At some point in the career of every online poker player, you think about turning pro. After all, what could be better than waking up, playing cards, eating, playing some more cards, eating again, dishing out some bad beats, and going to sleep? It beats having to pay several dollars for a gallon of gas to commute to work, right? No TPS Reports have to be filed when you’re a professional online poker player. While it may seem like a dream job and virtually a no-brainer, there are several things you should keep in mind before you make the decision to turn pro. Here are a few things to weigh, but keep in mind this is by no means an all-inclusive checklist:
1. Steady Income – Poker is a game of odds and, if you’re even contemplating turning pro, you know you experience the very highest of highs and the very lowest of lows. It’s not uncommon for so-called poker professionals to lose five figures in one day at the tables. Your income as a poker pro will likely be anything but steady. You’re not going to win the Poker Stars Million every month. You’re not going to cash in nine straight it and go tournaments every week. It’s just not going to happen. Instead, even though poker is a game of skill, you’re still subject to chance. This isn’t an office job; you’re not rolling in at 8:00am and leaving at 5:00pm, collecting a regular paycheck. Your income may be erratic at times. Make sure you’re prepared financially and emotionally to deal with it.
2. Time Commitment – Poker tournaments aren’t something you can hop into and play for an hour. They take time, energy, and stamina, often taking you on an emotional roller coaster ride. Becoming a serious poker pro takes a large amount of time and a large amount of energy. Make sure you’re prepared to spend enough time on the virtual felts every single day. Remember, it is your job. Make sure you treat it like one.
3. Health Issues – While sitting on your couch check-raising people might seem relaxing, it’s extremely unhealthy. When you live and “work” from home as an online poker pro, your activity level plummets. Fortunately, rectifying your unhealthy lifestyle is an easy one. I always find that a 20 minute run stimulates the mind and body and is a great way to get out of your house for a little while. Make sure you see your friends, call your parents, and do everything else you’d normally do if you had a conventional job. The bottom line is it’s very easy to fall into a trap of unhealthy habits. Don’t let it happen to you.
4. Dealing with Adversity – Playing online poker every day isn’t easy. There’s a lot of hardship involved, especially when you’re playing to put food on the table. It’s important to learn how to deal with adversity. You’re going to suffer bad beats and, when you do, it’s going to sting a little bit worse. You’re going to go card dead on occasion and you’re going to get frustrated. The trick is not letting your emotions get the best of you and continuing to play solid poker like a professional should.
5. Knowing When to Say Uncle – If you just aren’t cut out to be a professional online poker player, it’s important to be able to quit. That doesn’t mean you have to stop playing poker; it means you have to stop playing poker professionally. The real world isn’t so bad. You can even just find part-time work and then continue to play poker. However, if your online poker career isn’t panning out, don’t be afraid to try something else for a while.