How I Became a Poker Pro Starting With $0 (QUIT JOB!!)

People often ask me how I became a professional poker player. So I decided to make a video telling exactly how I did it, starting with $0.
Hopefully this helps inspire or motivate you to chase your dreams and goals in this game, whatever those may be.
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All the best at the poker tables :)
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The poker strategy advice in this video is for educational purposes only. If you choose to play poker for real money, please always play responsibly and within your limits.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Have you ever thought about going pro? Also, check out my other video with my top 12 advanced tips for online poker: kzbin.info/www/bejne/l57YXomHrqaiipY

[@chadhero37]

Hell no. I could not live knowing if I was going to be up $5k or down. I would be too afraid to spend any of my winnings because i wouldn't know if I was coming up on a slow streak (which everyone has).

[@MrSmelly13cat]

and there was a hockey strike, so in Canada, there was nothing to broadcast on the sports channels, so they broadcasted poker tourneys

[@cmc5207]

I got into poker about 6 years ago. My dad played a friendly game with about 7-10 friends. I didn't have much interest in it, didn't know how to play. I had visited during the games and watched and ate pizza. It was intimidating to watch these guys play. My dad died in 2016 and the guys did a poker tournament to raise money as a nice gesture. I busted out in 1 hr and they let me "buy" back in. I wasn't asked to pay the $50 buyins. They were just raising money and remembering their friend and my father. The last memory I have of him was poker night before his surgery the next day. He wasn't sick, and it was a routine procedure, but he caught an infection and died in less than 3 days at the age of 55. I basically took over my dad's seat. I've been playing ever since and I've gotten a lot better at it. I'm still unsure if I want to try the racetrack, with strangers, for more serious money. I just enjoy the game and it's a memory of my dad that I like to keep alive.

[@kellyliddle2357]

I love how real you are! Just hearing your start up story has taught me a lot. So glad I came across one of your videos, your channel has already provided me with so much value, and I only discovered it last night! 4 videos down and onto the next 😃

[@beatlemn]

you know Wayne Chiang from Live at the Bike was the FIRST Starcraft World Champion RIGHT?!?! just a fun fact since your mentioned starcraft poker players xD

[@WayneChiangPoker]

Kevin, no one remembers who I am. Thanks though. Lol

[@andyw.804]

The KZbin algorithm handed me your videos about 3 days ago. It was not until today that I even noticed that I was watching the BlackRain79’s KZbin channel. I’ve read most of those “embarrassing” blog posts. You sir, are an inspiration. I just wanted you to know that.

[@gwoody4003]

Being a Gamer I think really helped you out there. I am also pretty passionate about video games and play a lot. Even as an adult. And what you learn from competitive gaming is patience, humility, tactical and strategic thinking, how tonuse player's strength and weakness against them, and good sportsmanship. You learn a war is comprised of multiple battles, and you can't win every battle. You learn sometimes camping is better than maniac assaults. And you learn to pay attention to details and spot oddities and inconsistencies. I never get tilted, I never get impatient and I never get bored... and that has helped me in Poker immensely. I don't doubt playing video games, especially PvP games, have attributed to that.

[@deanalex9023]

You have been such and inspiration man. I would love to hear of some of the hardships you faced after deciding to play fulltime!!

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Dean! I filmed the followup video today, and I discuss a lot of my troubles. Video will be up in the near future :)

[@jeffreya1316]

I really enjoyed this - please continue sharing your journey.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thank you Jeffrey!

[@ivannovacic5631]

it's soo good that your 2021 content overlaps with my challenge to succeed the way you did. keep it up Nathan and thank you

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Ivan and good luck with your challenge!

