Best Best Online Poker Secrets
If you've found this article it hopefully means you are looking to make some extra income from playing poker online, you might even be looking to quit the rat-race for good and go full time. I run a small website and poker school and have been a full-time online poker player for 4 years, playing part-time whilst working a regular job for 4 years ahead of this. If you're considering playing poker online for a living you might benefit from reading the following.
In many ways playing poker online for a living really is one of the most effective jobs on the globe:
You may have no Boss.
No-one to tell you how to proceed, no-one to improve your workload because others are incompetent, no-one to suck up to just because they have been at the company longer than you so they're 'in charge'. As you can probably tell, I don't like bosses. Never have, never will.
You work whenever you want.
No getting up at 6.30am to make it to the office on time. If you want a day off you take a day off; if you want per week off you take a week off. You have no boss, you may do precisely what the hell you like!
You do not necessarily have to pay tax on your earnings.
If you are from the UK, for example, income from playing poker is tax-free. (For many of you outside the UK this is not the case, your profits are fully taxable by law. Ensure you are fully informed about your tax obligations on the subject of professional gambling).
You may work anywhere worldwide.
Have notebook: will travel! Good invention this internet thing is not it? Personally, I have travelled a whole lot over the past four years, lucky me gets to go to South Africa, Australia, New Zealand, United States of America and Canada to name but several. At the time of writing I am in Buenos Aires. If you have the desire to view the world, playing poker online really does fit the lifestyle like a glove. An added bonus here is the fact that you'll be earning in US dollars (GBPs or Euros too) if you choose to live anywhere where this currency is stronger than the local currency you definitely will feel that much richer!
You may enjoy what you do.
Poker is a good game, it's always throwing up new situations, a whole new set of challenges to overcome and new possibilities to learn poker. Sure, there will be occasions when you will not enjoy playing, you'd rather be out socialising with the 'regular 9-5ers' but I can honestly state that after all this time I still have a passion for the game. It's not such a bad way to meet people too. You can forge strong links with fellow online players from all around the world. You've got a common interest, you are bound to get along!
Convinced? Thinking about how you are going to be telling the employer what you really think of him, or her, as you hand over your letter of resignation? Wait just a minute, life as a full-time poker player isn't all a bed of roses, playing for a living isn't for everybody. Read on and also you shall find out why.
Say goodbye to most weekends and evenings.
Actually, in case you are within the UK or Europe you could well become nocturnal. The truth is it's much easier to find profitable games throughout the night and at weekends. This really is any time a lot of casual players will sit down for per hour or two, many appear to just hate their cash and are eager to give it away. Even the largest poker room online has far fewer, and far tighter tables during the United States day time than during the evenings.
Your income is unstable.
Even the top players experience long losing streaks, it's unavoidable. These streaks will last weeks, as well as over a month in extreme cases. It's entirely possible you'll play near-perfect poker for per week yet still end up losing money. Not just do you need the bankroll to withstand this you also need the temperament to cope with these swings of fortune, they do happen and it's not fun when they do. It is important therefore to maintain your bills separate through your bankroll, this helps ease the pressure in the event the fish are feeding on you. Stick to your solid game and you will experience the correction in fortune. Poker is a game of skill, in the long-term luck plays no part in your profits. Providing you are adequately bankrolled you will win back any loses, in fact you will win even more.
"Dear Mr Bank Manager, I would like a loan to buy my dream house/car/holiday/bride. I am a professional poker player and my annual income is $(insert crazy figure here!)".
See how your loan company reacts to that! You will not convince too many people to lend you any money if they find out what you need to do. If you definitely will be needing to borrow money to make an important purchase in the near future think long and hard. For advice on securing loans for pro-gamblers seek an experienced Independent Financial Advisor.
There's a whole lot to consider if you are thinking about relying on poker for your source of income. Unquestionably the wisest way to proceed is to maintain your steady job; play poker as your hobby at the start, it's probably best if you give it at least one year, probably more. Perhaps you may only manage 10hrs play per week? Over the weeks and months you will understand advanced skills that may improve your profits significantly. At the same time you are going to still possess the security of a regular salary.
