One dream that seems to be common among new and veteran gamblers alike online is playing at their game of choice professionally. Since poker is pretty popular, we’ll cover some of what it takes to play professionally.
First and foremost, playing poker professionally isn’t something that you take lightly. When you’re trying to make it your primary source of income, you have to be able to be just that good — there’s no other way to say it. If you doubt your poker skills at all, this is not the time to quit your day job and start playing poker.
You need to think of it almost like starting your own business. If you don’t do that, then you’re going to have a really hard time getting the right attitude about playing poker. It’s something that can really change your life, but it’s also something that can change your life for the worse.
Most professional poker players play a LOT of poker — this is not something where you can play a few hands over a weekend and then rake in the money. You will need to grind it out day in and day out in order to really see any success.
Keep in mind that as a professional gambler, you will have losses. You will have off days. You will have times where you are sick and tired of playing poker. Taking breaks will definitely help you excel in your game.
Don’t forget that you also want to sharpen your game when money isn’t on the line. Playing free poker games can help you do that. Freerolls and tournaments that are low cost would also be good. Keeping track of your strategic moves helps you lock in money that would otherwise fly out the door. Analyzing your poker games from start to finish helps you understand not only the type of player you are, but the types of players that you’re meeting on the battlefield.
Don’t hesitate to take breaks or rely on your savings when things get rough. It’s better than burning out and giving up. You also want to surround yourself with positive people. Anytime that you’re taking a big leap of faith, the last thing you want is to be surrounded by people who don’t believe in you. It doesn’t help you run a business, and it certainly won’t help you handle your new life as a professional poker player.
If you want to work on getting sponsored by a casino, you will want to make sure that you’re visible. Pick a good handle and stick to it everywhere you go. Make sure that you socialize with people that are active as well. Someone that wants to be a legend in the industry can’t be another anonymous face. Put up a blog and show your face, talk about your story and what you bring to the table. People invest in characters and they look for stories — so don’t be afraid to share yours!
Can you really make it as a professional poker player? We think so, but it’s up to you to make it happen! Good luck!