Never fool your self: becoming a expert poker participant in today’ s aggressive environment is not really easy, in case you carry it seriously, it could be well worth the initiatives. I had a lot of ups and downs through the years, but actively playing poker skillfully was among the best decisions I actually ever made inside my life, and am never feel dissapointed choosing this particular path. Nevertheless , if I needed to start once again, I would perform many things in different ways to save many years of wasted period and a bunch of dropped money along the way. I am sure that you could easily prevent many of the errors that I produced and accelerate your improvement. So , should you have a couple of minutes to learn it by means of, I will be pleased to share the way i became an expert player and exactly what I discovered on the road.
My tale and what I actually learned along the way
I began playing online poker around 2008, when my friends introduced me to the game. At the time, it was hard to imagine how vast the online poker world really was, offering much more than our home games with friends. But that was enough for me—I fell in love with the game and never looked back. Naturally, my start was far from perfect. I played random Multi-Table Tournaments (MTTs) and Sit-and-Go Tournaments (SNGs) online, as well as cash games with friends, without really studying the game at all.
At first, I loved competing and enjoyed the thrill of winning. Honestly, it wasn’t really about the money. However, soon I realized I could make more playing online poker than in part-time jobs during my student years, which caught my interest. At the time, I was struggling both financially and emotionally after my father passed away. Online poker helped take my mind off the situation, and I began spending more and more time at the tables. The more I played, the more I enjoyed the game. Unlike “real life,” poker gave me control—I could play when I wanted, what I wanted, for as long as I wanted—and I loved that.
Looking back, I feel incredibly fortunate to have discovered the game. I’ve always been competitive, and the ability to read other players, adjust my strategy, and outplay them was extremely satisfying, sometimes even more than the money. I must admit, however, that the start of my career was essentially a gamble. My knowledge of the game was very limited, and I wasn’t dedicating time to studying strategy. Luckily, other players weren’t very strong at the time, and I was making a decent living despite playing poorly. Then, I got lucky. One day, at a live tournament, I met a professional poker player who completely changed my perspective. He talked about ranges, mathematics, and concepts I had barely encountered before.
That was when I realized there was much more to the game. I began studying like never before and quickly improved. I connected with several professional players and started traveling the world, playing live cash games and tournaments. We visited the WSOP in Las Vegas, many stops on the European Poker Tour, and other major poker destinations. Meeting that PRO at the tournament was easily the best thing that ever happened to me in poker.
We received coaching from some of the top players in my country, which accelerated my development even further. We worked not just on strategy, but also on concentration, emotional control, and other aspects of the mental game, which made me realize how little I had known initially.
After a year of traveling and playing in various live poker venues, I decided I no longer wanted to continue that lifestyle. I left the live circuit and focused on online poker.
This is my path, but today, with all the information available, you can make better decisions. If you want to play online poker professionally, you can avoid many of my mistakes and speed up your progress by years. So what should you do? Let me try to answer this by listing five steps that can drastically help you on your journey.
How To Become An expert Poker Gamer
Step 1 : Choose Your Online poker Game and become Consistent
At the start of my profession, I attempted playing various games concurrently. I was starting MTTs plus cash online games at the same time, as well as playing reside cash and also a table or even two upon my laptop computer. Obviously, all this looks absurd when I appearance back, and am believe it had been one of the biggest hurdles for enhancing as a gamer. If you leap from one online game to another, almost certainly, you will never turn out to be very good at possibly of it. Consequently , your primary work is to choose what you want to try out and stay with that decision.
With that being said, it does not imply that you can’ t perform cash online games with your buddies if you made a decision to play MTTs. Not at all, however, you have to stay with one file format as your primary game and set all your focus to it. So, just how do you select the game? Nicely, surely not really based on achievable income! You need to pick the online game which fits your situation and another you actually take pleasure in.
- Unless you want to perform extremely lengthy sessions or even do not have the luxurious to sit down in front of your computer for hours with out taking a crack, MTTs are most likely not for you personally.
