Many people who watch the numerous no-limit Texas hold’em tournaments on television may envision the lives of professional poker players as glamorous and exciting. They often see their favorite players in high-pressure situations, surrounded by luxurious furnishings in the gambling capitals of the world, playing for millions of dollars. What the cameras don’t show are the struggles and tribulations that go with life as a poker pro.
One major advantage that comes with playing a game for a living is that your time is your own. Most poker pros do not have to deal with commuting to a job, hassling with rush-hour traffic, handling an obnoxious boss or playing office politics with co-workers. Instead, poker pros come and go as they please and manage their time around when they can find the most profitable seat at the table.
For pros that follow the tournament circuit, they can travel the world and see the sights without the need to apply for vacation time with the boss. With casinos in such locations as Paris, Sydney, Hong Kong and Aruba hosting major tournament stops (as well as the lucrative cash games), players can see the world and play their favorite game, all in the name of “making a living”.
A sizable downside to the poker lifestyle, however, comes when the player’s luck starts to turn sour. Players on a lengthy run of bad luck may have to either pass up opportunities, borrow from other players, or quit the game altogether and get a “day job” to sustain themselves. The ups and downs of the gamblers’ income, like luck itself, are inherently unpredictable.
A more philosophical problem can come when a player realizes that he has spent most of his adult life playing a game, rather than making a positive contribution to the world. Many players work through this problem by contributing a portion of their winnings to various charities. For those who want to do more with their lives, poker may be more of a trap than a fun activity.
While the fun and excitement of big-money poker tournaments attracts new players every year, only ten percent of the participants in any tournament even get their money back, while only the top two or three finishers make the “big bucks”. A true poker pro understands the difference between the TV fantasy and the harsh reality.