[@Ironichange]

Very motivational Nathan. I'm kinda in the same boat tbh. I started with 20$ and started with only 1$ spin and go's. I hit some decent prizes and managed to turn 20 bucks Into 40 and then I took my 20 out. One week later I took another 40 out as a but of a mind trick. To tell myself I had already profited from my 20$. I had a cold streak for a few days on the spin and go's and decided to try a 3$ tournament. I ended up at the final table and ended in 4th place with a decent 30$ payday. Then a couple days later I entered a 2$ tournament and actually won. I've had probably half of my tournament entries amount to final tables or in the money. Feeling very proud, I was up to about 290$ in total including my money and the 40 profit. And the journey continues....

[@chadwellington2524]

i guarantee you went on a cold streak after your deposit hot streak and lost that roll

[@joeycobb6697]

When you said the money-maker effect i subscribed bc thats exactly right . Me and my friends had saw him win and if not then it was not too long after the commercials with the Milwaukees best cans crushing stuff (maybe a lil bit longer afterwards than im remembering with the mb commercials) . It took over like wild fire . Everyone was getting the texas holdem kits as stocking stuffers , friday and Saturdays that used to be club nights turned into bar nights that held poker tournaments. It definitely was a boom

[@becantew]

Good video. I like your approach to the game and highlighting the grinding and non glamorous nature of the game. Sometimes it's disheartening to stand on the sidelines and see all the "run it up" and "sexy poker" type of play.... but it's not always as it seems. The real game is a grind.

[@jlaux7]

This was inspiring, thank you for this. I started off in a similar way but put it off to the side once black Friday hit. Came back to the game several years later and realized how much catching up I had to do. The game has progressed so much ever since the Moneymaker days.

[@YorikHamlet51]

One of the best videos on the channel IMHO

[@joshuahollingsworth2227]

Bro u story is AWESOME!! I want so bad to go pro. I’ve been playing for a 14 mo. Online now, I have been playing poker since 97’ but never got into the studying or took it so serious until June of 2021ur books and ur coaching is absolutely awesome thank u!

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Joshua, glad my vids help you!

[@slimphotog]

I started playing in 2004 just like you did. I was nitty like you were. I was ahead of my opponents because I studied by reading poker books and frequenting poker forums. Unlike you, over and over I grew my bankroll only to blow it by moving up to stakes that I couldn't support. After playing literally millions of hands, my spreadsheet shows I've made a whopping $150 at poker.

[@bbb-mo6fz]

Unlike him you took a shot and tried mate , this guys a NIT bro he’s not even half the man you are bro as you tried

[@jlieberum]

I just started playing poker last week. I love the strategy involved. I’m playing on a fake money site to learn the game better and hope to play on real money sites to pull in a little extra money for my family

[@skinb088]

Been watching you a lot lately. Started off playing play money and developing the strategy. Played on game at a friends house and fell in love. Been planning out how I want to start playing online so I don’t get hooked into something silly and thinking I can win the world. Well I’m sadly disappointed because I live in Connecticut and the casinos have a monopoly on online gambling and they don’t have online poker. So upset about the amount of time I have invested in learning and listening to make a good solid choice on how to play smart

[@CallMeRickGrimes]

I’m surprised you managed to pull this off online instead of live poker.. online just feels so rigged. I mean yeah, online we play more hands so of course we will see more bad beats. But online just doesn’t feel legit like live poker. I’ve lost so much online but man I’m glad there’s people like you that can still be successful with it 🍻

[@johnp2043]

So I am a week into this 20.00/day journey and I can't thank enough. I am up. This has focus me better and allowed me focus on ranges much better. Ty again.

[@deeburks]

lol...this is so very Canadian! Very self deprecating but also very real. But bottom line is that you put in the work. A LOT of work and that is commendable.

[@garywharmby2326]

Hi Nathan. I'd like to say how inspirational you are. I bought your Crushing the microstakes book and the video's. After a few problems at first, namely not being able to fold a big hand. I am now on a upward trend, and winning most sessions. I always watch one of your video's before I start playing, they give me the mind set I need. Keep up your great work and thanks.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Gary I appreciate the kind words!

[@johnross4958]

You do have a great story. Thanks for sharing!

