Can I Make a Living Playing Real Money Online poker

Once new players have become familiar with their favourite online poker room after making a few deposits and building up their bankroll, they typically wonder if they can make a living at their hobby. It's not uncommon for people to dream of turning their favourite past time into a paycheck. But turning this exciting past time into a full time job can be intimidating. How can someone make a living playing poker online?

Are you good enough?

There are a number of things to consider when making the leap to playing real money online poker full time. Many people enjoy poker, but not everyone is good at it. If you are considering playing online real money poker for a living you need to be honest with yourself about your skill level and your strategies. A few lucky wins are encouraging, but you can't pay your mortgage on luck.

Winning Strategy

It is important to have a number of strategies and tricks in your arsenal. From hand to hand, different games, even the difference between tournament and sit and go can have a large impact on your typical play strategies. You must learn read the other players, and avoid falling for their bluffs. Tells are much more difficult to catch on online play, but with practice you can learn to be familiar with many strategies other players will try, such as waiting until the very last moment on the clock to call. Be careful that following your hunch isn't just your frustration.

Strategy isn't everything!

Obviously the first thing you should consider is not only if online poker is legal where you live. If it is, and there is a convenient withdrawal options with reasonable turnaround and minimal fees you can move forward. A very important trait for poker players to have when trying to make a living at the tables is patience. You may go 100 hands with nothing worth playing. Not every day you play will you turn a large profit. You may even fall victim to some bad beats. You will have good days and bad days. The important thing is to walk away when you find yourself frustrated. Avoid the tilt. When you're playing for long-term wins, it is important to keep a clear head. Patience should be your biggest strategy.

What games should I play?

The most important thing to consider when choosing which game you play is to make sure you are comfortable with the rules and how to play. It will be difficult to build up enough big wins playing the micro-stakes tables, but with time you will be able to adjust the stake tables you play at to get the best return for your skill level. Players should also be aware when they play tournaments- you are committing a very large chunk of time (hours, or possibly days if you play satellites) to a tournament. Of course, many players who make a living playing real money poker will typically multi-table.

Building your Safety Net

While you may not enjoy your 9-5 job, there is quite a bit of stability it offers before you consider quitting to play poker. First of all, most jobs offer a reliable income. If you quit to play poker, it is important to know exactly how much you need to live comfortably. Ideally, you will have 6 months of cushion tucked away. This is completely separate from your bankroll. This money should never be used for gambling, only for bills. This backup is not about doubting your abilities- knowing you and your loved ones are all cared for allows you confidence in your gambling. You won't balk at a huge pot because you're afraid of losing your bankroll. Also, having this safety net makes it that much more likely that your significant other won't oppose your new career choice.

Hidden Costs

Another important point to remember when calculating your monthly expenses are the hidden costs. Sure, you know exactly how much your mortgage/rent is, how much you typically spend in groceries, but what about your fun budget? Making a living playing poker online isn't worth it if you can never go out for dinner again, or you have to wait until you hit an especially big pot for a movie night. Be reasonable when creating your budget, and account for everything. This can also include insurance premiums, as this is something typically covered by your job. Being thorough, reasonable, and cautious about your finances may seem overwhelming, but the preparation and honesty will help you in the long run, and preparation makes your new career playing online real money poker that much more likely to succeed.