Is Poker Still Worth Starting in 2026?

[Botuna]

Hi guys, With games getting tougher and so much strategy content out there now, I’m wondering — is poker still worth starting today?

Online seems more competitive than ever, but live games and big tournaments are still growing.

If someone completely new asked you, “Should I start learning poker seriously in 2026?” — what would you say?

Yes or no? And why?

 

[CaioRJ]

Yes, i start in 2025 and today have good results, you just need study with GTO, no any miracle strategy,

 

[austral]

Point	Focus	Main Message	Key Details
1️⃣	If you’re looking for easy money	Not worth it	- It’s no longer a goldmine for beginners.- The average skill level is much higher.- Without serious study (ranges, GTO, exploitative play, bankroll management), you will likely lose in the medium term.
2️⃣	If you enjoy the game and are willing to work	It can be worth it	- Recreational players are still entering.- Many make mistakes under pressure.- Discipline and emotional control are rare.- The edge exists, but it’s smaller and requires more preparation.
3️⃣	It’s not just skill	It’s mindset and discipline	- Strict bankroll management.- High volume of play.- Tilt control.- Consistent study and improvement routine.

 

[Mazembe]

Definitely, ofcourse it might be a difficult and rocky start but I'd say it's worth it

 

[WrongUsername]

if u are willing to pay millions for rake, no not worth at all

 

[finaltable1]

Poker is effectively returning to its 2009 golden era thanks to GTO and other brilliant ideas that convince players that playing a wide range of cards from almost any position is a good idea.

 

[navicula]

Why not? If poker is your hobby, enjoy it... just stay disciplined and responsible.... ☕

 

[GrannySmit77]

For me it's just a hobby, I enjoy playing. I don't make any money playing poker and it's not an objective. It's just fun, a lot of fun. As players are getting better and better, I think it's becoming more and more difficult to play poker professionally. You might need a backup plan and a real job to continue playing.

 

[fuzzycatdaddy]

If you ask if it's "worth it", meaning is it the most +EV move you can make with your time and money, probably not. But if you are measuring by more than just raw $ in/out there are plenty of things that make it worth learning!

 

[Jyco]

It all depends on you and what your goals are when playing poker. If it’s something casual or something more serious, you have to be the one to decide if it’s worth it. I can’t really give a clear answer without knowing what you’re looking for.

You’re the one who has to inform yourself and figure out what you truly want. At least in my case, I’d say it’s worth it, because I enjoy improving little by little, playing better, and understanding different formats more deeply over time.

 

[s0ftdumps]

i wouldn't trust higher stakes in many places. i think low stakes are still safe. the bot/AI threat is real

 

[sibkaz]

Difficulties only make you stronger, and difficulties make you smarter)

 

[schtiuky]

it's a hobby i think you can start and stop whenever you want. so GL with your decision.

 

[Stringy]

anything is worth starting but yes deffo poker

 

[bazza155]

If your looking to make a fortune from it (very very very unlikely) do not bother, if your looking for a hobby/game to enjoy with little or no cost then start off with freerolls, build a bankroll and move up levels as you get better.

 

[Poker Orifice]

Hi guys, With games getting tougher and so much strategy content out there now, I’m wondering — is poker still worth starting today?

Online seems more competitive than ever, but live games and big tournaments are still growing.

If someone completely new asked you, “Should I start learning poker seriously in 2026?” — what would you say?

Yes or no? And why?

I was thinking about trying to take up some bowling.

But in 2026 there's not as many alleys around, there's not many leagues to join, most of my friends stay in playing video games &/or watching Netflix.

Do you think it's worth it to take up bowling in 2026?

this ^ is what your question about playing poker feels the same as for me

When I first began playing online poker, it wasn't because I wondered whether or not it was 'worth it'. It was because I enjoyed playing poker and liked the idea of being able to play the game on my computer.

 

[dreamer13]

In the mid-2000s, you could make a lot of money simply by knowing slightly better hands than your opponents. It's a shame, of course, that we're no longer in that era, but good poker content is now structured and available to everyone for free.

 

[successlaw]

A good advice will be to start learning other formats than Hold'em

 

[Leandro6803]

Yes, it's worth starting to play poker in 2026. Even a regular player who plays weekly will win at poker about 25% of the time, or at least make it into the money.
There's also the variance in poker, which can be brutal, and the downswing, which is devastating for any player.
However, you can catch a good run and be very profitable in a short time, even playing with little knowledge of the game. That's why poker is so exciting and unpredictable.

 

[hardongear]

It's a great hobby and decent side hustle for me been playing 20+ years now. If you wanna make a living playing don't bother even the guys who supposedly make a living playing have to have a side hustles like coaching to make it work now days.

It's also a lot of work to be a winning player.....in fact it's more work and harder work then most people are willing to do at their day job. Which their day job likely pays them consistently more. So if you wanna work more and harder at poker then you do a day job and stand a 90% chance of failing cause only around 10% of total players make a profit. Then poker is perfect for you.

My advice treat poker as hobby, study when you find the time build you game, work on yourself and poker can become a good side hustle that you'll still love playing 20+ years from now. Don't ever try to make it a full-time job there's simply easy ways that take less hard work to make living and they don't have a 90% failure rate.

Cheers!!!

 

[rhoudini]

I’d tell them poker is still worth it, but the path has changed. Back in the day you could grind online micros and build a bankroll quickly. Now rake is higher, players are sharper, and variance feels brutal. But live low stakes are still soft in many areas, and rec players keep starting. If you’re willing to adapt, mix live with online, table select properly, manage bankroll strictly, there’s still opportunity.

 

[anbu210]

Yes — but only if you’re ready to treat it seriously.

Online is definitely tougher now, so easy money isn’t a thing anymore. You need study, discipline, and strong bankroll management.
That said, live games are still soft in many places, and big tournaments keep growing.

If you enjoy strategy, mental challenges, and long-term improvement, it’s absolutely worth learning.

Just don’t expect quick profits — think long-term skill development.

 

[frank174]

Why sure it is,when you start playing any game your objective is to have fun and learn,poker is no different,play with friends at levels your having fun with,see if the game is for you,I think you have got it wrong if you think you can just be some real smart person think you can read a bunch of books watch some videos and compete with the top players, if it was only that easy,those guys feast on smart people everyday so the objective is play have fun and stay in the right lane and keep getting better

 

[choprav]

Aye u can of course start anytime!

 

[rei signo]

Yes, it doesn't matter that the players are becoming more and more professional because you're the one who makes your own decisions, have a good game!