How to become professional and make poker friends!

[liviuplayspoker]

Hey fellas, first thing, im 18years old and live in austria (where mozart comes from, not kangaroos...) and i have the "Dream" to become a professional poker player since I was roughly 16, but I was interested also long time ago. the first time I played was with 13, when I watched my uncle play with my other relatives with not many cents, they had much coins saved in a cup and took that to play, they played as I remember first 5 Card Draw and then Texas Holdem, and I couldnt take my eyes off the game how they played.
I didnt unterstand anything, but it fascinated me so much that I asked my uncle how to play, he explained me the hand rankings and I watched the hole night I think it was like 5-6 hours streight.
A few days after I downloaded wsop poker from Playstore and learned the game with playmoney for like 6 hours a day, i had back then much more freetime then I've now in highschool, and I played and played and tilted and of course i played.
With 15 I tryed to take my game to the next level and watched approximately every youtube video I could find to improve my game.
Back then I had real problems about my emotions and tilted much, but with more hands I played and more videos about strategy and mindset I've watched, I was beginning to turn emotionally stable and get a solid fundamental about the game.
With almost 17 I was starting a poker club in highscool, like more then 2 years ago and found also some friends, but they didnt want to turn it to the next level, I tryed everything that they would maybe go sometimes with me in casino, i analysed every hand, how they could play better, there were mostly beginners in my club, played and explained what strategy I knew to get better. I try to find people with the same interest as mine that can improve to really deep relation(s) which can last for many years not at all decades.
The problem is also I dont have much money, but this isnt really the issue. I need connections that take me higher, with people to improve together and with people to have deep conversations with. I know it may sound stupid and I know what my parents say.
My father is very accetable and wants the best for me, but he is, who can believe it not in the very best mood when I talked my dream to turn professional. He isnt the guy who trys to insult me or to say I'm not good enough or some bullshit 24/7 "you get a junkie and tur homeless" or smth like that, but he is of course still worried about the risks it could cause.
My father and I have a big connection and sometimes when we drive on the countryside we talk about deep things and intellectual things like "What I want in live", "What I want someday to work", about school or sometimes about my poker dream of course. I sweard him I would make my A Levels and not borrow any money I dont have to play poker with, I'm awared of it as you read before I watched much mindset videos and of course videos like "How can I turn a Poker Pro?" several times.
I know that I've to follow bankroll management, that I dont get tiltet, to not play when Im stressed or to not play poker to get rich quick. I simply love the game and want it, my other relatives are not as sympathetically as my dad, they make jokes about that I gamble all of my money in poker and get homeless or some bs like that. The same uncle who learned me the game also tells me lies that the game is OnLy lUcK and manipulated by the casinos, or horror stories about people who lost everything in poker, but which arent even pros, this could be the joke itself.
I clarify everytime that it must be bad players to profitate from, but he isnt willing to hear what I say, I'm not even argue wih him no more, but I know he doesnt know what he speaks from. No one thinks poker can be treat like a business to minimize losses and maximixe winnings, they think its all luck, bad and or illegal. What should I do, Was anyone in the same situation as I??
It was a long story but I hope it was interesting to read!
Cheers
Liviu, 18

 

[Nafor]

Well, I did read it. Thank you for sharing...

I am old enough to be your father so I can relate and understand the kind of worries your relatives are having.

You should always have a plan B ready what ever you do. Ten years from now your opinion might be different from what you are feeling today. I'm not telling you to back off from poker. I'm only saying that you should be prepared if things don't work out.

20-30 years back when many of poker success stories emerged the world was different. The Internet was still at its infancy, online poker was still new, and the overall skill level of players was lower than it is today. Back then there truly was more fish in the sea. Sure, we do still have drunk/dumb/etc. players on the field but not that much.

First you should have a honest review of your skill level. What games (if any) can you crush at a comfortable level? What are your leaks? Do you have a good track record?

Once you are a good enough player (and you can prove it) you could apply to some poker stable and become a backed horse. Just make sure that you choose wisely so you don't end up in debt. Some of the stables provide also training.

Am I a pro? Not even close. I'm just someone who wants to think things through hundred times before jumping in the deep end. The Internet is filled with information so do your own research!

