However, while the life of a professional poker player seems quite glamorous, I would argue that it isn’t. Playing poker is a profession full of uncertainty, and it is a job that can put a lot of pressure on an individual, especially one that is trying to support a family or a spouse. Even the best players take bad beats, and often very costly beats (remember Rounders?).

If you can play poker successfully and build yourself up a nice bankroll it would probably be in your best interest to make the transition from poker to business: this is a growing trend among professional poker players (one that Greg Dinkin discusses in detail in this month’s issue of Card Player).

Playing professional poker is a lot like being an actor or actress: they are great “booster” jobs that can throw you into the industry and open up all sorts of doors. Don’t aspire to be the next Daniel Negreanu, aspire to be the Mel Gibson of Poker because that’s where the glamor is.