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks for watching!

[@alieghbali]

You are very articulate and honest, thank you. Much respect from Iran.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks I appreciate it!

[@garynizol1739]

Enjoyed your modest beginning story. Have watched several of your videos and enjoyed most of them. Not all, but most. The part that’s fascinating to me is the ROI that’s implied throughout these lessons that I’m learning about as I watch. I’m a 70yo, retired individual, with varying medical conditions that leaves me with limited options as far as generating any additional income at this point of my life. I have played poker in the past including a couple times in Vegas. Strictly recreational. Saying that to say that I have a rudimentary understanding of the game and have already identified areas where my thoughts were exactly opposite of what your method encourages. I do understand ROI though. Not sure what I’m trying to say other than I’m looking forward to watching more of the videos. Thank you!

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks for watching my videos Gary!

[@MrSleepyzzzz]

I to have never put any of my own money into a poker site. Just started with sites that gave you some free rolls. Not made a huge amount, but enough to take a bit of cash out each year to buy a new toy for myself. Last year in was a £300 welder. Have retired now so I can play a lot more, have been following your video's for the last 6 months and have seen a definite improvement of my win rate. Thank so much for your advice, keep these video's coming.

[@mikescarborough9196]

You obviously have a genuine love for this game considering how long you played for play chips, and maybe that's not a bad way to go. I have always heard that you have to use real money to make it real enough to learn the game, but if the goal is to learn how to take down ridiculously loose games, I can't think of a better place to start than at a play money table. I've been looking for this kind of mentorship for a long time. Thanks for what you do and how you do it.

[@glaubs65]

Thanks. Fascinating to hear your story.

[@jonpitzo]

Love this video. Such a small world. I played so much starcraft as kid. I played with players with Idra and Artosis. I wanted to be a pro too! Now I'm looking into playing poker and randomly stumble on this video!

[@kavito96]

Rounders came out in 1998. It was 5 years before the poker boom

[@orbitaLrecon]

Great video loved this! Thanks for sharing your story.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thank you orb :)

[@TedDyP0wer]

Very interested in the follow-up of this video you mentioned at the end. Love your content. Cheers!

[@nomore1371]

What do you think about the games today? I'm playing on Bovada at 0.05/0.10 NL and I'm afraid to move to 25NL.

[@bbb-mo6fz]

😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂😂 super embarrassing

[@everythingallin4905]

@@bbb-mo6fz How is that embarrassing? Players have to build a bankroll and not everyone is at your level.

[@LivegoodWilliam]

I am coming back to Poker at 49, I want to quit my job and turn pro next year. I just want to put it out thee that it's never too late to learn a new skill

[@kribbod]

Interestíng story and great video. I remember seeing poker on TV around 2005, didn't understand the game but it was something soothing about it. Started playing for fun around 2010 (man i wish i'd played the golden age). And since the pandemic i've taken it more seriously, and i got real good results but all the winnings goes to paying the bills haha and as yourself im not the gambling type. And the variance is no joke. The bankroll rules are there for a reason.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Glad you enjoyed it kribbod!

[@Veneer22]

I kinda started the same way, also a big gamer. Would play the free money texas holdem on X Box when I needed a break from FPS. Then I found a free poker tournament chain at local bars 7 nights a week. I only played suited and/or connected hands, and I rarely called anything more than a 2/3BB preflop. I would win $5-40+ at these tournaments. Usually a gift card for the bar, but some paid cash. I would take that cash to the casino and play at the $1/2 table.

[@robertj.quayleiii201]

That’s an awesome story! We have a lot in common. I played Starcraft and Warcraft for years as well. Have always loved poker but, due to real life, I haven’t really pursued it until now. Now, as a retired Army Intelligence Analyst and retired banker, I have the time, passion and ability to do so. I’m looking forward to more of your videos!

[@robertj.quayleiii201]

Oh, and the Moneymaker effect is also what caught my attention initially. And I have also worked a lot of crazy jobs haha.