 

[Luvepoker]

Hey fellas, first thing, im 18years old and live in Austria (where mozart comes from, not kangaroos...) and i have the "Dream" to become a professional poker player since I was roughly 16, but I was interested also long time ago. the first time I played was with 13, when I watched my uncle play with my other relatives with not many cents, they had much coins saved in a cup and took that to play, they played as I remember first 5 Card Draw and then Texas Holdem, and I couldnt take my eyes off the game how they played.
inimize losses and maximixe winnings, they think its all luck, bad and or illegal. What should I do, Was anyone in the same situation as I??
It was a long story but I hope it was interesting to read!
Cheers
Liviu, 18

Liviu, I wanted to respond yesterday but was not sure how to and bet way to help you. My daughter is nearly your age and grew up around poker and her poker player dad. She and her brother and cousins like the game as well. It is a part of their lives thanks to me. If my baby girl walked up to me today and said I want to be a professional poker play you might be surprised to know I would be not so happy, Proud of her but not happy. Being a professional player is a tough way to make easy money one professional once said and I agree. Poker is a skill game and if you really are a good professional, you can do well but there are many pitfalls out there to. How many stories of players winning 40K at the table one day and losing it on the craps tables. You family and friend are worried about things like this happening to you as well. You could win the WSOP main event and think your so much better than you are and play in games you can't afford and not skilled enough yet to play. Again, something they are worried about. We all hear the stories of what goes wrong but really hear about the ones who do it right.

FYI, if my daughter did come to me today, I would be worried, but I would support here in this adventure.

So here is my advice on this. As @Nafor said above, You need to have a plan B. Don't give up on school and further education. Even if you want to be a professional, you may not achieve your goal and would be much better off having the backup plan. I believe you can succeed if you really work hard on this but want to protect you as well.

So if you're going to follow your dream you should do is properly and smartly. To become a professional you will need to really work hard and learn the game. This will, take time and money and that's something you said you don't have a lot of. Thats OK to start.

1) You should not just jump into playing poker professionally. Your young and need to learn a lot. You should go to school and have a job while training. Yes, it will slow you down but that's not necessarily a bad thing,

2) You need to learn proper bankroll management. You need to follow it and not Chace loses and dreams. If you don't the likeliness of going broke is much higher. I would not suggest starting to high but picking a spot where you are comfortable. I am a tournament player and would suggest 150 buy ins. For as little as $165 you would be bankrolled to play $1.10 tournament. If you lose say 25% of your buy in move down a level to $0.55 games where you would have 225 Buy in Move down as necessary. If you're up say 50 Buy in and was to take a shot at slightly higher game, it's OK but limit them to start until you double your bankroll. Personally, I would wait till you close or fully bankrolled to that level. Being up 75BI would allow you to move to $1.65 games. Again, if you move up and lose 25% or so of your roll move back down. Start at what you want but remember once you make this bankroll you must remember its only for poker and i must be funds you are ok losing. No loans allowed. If you don't have the cash to lose don't do it.

3) select games smartly. Tournaments with 3000 players and winning them will bot your bankroll a lot. The problem is it could take well over 1000 games to get a big payday. Pick smaller size tournament. The variance is smaller and will allow you to grow as a player and not go broke as Easly.

4) Training. You need to study and study a lot. Don't just watch a video or read a book but dive deep into what this game is. When you watch a say 1 hour training Video you should spend hours after the fact learning and working it into your game. You need to treat it like a college course. Take note, review hand and see how it would or could have helped you. You should also focus on sections of the game until you master it. You can spend months just working on small section of the game. Master a part before moving on. You said you did not have much money. Thats ok to start with but as you start winning you will need to invest into yourself to learn more. I would subject starting with the CC 30 day course. It is a great training for you, and it cost nothing. MY 2 cents, don't rush through it in the 30 days. Really make sure you understand the concepts.

Become a Winning Poker Player in 30 Days | CardChat

CardsChat invites you to the 30-day free poker video training course designed to raise your game & play even smarter - Written by Collin Moshman & Katie Dozier.

www.cardschat.com

5) be more active in cardchat. Yes, I said that. You have been here 2 and almost 1/2 years with 96 post. You have a community here that can help you in your training. Asking question and posting hands you're not sure of would be a great benefit for you. As time goes on you can qualify for free rolls with our members to help you possibly add funds to your bankroll. There are some really strong players here who would be happy to help you. There are some who take the game seriously and train hard. Why not take advantage of this? Don't be afraid of being told you played Bady or worse. Learn from it.

6) set a schedule. A playing and training Schedule. Depending on how fast you want to improve you need to study and work on the game. I spent 12 to 16 hour a week on training. To do what you want you need to do more. My mentor says to become a professional you need to study 60 hours a week for 2 years to really become a low-level winning professional. Notice i did not say play but review and study.

7) I dont like HUDs as they will make you more dependent on them and you can't use one in live play. what's good about then is if the site you play on allows them is they keep track of all your hands. The is nothing more vital than having this information. I have gone back to games I played years ago when i learn something new and seeing errors I used to make in the game is great to confirm my growth. It also useful to find your leaks.

