tips for going pro

Munchkin5 · Aug 29,2004, 07:37 PM

HI Dave,
I'm new to the site and this being my first post I am looking for information on helpful tips/guidelines on playing poker for a living. Any books or websites you may recommend or personal advice yourself that would help me on my way. A little bit about myself I currently play No-limit at the River Rock in Richmond, the game is 3-6 blinds max $200 buy-in. With the new casino open and the explosion of poker the game is pretty wide open with usually a few novice players. Any help would be great.
Thanks

Dave Scharf · Aug 30,2004, 11:01 AM

My first piece of advice is: "Don't."

That is, however, based upon my impression of the life that most pros have and it is not the life for me. If it is for you, I wish you luck. There are lots who do it and love it. Just make sure you know what you are getting into.

Myth: "I get to play a game for a living."

You do, I suppose. But, when you have a monthly "nut" to earn it isn't the game it was before. Now, it is an uncertain pressure filled living with lots of ups and downs. Suddenly, what was once a game become a job (which was what you wanted to avoid in the first place).

OK... enough of the cautionary tale. How do you do it?

Read EVERYTHING you can lay your hands on. Essential reading should include:

Sklansky "Theory of Poker" and "Hold'em Poker for Advance Players."
Some introductory books (Krieger, Jones, Scharf)
No-limit books (Ciaffone)

Read EVERYTHING you can find online. I reccomend PokerForum.ca, UnitedPokerForum.com and TwoPlusTwo.com. Sadly, I no longer reccomend RGP since the signal/noise ratio is WAY out of hand.

Keep track of your results. This is so important I will say it again: "Keep Track of your results." If you do this AND always seek to get better you will.

Think about poker. Not a little, a lot.

My mantra is: "Study, Practice, and Repeat."

Study is EVERYTHING other than playing. Thinking about, reading about, talking about, watching poker on TV etc. Practice is playing. Can you put your lessons to work? If you can't then you need to figure out how to do so.

For example, my pre-game WSOP five finger checklist is a lot different than my current "five finger checklist" because I have identified a different list of things that are critical to me now.

Oh yeah, buy a dental plan, don't get caught up in the "party lifestyle," and don't turn into a sour, dark little man like many pros seem to.

Munchkin5 · Aug 30,2004, 04:24 PM

Thanks,
I should have been a little more clear, I am self employed that provides me ample free time to play afternoons and evenings, I want to look at Poker as a supplement income and treat it as a such. I do read many books and will pick up the ones you suggested . Thank you for the advice I hear your message loud and clear.