What are the perks of becoming a poker pro?

I've always (Well not always, but more like in the past 4 maybe 5 years I've been playing poker wondered about this)? What exactly are the perks to becoming a poker pro? What are the perks to becoming an online pro? I know it may sound pretty dumb and all, but realistically what are the benefits (besides money, heck I'm not even that dumb to not realize that money is one of there perks). So besides money what else is there. These are like the things I wonder about, lets say for online pros, do they get an hourly rate for every-time they log on? If so then how much can they expect to start of at? How exactly do these online pros actually become online pros?

I mean lets face it there's alot of decent unknown players on this site alone (Yet you don't see them getting signed on to Team Poker-Stars, Team party poker, Team Full-Tilt-Poker, or Team U.B? So exactly what must one do to become part of this? I realize they must have won alot of money, or per-say must be an over-all winning player. Yet that's the thing I can't seem to comprehend, I mean ppl go on losiing streaks (Variance as you all so eloquently put it). So are you telling me that these pros don't don't have bad runs? I mean I know I'm asking alot of questions, but really there's more things I keep on wondering about. For instance, Does these reputable sites pay your buy-ins to Say wsop events, or WPT events, or any other type of poker events once you become part of there establishments or exactly how does it all work? I mean, your repping on behalf of these ppl (So isn't there like more cringe benefits to it, as apposed to only wearing there clothing, and them paying for your hotel while your at any of these poker events on there behalf while trying to endorse there site, and it's credintials)? Also another question I have is, lets say you somehow won a Satelite to the Main Event, does stars pay you for everyday your at the Main Event wearing there clothing, or do they match your pay out placement (Exactly how does it all work)?

I'm sry all if the questions I'm asking have already been asked, but what can I do but ask you fine Ladies&Gents on the #1 forum online.

I once read - but can't remember the source, so take this with a piece of salt - that FTP pros (those who aren't owners) got a 100% rakeback plus an hourly salary for playing at the tables.

instant babe magnet!!!!!!!!!

Perks:
[X] Hookers
[X] Blow

In all seriousness though, I don't know the exact contract details of people who are on Team pokerstars Pro or Team Full Tilt, but I do recall reading that people who start wearing their logos towards the end of the WSOP ME basically sign a standard contract to wear the logos and basically get their buy in back.

So for someone like Tiffany Michelle, once she started to get deep last year and signed with UB, she got about $10K. This was one of the reasons PokerNews owner Tony G was pissed with her, because he had apparently put up her original $10K to enter the tourney wearing PokerNews logos. The rift led to her being dismissed from PN.

BelgoSuisse said:

I once read - but can't remember the source, so take this with a piece of salt - that FTP pros (those who aren't owners) got a 100% rakeback plus an hourly salary for playing at the tables.

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Yeah because otherwise they'd lose lol

From my understanding of it most of their buyins are paid for in the big games, I suspect their flights, accomodation and costs are covered too.

As for the other question as to how they become pros, I guess the sites sign up players who do well in big tourneys and players who consistantly do well/cash in tournies.

zachvac said:

Yeah because otherwise they'd lose lol

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lol yes. the FTP "pros" grinding the medium stake nl games are pretty terrible indeed. Most of the regs feed on them.

The best perks of becoming a PRO PLAYER are of course Money and Women!! And lots of BOTH!! As for the daily grind of up and down bank rolls and the hours and hours of sitting and playing and the constinant pressure of not knowing if you`ll be able to pay the bills this or not.....these are minor in comparison.

BelgoSuisse said:

lol yes. the FTP "pros" grinding the medium stake nl games are pretty terrible indeed. Most of the regs feed on them.

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I don't understand, how can they be pros and yet so terrible at the same time? Is it not better business wise to drop them and get some decent players, who can hold there own, rather then some idiots?

naruto_miu said:

I don't understand, how can they be pros and yet so terrible at the same time? Is it not better business wise to drop them and get some decent players, who can hold there own, rather then some idiots?

