Can one supplement their income by playing internet poker?

Question

Thanks to Yahoo answers about playing Holdem for cash. I've been on their a week or two and I would say 66 percent of the time, place in the top 3 at pokerstars SnG tables (3.30 and 15 NL holdem).

My question is it realistic to think of my winnings as a part time second job. All I want to do is fund my IRA roth for next year thru winnings.

Is this a realistic expectation. How would I know to progress up to the higher games? Any websites that can formulate a plan?

Answer 1

Is it possible in general? Yes. Lots of people are already doing it.

Is it possible for you? Maybe. It depends on your skill level. You know you're ready to move up when you are winning consistently at the lower tables. (Not just cashing in 2nd or 3rd, but winning.)

Like Pokercoach said, it's important to keep notes. Keep notes on yourself & your money output & income and also keep notes on every one at your table. (Easy way to start is to just write down any cards a player ends up turning over & what position they were in.) I can't even begin to tell you how many times this will come in handy. After a trip or two around the table, you will know who's loose & who's tight. As more hands are revealed, you will know what types of hands a certain player is more apt to play. (Also try to note any hands the player made big raises on pre-flop.)

Here's an example... Let's say we are down to the final 3 players. I'm in the Big Blind. The Button raises 3x the big blind. The Small Blind then re-raises to 6x the big blind.

Now the action is on me and I consult my notes... I notice that the Button player has seen nearly every flop and has attempted to buy out the blinds several different times with garbage cards. I then notice that the Small Blind has only played 4 hands the whole game and the only hand he raised pre-flop was AA. Now... I would be 100% comfortable calling the Button player with my QJ suited because he shown a willingness to play loose. BUT I would be 100% apprehensive about calling the player in the Small Blind because he has played tight and rock-like throughout the game. If I did not have any notes, I might not know what to do, but since I have been keeping notes the whole game, I know this is 1 I wanna get away from.

One other reason to keep notes... Some of your opponents will be people like pokercoach and I, and we will definately be keeping tabs on what you're doing. It's wise to level the playing field and not give anyone taking notes an advantage on you. Instead, you will be the one with the edge over anyone else that's not taking notes.

Good luck.

Answer 2

Realistically, a professional expects to win about one big blind per hour playing (when adding up winnings for the whole year)

On line, since you're playing more hands, this goes up to about 2-3 per hour.

If you keep a journal of ALL your wins and losses, then the numbers will tell you.

Answer 3

Hi, I play poker for a living online and live, you need to take notes of every tables you play at, how long?, how many players?, for how much buy-in?.
By the way Good job

If you need any advices, more specific answers you can contact me on my site.

take care

Answer 4

I have a friend who is a professional poker player and some of his income comes from online poker sites.

It is possible.