You’ve probably watched more poker tournaments than you can think of. You’ve even memorized online poker tips and pointers on strategy from leading experts such as Daniel Negreanu, Jason Mercier and Phil Hellmuth. And now you’ve decided it’s time to find out how to join the ranks of elite professional poker players. But before you turn into a poker pro, we have a few extraordinary online poker tips just for you. These pointers will not only provide you with the edge you need to consistently win at online poker but will also show you how to become the professional poker player you have always wanted to be.

Being Realistic

Joining the big leagues of professional poker players means planning everything carefully from the jump. And by that we mean not just your online poker strategy but also your short term and long-term goals.

Finding out just how much work you are going to have to put in can be daunting to some players who are more suited to a recreational style of indulging in this exciting game. For others, the very thought of such a massive workload simply serves to spur them on towards their goals of superstardom. Especially when they consider the rewards of fame, masses of adoring fans and of course, loads of cash they stand to gain in the event of hitting the big time.

Assessing your skill level accurately is always a great way to begin. After all, doing so is the only way to avoid landing in hot water from the get go.

Any poker pro will also let you know that monitoring your prowess at the game is certainly not a one off – your skills will require careful monitoring and regular updating throughout the duration of your career as a poker player. But as a first step for anyone taking the first plunge into the world of professional online poker, this is one of those tips which are indispensable. Especially since it will influence the second step you need to take while you decide on a fool-proof strategy which will enable you to take the big leagues by storm.

Playing Style

While embarking on this adventure of how to become a professional poker player, a key step you will have to take is working out what style of playing style suits you best: cash tables or tournaments. Fans of the latter praise the flexibility available and the amazing learning curve it provides. They also cite the opportunity to earn great amounts of cash that will keep you from ever having to endure the drudgery of a nine to five again. That said, cash games are no walk in the park, especially since they tend to be really popular and draw loads of great players interested in making money from poker online, just like everyone else.

Tournaments on the other hand come with the glamour of massive wins which can instantly catapult you into the big time. The very best players even get to enjoy financial support from individuals and split their winnings with their investors. Having said that, you have to be pretty tough minded to be able to sit out periods of variance when it seems as though lady luck isn’t on your side.

Then there are Sit and Go’s, which, although slightly less popular than the other two options, are hailed as a really great way for really experienced players to put their skills to the test.

Whichever you choose, it is important to remember that having a great time is really important as that is what will keep you going through the challenges that pop up along the way.

Trial Run

Assessing your skills is one thing. Putting them to the test in the Poker Pro big leagues is another. But what counts here is how often you win at online poker games and tournaments, because that will determine whether you are really cut out for the fast and furious lifestyle at the very top of online poker.

The best means of really working it out is by playing no less than 1500 games. We told you it would take commitment on your part. But it’s worth it, especially since your performance as a professional poker player will provide the all-important response to that question every fan who wishes to turn Pro finds themselves faced with sooner or later: Quitting your daily grind.

Taking the plunge unprepared into the world of online poker is certainly not the best strategy. Especially if you aren’t too sure how your skills will hold up under the pressure of going head to head with online poker heavyweights. If you feel your performance isn’t quite what you’d like it to be, a return to the drawing board will be required, and loads of hard work to bring your skills up to speed.

You might even need to hire a coach to gain that much needed edge. Finding that you are capable of dazzling the competition and walking away with all the cash, however still means taking a good look at the bigger picture which you will find covered in the section below.

Contingencies

There is nothing worse than setting out for the road trip of your dreams and finding it’s all over before it’s even started all because you forgot to bring a spare tire or two. Embarking on the career of your dreams as professional poker player isn’t much different either. Part of your strategy for joining the big leagues will have to involve planning for those periods when lady luck seems to have deserted you and everything just seems to go awry in spite of your formidable skillset. Most online poker greats’ favorite strategy for staying marvelously afloat is having a tidy nest egg.

We find it’s an amazing idea. Especially since there is no such thing as too much planning or being too cautious where cash is involved and it is certainly one of the plethora of online poker tips which is worth noting and implementing. After all, you do want to be that poker pro player who shows up to tournaments and games with the calm assurance that their cash stash will tide them over. Especially since such peace of mind will ensure you are able to deliver when it matters and turn the tide in your favor again.

Hitting the Big Time

So, you’ve followed this guide by the book. Taken a long hard look at your skills, worked hard to make them stand out in a world of formidable poker players. Hired a coach. Studied the best books out there. Studied your hands meticulously.

What’s more, you have been able to make your impressive skills count where and when it matters – at professional poker games and tournaments – and win consistently at online poker games too. And maybe even toppled a few poker greats in the process. In other words, you have taken the plunge – with careful planning, and that nest egg, of course – and it’s paid off handsomely so far.

In fact, things are so good, you feel quite ready to go for Daniel Negreanu’s lofty perch. In other words, your plans for entering the professional poker world have worked out perfectly.

What’s next? You might wonder, as you plan to become even more famous than John Mercier or Phil Helmuth.

Continuous Learning

We have just the answer for you. One that will ensure your dreams of taking the world of professional poker by storm will become reality – Continuous learning. That’s right. Poker is one game you can never know too much about. There are always new techniques and moves to consider. Just ask Daniel Negreanu or any of his peers for that matter and they’ll be sure to tell you all about it. That, after all, is what has enabled them to not only get to the top, but stay there.

We hope you weren’t expecting us to tell you that you could relax. No way. We would be doing you a disservice if we did. And since we are in the business of telling you how to win at online poker like a pro, nothing but the truth will do.

So, hang in there and give it your all, learn all you can about the game and some more. Keep on studying those hands. Read all the books you can get your hands on. Don’t get rid of that coach just yet – on second thoughts, you can (if you’ve outgrown them) – but of course that means getting a better, newer one.

You can thank us later when all that cash starts to roll in. Or when you win the online poker tournament of your dreams. Go right ahead and take that first step. The world (of poker) is your oyster.