In this section of playing online poker for a living we will take a deep look at you and see if you truly have what it takes to become an online professional poker player. If you have made it this far into our article series than you probably mean business, but there is still a lot to know, and we are going to teach that to you now.
If you have gotten this far and you don't think you should be an online pro, than you're right, you shouldn't be. The best suggestion we can give at this point is for you to leave this article and continue elsewhere.
If you have won $1,000 one time playing online poker, you shouldn't read any further
If you won $600 at the Foxwoods three times in a row because you just happened to be there, you shouldn't read any further
If you play $1/$2 hold em eight hours a day an usually win and want to quit your job today to become a full time pro, you shouldn't read any further.
Being an online pro takes a lot more than any of the above scenarios...
The problem with those scenarios is that there is no indication of long term perseverance at the skill levels necessary to sustain your life solely through poker. The person closest to becoming an online pro in our above situations is actually the $1/$2 player who plays eight hours a day and is winning. Why you might ask? Because that player is demonstrating the discipline and potential required to grind out an income as a professional online poker player. Why aren't they ready? Making a livable, job replacing income at $1/$2 limit hold'em is just not realistic. Unless you live in a box and are comfortable with MAYBE $800 a month, your going to need to be playing higher limits to become an online pro.
So how do I know if I am ready?
The answer to this question is actually pretty simple. If you have a bankroll large enough to handle poker's inevitable swings-and then some-and you have shown a consistent pattern of success over a very large sample size (a year to two years worth of playing) then you might just be ready. A large enough bankroll means one that can cover the big bet of your chosen game up to 300 times and then an additional cushion of funds for those months when four of a kind wont even win. There are many things to consider here though. Despite the fact you have left your full time job to play poker, is there another source you could use to re-fill your bankroll in times of need? If that is the case, then you might be able to get by with a smaller bankroll. If you are going to be 100% depending on your poker earnings to make a living though, then you need to be more than sure you have enough money to withstand some big blows.
Knowing your history of play, and knowing how your bankroll fluctuates, if you are nervous about poker being your only source of income, then take some more time and build an even bigger cushion of funds, or get more confident in your play before making poker your only source of income.
If you are reading this article but you don't understand concepts like bankroll management, win rate, and the vital statistics that make winning players the way they are, then check out our article on the numbers behind winning poker players.
I have what it takes, now, what will help me be the best online professional poker player I can be?
If every person that took a shot at being a pro just followed a few simple steps, you would hear about a lot more successful online pros. The problem is most don't. Here is where you can break the mold as an online pro, follow our advice, and never go back to work for someone else again ever in your life!
Without further ado, here are Rakeshark's keys to success for aspiring online professionals:
-
Although there is no need to make a stringent, must follow schedule, you need to have some order to your time and your life. At a minimum set goals for how much time you are going to devote to poker each week and each month. Without some time of framework, you will find your new career very unmanageable. Remember, you're not just playing for fun anymore. This is your living, for you and your family.
-
Get yourself some health insurance. People don't realize it, but often times, you are getting ripped off by your employers health insurance plan. Young healthy people can get the health insurance they need for pocket change each month. Even more comprehensive plans can be had for around $100 a month. Take away the worry of being on your own and buy yourself some health insurance.
-
Get life insurance too, it's dirt cheap, and your family will need it if the worst ever happens.
-
Keep amazing records. Track everything. As an online professional, you are in the business of analyzing not only your own play, but your opponents. You also need to keep track of these things for accounting purposes.
-
Get a good accountant. Hey, the IRS doesn't care how you make that money, you still need to pay your taxes. Cover your ass by keeping good records and having a skilled accountant to help you when it comes time to pay rent for living in your country (also known as taxes).
-
Have a backup plan. Although things are looking better and better for online poker, you have to remember that the verdict is still out on its outright legality in some places. Make sure you have a fallback plan in case all of the sudden you simply can't play anymore.
If you are still up for being a professional online poker player, then you are probably doing something right. Just keep a level head and remember that discipline is what got you to this point, and it is what will get you through the coming weeks, months and years. If you have any questions about playing poker for a living, feel free to contact us at any time.
|
Poker Strategy 
