Here at AustralianGamblingwe get what you’re going through, as experienced poker players ourselves, we know how demanding just the thought of making a living off poker may seem. It requires patience, and of course a bankroll sufficient to withstand your pocket aces getting cracked ten hands consecutively, but that’s just part of the fun. Is It Possible To Make A Living Off Online Poker this day, it is hard to Is It Possible To Make A Living Off Online Poker walk down any main street in any town without Is It Possible To Make A Living Off Online Poker seeing a storefront betting shop, and the British love to “have a punt” on all types of activities. How to Switch from Live Poker to Online Poker If, on the other hand, you're trying to dive into online poker after mostly playing live, you'll find some equally important rules to abide. Shorthanded No-Limit Hold'em - or 'six-max' - is by far the most popular game being played online today.
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Be honest, how many of you reading this article have wanted to be an online poker pro at some point since discovering such a thing was possible?
I know I have — and on more than one occasion.
Being able to play poker for a living seems like the perfect job — for someone who loves poker at least. But it's harder than you would like to believe.
Generally speaking, most casinos and online sites will take $4 out of any reasonably-sized pot. If you play, say, 60 hands per hour in a 10-handed $10-20 game online, the site will wind up taking. The purpose of this article is twofold. First, we attempt to summarize the current legal status of online poker in the United States. You may be surprised to learn that, despite a confusing legal landscape, it is generally accepted that playing online poker is currently legal in the U.S., at least at the federal level.
How to be an online poker pro? We have a few quick poker tips for you to set you on your way to your dream job.
How to become a professional online poker player in one easy step would be to quit your job and use poker as your sole source of income.
While this instantly makes you a poker pro, it is not advised, not even a tiny amount, for reasons that we'll cover shortly.
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1. Study all aspects of the game
Studying the game of poker is crucial if you want to learn how to succeed as a professional online poker player.
When you think you have learned all there is to learn about poker, you need to study and research even more.
In fact, you should never stop learning because standing still in this game means you're going to be left behind.
Read articles on PokerNews, check out the 10 most important poker strategy books ever written, join a poker training site, or hire a coach. Any edge you can create for yourself will eventually lead to profits.
You can also practice Texas holdem and pot limit Omaha cash games and tournaments for free on the WSOP Poker app.
The games are completely free to play, meaning you can play poker for fun, try new things, play online poker with friends and never risk any of your bankroll.
2. Prove you're a winning player
Remember how we said that handing in your notice and jumping straight into being a professional poker player isn't a good idea?
This is one of the main reasons why: you need to prove to yourself you know how to be a profitable online poker player first.
Many people bag a big score in a poker tournament, or win the equivalent of two months' wages at the cash tables and start thinking that this game is an easy way to make a living.
Wrong!
You need tens of thousands of cash game hands and tournaments (if not hundreds of thousands) to prove you're a winning player.
If you're not a winning poker player over the long term, you'll soon be heading back to your old boss cap-in-hand hoping to be reemployed.
3. Be realistic
Once you've ascertained that you're a winning poker player, it's time to begin trying to figure out how many poker hands or tournaments you'll need to play in order at least to match your previous salary.
Here's where many people fail.
When you have a salaried job, you are usually paid on the same date every month regardless of how productive your week or month is (within reason). You're almost certainly paid while on vacation, or if you're sick.
Living Off Online Poker
Are you really going to sit grinding for 60 hours every week?
The fact you have to go to work five days per week is probably enough to make you get out of bed and go to your job. But what if none of that was true?
You may have aspirations of making $150,000 a year, and that may be possible. But make sure you factor in at least three full weeks 'holiday.'
You should also plan for being sick and unable to play for a couple of weeks per year. Also, ask yourself — are you really going to sit grinding for 60 hours every week?
Do you think you can make enough money at $0.25/$0.50 to warrant giving up your job?
Do you know how many online poker pros are there who wake up at 12:00 p.m., play online poker for two hours, and then swan off enjoying life to the max?
The answer is not many. And those who do generally don't succeed as professional online poker players for any meaningful length of time.
4. Give playing poker professionally a trial run
Even if you have done all of the above, you should at least give playing for a living a trial run, so you have experience of how to play online poker professionally.