[@10splay]

Well, you should have got in around 2004 when it was easier because now, it is a totally different game with randomizers, pio, and what have you. But hey, I think there are still some profits to be made if you do everything properly.

[@gideonbolt8068]

nathe enjoying your material its actually good, please cover both online sit n go cheap tourneys and also bounty tourneys as these look fun and like you can make money from them.

[@anthonycdamico]

Awesome story! Hard work, study, and it paid off. Well done. Hello from Kelowna!

[@skilstopaybils4014]

Right, that's it. This video has inspired me to leave my job and become a poker pro.

[@LordLactose_]

good luck brother, how are you doing?

[@theelderkine]

I used to play online back in ‘04 or so and stopped when all the legislation kicked in. Fast-forward to now and I’m interested again and trying to figure out if I can play online in Florida or not… 😂

[@yeomanadventures1549]

My story is very similar, Party Poker and VCR recording WPT... walls covered with Shark Scope stats and hand ranking. A fun time to get into it... played 4/8 Limit Hold'em live. Thanks for your story.

[@Etc...Sports_games]

God anointed your footsteps . You're so blessed

[@Jonasjordan1]

Great video and so cool you were able to start a poker career without putting in real money. thx for sharing! And love all your tips even tho i only play tournaments on micro stakes and a few sit n go´s, i just think i always played worse on the cash games but i think you are 100% correct that its easier to make money from cash games. I just love tournaments :)

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Jonas!

[@mcpartridgeboy]

Its not ewasier to make money in cash games unless your really good, tournamnet players are much much worse than cash game players in general, and its also much easier to win a tournament knowing nothing but getting lucky, if you get lucky in a cash game you win one buy in and lose it soon after if you get lucky in a tournament you can win a huge ammount, i saw one guy on youtube who didnt have a clue who won a braclet and is only now after he won learning how to play proper poker.

[@he--ru362]

I know this is a year old ,but very interesting back story to hear... Had to subbed to you. Thanks love the videos

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks for the sub!

[@dango470]

Great vid man! Hoping that my story can follow yours. Im also canadian, and a big starcraft fan. I was diamond in wotl beta, and used to play bw all the time in highschool with my buddies, some of whom were koreans. I used to do the training map with scan marines and lurkers, for fun but also to get better and crush my buddies. I think the rts experience really helps with poker, because I've been upping my table count and I still find myself "gettinf bored" at like 12-14 tables. The intensity of an hour long rts match, constantly multitasking and zooming around the map, having to make hundreds of small decisions per minute, is similar to multitabling. Ive been trying to get a handle on my tilt problem, playing when Im at my best, quitting whilr ahead, etc. I am a winning player, but Ive tilted away my bankroll in a couple of times, so Im still a lifelong loser in this game. But I like the game, and I feel like it's something I can do, due to my risk-averse nature, ability to multitask. And also, if I can make even a minimum wage consistently through it, that would give me the freedom to move where I want to go. At the very least, I could cut out commuting and paying for bus tickets. So I really appreciate your content, its a lot of good value for free

[@maxinoume]

What site are you playing on that allows >12 tables?

[@dango470]

@@maxinoume ggpoker. I play 4 fast forward tables (max, otherwsys id play them all... Trying to clear the deposit match bonus) and the rest regular nl holdem It doesn't allow hud, and their inbuilt hud kinda really sucks. But I also think that hudless poker is going to be the future anyways, so there's that

[@maxinoume]

@@dango470 Thanks Hudless at 2 tables is fine because you can still spot the fish. But hudless at more than 2 tables to me seems insane. You cannot abuse the fishes, you need to play perfect abc poker and hope to make it.

[@Smurfen249]

@@maxinoume You can still play 12 tables cash on Pokerstars even though limit is 4 for cash game and unlimited for mtts and sngs you can play 60 tables if u wan't. On Pokerstars you can play 8 zoom like 4 nl 2 4 nl 5 and 4 6max ring games, so 12tables cash with hud is still possible.

