Poker is a fun game that is easy to learn and play. You can play poker with your friends and family in a casual setting while there is money on the table and just have fun.
On the flip side of that, playing online poker is an ultra competitive game that is played by some of the most skilled players who use different strategies at the table or online to take advantage of their opponents in order to win money.
Being a professional poker player involves commitment, an obsessive attitude and the willingness to keep learning as much as possible.
It is a game that yields results for some of those who are persistent but it is also a very difficult game.
When you chose to cross that threshold from being a casual player to a professional poker player who is making a living playing poker , you have made the decision to commit your entire life to the game.
So what difficulties do professional poker players face at the poker table and in general? In this article, we will take a look at some of these.
The Social Stigma
Making a living playing poker or even gambling in general is morally, even religiously looked down upon by a lot of people and religions.
As such, telling some people you are a professional poker player will surely see you get a look of disapproval from them. It is a stigma that will live with you as long as you are a part of the poker or playing online world.
Work Ethic and Commitment
A considerable commitment is required to become a successful professional poker player. You must devote your entire heart, mind, and soul to the game for extended periods of time.
Be wary of connecting your self-worth to your table success. No matter how good you are, you will have significant downswings.
This has a negative impact on some people’s mental health, productivity, and lives outside of poker. To become a successful professional poker player, you need a good balance of other things in your life, such as friends, hobbies, a fitness program, travel, and anything else that has a beneficial influence on your life.
Modern online poker is pretty difficult
It was much easier to play poker online. Win rates were outrageously high between 2003 and 2010, under the reigns of Taylor Caby and Brian Townsend. In mid-stakes games, a skilled player should anticipate something like 10bb/100 or greater.
Currently, numerous poker forum discussions will inform you that win rates in 2021 will be closer to 2bb or 3bb/100. Clearly, win rates at lower stakes will be higher than in larger stakes games.
If you want to play poker for a living in the modern day, you must be certain that you have the necessary abilities, money, and temperament. Following that, you must decide if you will play cash games or MTTs, and then the sorts of cash games and MTTs you will play.
You do not have a set income
Being a live or online poker player means that you do not have a fixed income. This solely depends on how much your winnings are.
Instead, you will only receive the money earned playing poker, and if you have a losing month, you will receive nothing and may even have to pay for what you are doing.
This may be quite irritating, and few individuals have the fortitude to cope with it in the long run.
Probably not ideal for starting a family
Another disadvantage of becoming a professional poker player is that you will have little time for your family.
Several professional poker players travel the world and are frequently away from home which can cause strained relationships with family.
Also, because you will not have a consistent income, you will have severe issues planning your future, which may repel most possible partners because they just need more stability.
You might lose all of your money playing poker
One disadvantage of being a poker player is that you can lose all of your money if you don’t keep yourself in check.
In truth, many poker players grossly misjudge the game’s perils and are unprepared to cover large losses that may occur. Poor bankroll management means that your poker career could be shorter than you initially imagined.
Some poker players also indulge in bad habits or addictions like alcoholism, smoking and drugs.
This means they most likely do not make good judgment. As a result, this can lead to disastrous financial results if you’re unfortunate and don’t have good bankroll management.
Several professional poker players have mental health issues
You may not hear much about the dark side of poker, yet many poker players have mental problems at some point. Poker is by and large, a mental game.
Mental toughness is crucial in order to be a winning player and if you do not possess this trait, you will be liable to fall victim to tilt and you will not be able to recover from bad beats.
You need a very solid attitude, especially when dealing with significant financial downswings, and most individuals are just not able to cope with those situations properly and get despondent.
You could have trouble acquiring a mortgage
There are only a few banks that will lend you money to buy a house if you are a professional poker player.
Most banks would only lend to persons who have a steady income, and playing poker for a living certainly does not meet the required condition for a mortgage.
As a result, you may have difficulty financing a home, but many of your friends who work in traditional occupations will have a lot easier time getting it.
Finding a new job after your poker career might be difficult.
Many professional poker players have learnt anything in their lives other than poker.
The single minded determination to become a great poker player is an advantage but at the same time you will be left with nothing to fall back on if you decide to quit.
While this may not have a significant impact on your poker career, it can still cause issues since you will have a difficult time obtaining work after quitting poker for a variety of reasons.
As a result, if you choose to pursue this job route, make sure you receive some additional education to cover you in case you have to abandon poker sooner or later.