Take a week's holiday from your job and spend the next five working days doing nothing but playing poker (at least you'll be getting paid even if you have a bad week!).
You may surprise yourself at how difficult it is to motivate yourself to play poker non-stop for a week.
Or how after four hours grinding you suddenly lose all concentration.
Or how after losing 15 buy-ins during the first three days you no longer want to get out of bed at 7:00 a.m.
It's best to find out you're not cut out for the life of a poker pro before you take the plunge into playing for a living.
5. Build a big bankroll and liferoll
You have gone through all the previous steps but still think you know how to be an online poker pro. That's fine, but do you have a bankroll and your other finances in order?
Most poker pros like to have at least six months' worth of life expenses tucked away in a separate bank account in case things go pear-shaped.
Dipping into your poker bankroll to cover your bills is a big no-no.
Your bankroll should be larger than a recreational player would have because you never want to drop down in stakes.
Doing so, dropping down that is, makes it harder to reach your monetary goals — much harder. It's better to be a bankroll nit than it is going broke.
6. Act professionally
Professional poker players often cite the freedom it gives them for playing for a living, but that's not to say you shouldn't have a professional attitude towards the job.
Some of the best poker players in the world are extremely disciplined and in their approach every single day.
You wouldn't rock up to work and put your feet on the desk or lounge around on the sofa with your laptop, so don't do it as a poker pro. How to become a professional poker player?
Starting acting like one, a professional that is.
Additional Readings
This article was originally published on Jul. 5, 2017. Last update: May 7, 2020.
Tags
Online PokerPoker PlayersPoker StrategyPoker TournamentsPokerNews StrategyPokerNews Updates
Poker is riding a wave of popularity thanks to major tours and televised games keeping it in the mainstream. Those who want to try poker by gambling online before heading to the casino will find some benefits to this strategy. Here’s a look at some of the advantages of playing poker online versus in a casino.
1. Learning the ropes – Many new players are a bit uneasy about jumping into a live poker game at a casino with a table full of what they may perceive as real poker sharks. Playing online offers a chance to cut through some of those fears. Players can jump in low stakes games for pennies (or even play for free) and get a grasp of the game before moving up in stakes as they feel more comfortable and confident.
2. Easy access – Who likes to wait? A trip to the local casino may require a wait before being seated at a table. When playing online, there is almost always a table available for any bankroll. Joining the action is as simple as a mouse click. Not waiting also means no major gambling temptations like that nearby craps or blackjack table. Save those dollars for poker, where there is some real skill involved. Play your cards right and you may walk away a winner.
3. Tournament time – For players who enjoy tournaments more than cash games, playing online is a delight. Most sites feature constant tournament action with buy-ins of every size, from only a dollar or two up to thousands. Even lower buy-in events offer a chance at a nice score. Some sites also offer major tournament series with some added incentive to take on a big event with a nice payday.
4. No time crunch – Even an average multi-table tournament online may only take a few hours to play. Don’t have that much time? Sit and go tournaments allow you to play a single table of six or nine players or even heads-up. Some tournaments may only feature two or three tables. There are numerous options to suit a player’s mood or preferences.
Do you know how many online poker pros are there who wake up at 12:00 p.m., play online poker for two hours, and then swan off enjoying life to the max?
The answer is not many. And those who do generally don't succeed as professional online poker players for any meaningful length of time.
4. Give playing poker professionally a trial run
Even if you have done all of the above, you should at least give playing for a living a trial run, so you have experience of how to play online poker professionally.
Take a week's holiday from your job and spend the next five working days doing nothing but playing poker (at least you'll be getting paid even if you have a bad week!).
You may surprise yourself at how difficult it is to motivate yourself to play poker non-stop for a week.
Or how after four hours grinding you suddenly lose all concentration.
Or how after losing 15 buy-ins during the first three days you no longer want to get out of bed at 7:00 a.m.
It's best to find out you're not cut out for the life of a poker pro before you take the plunge into playing for a living.
5. Build a big bankroll and liferoll
You have gone through all the previous steps but still think you know how to be an online poker pro. That's fine, but do you have a bankroll and your other finances in order?
Most poker pros like to have at least six months' worth of life expenses tucked away in a separate bank account in case things go pear-shaped.
Dipping into your poker bankroll to cover your bills is a big no-no.