[@maxinoume]

@@Smurfen249 Yes but Zoom is pretty much hudless because you get the history of so few hands. In my opinion Zoom is the same as hudless MTT for finding fishes. Personally, what I like about poker is playing my opponents (abusing their weaknesses/tendencies). Zoom or hudless MTT are all about ABC poker. Of course ABC poker is a big part of my studies because you need to know your ABCs to be able to spot the tendencies of your opponents, but that's not so much the appeal of the game for me. Regardless, thank you for your suggestion, I appreciate it.

[@joeycobb6697]

Before texas holdem we used to play 2 card gut, please let me know if anyone has played or even heard of it bc the more i tried to play outside of my group of friends the more i found out it was more obscure than I thought

[@TheCornerEatery]

Hi Nathan, I love your instructional videos on poker and after watching this one was very inspiring to me. I've learned a lot from you. Thank you for sharing your knowledge. It has made me a better player.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Glad my videos help you Rustic!

[@TheCornerEatery]

Good Morning Nathan. Thank you so much for your response. I would like to have you as my Coach and Mentor me. How do I do that? I live in Vancouver, BC. Do you coach online and how much is it for your services?

[@KazACWizard]

ever since my first home game at 14 where my auntie showed up wwith las vegas casino cards and chips set and played poker with the family i had fallen in love with it. now at 19 i only just gotten back into it seriously as i had lost contact with that side of my family for a long time so i had no chance to play the game. now i only play play money for now and i consistenly win but i had such a bad beat today i lost all my chip bankrolland it sucks. I want to make it either way and will take your advice to buy in for those 1c 2c games and up my game. in chips games it geniunely sucks as i cannot be bothered to play like a nit and do open up pots with some wider hands but i just get either rivered by a fish or trapped by an annoying aggressive player who plays like 4 8o and gets a fh on me. Im sure cash games will allow me to actually get better. Thank you BlackRain for these amazing videos and tips, i note everything and try to incorporate these things into my hands.

[@rustyshobbies8430]

i remember when i used to sell play chips on stars! those were the days

[@iosonoradu]

Great video and story :) Ty for sharing

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Radu!

[@tylerbyrne7986]

Wish I could play four games at a time to maximize time efficiency, but I can barely focus on two. Nice video man!

[@dango470]

Funnily enough, first time I heard about poker grinding was from the developer of a game called Prismata, which is like an rts but a card game. They funded the game's development through poker grinding... Now that's my dream lol

[@ST-ku5ni]

You used McDavid's photo so I know you are the teacher to follow. Lead us to the promise land (minus the brooms). Maybe next year..... Great video! Thanks for sharing.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

He is a true legend, hope to see an Oilers cup one day with him leading the charge. I even say this as a Canucks fan!

[@andydragonfisher6900]

Really enjoyed your candour and personal story 🙌

[@ltdmch2611]

Thanks for this kind of video and please give us more of this!

[@BlackRain79Poker]

More to come!

[@andywhale347]

Thanks so much for this 😀great to hear how you got to where you are now 👍👍👍

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Glad you enjoyed it Andy!

[@weihanzhang3023]

Love the content, can't wait for your next video, telling about your online pro life !!!

[@darrenhadden1037]

Your channel is awesome Nathon!

[@nicholassolomonson8349]

I play freeroll tourneys. Anywhere from 200 to 700 players at a time. Instead of buying back in after I busted my $10 I bought in for. I got good at the free roll tourneys. When I win the top 3 spots it's the best payouts but usually not allot but enough to get back in the game. These freeroll tourneys are big online and lots of players use em for practice such as myself as well. Even when I got a small bank roll I play all the free rolls I can and win often in them.