8) Treat poker like a business. You must do this. If you go professional, you need to keep track of all expenses. Not just poker but in life. Food, rent saving for retirement. This is all related to your business.

9) If you win one. Let's say in 2 years you win a 1/2 million dollars. While this boost to your bankroll is great don't just add it to your bank roll. Invest a good chunk into your future outside poker. If you invest say 1/2 of in and then go broke a few years later and give up poker you still have this investment.

As for me, I am not professional. I don't plan on being one either. I do have hopes and dreams i am willing to work hard on to accomplish them. I have accomplished several of the smaller ones and slowing and hopefully going to accomplish the bigger ones. I am a student of the game. I Luve this game.

Last bit of advice, following your dreams is great and I hope you succeed. Just don't forget there are more important things in your life too. Family friend and happiness as more important. I could have had the opportunity to do more in this game. Do i regret not having those opportunities? Nope. Being my son and Daughter dad who goes to all there events and spends time with them daily was a better more.

 

[Alex Sentsov]

Who seeks, he will find)

 

[takinitSLEAZEE]

To make such a decision at an early age is bold, in itself, much like the career you seek. If you really have the skills/patience to grind out a living in front of a card table or a computer, it's going to take a nice starting bankroll to be able to succeed, imo.
This forum and the community within is a great place to start to make connections and start a bankroll from next to nothing. Who knows, you might be the next Austrian phenom.
Good luck and may the flop be with you.

 

[dompoker]

To be professional you have to have a lot of money, to play big tournaments, without worrying about the monthly expenses.

 

[amonlima]

I suggest you join a poker team, as well as evolving faster you will have all the financial and psychological support to become a successful professional. But everything will always depend on how committed you are to the process.

 

[liviuplayspoker]

Liviu, I wanted to respond yesterday but was not sure how to and bet way to help you. My daughter is nearly your age and grew up around poker and her poker player dad. She and her brother and cousins like the game as well. It is a part of their lives thanks to me. If my baby girl walked up to me today and said I want to be a professional poker play you might be surprised to know I would be not so happy, Proud of her but not happy. Being a professional player is a tough way to make easy money one professional once said and I agree. Poker is a skill game and if you really are a good professional, you can do well but there are many pitfalls out there to. How many stories of players winning 40K at the table one day and losing it on the craps tables. You family and friend are worried about things like this happening to you as well. You could win the WSOP main event and think your so much better than you are and play in games you can't afford and not skilled enough yet to play. Again, something they are worried about. We all hear the stories of what goes wrong but really hear about the ones who do it right.

FYI, if my daughter did come to me today, I would be worried, but I would support here in this adventure.

So here is my advice on this. As @Nafor said above, You need to have a plan B. Don't give up on school and further education. Even if you want to be a professional, you may not achieve your goal and would be much better off having the backup plan. I believe you can succeed if you really work hard on this but want to protect you as well.

So if you're going to follow your dream you should do is properly and smartly. To become a professional you will need to really work hard and learn the game. This will, take time and money and that's something you said you don't have a lot of. Thats OK to start.

1) You should not just jump into playing poker professionally. Your young and need to learn a lot. You should go to school and have a job while training. Yes, it will slow you down but that's not necessarily a bad thing,

2) You need to learn proper bankroll management. You need to follow it and not Chace loses and dreams. If you don't the likeliness of going broke is much higher. I would not suggest starting to high but picking a spot where you are comfortable. I am a tournament player and would suggest 150 buy ins. For as little as $165 you would be bankrolled to play $1.10 tournament. If you lose say 25% of your buy in move down a level to $0.55 games where you would have 225 Buy in Move down as necessary. If you're up say 50 Buy in and was to take a shot at slightly higher game, it's OK but limit them to start until you double your bankroll. Personally, I would wait till you close or fully bankrolled to that level. Being up 75BI would allow you to move to $1.65 games. Again, if you move up and lose 25% or so of your roll move back down. Start at what you want but remember once you make this bankroll you must remember its only for poker and i must be funds you are ok losing. No loans allowed. If you don't have the cash to lose don't do it.

3) select games smartly. Tournaments with 3000 players and winning them will bot your bankroll a lot. The problem is it could take well over 1000 games to get a big payday. Pick smaller size tournament. The variance is smaller and will allow you to grow as a player and not go broke as Easly.

