Would you not love to play casino games for a living? And I don’t mean working as a developer or a game’s test expert for one of the casino games software provider. I mean playing casino games as a gambler, as a player but being so good at it that it can be your day job, not a weekend or evening hobby. The thought of playing casino games for a living is a dream for many but it is also the reality for some. They are mostly known as the blackjack professional players and the poker professional players. It is hard to estimate how many players play casino games for a living but you can be sure that the numbers are growing.

So what does it take to become a professional player?
Before you give up your day job to earn your life playing casino games, you need to make sure that you can be successful at it. To make sure that it will work for you in the long term, you need to have a track record of playing the game successfully for at least two years, having generated substantial earnings from the game and being in a position to make the move from part time to pro.

If your game is blackjack, you will need to have played hundreds of thousands of hands and have proven that you can master the probabilities of the game. If your game is poker, once again, you will need to have a track record of having played hundreds of thousands of hands, played tournaments, be comfortable playing online poker and live poker, be able to read other players and work out probabilities and keep a cool head at all times.

Mastering the game and being a top player at the game is a big step towards your future as a pro but you need to have some money on the side before leaving your day job behind. Don’t leave your job unless you have at least enough to pay the bills for 12 to 15 months. You will need this for your safety and the safety of your family. You also need to have a healthy bankroll ready to get you started on the game and that will have to be kept separate from your household money.

If you are in a position where you’re playing top game and earning from your gambling and that you have a dedicated bankroll to take you on the professional path, you’re almost ready to become a professional player.

What are the obstacles to overcome when playing casino games for a living?
You need to watch out for the classic mistakes that people do when they start playing professional casino games, especially poker. You need to keep putting in the hours. If you become lazy and play less, your career will be affected by it. If you’re earning good money from gambling, don’t waste your time in clubs and bars but make sure you dedicate your time to learning, getting better at the game and practicing.

Be honest with yourself about how much time you dedicate to your new job and ideally, write down the hours that you play and what you take from it. A little notepad or a spreadsheet can help you visualise your efforts and be honest about your career.

How to keep a healthy work / life balance?
Make sure you make time every week to relax, spend time with your family and your friends and have hobbies outside of casino games and gambling. Eat well and take up sport.

Now you can assess your skills and maturity and decide whether being a pro player is right for you.