Valuable Tips On How To Play Poker Professionally

So you have been watching the high rollers around the poker table and you have been thinking how it would be if you could quit your job and be one of them. You have some skill but is it enough. To play poker professionally does take a lot of time and effort; it is a full day’s work.  But there are ways to become a professional poker player.

Here are some tips on how you can play poker professionally also checkout our previous guide for more tips.

Tip 1: Self-motivation

Even though it is your favourite game, you might not always be in the mood to play. Especially when it is not going good or when you have had some bad hands in one day. People lose motivation and stop playing. So here is the thing, you will need to motivate yourself. Think of all the positive thoughts and the reason why you started playing in the first place.

Tip 2: Manage your money (bankroll) effectively

It is important to manage your cash. Document all your games, it is important to know how many tournaments you have played and what your cash profitability is. You will also be able to keep track of which type of games you do well in and which you should rather avoid.

You will go into the red at some point or other but this can be lessened by managing your bankroll properly. The normal buy-in for a game is normally 30-50 buy-ins. You should at least have $6k – $ 10k if you were playing a No-Limit Texas Hold’em game at $200. Ensure to minimise the number of loose hands you buy- into as it will lessen your chances of winning big.

Tip 3: Study each week

Remember, you are only as good as your last game. It is important to work on your skills and your methods of playing. Just as if you are working towards a degree, you will need to study on a regular basis. Study a few different types of poker and learn how to play them comfortably and with confidence. Take some time to read some books. There are vast amounts of reading material available that will help you improve your game.

Tip 4: Vary your play

This part of the game can get you in trouble very quickly. If you always play the game the same way eg. bet the same on every hand that is the same, it will form a pattern.  Expert players might pick up on your rhythm and once they have your strategy, they can easily outplay you. Always keep them guessing, by changing your gameplay.

That counts for your bets as well. Pay attention to the way you bet, you might play aggressive every time you flop, the pattern in your betting can also draw attention and you may then be identified as the weakest link.

Tip 5: Know your opponents

It is important to know all the types of players you get. When you study the more advanced aspects of the game, you will get to know when they are playing tight or loose. How they react when they play will then determine if they are aggressive or passive players and keep notes of these facts.  The last category is the tight-aggressive and the loose-passive, once you have figured out how they fit in and how they will play, it will surely help you to outplay them on a flop.

Also, you might want to make friends with the best players around, not that they will share their strategy, however, if you watch them play long enough, you will surely pick up some tips that you can apply in your own games.

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Tip 6: Be realistic

So now that you have the gameplay under control it is time to look at the finances. If you had a winning streak and you have made a lot of money, you need to work out a strategy in how you are going to apply those funds. If you have a lot of debt and you are planning to quit your job to play poker full time, you need to know what your monthly expenses are going to be and how u much you need to win in order to have the income you want.

If you have a small amount of cash left after your accounts and rent has been paid, you need to find out what your bankroll is going to be and how much you can afford. It will not be realistic if you can bank $1000 per month and you decide you are going to take a chance on the roulette or blackjack tables. Stick to your to your game where you know how to work your way into winning and adding to your bankroll.

Tip 7: Take a break

You will need to factor in some time to take at least 3 weeks leave. Remember that your brain also needs time to recuperate and to rest. Poker is a mentally challenging game and you might get yourself in trouble because you are tired. During your rest period, it is important to stimulate your brain in a different way. Stay away from any casino games. You need to factor this holiday into your budget for the month, as you will not have an income during this time.

Tip 8: Live Poker

Your best chance to play poker professionally is practice. Practice as much as you can. It’s vital that you play regular live games, as it will give you some experience of how players play and the different ways they bet. As well as the different body languages and signs they use when playing.

Now that you have learned a few tips about how you can be a professional poker player, it is important to weigh the odds and make sure that you can uphold this type of lifestyle. The very long hours and very intense games, together with the appropriate amount of bankroll without affecting your cash flow, is a vital part of being successful. If you can stick to these tips you will make it easy in the professional poker scene. Make sure you have what it takes as it will not come easy.