Your bankroll should be larger than a recreational player would have because you never want to drop down in stakes.
Doing so, dropping down that is, makes it harder to reach your monetary goals — much harder. It's better to be a bankroll nit than it is going broke.
6. Act professionally
Professional poker players often cite the freedom it gives them for playing for a living, but that's not to say you shouldn't have a professional attitude towards the job.
Some of the best poker players in the world are extremely disciplined and in their approach every single day.
You wouldn't rock up to work and put your feet on the desk or lounge around on the sofa with your laptop, so don't do it as a poker pro. How to become a professional poker player?
Starting acting like one, a professional that is.
Additional Readings
This article was originally published on Jul. 5, 2017. Last update: May 7, 2020.
Tags
Online PokerPoker PlayersPoker StrategyPoker TournamentsPokerNews StrategyPokerNews Updates
Poker is riding a wave of popularity thanks to major tours and televised games keeping it in the mainstream. Those who want to try poker by gambling online before heading to the casino will find some benefits to this strategy. Here’s a look at some of the advantages of playing poker online versus in a casino.
1. Learning the ropes – Many new players are a bit uneasy about jumping into a live poker game at a casino with a table full of what they may perceive as real poker sharks. Playing online offers a chance to cut through some of those fears. Players can jump in low stakes games for pennies (or even play for free) and get a grasp of the game before moving up in stakes as they feel more comfortable and confident.
2. Easy access – Who likes to wait? A trip to the local casino may require a wait before being seated at a table. When playing online, there is almost always a table available for any bankroll. Joining the action is as simple as a mouse click. Not waiting also means no major gambling temptations like that nearby craps or blackjack table. Save those dollars for poker, where there is some real skill involved. Play your cards right and you may walk away a winner.
3. Tournament time – For players who enjoy tournaments more than cash games, playing online is a delight. Most sites feature constant tournament action with buy-ins of every size, from only a dollar or two up to thousands. Even lower buy-in events offer a chance at a nice score. Some sites also offer major tournament series with some added incentive to take on a big event with a nice payday.
4. No time crunch – Even an average multi-table tournament online may only take a few hours to play. Don’t have that much time? Sit and go tournaments allow you to play a single table of six or nine players or even heads-up. Some tournaments may only feature two or three tables. There are numerous options to suit a player’s mood or preferences.
5. Games offered – While the vast majority of poker games offered at casinos and online tend to be No Limit Texas Hold’em, playing online offers plenty of others. Maybe you’d rather play Omaha or Seven Card Stud. Those options are regularly available, as well as many others. Players also can choose limit, pot limit, and no-limit variants as well as games with a high/low split. Some sites even offer more games like Badugi or Razz. Players looking to try something new have a chance to learn the games at lower stakes.
6. No real table required – One of the great things about playing online is that you can play anywhere. Got some free time while away on business? Pull out that laptop or mobile device and log in for some action. There’s no need for a casino — simply an Internet connection.
7. No smoking, no problems – OK, so this really depends if you smoke or where you’re playing. But beyond smoking, online players don’t have to worry about noisy slot machines, slow cocktail service, or an unruly drunk at the table. Players may be able to chat by typing on screen, but if someone is annoying it’s easy to hit the mute button. And with no dealers at the tables, there are no worries of a misdeal.
8. Few tells – A tell is a physical movement or verbal cue that gives away the strength of a player’s hand. Good players can pick up on these and use them to their advantage. While there are certain online tells poker players can pick up on, for the most part players don’t have to worry too much about giving off tells to opponents.
9. Money management – Players who have booked a trip to a casino may feel more of a need or urge to hit the tables. Despite some losing sessions, it may be hard to get away from that urge. Players at home can easily log off and find something else to do after a losing session. Stepping away from the action may be a bit easier away from the flashing lights and colored chips.
Living Off Of Online Poker Deuces Wild
10. Lower rake – Players more accustomed to playing in a casino may notice that the rake, the amount taken by the house for each hand or the fee for playing a tournament, is traditionally lower. Players looking to win consistently not only have to overcome the other players at the table, but the rake going to the house. With lower rake online, players have a better chance to profit.
Living From Online Poker Reddit
Whatever your skill level or bankroll, online poker can be a great way to work on your skills, learn the game, have some fun, and hopefully make a few bucks.