hour job. Some weeks you won’t just make nothing — you might actually lose your own money. It’s a lifestyle with no fixed schedule, and most of the time there’s barely any room left for family or relationships. Think twice before turning your hobby into your main job.
H
hecibala
Rising Star
Bronze Level
You are right. I am a mechanical engineer , I decide that I earned more in Poker than working as engineer. And I was living in some countries that was illegal. But you are right
H
hecibala
Rising Star
Bronze Level
I have met a lot of people they were claiming and telling thay they are poker player and living in countries like Vietnam, maybe they are rich kids and lying about their income
Mig32
Rock Star
Platinum Level
I currently play poker for fun, but turning it into a full-time job is something I would only consider if I had financial security guaranteed for at least a year ahead. That buffer is essential, especially considering my family situation — I'm married and have two young children to care for.
Poker as a profession involves high variance, emotional discipline, and consistent study. With a family to support, I believe it’s crucial to approach it with a solid bankroll, a backup plan, and mental preparation for downswings. If I ever transition, I’d treat it like starting a business — structured schedule, performance tracking, and constant improvement. Fun is important, but responsibility comes first.
Poker as a profession involves high variance, emotional discipline, and consistent study. With a family to support, I believe it’s crucial to approach it with a solid bankroll, a backup plan, and mental preparation for downswings. If I ever transition, I’d treat it like starting a business — structured schedule, performance tracking, and constant improvement. Fun is important, but responsibility comes first.
Mortis
💀Skeleton Crew💀
Loyaler
1) Save back a year's worth of living expenses and set that aside in another back account. Knowing that you have that money saved in case something goes wrong in your attempt at a poker career will save some stress and headaches.
2) Proper Bankroll Management. Research how much you will need to make a month to live how you want to live and make sure you are rolled for it.
3) Money Management. This kind of goes along with your bankroll management, but remember to see your bankroll as a high-risk, high-reward investment. I used a 1/3 rule back when I actually had a bankroll attempting at a part-time income. 1/3 of profits go to me. 1/3 of profits go back into the bankroll. And 1/3 of the profits are set aside for taxes. Of course, depending on where you live, taxes may vary. Just know your local laws on poker taxes.
4) Determine location on where you are playing. If you are playing online, make sure they have the tools, resources, and player base you need to be successful. If you are playing live, I recommend living in a place that has at least 2 or 3 different options. If you live in a city where there is just 1 poker room and usually just runs 1 or 2 tables a day and with the same players every day, it's going to be difficult to make a living with that kind of player base.
5) Make sure you put in the time to study.
6) Track your winnings & losses. Record everything. Track your hands if you can, so you can go back to #4 and study.
7) Stay consistent. If you really want this to be your job, you're going to have to be consistent. And it's easy to get burnt out.
8) Work your way into it. Start out part-time using proper bankroll management and don't quit your day job just yet. Give it a few months and see if you can and are willing to put in 10-20 hours a week playing and building a bankroll. Use that to "test the waters."
I'm sure there are other rules you should stick to, but that's a start. Good luck if you decide to give it a grind.
2) Proper Bankroll Management. Research how much you will need to make a month to live how you want to live and make sure you are rolled for it.
3) Money Management. This kind of goes along with your bankroll management, but remember to see your bankroll as a high-risk, high-reward investment. I used a 1/3 rule back when I actually had a bankroll attempting at a part-time income. 1/3 of profits go to me. 1/3 of profits go back into the bankroll. And 1/3 of the profits are set aside for taxes. Of course, depending on where you live, taxes may vary. Just know your local laws on poker taxes.
4) Determine location on where you are playing. If you are playing online, make sure they have the tools, resources, and player base you need to be successful. If you are playing live, I recommend living in a place that has at least 2 or 3 different options. If you live in a city where there is just 1 poker room and usually just runs 1 or 2 tables a day and with the same players every day, it's going to be difficult to make a living with that kind of player base.
5) Make sure you put in the time to study.
6) Track your winnings & losses. Record everything. Track your hands if you can, so you can go back to #4 and study.
7) Stay consistent. If you really want this to be your job, you're going to have to be consistent. And it's easy to get burnt out.
8) Work your way into it. Start out part-time using proper bankroll management and don't quit your day job just yet. Give it a few months and see if you can and are willing to put in 10-20 hours a week playing and building a bankroll. Use that to "test the waters."
I'm sure there are other rules you should stick to, but that's a start. Good luck if you decide to give it a grind.
Mortis
💀Skeleton Crew💀
Loyaler
To be fair, you can say that about a lot of people who attempt to shoot for their dreams.