If you play Texas holdem at an online poker room, you may be one of the many who dreams of playing poker for a living. Don't quit your day job just yet and don't be lured by the romance of making your living on the green felt by staring down the likes of Doyle Brunson, Daniel Negreanu and Scotty Nguyen while raking in the cash at the final table of the WSOP.

 

 

Playing poker for a living may be your present daydream but making it a reality is not as easy as it may seem. There are many things to consider before embarking on this venture. Here's a quick look at three elements that you must consider prior to entering the world of the pro poker player.

 

Do You Have The Experience

Many of the pros you see playing poker for a living start out competing online. Amongst players, Texas holdem continues to be the game of choice with Omaha running second. Before being able to compete consistently, players often get a boatload of experience, fail a lot and learn a lot.

 

The first thing you must do before seriously attempting your hand at the professional table is garner a wealth of knowledge online. You may also want to try playing in low buy-in live tournaments near where you live. Playing live is very different than playing at an online poker room but it is a good experience and will allow you to better understand how competing in a proper Texas holdem tournament is entirely different from playing poker with your friends on a Saturday night.

 

Get as much experience as you can prior to trying to make a go of it playing poker for a living.

 

Knowledge, Discipline and Smarts

You want to develop your poker playing skills. In order to do this, focus on and learn one game inside out. Texas holdem is very different from Omaha, Omaha hi lo and stud. Every poker game demands different strategies.

 

Learn as much as you can by playing and reading about the game. Yes, when it comes to Texas holdem or any other game, there's nothing like practical experience. But reading what the pros say and understanding how they go about winning can also be invaluable.

 

Learn to play a disciplined game and to play smart. Playing poker for a living demands acute money management skills when you're in a game. If you can't learn how to play in this manner, you're going to burn and crash time and time again and again.

 

Bankroll and Living Cash

This third aspect is very important. You need a sizeable bankroll and enough cash to survive for a good 12 months if you're really going to begin playing poker for a living. If you have a family, you're better off keeping your day job and playing online, trying to win a seat and gain recognition the way that Chris Moneymaker and others have through Internet tournaments.

 

The best thing to do is to play at your favorite online poker room and build up a pot of money. This is not an easy thing to do, but it's easier than risking everything and turning pro. Remember that in order to take the professional plunge, you'll need a bankroll for poker only and living cash. Never mix the two!

 

If you are playing professionally and you lose your stake or find yourself down to three months worth of expense money, then pack it in and get a "real" job until you can resume your attempt at playing poker for a living.

 

Never Forget It's a Game of Skill

Poker is a game of skill. Never forget that. The more prepared you are as far as the game is concerned, the better your chances will be to become a success at playing poker for a living. Additionally, you'll need enough cash to make a real go of it. The final word when it comes to making the transition from a Texas holdem hobbyist playing at an online poker room to someone playing poker for a living is-always be prepared.