Online casinos and dedicated websites have changed the poker world. In particular, they have made the game more accessible to more people. Not only does this make it easier for new players to try their hand at the game, but it has made it more viable for people to earn make money while playing poker.
For those who are good enough at the game, it is possible to make some earnings playing poker directly. For those with a deep knowledge of the game, it is possible to become an influencer or commentator, while marketing-savvy online poker lovers can turn a profit using affiliate marketing. It does take effort because online poker is a competitive market in every respect, but it is possible.
Online Poker
Players no longer need to visit retail casinos or poker rooms to play their favorite poker games, which can be especially difficult for those who don’t live in major towns and cities. Sites like Lucky Block are even accessible to players where there are no live poker options. They’re open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, and accept a variety of payment options including cryptocurrency as well as more traditional options. Their promotions and bonuses are typically generous and instantaneous, making it possible for the players to immediately take the plunge.
1. Take Advantage Of Bonuses And Offers
Whether you’re new to the game of poker or a seasoned professional, casino and poker room bonuses are a good way to supplement your betting bank. Check sites and look for new player offers or introductory offers. These can include no deposit, deposit match, and other offers. Check the bonus terms, including any wagering requirements, and take advantage of the offers to enhance the size of your chip stack.
Some sites also offer ongoing bonuses, so you might be able to enjoy deposit matches on second and subsequent deposits. Try and match your deposit and play timing to make the most of the bonuses. You shouldn’t completely change the way you play, or even when you play, but if depositing a day earlier or later means getting another $50 in your account, it might be worth it.
2. Play Small Stakes Cash Games
Most poker sites offer different styles or formats of games, including cash games. In cash games, you sit at a virtual table, deposit money into your balance, and start playing. You can stand up and walk away at any time as there are no betting requirements, and you take whatever profit or loss you have when you leave.
Tables have different blinds, including some games for just a couple of cents. This can be a great way to learn the game while getting to grips with the software, but the lower-stakes players do tend to have very loose play. As you progress up the stakes, you will find tougher opponents and it will be more difficult to bag wins.
3. Enter Tournaments
As well as cash games, poker sites offer access to online poker tournaments. Tournaments can consist of one or multiple tables, with the prize pool being determined by the total number of players and the buy-in levels. Some big tournaments may have the prize pool further boosted by sponsorship money or money directly from the organizer.
Approximately one in ten players will be in the money at poker tournaments, although you may also see winner-takes-all competitions. For huge tournaments with hundreds of entrants, individual table winners might receive prizes, with all players at the final table taking home a cut of the prize pool. Additional prizes might be rewarded for the biggest pot winner or for the most eliminations of other players.
4. Participate In Satellite Tournaments
Tournaments tend to feature tighter, better players, than cash table tournaments. This is certainly true once you reach the money spots. And it is even more true of satellite tournaments.
Satellite tournaments offer seats at major tournaments around the world. They may include cash as an element of the prize pool, too. Winning one of these tournaments can even see players win a spot in WSOP events, with the potential to take home some of the biggest prizes in poker. Satellite tournaments tend to have the most competitive fields and they can feature some of the world’s best poker players, but if you’re good enough, they are a positive step towards making a living from poker.
5. Try Some Different Poker Games
Texas Hold ‘em is the most popular variety of poker played online and around the world. But, it certainly isn’t the only game. Pot-Limit Omaha is popular with high rollers and, although it tends to be more popular in Europe, it isn’t difficult to find tables online. Other variants include seven-card stud and five-card draw.
By trying different variants, you should be able to find one that best suits your style of play. Enjoying the game will make it easier to commit the time and effort to improve your game and take part in regular events.
6. Try Video Poker Games
Live poker means playing against other live opponents. You never really know how experienced or skilled those other players are. Sometimes, that can work in your favor. Other times, it goes against you and can make it very difficult to turn a profit. There are alternatives, that are similar and that can even be used to enjoy a short break from the tables.
Video poker has the same basic rules as online poker but, instead of playing real poker, you’re effectively pitted against a random number generator. These games can carry big prizes and jackpots but they are easy to get to grips with, and you don’t have to worry about bluffing and other elements of the poker game.
7. Hone Your Skill
As with any profession or skill, practice makes perfect. Or, at least, it will improve your game and help you master some of the skills. It will also enable you to get to grips with the poker software used by online websites.
Although all sites have slightly different software, they share a lot of similarities which means once you know how to play efficiently at one site, you should be able to transfer this to other online poker sites. Play some low-stakes cash games, read up on poker theories and strategies, and look at the tools sites offer to help optimize your play.
8. Write About It
You don’t have to play online poker to make a living from it. There are numerous poker publications around the world, many of which pay writers to create articles. You can become a freelance writer covering online and physical poker.
If you’re an experienced player, it may even be possible to write and sell ebooks, although most buyers will be looking for books by authors with extensive experience in the game. You could, however, write ebooks on game theory, the history of online poker, or detailing some of the biggest tournaments and cash prizes in the game.
9. Become An Online Poker Influencer
Becoming an influencer is more viable than ever before. An increasingly large number of people get content on video sites or via reels on social media websites. If you’re comfortable in front of a camera and have some basic video editing skills, you might be able to cover tournaments, review online poker sites, or create other online poker content.
Create content regularly, interact with relevant communities, and develop a following. Eventually, you will be able to monetize your content either directly on platforms like YouTube or even Twitch, or you can sell advertising and sponsored posts, and make money directly from the casinos, poker rooms, and other websites in the online poker industry.
10. Become An Online Poker Affiliate
Another way of making money from online poker without having to play the game at all is by becoming an affiliate. Affiliates essentially make money by posting links or ads directing to other websites. When somebody clicks the links and makes purchases or pays for services on the target website, the affiliate receives a share of the value or a set amount per action.
Affiliate programs are available from casinos and poker sites, as well as other websites within the field. You can even make affiliate sales of ebooks, physical poker sets, or other items. It is possible to add links to your own website, social media posts, or directly inside content videos and other forms of publication.
