Can Poker Be a Career?

[UngureanuDan]

Poker can definitely be a career, the ups and downs in poker can sometimes be more extreme than in other careers, which is why many players treat it like a business.

 

[Mantinhoo]

Yes, poker can be a full-time job, but it requires a lot of discipline, skill, and emotional control. Unlike regular jobs, income is not stable and can vary greatly. Only a small percentage of players manage to make a consistent living from it. It’s more risky than traditional careers.

 

[cactus45]

It can. But it needs a very systematic planning. You can't be random at this. You need to calculate, plan and execute. Also, I won't recommend anyone to Totally depend on poker. You should always have plan B.

 

[janwar]

Yeah it can be a career, but it’s definitely not easy. You need a lot of discipline, good bankroll management, and the mental strength to handle downswings. Some people do make a living, but for most it’s better as a side income or hobby until you really know you can handle the grind.

 

[GrannySmit77]

You can have very long downswings and even the best players have long periods of loosing. You must be able to cover those losses and still pay your bills. That's why I find having a job on the side, helps you financially. Or you can be staked, but only a handful of professionals are and they might still owe money.

 

[fewerz]

I still tend to lean toward the answer — yes.
Why still? Because no matter how you look at it, more and more players these days know how to play at least at an intermediate level. It’s harder to compete for the pot when the average player’s skill has increased compared to the average player from years ago. But I still see up-and-coming young players who make poker a full-time career and essentially earn their living from it. So the answer is yes, though I think staying afloat has become more difficult.

 

[ScoobyEdu]

I'm thinking about creating a thread here to share my transition from a traditional job to making a living from poker.

I think there are a few ways, but the important thing is the process, which is quite arduous at first. So I'll start by focusing on 9-player SNGs, because I know that on PS4 it lasts approximately 45 minutes, and with that, I can play three 2-hour shifts with 4 to 8 screens simultaneously... reaching an intermediate to reasonable volume...
Anyway, this is part of what I've been studying to make this transition.

 

[pavel1111111]

Very hard , but If You have a very big bankroll to start could happend !! Or If You are very lucky and win big from the first tournament , You are golden 🤙!

 

[DarkSage]

It can definetly be the start of a new career at McDonalds. kkkkk
Jokes apart, in theory it could be a career, but with the latest developments of AI bots, plus its harder and harder to find soft spots since everyone has access to tools like GTO and others, I find it hard to believe that poker online will sustain this type of adventure. But I hope it can! I mean, we all dream about this right. I'm just a skeptical one.

Maybe if you have lots of money to put at risk with no serious consequences, could be for you.

 

[Dougana]

Of course, but you need to take it seriously, study, prepare, and go for it!

 

[Reail]

It’s definitely possible to make poker a full-time career, but it’s not for everyone. Unlike a regular job, income is unstable and variance can test even the most disciplined players. Those who succeed usually treat it like a business—tracking results, studying constantly, and managing their bankroll carefully. Mental resilience is just as important as technical skill. For most people, it’s safer to start as a side income or hobby until they see consistent results before considering it a career path.

 

[phuchoidey1]

It isnt easy but you can try but Iam sure that don’t appropriate for all

 

[MAFNL16061986]

i hope someday i can make it a full time carreer and not just only a hobby...