[@nicholassolomonson8349]

It's improved my game so much. My best win is 1st of 640 players on the freeroll. My last big one th other night I placed 15th out of 715 players. Went out on all in on pocket queens and got hit by a straight on the river by my opponent. It's hard to get that deep in a tournament and if you can get good enough to do it often you improve all your tourneys and also even my cash games improved. Cash games are a bit different though.

[@kibspoker]

Thanks a lot for sharing this story... I'll go get my $60 ready now... Hell yeah, could happen to me too. 🥰

[@skiprockjr.6881]

This sounds almost identical to my life, except I stopped profiting around 2017 and luckily sports betting became legal the next year. I cost myself so much money by being an alcoholic through those golden years of 2004-2008. I still made a lot, but I also woke up with a drained account too many times. I used to crush $10 10-person sit n go's. I remember having a streak of cashing in something like 35 straight sit n go's and I didn't win one. 2nd or 3rd each time.

[@XxdeaddogXx]

Great video, keep up the good work

[@ashypharaoh8407]

Nice story. I could never go pro, but I will have fun

[@hawkeye1448]

This is exactly how I am doing it. The strategy still works but it's just tedious is all.

[@MrKahoLeung]

Interesting story! What stakes are you grinding for a living right now?

[@bbb-mo6fz]

He grinds on the app called Grindr bro

[@Cornerback80]

Awesome video. Back in 04 and the poker boom I stayed away from the tables that was happening at these house games where they would always turn violent so I I stayed away from the tables. Fast fwd to 2012, I moved away from that area and split with my wife at the time and started playing Zynga poker on line, just for something to do to pass the time. Now let's go to 2015, I was at a casino and I was playing a table poker game and I basically called out the house and the dealer said why don't you try the poker room and I thought man don't you have to have thousands of dollars to go in there lol and he goes you can buy in for 100, so I play a cash game and I lose bet I left with this feeling like man I can be good at this, so I go back a few months later and I have the greatest session at the table and triple my buy in money, "enjoy my money" someone says to me as I hear out. So I play a couple more short stacked cash games l, lose em all lol so I say I'm going to go try a tournament and my goal was I just don't want to be the first one out so I grind my way down to 10th place out of 150 players and double my buy in. I was having moderate success but the casino is just too far away to go to all the time so I didn't play from like 2016-2022 and then poker houses start popping up in Texas and when I used to have to travel a couple of hours to play poker and never had the time, poker literally came to me.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Well said, thanks for watching my poker videos!

[@thierrycruybeeck7735]

Great stuff as usual!! Thank you!

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks Thierry glad you enjoyed this one!

[@guillaumealaux1299]

Awsome story, I'm actually on freeroll too, but I want to be serious when I play 👍

[@terencehill3972]

want to see the follow up! want to see the follow up!

[@johngardner3116]

Thanks man thanks for sharing your story very interesting.

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@NicTikkets]

It's my dream to travel the world and play poker... And make a little bit of money 😛

[@slimeymma1155]

Nathan keeps it real

[@Jukkala]

True story: A poker room buddy of mine was making a modest living playing low stakes poker in a local casino. His older brother was in med school and their parents were working abroad while the boys lived in the family house. One time mom and dad came home for a visit and big brother told dad that little brother was staying out all night, had no job, and was playing all of his bills in cash. Dad sat little brother down and accused him of being a drug dealer or something else illicit. Little brother tried to reassure his father by telling him that he was legally playing poker and winning. It turns out that dad was ultra-conservative and thought that was just as bad as those illegal activities and threatened to kick him out of the house. Long story short, I got little brother a job with my company and it all worked out. We are still friends to this day.

[@abhimanyumittal6432]

Amazing video 🔥 We need a follow up video 🙌🏻

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thank you sir! It will be coming in a week or two :)

[@dkarjan]

Really appreciate this video

[@romeoserback]

Good stuff brother.

[@misterduelog]

Hey you’re Canadian! Greetings from Ontario, i somehow could tell! Probably cause you’re friendly haha

[@christophersantrizos1657]

Consistency is the Hallmark of a Champion.