- However , if you value the transforming environment, various dynamics, and also have all the time to get playing – tournaments best choice.
- In case you require the flexibleness to manage your time and energy, then you ought to probably select cash online games.
All the formats possess pros and cons. Techniques your research, choose what realy works for you and many importantly, stay with it. For example , if you choose to play competitions and spend some time to study ICM strategies, understand optimal method on the bubble, master various stack level play plus vital modifications for different circumstances, jumping in order to cash online games would not become very smart.
Sticking to a single game can help you improve considerably faster because you may concentrate on studying what issues the most plus gather your own experience in a much better speed.
If you obtain an edge in a single format, it really is much easier to retain it than a new different online game.
This is where I battled a lot. I had been jumping in one format to a different for a couple of many years, and it has been holding me personally back.
Today, I can quickly say that as soon as I select my online game and put all of the effort to enhance in that region, my outcomes skyrocketed, and you also likely ought to follow this particular path too.
Step 2: Learn Your Game & Know Your own Odds
Once you know what you’ re likely to play, focus all your attempts into understanding it.
Certainly, you should begin by learning the guidelines if it’ s is really a new online game, but right after that, the next step ought to be conquering the particular math.
Regardless of what you perform, poker is really a game associated with math, and when you do not understand your amounts it will be very difficult to reach any type of success, probably even not possible.
How to become an expert poker gamer – 5 essentials you should know about your selected game:
- Learn the likelihood of hitting a fantastic hand if you are behind.
- Learn how to compare this against container odds you might be getting so that you can make an informed decision if you want to continue together with your holdings.
- Know how implied chances work as well as the extra worth they can include in your hand.
- Learn how to count combinations and frequencies so you can place your challenger on a variety.
- And most significantly: learn to believe in terms of varies, not particular hands.
Assigning your own opponent a particular hand rather than range of credit cards is one of the greatest mistakes you may make, and one that will almost everyone can make at the beginning.
Whenever you understand frequencies and understand how likely your own opponent would be to have one keeping or another, it is possible to give them an authentic range of credit cards and avoid the most typical mistake. It is simple to do that in case you observe all of the action.
Begin by analyzing the particular preflop scenario and give your challenger a specific variety based on their own position, the particular action these people took, plus bet dimension. Don’ to worry in case you struggle in the beginning, the more a person play, the greater you get in figuring out the precise holdings all of your competitors are likely to possess.
After that, thin down that will range depending on every actions they take upon following roads. If you do that will correctly, in late the hands, you will constantly know where you remain. You possibly have to contact or increase their wager if your hands is ahead of the range, or even fold in case you are behind. As easy as that will. This is where I produced my 2nd mistake, which usually wasted lots of time and cash. I was just playing plus sticking with the assumptions without having analyzing some other players, or even trying to wear them a range. Therefore please, usually do not repeat the mistakes. In no way underestimate the cost of fundamental understanding, since it will be your breads and butter when making choices – and the most dependable source of info.
Step 3: Invest in Your own Education
Whenever you know your own odds as well as the game inside-out, you should very easily be successful in reduce stakes online games and can exercise a lot without having burning your own bankroll.
Nevertheless , if you’ re searching for how to become an expert player, I suppose you have higher goals compared to that. This really is great your own ambitions plus goals can help you reach extensive success. To enhance this process, you need to invest in your own education. I am talking about it actually.
Obviously, you will get a lot of sources for free, however it will never become as good and most probably without any framework. If you stay with reading arbitrary articles, viewing Twitch channels or Youtube . com videos, it is going to probably in no way help you achieve anything significant. I am not really saying this particular just because Excellent training web site myself, yet this proved to be true for a lot of players, which includes myself.
The real improvement started once i invested in the first trainer, and large results arrived soon after that will. I know lots of such good examples. All best professional sports athletes and higher performers need coaching plus constant teaching. So , exactly like with other things in life, you ought not expect to achieve exceptional outcomes without purchasing yourself in the beginning, and maybe much more so within poker.
