Do you make a profit or a loss, or break even?

[Jemm79]

Hi there

I am new to this forum (and to online poker).
I have a question and i apologise if it is stupid/naieve.

- Do the majority of players make a profit from playing online poker, or do most people simply enjoy playing and break even, or even lose money?

Sorry again if this is a 'dumb' question but as a 'newbie' in poker i would like to know.

[Zoozie]

Hi there
- Do the majority of players make a profit from playing online poker, or do most people simply enjoy playing and break even, or even lose money?

No, less than 10% of all online poker players are consistent(10K+ hands at least) winners. This number come from studies about 2 years ago. The number is probably even lower today due to generally higher rake/less cashback.
Even if you are in the middle you will still loose due to the rake. Being in the top 50% is far from enough. There is only money enough for the top 10%.


An important factor to any poker player is not too play on a too high limit.

This is some of my advices to new poker players (NL cashgame):
1) Read books:
The theory of Poker (Sklansky)
The Poker Mindset
Harrington tournament books (1-3)
Harrington cash-game books (1-3)
+ Several other of you own choice.

2) Find a group of other new players in same situation/limit and discuss hand history regulary to improve your game.

3) Use PokerTracker+AceHud or similar programs. After each session also look at you own play. Normally the 5 hands you lost most and also won most and think over if you played them well given the information you had.

4) Never ever bitch about bad beats and tell/mail/post about. This is a part of the game you have to embrace, this is where you money come from. (if you lost with quads or more, then it is a little interesting).

All of the above willl help making you a winning player. It is not that easy money. I found it a little easier 2-3 years ago, maybe that is due to the UEIGA.

[dazlazz]

Hi Jemm,

If you are new to poker, I would advise by starting off playing some freeroll tournaments to get accustomed to the cut and thrush of onlne poker, then progress to small money tournaments and from there, the world is your oyster!!

Regards,

Dazzla

[BingoT]

Hi Jemm79 I use to play lots of Poker online until I heard some crazy stories on what some players do.But as I was playing I did ok for myself.
If your good you will do well.And not to worry about what other people do.But you do have to think alittle on it.
1) Friends group up via Phone conversations while playing.
2) Some people use Laptops (and of course use other neighborhood
connections.and they might have two or more seats in the house.And of course they all have different isp's but they are the same person playing.

But like Dazzla,& Zoozie pointed out they are great tips too.& great tips to follow to make yourself a better poker player.
And I am not saying Poker is bad you just need lots of trust in the game on who your playing with.In time you will play poker well.

This is my option

[Zoozie]

1) Friends group up via Phone conversations while playing.
2) Some people use Laptops (and of course use other neighborhood
connections.and they might have two or more seats in the house.And of course they all have different isp's but they are the same person playing.

This is definately happening out there. But in cash games below NL100$ I worry very little about this. Two players do have an advantage, but far from as much as you think, and still they do probably not know how to use it. Also most poker site do indeed have some simple collusion-tracking. Checking is same players often play together etc.

I have won every month for the last 3 years, but that is probably also because I play low limit as NL20$-NL50$ and rarely NL100$. And I make about 10$/hour multitabling 3 tables.

[lauram]

Im up but i find that playing on line you do have the ups and downs with deposits. I never really check as i have a bank account set up for deposits so unless i deposit into this bank account i cant fund a casino. Then if i win i have it sent back to means of deposit or moneybookers. Now as i say this i havent had to add to my bank account in months but after these past 2 weeks im sure i will get a pop up message stating laura time to fund account. I play slots the very rare time i will hit some card games but i just find them boring. Same as land based casinos never hit the tables again boring i hit the 25 cent slot machines if the games are over 25 lines then its 10 cent line hits.

[pokeraddict]

I play almost entirely high/low games and 12% of the players are winners. The rake is tough to overcome. Also these stories of team play do happen but not to the extent they once did. If you play on big rooms they will catch the same players at the same tables etc. Start out small and of course if you decide to play for real money only deposit what you are comfortable with losing as you learn. IMO you are far better off playing the lowest real money limit offered than play money though as at least you will learn something.