[@B0bi_007]

What advice would you have for starting a pro poker living at the micros in 2021 vs in 2004-2007 as you did, since the game is now tougher?

[@bbb-mo6fz]

Study study study then study some more

[@Ro-Bucks]

I got a bonus on 365 I think it was maybe 888, on a site I don't play on I remember, it was for $15 and somehow only 3 days later I was sitting on a table with 480 pounds. I was slowly building up very slow and ended up winning a big stack that put me at about $150CAD just enough to site on the table the was in pounds. soon as I sat down I ended up in some kind of war, I got pocket aces 3 hands in a row and 2 other players were shoving. I think something happend between them before I sat down but I took them out and was sitting at 480 pounds, I lost it all within 20 hands but I was hooked.

[@marko514]

Nathan is is possible to earn around 350$ a month playing poker as a part time job? 4 hours a day, 5 days a week and playing 4 tables at once at NL10? How many BB/100 I would need to make that much?

[@dango470]

350 is 10 full stacks. 20 days to stack someone 35 times. So you gotta stack someone slightly less than 2 times a day. 5 hours for two stacks... Idk, seems possible.

[@marko514]

@@dango470 alright with PT4 and my A game shouldn't be too hard. You play poker also? Are you a winning player?

[@maxinoume]

4h/day, 5days/week is 80h per month. You want to make $350 which is 3500bb at NL10. at four tables, you can expect to play ~280 hands per hour (a bit more or less depending on what ring size you play). So you'll play 22,400 hands per month. So you need to make 15.7bb/100 hands to get $350 per month. This is gonna be extremely hard. The very best (those higher than the top 1%) hardly make this at this limit. blackrain79 (this youtuber) has an article that says that the very best in 2021 can hope to make 12bb/100 at NL10 in 2021. But to be the very best, you'll need to study hard. Which will cut your play-time by at least 40% (in my opinion you should spend your first few months 50/50 study/play and when you start to be alright, then you can switch to 30/70). You always need to study new info and analyze your play to plug your leaks and climb the ladder. After cutting your play-time by 40% (which will help you tremendously in the long run), you'll need double the winrate which is literally impossible. So to answer your question; It is "possible" to make $350 / month at NL10 but you shouldn't expect it. Being the top 1% at anything is extremely hard. Edit: And all this without mentioning how hard working 4h/day on top of your full time job is. You need to approach poker as professional athletes would approach their sport. Because it's the same, you aim to be the top 1% at your discipline. And studying poker is as hard as studying at school because it's very cerebral and probably even harder than that because, once again, you aim to reach the top 1%. Doing all this when you're tired from your 9-5 job will be hard to do consistently for many months.

[@marko514]

@@maxinoume Alright I appreciate the output. Yes it seems a bit hard. However I noticed that my winrate is much better on weekends (I work 7:30-15:30 mon-thu) and 7:30-13 friday, so on weekends I would be fresh and more prepared. If only pokerstars allowed more than 4 tables I am 100% certain playing TAG game on 7-8 tables would make me around those 350$ a month. NL 16 is a bit tougher with ocassional whale, however I've seen big fish all the way up to NL100 (never played above NL50) recreational players from germany, canada, sweden with a lot of money who play for fun, so maybe winning microstakes first and then moving step by step until I can multi table 4 tables at NL16, I guess that would make things easier? Also I don't want to make a living out of poker, because I couldn't handle all the downswings and bad beats if that was my source income. I do study the game and read a lot of books, but I don't want to make a living out of it, only as a side income

[@maxinoume]