The good program can help you save lots of trials plus errors period, and even cash on the way. And so i would suggest gathering just as much information as you possibly can, even if which means investing in a number of paid applications at the beginning.
Step 4: Keep Studying
When you start actively playing and successful in severe games, usually do not make the mistake associated with thinking you understand it all. It is going to never become the case.
There is absolutely no such point as “ happily actually after” within poker. This is a very difficult and powerful game, which means that the moment a person stop enhancing, you will be dropping back – and others is going to be quick in order to catch up.
You need to understand that in case you are beating the particular games nowadays, it definitely does not always mean you’ lmost all be defeating same online games tomorrow in case you stop where you are.
Online poker changes at all times. With many studying resources getting available each day, players are becoming better plus better, brand new ones are usually joining the particular action, plus they are hungry for that win.
How to be a professional online poker player simply by keeping your own skills razor-sharp:
- Constantly analyze what you like.
- Observe some other players whenever playing.
- Tag hands that you will be uncertain showing how to play plus discuss these your friends or perhaps a coach.
- Sign up for a training web site or obtain a coach if you need to take it significantly.
- On top of that, use poker solvers to learn sport theory ideal (GTO) techniques.
- Use trackers to higher tune your own play plus identify populace tendencies.
- Determine the most lucrative adjustments compared to different gamers.
This particular list continues and on. Essentially, just attempt to become the greatest version associated with yourself everyday, and you will turn out to be excellent.
Step 5: Look after Your Smooth Skills to remain on Top of Your Sport
Many gamers lose lots of money due to slanting, emotional choices, or simply insufficient concentration throughout the games. I love to call these types of “ smooth skills”.
You’ re just human, therefore while it’ s impossible to completely quit these issues through affecting your online games, you have to make be certain to do all you can to lessen them.
In case you end up spewing one buy-in every program because of sub-optimal play, the outcomes at the end of the particular month will never be something you would like to see.
Usually, this component could be a determining factor among crushing the particular games plus barely making it through.
Most gamers think that it really is enough to avoid tilting or even avoid actively playing when they’ re sensation bad. Could is important, it’s very small section of the whole image.
To perform at the best, you must have a lot of power and focus. Be sure to:
- Get sufficient sleep.
- Workout regularly.
- A new healthy plus well-balanced diet plan.
- Prepare for your own poker classes.
- Remove interruptions when actively playing.
- Observe just about all available info.
- Know whenever it’ h time to stop playing.
- Quit chasing manages to lose.
In addition to that, never hurry to make a choice.
Take your time plus evaluate just about all available info, put your own opponent within the range, plus think through all of the hand before you make your ultimate decision.
Remember that each time you create a sub-optimal perform for any cause, you are just leaving cash at the desk. And to become honest, I had been struggling with this particular part after I began playing online poker.
The thing that allowed me to the most has been realizing which i need to develop structure in to my life plus grow routines that would assist along the way.
If you need to fight with your self every time you have to study or even play, your time and efforts will not final very long. Therefore , do your favor plus think about ways to introduce a few systems which will prevent you from actively playing when you shouldn’ t, plus help you carry out at your greatest when you perform.
Playing online poker professionally is really a long-term trip.
If you are much better than your competitors, you will earn in the end. Learning the smooth side from the game can help you do precisely that – become a much better player compared to most of your own opponents.
Step 6: Handle Your Money Cautiously
It’ h quite a self-explanatory topic, plus everyone knows exactly how vital you should manage funds well. However MANY online poker players flunk because of a insufficient discipline in this field.
There are a few items I recommend for anyone searching play online poker professionally:
- Separate your own poker bank roll from daily cash.
- Have sufficient buy-ins in order to outlive difference (based within the game which you play).
- Usually do not withdraw cash too often.
- Possess savings to protect living expenses regarding at least 6 months.
