Poker is not only limited to entertainment but it can also be a great source of income. There are players in India who play poker to utilize their knowledge and skills to make money as well as for the recognition and fame in the poker world and to stand out from the rest.
Due to easy availability and accessibility of online gaming platforms, poker enthusiasts can enjoy playing poker online with real money at home, at the workplace, or while travelling. As the demand for online games is growing exponentially in the country, gaming portals have started offering great rewards and bonuses to attract maximum players. The enjoyment and thrill of playing their favorite game and simultaneously increase their bankroll prompting poker players to participate in online cash games and tournaments. Most professional players started out by playing poker as a recreational activity and now successfully making a considerable amount of money by playing the game online and offline.
Saying that, it is also true that pursuing poker as a profession is not as easy as it sounds. Playing poker to earn some additional income is an exciting thought but due to increasing competition in the field, a player needs to spend maximum time and efforts to develop his skills and become the best. It requires lots of practice, risk-taking ability, patience, commitment, and sheer dedication.
Here are few questions every newbie who is keen to take up poker as a part-time or full-time profession wants answered:
- Start playing on online platforms to earn real-time experience of poker tables. Playcash games and tournaments (cash or freeroll) where you can get the utmost knowledge of poker lingo, game formats, buy-ins, blind and prize structure.
- You can opt for professional poker coachingand get valuable insights from established poker players
- Start following books, blogs, videos, forums about poker. Discuss and share your gaming experiences with other poker players. It will help you analyse your mistakes and find the best way to deal with them. You can learn techniques about when to bluff, how to deal with bad beats, when to fold or raise, etc.
How to improve your game?
Self-evaluation is necessary when you start playing poker professionally. A player needs to keep honest records of his game on a regular basis. Like any other job, you need to evaluate your performance and keep tracking your mistakes, wins, losses, and overall results. Consistent learning is the key to overcome your losses and maximize winnings.
What is bankroll and how it is important?
As a professional player, you need to smartly manage a proper bankroll to support your game. Bankroll is the dedicated amount of money a player keeps exclusively to play poker. Poker is not always about winning. There are situations where the player suffers big loss and needs a backup to keep him afloat. Bankroll should be maintained as per type of game, stakes, buy-in, your game style (tight aggressive, loose passive), situation, etc. Your bankroll should be determined by the amount you can afford to lose on the table and which will not negatively affect your finances.
The most important mental attribute a player must possess?
A poker player must have good control over emotions. You must know how to keep your thoughts to yourself, how to react and handle the situation when you get a bad beat or suffer prolonged downswings. Your sudden reaction can change the game (probably in a negative way). Think and behave rationally is most important while playing a poker game professionally.
