When people start playing poker, they dream of being able to one day switch to becoming a professional player. However, this is a rare dream for many as it can be quite difficult to become a full professional poker player.
Here are some of the things you might not have known about becoming a poker pro.
Not All Poker Pros are Fulltime
Though the term “professional” implies that a poker player is drawing all of their income from their poker wins, when this actually could not be further from the truth. There are many poker experts who balance their appearances at tournaments with other ventures. Whether they have a regular day job or they are involved in punditry or some other part of the poker industry, it is quite rare to find a poker pro who just exclusively plays the game.
Not Everyone has to Be an Expert of Multiple Games
Many think that be able to play poker at the very top, you have to be able to handle multiple variations of poker. While there are some very talented players who are able to play games like H.O.R.S.E., they are few and far-between. Many professional poker players pick one variation – like Texas Hold’em – and focus on becoming experts at that. Though they might dabble in other games every now and then, they make sure that they know one version of poker inside and out.
Pros Play Online Too
Head to a site like GGPoker for an online game, and there is a chance that you could find yourself playing alongside a poker pro – and that isn’t hype, just matter of fact. The profile of online poker has been seriously raised in the past few years, especially with the introduction of online WSOP tournaments. Many pro players enjoy playing in an online game just as much as they enjoy attending the big in-person tournaments that attract hundreds to play. Playing poker at a professional level does not mean that you only play in exclusive games, but it does give you the opportunity to try out many more different games.
Pros Study Their Craft
Think a pro poker has nothing left to learn? You could not be more wrong! As with many other professionals, poker players always have something new to study and learn. They will go back over their plays in a tournament and will try to work out what they could have done better, and what they should work on more. With the right attitude and understanding, there will always be something that they can learn that they can then use to advance their own understanding of how they play.
Pros Break Their Own Rules All the Time
Many poker players will develop a certain strategy and a way in which they approach each of their games. This could be shaped by a mentor, or it could be something that they develop over a long time of study and play. However, if they were to stick to this formula every time they sat down to play, they would be easy to beat. Therefore, poker pros will break their own rules all the time. It allows them to make the stellar plays that could grab them a WSOP bracelet and keeps them at the top of their game.
Poker professionals represent some of the best players out there, but there is no denying that they put in a lot of work to remain at the top of their game. Hopefully you now know a little about what it means to be able to play poker at a top level.
