What is needed to become a professional?

[WladiYoga]

Hi Guys, I wonder: Is it possible to become a really good poker player by just playing/just by nature? If one has a talent within himself to be one of the best?
Or is hard study work necessary in any case?
Thank you for your honest answers.

 

[anasslaaleg]

Everyone dreams of going pro, but very few understand what it truly requires.
It’s not just about winning big pots it’s about discipline, consistency, and self-control.
A professional poker player studies more than they play.
They review hands, fix leaks, track results, and treat the game like a real job.
bankroll management becomes sacred.
Tilt control becomes mandatory.
And every decision is made with long-term EV in mind, not emotion.
Going pro isn’t about being the best in one session
It’s about being stable, sharp, and profitable over thousands of them.
If you want it, work for it.
The game will reward those who respect the grind.

 

[dreamer13]

Play freerolls if their prize pool is at least $100. First place is awarded $20. Ignore free tournaments with guaranteed prizes of $50 or less, as the potential winnings don't justify the time spent.Anyone can become a professional, the main thing is to have the desire and a large bankroll.

 

[austral]

It seems to me that historically, no one who has reached the elite has done so through talent alone or study alone.
The most respected pros (Ivey, Negreanu, Fedor Holz, Steve O’Dwyer, Justin Bonomo, among others) developed what coaches call applied talent: talent + deep work + millions of hands.

 

[dannystanks]

If you don’t study and everyone else around you is all studied up professional players, wouldn’t you at least want to study to know what they know? Poker is one of those things where you don’t know what you don’t know, study is required if you want to level up your game, especially if you want to go pro. There are old school pros that claim they don’t study but they are the exception basically because they’ve been playing for 30 years.

 

[Iryna Stryzheuskaya]

This is possible, but there are only a few such people.

 

[odonob]

No such thing as study in a poker, this is a fallacy. Luck is the main arbiter of winning. Simple game, not rocket science.

 

[Spielkind]

you have to learn , study, play, play, play online, and live..and to understand the Game in every Position and stacksize and betsize and you have to eat good, no alc during the game and slept well before! enouhg--OK?? Good luck and andurance to go forward this way..

 

[bremp555]

Cool question, and one that many people who love the game end up asking themselves at some point. From what many pros and coaches say, talent helps a bit, but hard work, discipline and the ability to handle variance are what really decide who makes it. Modern games are tough, so just “playing a lot” without structured study usually caps you at a certain level, while players who regularly review hands, use training material and think about bankroll and mental game keep improving year after year.

It also seems important to remember that “professional” is more about lifestyle than just skill. You need a solid bankroll, a proven winrate in your main games, and the discipline to treat poker like a job: set hours, study time, tracking results, and managing downswings without going broke or tilting your life. So in my view the ideal mix is a bit of natural feel for the game plus a big dose of work ethic and patience; talent might get you started, but the grind and constant learning are what actually keep you in the professional group long term.

 

[ammje]

Hi, someone can make money playing poker without studying, but if you want to become a professional player, you need to study. There are players like Zeros and Elias who are already professionals and continue studying with Solvers.
The more you study, the fewer mistakes you'll make in certain spots, and in the long run that means making money.

 

[Toruk Makto]

Studying... will enhance talent!

 

[888NOX888]

Probably, as in any profession, to achieve the best result in poker, not only training but also talent is important.

 

[hardongear]

It's harder work and studying than the majority of people are willing to put in at their day jobs. And it requires a lot more than just studying and being good at poker.

Cheers!!!

 

[Sos1l]

I think there’s no way to become a professional without studying.
Knowledge is the key tool that tells you what to play, where to play from, and most importantly how to play it.
In general, a professional needs several skills, and one of the most important is a deep understanding of the game.

 

[Cooking]

In the past I think it was possible, like in the 80's and 90's, specially live poker. But nowadays even the famous players says that if they don't study, they will not keep up with the game.

 

[Uncloggie]

The only shortcut I can think of is telepathy , but from what I understand about it, it may not work for ill gotten gains.

 

[Igor Popadyk]

You can become a pro, but you need to work a lot on the game, and many earn money about poker - streams, schools and so on

 

[Poker Orifice]

No such thing as study in a poker, this is a fallacy. Luck is the main arbiter of winning. Simple game, not rocket science.

I'm guessing you're basing this off of your own success... maybe even a professional player yourself??

 

[Sunz of Beaches]

No such thing as study in a poker, this is a fallacy. Luck is the main arbiter of winning. Simple game, not rocket science.

The game is pretty complicated on a deeper level and above certain stakes. Actually the thinking that poker is pure luck is a fallacy. A common misconception among people new to the game or people who already play for some time and who are not willing (or able) to improve.

 

[TheniT]

Natural talent can make someone good at poker, but reaching an elite level always requires deliberate study in addition to playing.

 

[Happy Bobi]

Hi Guys, I wonder: Is it possible to become a really good poker player by just playing/just by nature? If one has a talent within himself to be one of the best?
Or is hard study work necessary in any case?
Thank you for your honest answers.

I think you can become whatever you want to be. If you really want it and are prepared for long hours of study and hard work, then most professions will be realistic and achievable goals for you. It all depends on you and the strength of your desire.

 

[Manjerica1]

i think nowadays very very unlikely to become professional witouth anystudy... my perspetive

 

[bodil19982]

As with any endeavor, you need to dedicate a lot of time to achieving results. Innate talents only help along the way, but they are no substitute for hard and diligent work.

 

[Mantinhoo]

Talent and intuition help, especially early on, but they’re not enough to become really good. At some point everyone hits a ceiling. The players who move past it are the ones who study, review hands, and work on leaks. Natural ability can speed up learning, but hard study is necessary to reach a high level.

 

[s0ftdumps]

Everyone dreams of going pro, but very few understand what it truly requires.
It’s not just about winning big pots it’s about discipline, consistency, and self-control.
A professional poker player studies more than they play.
They review hands, fix leaks, track results, and treat the game like a real job.
Bankroll management becomes sacred.
Tilt control becomes mandatory.
And every decision is made with long-term EV in mind, not emotion.
Going pro isn’t about being the best in one session
It’s about being stable, sharp, and profitable over thousands of them.
If you want it, work for it.
The game will reward those who respect the grind.

This really nails it. The part about studying more than playing is something a lot of people underestimate. Anyone can run hot for a session or a week, but long term profitability comes from discipline, honest self review, and respecting bankroll and variance. Treating poker like a job instead of a rush is the real separator. The grind is not glamorous, but if you respect it, the results eventually follow.