No matter how skillful you are at the poker table, it is inevitable that the thought of turning professional will have come to your mind at some point. These thoughts have probably come during another dull day at work when the mind starts to wonder about how it would be nice to be able to do something else for a living. Many people will sit and daydream about what they would do if they won the lottery but poker players have a simpler dream, to become a professional poker player and travel the world.

Sadly, for many players, this is just a dream and thought of joining up with the World Poker Tour for event after event remains out of reach. It is achievable though and some of the greatest poker players ever have lived the dream by taking part in the World Poker Tour. At the back of your mind will always be the thought that if they can do it, there is no reason why you cannot do it. Life is not always that simple but there is certainly a lot of respect and perhaps a little touch of envy towards the pro poker players.

Being a pro isn’t easy

That is not to say that life on the road being a professional poker player is easy. It is such a competitive industry with so many players competing for money finishes at each tournament. It can be a cut-throat industry at times and the players who consistently perform at the highest level need more than just poker skills, they need mental strength and fortitude as well.

There is sometimes not a lot that separates the big name players from everyone else but there is something. Whether it is concentration, the ability to stay calm under deep pressure or perhaps some unquantifiable X-factor, not everyone has the ability to become a professional poker player.

See the world and play poker

The WPT season goes for nearly the entirely year and there is the opportunity to travel across America, Canada, Europe and beyond so there is a great lifestyle available. The opportunity to be famous, earn a lot of money and have women throwing themselves at you is enough to convince many people they could become poker players.

There is a lot of behind the scenes work as well though and most people probably don’t realise the amount of hard work that players put in to reach professional standards. These are no players who meet up with their friends once a week.

There is a great life for professional poker players but they earn the right to be there with hard work and dedication.