For some, poker is a hobby. For others, it is a full-time career.
In India, an increasing number of players are trying to turn poker into their main profession, lured by the excitement, freedom, and potential for big winnings. But what is it really like to play poker for a living?
Here’s an in-depth look at what it’s like to earn a living through poker:
The Learning Curve in Poker
Becoming a professional poker player is a long, grueling process. You cannot simply be good at cards. You must become a student of the game, studying the math, psychology, and strategies behind every decision.
Here’s an approximate timeline most pros experience:
| Stage | Duration | Description |
| Casual Playing | 6 months – 1 year | Learning basics; occasional wins; hobbyist mindset |
| Semi-Professional | 1 – 2 years | Serious study, bankroll building, disciplined grinding. |
| Full-Time Professional | 2 – 5 years | Reliable profits, staking deals, tournament travel. |
Most people vastly underestimate how much study (both off-table and on-table) it takes to succeed.
Bankroll Management
No professional survives without proper bankroll management. This simply means not playing games too big for your bankroll, because even the best player can lose many sessions in a row.
A general guideline most pros follow is:
| Game Type | Buy-In | Recommended Bankroll |
| Online Cash ₹50/₹100 | ₹10,000 per table | ₹3 lakh to ₹5 lakh |
| Mid-Stakes MTTs (₹5,500 avg buy-in) | ₹5,500 per entry | ₹5 lakh to ₹10 lakh |
| High-Stakes MTTs (₹11,000+ avg buy-in) | ₹11,000+ per entry | ₹15 lakh+ |
Variance
Even if you play perfectly, results will swing wildly because of short-term luck.
Understanding and handling variance is crucial.
For example:
| Period | Buy-ins Invested | Results |
| 1 month (100 MTTs) | ₹5.5 lakh | Profit ₹2 lakh OR loss ₹3 lakh |
| 3 months (300 MTTs) | ₹16.5 lakh | Major win OR break-even OR down ₹5 lakh |
| 1 year (1,000+ MTTs) | ₹55 lakh+ | Big profit if skilled, else losses |
Variance can be brutal. You might not win a major prize for six months, then hit a ₹30 lakh+ score in a single Sunday grind. Dealing with this emotional rollercoaster requires strong mental resilience. Many pros meditate, work out, and even hire mindset coaches.
A Day in the Life of a Professional Poker Player
The daily life of a poker pro involves much more than just ‘playing games’.
It requires structured discipline. Here’s what a usual day looks like:
| Time | Activity |
| 12:00 PM | Wake up, physical exercise |
| 1:00 PM | Session review, studying solvers |
| 3:00 PM | Break/lunch |
| 4:00 PM | Start playing cash games or satellites |
| 8:00 PM | Break/dinner |
| 9:00 PM | Focus on prime-time MTTs (evening tournaments) |
| 2:00 AM | Session ends, light hand review |
On heavy tournament days (like Sunday majors), sessions can last 12 to 14 hours straight.
How Much Can a Poker Player Make?
Earnings vary drastically based on skill and volume. But here’s a realistic earnings expectation for different types of Indian professionals:
| Player Type | Average Monthly Earnings (After Expenses) |
| Low-Stakes Cash Pro | ₹50,000 – ₹1 lakh |
| Mid-Stakes Cash Pro | ₹1 lakh – ₹3 lakh |
| MTT Grinder (mid-stakes) | ₹1 lakh – ₹5 lakh |
| High-Stakes MTT Pro | ₹5 lakh+ (but highly volatile) |
Note: These are averages across a year. A tournament pro might earn ₹30 lakh one month and ₹0 the next three months.
Expenses and Deductions From Poker Earnings
Professional poker is not pure profit. Expenses eat into your bottom line, and taxes take a heavy cut. Key ongoing expenses include:
| Type of Expense | Approximate Monthly Cost |
| Tournament Buy-ins | ₹2 lakh – ₹10 lakh |
| Coaching, Study Tools | ₹5,000 – ₹30,000 |
| Travel for Live Events | ₹20,000 – ₹1 lakh |
| Rake (online fees) | Rake (online fees) |
Additionally, poker winnings in India are taxed at 30% (plus cess) without deductions, meaning a ₹10 lakh win leaves about ₹7 lakh after tax.
The Upsides and Downsides of Being a Poker Pro
Upsides:
- Freedom: No boss, flexible hours.
- High Potential Income: Top players earn huge amounts of money annually.
- Travel Opportunities: Play events across Goa, Nepal, Dubai, Vegas.
- Mental Challenge: Constant strategic growth.
Downsides:
- No Stability: No guaranteed monthly paycheck.
- Emotional Swings: Variance can be brutal.
- Social Isolation: Grinding can be lonely.
- Tax Burden: Flat 30% on all winnings, no deductions.
Poker is not a profession for everyone. Those who treat poker with the seriousness of a business (focusing on skill development, bankroll management, and emotional control) stand a real chance at success. But those hoping for easy money will almost certainly be chewed up and spat out by the realities of variance and competition.
If you love the game, love the grind, and are willing to embrace uncertainty, then the life of a professional poker player may just be one of the most rewarding paths you can choose.
Keep following PokerProNews for more such insightful pieces on poker.