- Be ready to maneuver down the buy-ins if required.
I understand many good players who else busted all of their money simply because they weren’ t capable to follow these types of simple suggestions – usually do not become one of these.
Also, in no way think that you are able to outsmart the particular variance or even that it will never hit a person. Based on your own win price, the difference can be large, probably larger than you actually imagined. This chart is based on computations of feasible variance more than 100, 500 cash sport hands where you have second 5bb/100 earn rate. Each one of these lines signifies a possible end result, with different possibilities of occurring. You can see that will after one hundred, 000 fingers you can be straight down a couple of 100 or a large number of big window blinds, even if you must be winning. In the worst-case situation, you can be straight down as many as eighty buy-ins.
Exactly the same can be stated about competitions, SNGs along with other formats. In case you’ lso are a winning gamer, it doesn’ t imply that you’ lso are guaranteed to make an impression on a short period, therefore it’ h better to prepare yourself than apologies. This is why it is essential to have money to cover your own living expenses plus big bank roll to outlive the shifts. Do not reduce corners in this field.
Pros and Cons to be a Professional Online poker Player
We all know how to become a skilled poker player and avoid common mistakes, but before making your ultimate decision, it’s important to understand what life in this profession is really like. Depending on your experience, you might think that succeeding in online poker isn’t that difficult. However, achieving a high level of success requires dedicating significant time to playing actively and learning the game. As the saying goes: “Online poker is a tough way to make an easy living.”
We couldn’t agree more. From a distance, the life of an online poker player may look like a dream, but few see the effort it takes to reach that level. Playing poker professionally is completely different from playing online for fun, and it’s essential to understand those distinctions. The game isn’t about the massive wins you see in the news or in movies—it’s about showing up every day and putting in the work at the tables. Here’s a list of what I consider to be the main advantages and disadvantages of being a professional poker player:
PROS
-
Freedom
You can do what you love for a living without anyone bossing you around. You also have flexibility to build your schedule around your daily life. -
Competition
The game is challenging and thrilling. You’ll be able to compete with other players and continuously improve, which makes it an engaging career. -
Travel Opportunities
At higher levels, you may have the chance to travel the world and enjoy experiences without spending all your own money. -
Earnings
Poker can provide the resources to live a comfortable life with almost limitless earning potential. Plus, you keep all your rewards, which is rare in other careers.
DOWNSIDES
-
Psychological Stress
While fun, the game can become mentally taxing if you’re not fully prepared. High-stakes situations and intense competition can hit hard at times. -
Exhausting
Consistently dedicating long hours to playing and studying is tougher than it seems. Extended losing streaks or breakeven periods can be draining, requiring strong self-discipline to stay focused. -
Interpersonal Stigma
Poker is often seen as mere gambling by outsiders, which can affect family and social acceptance. It may take time for loved ones to recognize it as a serious career.
Before making any decisions, weigh the pros and cons carefully to determine if this path suits you and the person you want to become.
Becoming A Expert Poker Participant – Could it be For You?
You can now decide for yourself if this is something you want to pursue as a career. Poker is not for everyone, and there’s no shame in acknowledging that. If you choose to follow this path and dedicate yourself to the game, it can be extremely rewarding. It’s important to be honest with yourself and understand why you want to pursue poker. Do you want to play simply because you’re tired of what you’re doing, or because you have a genuine interest in the game and want to become the best? These are two very different motivations.
If your only goal is to make money, it will be difficult to stay motivated when things don’t go your way. In my opinion, achieving long-term success in poker is hard without genuine interest and dedication. Either take it seriously or consider other options. As long as you have passion, are willing to put in the effort, and set realistic goals, you can succeed. If you love online poker, go for it—you’ll learn the rest along the way. If you’re new to online poker and don’t know where to start, we recommend checking out Casino.org’s i9000 list of recommended online poker sites. We have plenty of reviews to help you find the one that’s best suited to your needs.
