So you’re at a birthday party and you hear somebody telling his stories about buying that new flatscreen TV with his online poker earnings. The other day you’re at work and a colleague tells you that he’s taking his wife on a trip to Paris with the money he won at the online poker tables the past 3 months. Personally, I’m hearing more and more of such stories. I always have some double feelings at those moments. I know out of experience that these stories don’t have to be fairy tales, it’s certainly possible to become a winning player. But it isn’t that easy as some people like to picture it. That’s why I want to make a small nuancing here.

Basically, the concept is indeed quiete simple: you pick an online casino, where you can register and start playing immediately, alltogether not costing you more than about three minutes of your time. Thousands of players gather over there to play their favorite cardgame: poker. And indeed, my personal experience tells me that about 70% of all the players isn’t really skilled in the game, but is playing just for the thrill of the game. The other 30% has learned the game by experience, has maybe read some books and above all knows how to play this marvellous game. Those people can afford themselves some sweet presents with their profits now and then. Also true: everybody can become one of those.

So maybe you ended up on this site because you want to learn how to play this game. Well, I can’t blame you, reading all the poker literature out there, including amateurs’ blogs, will certainly improve your game. Just like watching the other pros play their game on TV. But in the end, the most important way to become a decent poker player is to play the game, against real opponents. There’s no better way to learn something than by observing what you’re doing right and especially, what you’re doing wrong.

However, always keep one thing in mind: be patient. Nobody becomes a skilled player and wins a gazillion dollar in one month. It takes months, sometimes even years, to become really good in this game and as a consequence a long term structural winner. Another aspect that correlates with patience is not playing beyond your bankroll. Make a small deposit and start at marginal micro stakes and move up to another level when you’re totally ruling those tables. Experience tells me that only the ones with true patience will survive, and they will profit from their patience for the rest of their lifes. Maybe we’ll see you on TV in a few years on a famous poker show, maybe not, it’s up to you.