Play Poker for a Living?

When you really think about it; it is extraordinary that people can go to a card room, play poker and make enough money to pay the bills and live rather comfortably. They even have to pay their own health care insurance. Their tax rate, however, is a little lower.

I've been questioned about this a number of times during my radio interviews. The interviewer is often incredibly shocked. "You mean they just play poker? That's it? They make a living from it.? I don't believe it." I try to explain to him that the IRS has allowed people to put as their official occupation "Poker Player," for some time now. I'd estimate that 50,000 (plus or minus a few thousand) people in the US alone consider themselves professional poker players and list themselves that way on all official government forms. I know it sounds hard to believe, but its the truth. I, myself, derive a major source of my income through poker. You can do it because its a game of pure skill and there are a lot of unskilled players out there.

I've lately been approached my some financial Wall Street types to help them with their game. I guess its not surprising that more and more people are looking for other sources of income. We know there are a lot of Wall Streeters looking for work and there is no work to be had. It seems to me that there is an increase in the number of players looking to get better and make some extra cash playing the game. I see a little more activity in the big games then I did before the economic downturn.

So if you are thinking about taking this route, make sure you get those skills sharpened. I'm not saying you NEED to take my online courses at PokerSlamU.com. There are other ways to get the experience and the requisite abilities. You could play thousands of hands on line and that'll take time and money. And who wants to mess with those corrupt online proprietors. Those stinkin' Asolute Poker guys who let Hamilton use a software program that allowed him to see everyone's hole cards. Who needs 'em! The other way to learn is to hire a personal coach. I've seen this work, but it is expensive. The going rate is $300 - $500 per hour. Make sure the guy has documented success or really good references. There are also coaching web sites that only cost between $19 and $49 per month. They are mostly geared to the online player and are not very systematic in how they present their information. Its mostly a lot of young guns playing poker online and talking at the same time. "This is why I bet that. . .This is why I folded." etc.

But for $4.99/month, a full money back guarantee, a great FLASH interactive player that works on both your computer and your mobile phone and 50 courses that build on one another; you can't go wrong. At least check it out. You won't be sorry.