4) Training. You need to study and study a lot. Don't just watch a video or read a book but dive deep into what this game is. When you watch a say 1 hour training Video you should spend hours after the fact learning and working it into your game. You need to treat it like a college course. Take note, review hand and see how it would or could have helped you. You should also focus on sections of the game until you master it. You can spend months just working on small section of the game. Master a part before moving on. You said you did not have much money. Thats ok to start with but as you start winning you will need to invest into yourself to learn more. I would subject starting with the CC 30 day course. It is a great training for you, and it cost nothing. MY 2 cents, don't rush through it in the 30 days. Really make sure you understand the concepts.

Become a Winning Poker Player in 30 Days | CardChat

CardsChat invites you to the 30-day free poker video training course designed to raise your game & play even smarter - Written by Collin Moshman & Katie Dozier.

www.cardschat.com

5) be more active in cardchat. Yes, I said that. You have been here 2 and almost 1/2 years with 96 post. You have a community here that can help you in your training. Asking question and posting hands you're not sure of would be a great benefit for you. As time goes on you can qualify for free rolls with our members to help you possibly add funds to your bankroll. There are some really strong players here who would be happy to help you. There are some who take the game seriously and train hard. Why not take advantage of this? Don't be afraid of being told you played Bady or worse. Learn from it.

6) set a schedule. A playing and training Schedule. Depending on how fast you want to improve you need to study and work on the game. I spent 12 to 16 hour a week on training. To do what you want you need to do more. My mentor says to become a professional you need to study 60 hours a week for 2 years to really become a low-level winning professional. Notice i did not say play but review and study.

7) I dont like HUDs as they will make you more dependent on them and you can't use one in live play. what's good about then is if the site you play on allows them is they keep track of all your hands. The is nothing more vital than having this information. I have gone back to games I played years ago when i learn something new and seeing errors I used to make in the game is great to confirm my growth. It also useful to find your leaks.

8) Treat poker like a business. You must do this. If you go professional, you need to keep track of all expenses. Not just poker but in life. Food, rent saving for retirement. This is all related to your business.

9) If you win one. Let's say in 2 years you win a 1/2 million dollars. While this boost to your bankroll is great don't just add it to your bank roll. Invest a good chunk into your future outside poker. If you invest say 1/2 of in and then go broke a few years later and give up poker you still have this investment.

As for me, I am not professional. I don't plan on being one either. I do have hopes and dreams i am willing to work hard on to accomplish them. I have accomplished several of the smaller ones and slowing and hopefully going to accomplish the bigger ones. I am a student of the game. I Luve this game.

Last bit of advice, following your dreams is great and I hope you succeed. Just don't forget there are more important things in your life too. Family friend and happiness as more important. I could have had the opportunity to do more in this game. Do i regret not having those opportunities? Nope. Being my son and Daughter dad who goes to all there events and spends time with them daily was a better more.

Hey Luvepoker, thanks for your request, I wish you and your children all the luck in the world, nice to hear how passionate you are at the game!
For me i can say I am very passionate about the game, i watched the 30 day cours of cc 1 year ago, so yeah... its a nice and free way to learn the fundamentals as a beginner, but for me it wasnt as helpful. I watch with plessure bencb789(RaiseYourEdge), Fedor Holz, Steffen Sontheimer (both pokercode) and some other training courses like carrot corner on 200NL, as well on Omaha with JNandez87. I think i am a good regular in Holdem in Zoom 2NL-14NL and want to develop also a good fundumental in Omaha 4card, 5card is too complex right now. But I learn also incidentelly 7card stud, but cant find any courses or dont know which books to buy.
From the training softwares i consider to buy in 1 year carrot corner course how to beat 200NL as well the PLO Solver and Trainer from Jnandez because i think I could get a much better winrate if i would master this game!
Best wishes

 

[GARCIA PABLO DANIEL]

time.. dedication.. perseverance and being lucky sometimes and getting out of being a regular player which is the hardest thing overcoming that!!! SOS PRO best regards...

 

[JeffSBrito]

Hello!

Becoming a professional poker player can be challenging, but it can also be an amazing and rewarding experience. It is important to remember that poker is a social game and it is possible to make friends while playing.

To become a professional poker player, it takes time and effort to study and practice the game. This includes learning poker rules and strategies, improving game reading and situation analysis skills, as well as developing the ability to control emotions during the game. In addition, it is important to properly manage your bankroll and choose the right games and tables.

Once you've acquired the necessary skills to become a professional poker player, there are many ways to make friends while playing. One way is to play in local and regional tournaments or competitions. This will allow you to meet other poker players and establish contacts with people who have similar interests as you. You can also join online discussion groups or forums dedicated to poker to connect with other players.

Another way to make friends in the poker world is to play regularly at a table or at a local club. Playing with the same people over and over again can help you build relationships and network in the poker world. Additionally, you can work with a coach or mentor to improve your skills and strategies and establish valuable industry connections.

