Can you make a living playing online poker?
Yes!
If you are new to the world of online poker, you might be wondering if you have what it takes to become an online pro. The advantages are endless: Work whenever you want, no boss to push you around, no morning rush hour, as much vacation as you want, and basically the freedom to do whatever you want! In theory it's the perfect job, and today more than ever, many people are making a living by playing poker online.
Unfortunately, many new players or people considering becoming a full time pro, don't realize all the downfalls and challenges of their new career choice. We have written a two part article so that you can make an informed choice when making this monumental change in your life. This is a decision you shouldn't take lightly and it's not something you should try by the seat of your pants. The first part of these articles will examine the pros and cons of becoming a pro and some other things you should consider when making the choice. The second article is more in-depth and will cover things like what it takes to be a pro, and things you need to do to insure you are able to continue living a comfortable, responsible life when you become a full time player.
The usual scenario in which a player finds themselves facing the choice of become a pro goes something like this:
Bob has a good steady job on the IT staff of a local medium sized corporation. He makes $44,000 a year, has a 401k, gets two weeks of vacation a year, and lives a fairly comfortable life. Bob also has been enjoying online poker for a little over a year now, and his countless hours at the table, the twelve books he has read, and his strong knack for discipline has made him a pretty solid player. Bob's winnings are turning into some nice extra cash each month.
At this point Bob starts to think if his fun little poker hobby that is making him good extra money, could possibly turn into his sole source of income. I would imagine if you are reading this, you might be in a very similar situation.
With that in mind, lets take a look at some of the advantages of being an online poker pro:
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You dictate when you work. There is no schedule, no set work times, and no set end times. You make the call on how often you play.
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There is no one bossing you around. You are your own boss, and you don't have to answer to anyone other than yourself, your family, and your creditors.
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For a successful pro, the money can be very good.
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Because you have the freedom to choose when you work, you have virtually no restrictions on how much vacation you take, or what activities you take part in over the course of a day.
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With a laptop and Internet access, you can play from nearly anywhere in the world.
As you can see, it's a pretty attractive job. Being an Internet pro is basically the ultimate definition of freedom, and if done properly, it truly can be the job of a lifetime. You might see what's going on though, does it seem a little too good to be true? Well, I'll tell you, it's not that, because it certainly can be true. The problem is many people fail to realize some of the less than finer points to this job, which ultimately could lead to disaster. The good news is you can prepare for these things, and by being smart, you truly can enjoy this great occupation!
Now lets take a look at some of the negative points to being an online poker pro:
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No benefits. Unlike your steady job, no one at party poker is going to give you health insurance or a 401k plan.
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No steady paycheck. Yes, theoretically you could win all month and have a very steady paycheck, but this is poker and swings happen, even to the best players in the world. There will be times where you swear you haven't had a winning day in weeks. Want that weekly paycheck back yet?
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Playing online poker for a living although glamorous, doesn't carry to far with banks, and doesn't carry the best reputation in the public eye. This might change over time, but for now, try getting a car loan and telling the bank your a professional gambler! Probably want that steady job back don't ya?
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No one to tell you when to work other than yourself and your family. Basically, without proper discipline you can be your own worst enemy.
Still want to become a professional online poker player? If so, then you need to read part two of this article. In part two we will examine if you have what it really takes to become an online pro, and give you expert advice on things you MUST do to secure yourself as a professional. If you are still not sure, or you think the negatives just might be too much, then head back to those tables and play for the same reason most people play, and that's because it's a lot of fun! If you happen to make money too, then hey, more power to ya!
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