I'm thinking about going semi-pro my story goes as this im a serious tournament golfer and love poker my specialty is limit and I consider myself an expert, however as NL is the name of the game, in general, I'm just an amateur at the medium skill level. So how is the current Vegas poker ecosystem, if you put in the work right? Maybe in yesteryears were the tables filled with fish is this true anymore can I show up at the Flamingo at 11:00 am and crush 4-8 limit for 400 bucks to tourist and later that day play 1/3 in live action at Balleys and make a little 2800 k a month living the dream?

Search for TheTrooper on youtube... You'll find all your answers there!

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCuE...k8oU2A7ZBsg5Kg

Vegas has the best selection of games running at all hours, but it isn't necessarily the most profitable place in the country because you'll run into a lot of competent to good players, even at lower stakes like 1/2 or 1/3. Also, cost of living is pretty high if you like to spend money on things like dining out and entertainment.

Vegas is only as expensive as you make it. If you party and gamble and club, you ain't gonna make it on an even decent living. I live pretty comfortably and I don't make much money.

Watch Andrew Neeme on Youtube. He makes his living playing poker mostly in Vegas, but he travels around to LA and other places too. In his VLOG he has said that LA is more profitable to play poker for a living, but he really likes Vegas and is able to grind out a decent living there.

Trying to make a living solely off playing poker is tough anywhere. As the game has increased in popularity, you tend to find a ton of mice out there trying to feed themselves from the same block of cheese. The best advice I would give you comes from the immortal words of Doyle Brunson- Expecting to go into a casino and doubling or tripling your money day in day out is not realistic. A good day for a full time gambler is to leave with 10% more than walked in with. In other words, if you want to make $1000, you will more than likely have to put $10,000 in play. For the average individual this is just not a reality.

Very well said FBCoach16. That is true.

Mike i'm glad you see you look at earnings from poker in a realistic perspective. 2800 monthly would seem about right grinding 4/8 limit or 1/3 NL. Of course that is if you run good month after month. If you think 2,800 a month is enough to survive then why not. Then again though I think you would need about a 10,000$ roll to start it off. God forbid you run really bad since a down streak of 2,000 to 3,000 can easily happen playing 1/3 NL. One of the biggest leaks for all us poker players is that casinos don't only offer Poker. If you have the discipline to stay away from slots, table games, horse racing, and sports betting then you can do it. Many people have life leaks and gambling leaks and these are just a few. You'll never know until you try it! Good Luck.

Originally Posted by Aaron Soto

Very well said FBCoach16. That is true.

Mike i'm glad you see you look at earnings from poker in a realistic perspective. 2800 monthly would seem about right grinding 4/8 limit or 1/3 NL. Of course that is if you run good month after month. If you think 2,800 a month is enough to survive then why not. Then again though I think you would need about a 10,000$ roll to start it off. God forbid you run really bad since a down streak of 2,000 to 3,000 can easily happen playing 1/3 NL. One of the biggest leaks for all us poker players is that casinos don't only offer Poker. If you have the discipline to stay away from slots, table games, horse racing, and sports betting then you can do it. Many people have life leaks and gambling leaks and these are just a few. You'll never know until you try it! Good Luck.

I like how you say life leaks. I think you make a very important point that lots of people overlook. When one is playing good and running good, stopping by a craps table on the way out might not seem like a big deal but when a downswing occur, all that spent money at the tables adds up. The other side of that is when s downswing occurs, it's easy to find a casino game to try and make a quick score. It can be a slippery slope. I know guys who have gone down that path, it's hard to get away from.

Making it in Vegas as a low stakes grinder is definitely possible but I would have a job too. You can get decent jobs as a part time dealer making 30k (some part time jobs can net 50k but you gotta work hard to get those) a year. You can try to get a job dealing at the World Series for 10k or more in a couple months. Having a life bankroll and a way to make money that doesn't rely on poker will give you peace of mind and ensure a roof over your head and good in your stomach.

The other factor to consider is life. I have a full time job. I play poker to supplement my income. The last few months I've only gotten to get out and play live a few times since things keep coming up. I can do my job at the level I'm expected to regardless of stress level, but when I can't play my A game, I'm in trouble.