While playing poker, it's important to be friendly and polite to other players. Try to be a good loser and a graceful winner, avoiding badmouthing other players or criticizing them in public. Keep an open mind and try to learn from other players, even if you are at different skill levels.

GL

 

[iceheart888]

To become a pro you must have discipline, a bankroll, a lot of hands played and a lot of study. Never stop studying because the game evolves and you have to evolve with it.

 

[idhemmy]

You can become a pro by studying, playing, and networking and reaching out to players online can help you make friends in the community and learn from experienced players

 

[COMIRRR]

Here!!!!

 

[Falai_san]

For me, if you want to become a professional poker player, winning money should be your last interest, you should play a lot and learn more .

 

[Gh0stL]

Hey fellas, first thing, im 18years old and live in Austria (where mozart comes from, not kangaroos...) and i have the "Dream" to become a professional poker player since I was roughly 16, but I was interested also long time ago. the first time I played was with 13, when I watched my uncle play with my other relatives with not many cents, they had much coins saved in a cup and took that to play, they played as I remember first 5 Card Draw and then Texas Holdem, and I couldnt take my eyes off the game how they played.
I didnt unterstand anything, but it fascinated me so much that I asked my uncle how to play, he explained me the hand rankings and I watched the hole night I think it was like 5-6 hours streight.
A few days after I downloaded WSOP poker from Playstore and learned the game with playmoney for like 6 hours a day, i had back then much more freetime then I've now in highschool, and I played and played and tilted and of course i played.
With 15 I tryed to take my game to the next level and watched approximately every youtube video I could find to improve my game.
Back then I had real problems about my emotions and tilted much, but with more hands I played and more videos about strategy and mindset I've watched, I was beginning to turn emotionally stable and get a solid fundamental about the game.
With almost 17 I was starting a poker club in highscool, like more then 2 years ago and found also some friends, but they didnt want to turn it to the next level, I tryed everything that they would maybe go sometimes with me in casino, i analysed every hand, how they could play better, there were mostly beginners in my club, played and explained what strategy I knew to get better. I try to find people with the same interest as mine that can improve to really deep relation(s) which can last for many years not at all decades.
The problem is also I dont have much money, but this isnt really the issue. I need connections that take me higher, with people to improve together and with people to have deep conversations with. I know it may sound stupid and I know what my parents say.
My father is very accetable and wants the best for me, but he is, who can believe it not in the very best mood when I talked my dream to turn professional. He isnt the guy who trys to insult me or to say I'm not good enough or some bullshit 24/7 "you get a junkie and tur homeless" or smth like that, but he is of course still worried about the risks it could cause.
My father and I have a big connection and sometimes when we drive on the countryside we talk about deep things and intellectual things like "What I want in live", "What I want someday to work", about school or sometimes about my poker dream of course. I sweard him I would make my A Levels and not borrow any money I dont have to play poker with, I'm awared of it as you read before I watched much mindset videos and of course videos like "How can I turn a Poker Pro?" several times.
I know that I've to follow bankroll management, that I dont get tiltet, to not play when Im stressed or to not play poker to get rich quick. I simply love the game and want it, my other relatives are not as sympathetically as my dad, they make jokes about that I gamble all of my money in poker and get homeless or some bs like that. The same uncle who learned me the game also tells me lies that the game is OnLy lUcK and manipulated by the casinos, or horror stories about people who lost everything in poker, but which arent even pros, this could be the joke itself.
I clarify everytime that it must be bad players to profitate from, but he isnt willing to hear what I say, I'm not even argue wih him no more, but I know he doesnt know what he speaks from. No one thinks poker can be treat like a business to minimize losses and maximixe winnings, they think its all luck, bad and or illegal. What should I do, Was anyone in the same situation as I??
It was a long story but I hope it was interesting to read!
Cheers
Liviu, 18

Hi, i think you are learning and are putting your effort to become a pro, but you should be think that the poker doesn’t affect your life and your family, you should be have selfcontrol to avoid that poker affect your life.

 

[Duxflux]

I have also read through this completely and find it very interesting what mindset you already have at 18. Definitely your enemy will be controlling your emotions. But something you already have once and that is time.
You should not worry about difficulties, just make a lot of experiences and learn a lot from your mistakes. The best way to build your bankroll is with freerolls. There you learn to deal with loss in a gentle way and you can get a better grip on your emotions.

With a little patience, your bankroll will grow and you will have all the opportunities to play higher tournaments.

 

[Lipki3]

It's very simple: you need to treat poker like a job. That is, spend a lot of time on it. And that doesn't work for everyone.