The dream of playing poker as a side hustle is a lucrative one. Sure, we’ve all had visions of winning millions of dollars playing against professionals and amateurs. Or at least I have anyway.
But can this game be played to the point of making consistent money in the thousands of dollars per month? That is the question.
The good news is that I have some insight on this since I’ve been grinding games online for years.
You must understand that success in poker requires a lot more than just luck. It’s a combination of skill, strategy, and self-discipline. If any of these things are lacking, you will have a hard time finding success at the poker tables.
I’m going to lay it all out there, so you have a deep understanding of whether playing poker is a good way to make money.
The Truth About Poker
Poker is highly difficult, but in a way, it can be somewhat solved by putting a strategy in place. Having a good understanding of poker theory, tactics, and strategy can help your long-term variance with the expectation of winning.
You need to understand that individual games and tournaments are dominated by the luck factor. So, you need to have a long-term outlook on playing.
To really excel at poker, you must make sacrifices of both time and massive effort. The learning curve to move up in stakes is also vicious, and you must handle the ups and downs well.
However, if you truly believe you have what it takes, how is it up to anyone to stop you? Only you can stop me.
Developing Your Skills
- Study the game.
Poker is a game of skill, and continuous learning is crucial for success. Read books, watch tutorials, and follow reputable poker blogs like this one to stay updated on the latest strategies and trends.
- Use online tools.
If you plan to play online poker, some sites allow you to use tools such as HUDS. Heads-up displays are a way of tracking how other players at the table are playing. This can help you figure out your opponents playing styles and make informed decisions.
- Practice Patience
Patience is a virtue in poker. I’ve often struggled with this myself. Try to avoid the urge to play every hand and wait for favorable opportunities. Recognize that the game is about making profitable decisions over the long run, not winning every individual hand.
Mastering Strategy
- Position
Understanding the importance of your position at the poker table is a big deal. I’m only going to touch on this, but being in a later position allows you to gather more information about your opponents’ actions before making your decision. Use this advantage to play more hands and make informed choices.
- Bluffing
As you move up in stakes, you will have to start bluffing more. Bluffing is a part of any poker strategy, but it requires careful execution. Choose your bluffing spots wisely, considering the dynamics of flops and your opponents. Also, try to avoid becoming predictable.
- Manage Emotions
Emotional control is everything in poker. Winning and losing are inevitable, but how you react to these outcomes can significantly impact your performance. Stay composed, avoid tilt, and make decisions based on logic rather than frustration.
Playing as a Side Hustle
Okay, so how much can you expect to make playing poker? I’ve targeted this clearly for you. And this will be based on the results of playing online poker for 20–40 hours a week.
- $100 No Limit
Okay, playing $100NL, you can expect to make between $1000-$4000 a month if you’re beating this stake. All of this comes down to you being able to beat these players at whatever stake you’re playing. This includes playing either the 6- or 9-person cash game tables.
- $200 No Limit
Also known as $1-$2 no limit, this is where the money starts to get good. You can expect to make anywhere between $2000-$8000 per month if you’re beating the players at these stakes once again.
- $500 No Limit
Once you get up to the $500 tables, the games start to get tougher. However, your range of profits could easily reach $3000-$1000 per month playing 20–40 hours a week.
Next, I’d like to recommend a few different sites you can get started with if you’re looking for reputable places to play online poker.
Skills You Need To Win Consistently
If you want to be a professional poker player or semi-pro, you must possess several characteristics. It takes a lot of effort to make a lot of money.
Aside from the fundamentals, it’s crucial to understand the plethora of technical jargon and poker techniques.
It is vital to constantly examine and change your own game to improve as a poker player. A poker pro’s development is a never-ending process.
- Patience
- Discipline
- Online Poker Strategy
- A thorough understanding of math
- Intelligent risk management
Best Poker Sites
- Ignition Poker – Read Review
- Bovada Poker – Read Review
- BetOnline Poker – Read Review
1. Ignition Poker
Ignition Poker is a superb choice for players from the United States and Australia. Ignition has some of the fastest poker games online, with quick game play that gets you into the action right away.
This is a personal favorite of mine that I’ve been playing for years. The software is excellent for playing on both your mobile device and your laptop. They also have great customer service with 24-hour live chat support options.
The site also offers fantastic rewards and bonuses to its players. Players can play up to four tables at a time, change color of tables and card decks, and even use the chat box to talk with other players.
They also host millions of dollars in monthly tournament prizes to take advantage of as well. You can get started on Ignition Poker here.
Pros
- Huge game library
- Lots of player traffic
- Huge tournaments
- Great customer service
- Fast cash out options
Cons
- High fees for credit cards
2. Bovada Poker
Bovada Poker is another highly rated poker site. They offer fantastic games with quick game play that immediately puts you into action. In addition, they have a great rewards program and accept Bitcoin as an easy deposit option for US players.
You can also play up to four tables at a time if you’re a serious multi-table grinder. The option to customize the look of tables and card decks is also an option you can mess around with.
They have also been operating for over a decade, which makes them extremely reputable. You can get started on Bovada Poker here.
Pros
- Players from the USA are eligible to play.
- Theirs is a sports book.
- They have a very good payout rate.
- Players can play on your phone.
Cons
- Anonymous Games
3. BetOnline Poker
BetOnline Poker is an impressive site for US players looking to play online poker. This room offers many games and styles, so you will have a wide variety of choices in finding the best match possible.
The software on BetOnline is easy to use and gives you complete control over your gaming experience. You can get started on BetOnline Poker here.
Pros
- Great first-time bonus options
- Accept players worldwide.
- Fast withdrawal options
- Accept cryptocurrency
Cons
- Customer support could be better.
Benefits to Playing Poker Online
I think it’s important to remember why we all love playing this game to begin with. There are many perks to playing poker whether it’s live or online. Here are some of the benefits to going the online route.
- Available 24 hours a day
You’ll be able to find a game or tournament whenever you want to play poker. This includes both cash games and sit-and-gos.
- No Travel
In addition to the flexibility of playing whenever you choose, online poker allows you to play from the comfort of your own home. You don’t have to drive to the nearest casino.
- More hands per hour
The game speed at a casino poker table is determined by how quickly the dealer can shuffle the cards. After hours of slow play, you might fall asleep at the table or find it difficult to stay attentive. Because online poker is played at such a fast speed, there is always a lot of poker action going on.
- Bigger Game Selection
In terms of the types of poker available and the buy-in quantities, casino poker rooms give limited options to play at a cash table or in a tournament. Online poker has a wide range of games to choose from, and you’re bound to meet other players who prefer games like 7 Card Stud and Razz.
Final Thoughts
Pursuing poker as a side hustle offers the opportunity to combine passion with profit. However, success in this game requires dedication, continuous learning, and a strategic approach.
I’ve given you some ideas of what you can expect to do when playing at different levels. But you also need to be winning and beating the players at those levels to show the profits monthly.
By putting in the work and mastering the basics, developing your skills, and navigating the online landscape wisely, you can transform poker from a recreational activity into a viable source of income.
Remember, the journey to becoming a successful poker player is a marathon, not a sprint. Stay disciplined, adapt to the ever-changing dynamics of the game, and enjoy the process of evolving into a skilled and profitable poker player.
It can also be smart to take a step away from the table every once in awhile as well. I think it can give you some perspective on the fact that life does exist outside of poker. Even though most of us simply love this game to our cores.
Also, remember to play responsibly, as you will run into inevitable losses. Keep your head straight and push through the pain. Improve every single day, and the results will come.