Starting in 2007 I played poker for a living and that was one of the most stressful things I ever did. I was in my teens (played online and on reservations where you can gamble at 18) had all the heart in the world and no idea how to manage my bankroll. I had a pretty good upswing, some crazy runs and big falls. It was fun, it sucked but I'm glad I did that. I learned so much from that experience.

I would really advise having at least a part time job to help out during downswings and alleviate the stress of life expenses from your poker bankroll. The less life stress you have, the more clear headed and logical you can play. Stay away from the casino games. They are bad for your bankroll. Even games you can get an edge on, don't do it unless you're extremely disciplined or else you're just gambling and dumping EV to the house.

Good luck.


And if you're a good golfer you could probably get some matches for money from poker players. Talk about double dipping!

Originally Posted by CrashMcCarran

I like how you say life leaks. I think you make a very important point that lots of people overlook. When one is playing good and running good, stopping by a craps table on the way out might not seem like a big deal but when a downswing occur, all that spent money at the tables adds up. The other side of that is when s downswing occurs, it's easy to find a casino game to try and make a quick score. It can be a slippery slope. I know guys who have gone down that path, it's hard to get away from.

Making it in Vegas as a low stakes grinder is definitely possible but I would have a job too. You can get decent jobs as a part time dealer making 30k (some part time jobs can net 50k but you gotta work hard to get those) a year. You can try to get a job dealing at the World Series for 10k or more in a couple months. Having a life bankroll and a way to make money that doesn't rely on poker will give you peace of mind and ensure a roof over your head and good in your stomach.

The other factor to consider is life. I have a full time job. I play poker to supplement my income. The last few months I've only gotten to get out and play live a few times since things keep coming up. I can do my job at the level I'm expected to regardless of stress level, but when I can't play my A game, I'm in trouble.

Starting in 2007 I played poker for a living and that was one of the most stressful things I ever did. I was in my teens (played online and on reservations where you can gamble at 18) had all the heart in the world and no idea how to manage my bankroll. I had a pretty good upswing, some crazy runs and big falls. It was fun, it sucked but I'm glad I did that. I learned so much from that experience.

I would really advise having at least a part time job to help out during downswings and alleviate the stress of life expenses from your poker bankroll. The less life stress you have, the more clear headed and logical you can play. Stay away from the casino games. They are bad for your bankroll. Even games you can get an edge on, don't do it unless you're extremely disciplined or else you're just gambling and dumping EV to the house.

Good luck.


And if you're a good golfer you could probably get some matches for money from poker players. Talk about double dipping!

Very smart post.

I also want to add that the poker player almost always has problems in the family life (wife) because of the game. Unless of course you do not earn them hundreds of thousands) That is to go to the Vegas you have to be alone. There is someone to brighten up your leisure time)

Originally Posted by Mikeisanace777

I'm thinking about going semi-pro my story goes as this im a serious tournament golfer and love poker my specialty is limit and I consider myself an expert, however as NL is the name of the game, in general, I'm just an amateur at the medium skill level. So how is the current Vegas poker ecosystem, if you put in the work right? Maybe in yesteryears were the tables filled with fish is this true anymore can I show up at the Flamingo at 11:00 am and crush 4-8 limit for 400 bucks to tourist and later that day play 1/3 in live action at Balleys and make a little 2800 k a month living the dream?

Do you really think HAVING to play poker everyday to make a living is "living the dream"?
Sounds more like a nightmare.
Do not quit your day job.

I love poker but personally if i had to win to make ends meet i would not enjoy the game like i do now. Poker should be fun and at times really fun not win or fail. You can be 98% a sure win and lose and why would you want to live like that.

I just got back from Vegas. I played 1/3 NL at Wynn, Caesar's Palace, and Bellagio. The games are 8 handed, and the majority of the players at the table were very weak.

Lots of limping, then calling 7 or even 8 X raises preflop.

Oh yea its easy in different areas on some days and tough on others. Couple the locals make really good money. I don't do bad but my friends grind hard and have anything and everything they want. I think practice,practice and more practice is key. Good luck.