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Not that i know since i dont play thouse stacks but i think Belgo and Zach a refering to this Russian player that did pretty good in some EPT tourneys and some other donkaments and got signed by FTP and is now spreading all his $ to the 1/2-2/4 regs .

naruto_miu said:

I don't understand, how can they be pros and yet so terrible at the same time? Is it not better business wise to drop them and get some decent players, who can hold there own, rather then some idiots?

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FTP needs some of its tables to have a red color because it excites the fishes to play against pros. But those pros don't need to be good, they only need to have some kind of accomplishment that can be displayed on their web page. That means some deep tournament finish, also known as luck.

And really that's enough. Fishes don't realize how badly those pros play, and regs are rather happy about it too.

sindri_93 said:

Not that i know since i dont play thouse stacks but i think Belgo and Zach a refering to this Russian player that did pretty good in some EPT tourneys and some other donkaments and got signed by FTP and is now spreading all his $ to the 1/2-2/4 regs .

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and he does so buying in for 50bb... Probably the only multi tabler i know who does not buy-in full or short.

A few pros:

FTP: http://www.pokertableratings.com/overview/vitaly+lunkin
Stars: http://www.pokertableratings.com/overview/jc alvarado
UB: http://www.pokertableratings.com/overview/fatcats

I've played with all 3 and can vouch for them all being terrible. Sure most pros are good but just because one is a pro signed by a site does not mean they are good. Most of them got lucky and went deep in a tourney or two. Of course most tourney winners are good, but not all (Jerry Yang anyone?).

zachvac said:

A few pros:

FTP: http://www.pokertableratings.com/overview/vitaly+lunkin
Stars: http://www.pokertableratings.com/overview/jc alvarado
UB: http://www.pokertableratings.com/overview/fatcats

I've played with all 3 and can vouch for them all being terrible. Sure most pros are good but just because one is a pro signed by a site does not mean they are good. Most of them got lucky and went deep in a tourney or two. Of course most tourney winners are good, but not all (Jerry Yang anyone?).

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LOL, very well put, I stand corrected all once again.

Come on Team CC, lets all find our deal.

Well, being a sponsored pro doesn't mean you HAVE to be a good poker player. Just look at the team of pokerstars pros, general rule is they all got lucky and went deep in a tournament or two that got a lot of TV coverage, or they're the sole known players from a particular country, or they're a girl. Just look at Raymond Rahme, for example. You really think he's a poker genius?

That aside, there are obvious upsides to playing professionaly. You get to be your own boss, set your own schedule, wake up whenever you want, you can even take the day off if you don't feel like playing, etc etc.

Then there are the downsides. Variance will drive you crazy, and if you're not emotionally strong enough you will start to play worse, which will make you drop even more at the tables. Sitting in a chair all day at home looking at a monitor doesn't help your body either. not to mention it's not the most social job in the world. You also obviously have to be able to beat the games you're playing for a decent amount, as well as study your game to stay ahead of the curve. There are many other disadvantages though.

This doesn't mean it can't be a dream job for the right person. Thing is, it's not a glamour filled life full of raking in the big pots, perfect for any lazy slob out there. You have to work really hard for it to be something good for your lifestyle. If you're sure you can reverse what comes with the disadvantages of playing as a professional, it's definitely worth it.

BelgoSuisse said:

FTP needs some of its tables to have a red color because it excites the fishes to play against pros. But those pros don't need to be good, they only need to have some kind of accomplishment that can be displayed on their web page. That means some deep tournament finish, also known as luck.

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^ this. TV time is infinitely more important than poker skill when it comes to landing a site sponsorship.

As for what the perks are, I don't know 100% what any given player gets but it'll be like sponsorship arrangements in any other industry - what you get depends on the level you perform at.

The abovementioned Russian pro will not be getting the same perks as, say, Mike Matusow. Most will get what Belgo mentioned above: rakeback + an hourly rate for the time they spend at the tables. They might get live tournament buy-ins funded too.

The bigger names likely get a real salary and their travel etc to live games funded too. Then there's the ones who own a piece of the site's action (Lederer, Ferguson and the like on FTP - don't know that Stars has equivalent players?) and will be making money from that as well.