Poker is not a game like any other. Without great discipline, we lose just as quickly as we win. This is the big difference between a professional player and an amateur. The first aims for gains over time, and the second can win a lot in a game and lose everything in the next game. So by choosing to make poker your profession, you must expect to encounter many difficulties, which unfortunately are not really linked to the game, but to you personally. Here are some things to consider before making poker your livelihood.
Evaluate your potential earnings
Obviously, this is not an easy thing as what you plan to earn is not a fixed amount. However, based on your statistics from the last few months, you can have a more or less precise idea of what you can expect to earn over a certain period.
Evaluate your expenses
Many people think that the life of a professional poker player is that of a high roller. This is not the case. Real professionals manage their budget properly and know precisely what they spend each month for different budget items (food, services, travel, etc.)
Knowing how to take risks to win
He who risks nothing gains nothing, as you probably know. So, as much as the professional player is very careful with his expenses when he is not playing, he must also know how to take risks during the game to earn enough to make a living. This risk is inherent to the game of poker and can be measured.
Be aware of the risk of addiction
Who wouldn’t want to make their passion their profession? We have fun there. But in the case of poker, addiction is never far away. The difference between an amateur and a professional remains partly temperance and reason. If you feel that you are becoming addicted then stop playing for real money, and go back to free mode on sites that do not require a deposit like pokerplus.fr.
Pay attention to your social life
The professional player spends long hours around the poker tables or in front of his computer. The risk is therefore to lose contact with reality and find yourself isolated. The direct consequence is the risk that you develop various emotional or psychological problems. Moreover, who says poker says casino, nightlife and possibly several trips to participate in tournaments
Some Downsides of the Life of a Pro to Consider
A life as a poker pro implies that you give up all the benefits you had in your previous job (social security and other benefits, regular hours, regular salary, etc.). Furthermore, by making your main distraction your job, it is no longer one. Your free time should therefore be devoted to another beneficial activity (sport for example). Finally, the most worrying aspect, particularly in France: taxation. Poker in France is currently going through a difficult period due to different laws on the taxation of the income of professional poker players and operators.
