BonVivant
Member
Lately, I’ve been seriously considering whether playing poker for a living is a realistic career path or just a fantasy. I’ve been playing for years—mostly cash games and some online MTTs—and I do well enough to turn a profit, but turning it into a full-time income is a whole different thing.
I know it’s not just about skill. There’s bankroll management, insane variance, mental discipline, and staying ahead of the competition. The swings alone can be brutal—I’ve had weeks where I felt unstoppable and others where nothing went my way no matter how well I played. And with how tough online games have gotten, it seems like more and more players are relying on solvers and HUDs, making it even harder to stay ahead.
What I’d love to hear from those who have tried it (or are doing it now):
I know it’s not just about skill. There’s bankroll management, insane variance, mental discipline, and staying ahead of the competition. The swings alone can be brutal—I’ve had weeks where I felt unstoppable and others where nothing went my way no matter how well I played. And with how tough online games have gotten, it seems like more and more players are relying on solvers and HUDs, making it even harder to stay ahead.
What I’d love to hear from those who have tried it (or are doing it now):
- How did you transition from playing as a hobby to doing it full-time?
- What’s the biggest challenge that people underestimate?
- How much of a bankroll do you realistically need to sustain a living at mid-stakes?
- Is poker still profitable enough in 2024, or is the field just too tough?