Safe Online Poker Help 1
If you've found this article it hopefully means you're 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 as well as have been a full-time online poker player for four years, playing part-time whilst working a regular job for 4 years prior to this. If you're considering playing poker online gambling for a living you might take advantage of reading the next.
In lots of ways playing poker online for a living really is just one of the top jobs on the globe:
You will have no Boss.
Nobody to tell you what to do, no one to increase your workload because others are incompetent, no one to suck up to simply because they've been at the company longer than you so they are 'in charge'. When you can probably tell, I do not like bosses. Never have, never will.
You work when 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 every week off you take per week off. You have no boss, you may do just what the hell you like!
You don't necessarily have to pay tax on your income.
If you are from the UK, as an example, income from playing poker is tax-free. (For many of you outside the UK this isn't the situation, your profits are fully taxable by law. Make sure you are fully informed about your tax obligations in terms of professional gambling).
You can work anywhere on earth.
Have laptop: will travel! Good invention this internet thing isn't 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 a few. During the time of writing I'm in Buenos Aires. If you have the desire to determine the world, playing poker online really does fit the lifestyle like a glove. An added bonus here is the fact that you are going to be earning in US dollars (GBPs or Euros too) if you decide to live anywhere where this currency is stronger than the local currency you will feel that much richer!
You can enjoy what you need to do.
Poker is a great game, it's always throwing up new situations, a brand new set of challenges to overcome and new opportunities to learn. Sure, there will be times when you won't enjoy playing, you'd rather be out socialising with the 'regular 9-5ers' but I can honestly say that after all this time I still have a love 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 over the world. You've got a common interest, you are bound to get along!
Convinced? Thinking of how you'll be telling the employer what you really think of him, or her, while 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 everyone. Read on and also you shall find out why.
Say goodbye to most weekends and evenings.
In fact, for anyone who is in the UK or Europe you might well become nocturnal. The truth is it's much simpler to find profitable games during the night and at weekends. This really is whenever 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 through the USA day time than through the evenings.
Your income is unstable.
Even the very best players experience long losing streaks, it's unavoidable. These streaks will last weeks, or even over a month in extreme cases. It's entirely possible you will play near-perfect poker for a week yet still find yourself losing money. Not only do you'll need the bankroll to withstand this additionally you need the temperament to deal with these swings of fortune, they do happen and it's not fun once they do. It is necessary therefore to maintain your living expenditures separate from your bankroll, this helps ease the pressure when the fish are feeding on you. Stick to your solid game and also you will experience the correction in fortune. Poker is a game of skill, within the long-term luck plays no part in your profits. Providing you are adequately bankrolled you will win back any loses, in fact you'll win much 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 total annual income is $(insert crazy figure here!)".
Find out how your loan company reacts to that! You won't convince too many individuals to lend you any money if they find out what you do. If you'll be needing to borrow money to make a vital purchase in the near future think long and hard. For advice on securing loans for pro-gamblers seek a qualified Independent Financial Advisor.
There is a whole lot to consider for anybody who is thinking of relying on poker for your source of income. Without a doubt the wisest way to proceed is to keep your steady job; play poker as your hobby at the beginning, it's probably best if you give it at least 1 year, probably more. Perhaps you may only manage 10hrs play every week? Over the weeks and months you will learn advanced skills that may improve your profits significantly. At the same time you are going to still possess the security of a regular salary.