@@marko514 I mean... what "scared" me in your initial question was the specific amount you are trying to get. Based on that, I thought you wanted poker to become a steady source of income. But if you aim to just make a little money on the side and keep your 9-5 job, then by all means, go for it! But in my opinion you should really treat poker as just a hobby that costs negative amount rather than a side hustle that generates a positive amount. Because 80h of "work" for 350$ pre-tax is stupidly low ($4.30/h before taxes) so you'd be better off taking a second job like Uber or something if the goal is making money. If the goal is having a hobby that doesn't cost you anything, then it's perfect. Also, managing a bankroll is hard because you want to keep your money into poker so that you can climb the ladder. If you cash out $350 per month, then your bankroll will never grow (especially at NL10). Building a bankroll where you can safely cash out a good amount each month will probably take more than a year, AFTER having become a profitable player. It's similar to creating a standard business, like they say; the first five years you don't make any money. All I'm trying to say is that I feel like you're not approaching this with the right mindset. Maybe I'm wrong, maybe you just asked a specific question to have a specific answer (which I started by giving). I hope you don't take my advice the wrong way. I'm actively hurting myself by trying to help you because the more people take a stab at poker, the more money the regs make. ps: You should always try to climb higher. Definitely higher than NL10.

[@darrenwatson6667]

Yes I would like to hear more thanks

[@scorpion407]

In my country they translated Rounders as Gamblers :D

[@jonquillen5300]

What is the best website to play poker cash games?

[@jackson711247]

Great video man

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks for watching my poker videos!

[@EdSilvia1]

What do you know , slow and steady wins every time. Tks Nathan.

[@johnwblaquiere1278]

Thanks for sharing

[@PokerRenegade]

Great video

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Glad you enjoyed it

[@jamesmiddleton8335]

Sounds a lot like me, the start anyway, played fake money a load through secondary school, turned 18 opened an 888 poker account, u get tournament tickets for free, managed to get some money out of those and i played cash games until i got an unlucky streak and lost it all, i was playing 2/5 with 5 dollars in my account, it was bound to happen. I took a few days to think, couldn't play, couldn't afford the buy in. Got a pokerstars account, deposited £10 got the 1st day and 2nd day bonus and withdrew my original 10. Just building up my bankroll on 1/2 right now. At around $15 rn.

[@jamesmiddleton8335]

5 months on, played a reasonable amount of poker, but recently been focusing more on study away from the table than actual playing. Bankroll sits at $150, difference between now and 5 months ago is that I have an edge now, i am winning these games.

[@brettmorton6513]

Wondering where you play on line?? Not much available here in Cali!

[@pokermindredgyvlogs9442]

Today's you need 100 b/inn to face the variance!

[@nommet]

Ehm, so 5M hands yield $45k + maybe some $10 rakeback, meaning 1c for a decent hand? Well, depends on your location, of course; however, 55k is quite small even in Asia, especially given that you won't be enjoying the sun, weather, and travel much.

[@jamieknox1806]

You would never have known that those games were easier back then

[@nickross5459]

what was the reason for buying play chips?

[@steerpike50]

Good vid , Thanks

[@BlackRain79Poker]

No problem 👍

[@cochino9429]

Great story bro

[@BlackRain79Poker]

Thanks for watching my poker videos, glad they help!

[@alexatedw]

History and philosophy huh? I got mine in physics and philosophy

[@franksteele2262]

More, please. Early 2000s friend started a real money tournament, got tired and told me to finish the tournament for him. I ended up 1st place! The payout was around $1500. i went down stairs to the bathroom and threw up! Later on, my "friend" decided not to share the winnings with me. I started playing that on line texas hold game about 50% of entrants had lost their stake. I have been thinking about sending$100 to an online texas holdem site, but you did say it is harder now, correct?

[@franksteele2262]

Is it even allowed in the USA?

[@LacklusterBangarang]

A few states allow real money. Nevada, New Jersey, Delaware, Pennsylvania, Michigan. But you can join a poker bros club and play there for real money outside previously mentioned states

[@xancypillosi]

How do you qualify for a $10,000 tournament from a $6 buy in online BEFORE the poker boom? These live poker fields were tiny … Could you imagine how small the online player pool was. Where does $10,000 come out of a $6.60 buyin in those conditions? I’ll call that bluff