Playing poker as your profession may seem like a dream job. You get to work when you want to work (well within reason), and play a game that you enjoy. You can also get to travel the world to all the various tournaments and live the good life. Other people do it, so how do you go down the path of becoming a poker professional?

Firstly, we have to explain what a "poker pro" really is. You can't go to college and take a course in professional poker plays, you can't get a doctorate, and so what is it that actually makes you a pro? Well mostly it's a self-given title. Many players claim to be "pro" if they spend a significant time playing poker, regardless of whether they win or lose.

If you're considering becoming a poker professional, you will probably have one of two things in mind. Either you think you can make more money playing poker than you can at your regular job. To do this you will probably have done some research and spent some time playing already. Experience will tell you if you're consistently making enough money to make it as a pro full time. Or, you don't think you can match your current salary, but you're willing to make some sacrifices because you'd prefer the different lifestyle.

There is also the option to go "semi-pro", where you keep your primary job, and use online casinos to earn a little extra money on the side. Many players use this route, as it carries less risk than giving up your day job. Becoming a poker professional can also sometimes be a temporary occupation while you're between jobs, and very few players view playing poker as being a career for life.

If you're thinking about becoming a poker professional, you will need to be primarily a businessman. You need to learn to play poker and maximise your income. Playing many tables online at once will maximise the number of hands you can play per hour. This might be better than sitting in a casino just playing one hand at a time. If you're playing limit poker, then the volume of hands you can process at any one time will be very important. If you're playing no-limit poker, then you will need more concentration, as reads become more important. It really depends on what type of player you are, and where you think you can make the most profit.