Online poker was forever thrust into the limelight when amateur Chris Moneymaker won the 2003 World Series of Poker main event, beating 838 other players to scoop the $2.5 million first prize. After entering for only $40 through winning a series of smaller Satellite tournaments for his seat at the main event, he cleared the path for poker players all around the world to chase the dream and life-changing winnings that a win in the biggest live poker tournament in the world can bring. Sponsorships with major poker websites, celebrity and cold hard cash lured many players to chase the Texas hold em dream.
The poker phenomenon instantly kicked into gear after the 2003 World Series of Poker. Late Night Poker showcased British talent, while the World Poker Tour emerged as the 'seasonal' version of the World Series, offering legitimate tournaments with a high cash buy-in to entice players into chasing that elusive big win. Opportunities for playing poker at every level suddenly became accessible to everyone.
As a natural continuation, professional players started to cash in on peoples thirst for knowledge of poker and created many strategy books teaching players the skills for them to 'make a living' online. Many people are now quitting their jobs to become a full-time online poker player. The BBC in the UK, have profiled more than one person who does just that, including young university students and even some single parents.
Both the good and bad thing about online poker is that there are so many players. Entering a tournament with twenty entrants is tricky enough, how about one of the $100 + $9 entries which are run daily in various poker rooms that have in excess of 1,500 entries? Even the best players struggle to continually cash in these events, but of course there is big money to the winners which keeps everyone coming back for more. The next tournament just may be the one that changes your life.
The big question is, can a new player make a living online? The answer is yes, but certain factors must be taken into account. Firstly there is the strategy part of the game which links to the players overall emotional make-up. Professionals talk about making good decisions. When the rent money is being staked does the player always make these good decisions? Will you call the all-in if you are on a marginal hand but have what you think is a good read?
There is the factor that a professional poker player does not contribute a great deal to society whilst they earn their living. Some people get terribly effected by this. There is also the social aspect, anyone who thrives on conversation may get pretty lonely playing in front of a computer all day at home. Winning poker means folding a lot of hands, are you patient enough to keep folding, day after day? To win you simply have to have this patience. The standard of online poker also improves everyday. You will notice good play everyday in your poker contests. It has never been more important to practise and study the basics, and advanced strategy. You always need to be working out pot odds, chip stacks, implied odds and looking for tells, because you can bet that your opponent is doing just that to you.
There is a large collection of poker DVDs, tutorial websites claiming to make you into a winning player. The truth is that there is are a lot of new players who gamble, especially in the lower stakes games that really do not know what they are doing. I use Poker Academy for practising, but nothing beats the real thing, as long as you always learn from every hand and be your own worst critic. The new player must be honest with themselves. Anyone can say they are good at poker, and most people do believe they are world series of poker bracelet contenders when few would realistically have what it takes to win one. Just because you know how to play means nothing. Learn to read people for live play and play the person as well as the cards. When playing online look for the long-term correct decisions to send you in the right direction. Think about the game, and learn each type of flop and be able to analyse and categorise each position you find yourself in. Eating, sleeping and breathing poker will not hurt either!
In summary, be realistic in your goals. Don't try and make a million from cash games unless you are playing within your bankroll. As with anything else, paying your dues and taking your time to prove you are a winning player before really going for the gold is very important. I wish you luck. Finally, blog about your efforts, this helps you to keep good records and entertain whilst doing it. Read other poker players blogs too, they are often very helpful in opening your eyes to something that you may not have considered.
If you enjoyed this poker article you will definitely enjoy visiting Mals Poker Website.
http://www.itsawinner.co.uk is the online home of Mal Clarke, and one of the best online poker blogs on the Internet with poker room reviews, hand analysis and links to the best poker videos.
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