Part Time Income Working From Home - Is Online Poker A Viable Option?

The unique thing about poker when compared to other forms of gambling is that it is possible to have a long term edge over your opposition. Whether this makes poker a viable option for people looking for a part time income working from home is debated in this article. First we will look at the effect of skill compared to chance in the online poker world. Secondly we analyze what other characteristics are required for a poker player to make consistent profits.

In all forms of poker the cards are shuffled and dealt at random. This means that chance has a significant impact on each and every hand. The skill factor comes into play in many forms, it is not just about selecting the right hands to play - but how they are played that separates the winners from the rest.

The random nature of the cards is affected by time. That is, over time you will be dealt exactly the same share of good and bad cards as your opponents. We can break down the chance factor like this:

1 Hand - 100% chance

100 Hands - 60% chance / 40% skill

1,000 Hands - 20% chance / 80% skill

10,000 Hands - 10% chance / 90% skill

100,000 Hands - 1% chance / 99% skill

As we move up the number of hands dealt the probability that you have a fair distribution of good and bad hands increases dramatically. Once the hands even out it is down to how you play that determines who ends up a winner.

The skill of a winning poker player is not obvious to the novice - the game seems very simple on the surface but has many hidden complexities. That skill can be summarised in the following sentence:

"Winning Poker Players Win Bigger Pots With Their Good Hands and Lose Smaller Pots With Their 2nd Best Hands"

How this is achieved involves a number of skills including hand reading, adjusting to opponents, exploiting weaknesses, pot size manipulation and inducing mistakes from your opponents. All of these skills can be learned from good quality poker websites such as Sit and Go Planet.

Understanding the elements of chance and skill alone are not enough for those looking to use poker for a part time income working from home. Below are some of the other important factors.

1) Discipline.

Poker rewards patience and discipline. While a huge bluff might work on occasion it will not result in long term or steady profits. Winning poker players do not play while tired, unwell or drunk. They pay attention to their opponents and wait for profitable opportunities to develop.

2) Bankroll Management

This is a key skill for any winning poker player. Over time skill will prevail in the game of poker. However the game always involves short-term fluctuations of fortune. To even things out winning players never play with more than a small percentage of their bankroll in any single game.

3) Table and Site Selection.

Winning Players seek out the weakest opposition. Even the 10th best player in the world would lose if they played only the 9 better players. Not all poker sites are equal so make sure you make an informed choice before signing up. Again reputable sources for this information include Sit and Go Planet.

4) Bonuses and Rewards.

Many poker sites offer bonuses for new players and some even offer ongoing loyalty rewards. This can have a significant impact on your part time income working from home - so make sure you get the best deal possible.

5) Never Stop Learning

Poker is easy to learn but far more difficult to master. Even well known poker professionals spend time studying and analyzing their game. The better you become the higher potential for that home based part time income.

Good Luck At The Tables, Mark

Mark R Holland is an online poker pro, blogger and writer for high-quality poker sites. For great poker strategy articles and tips covering SNGs, Poker Tournaments and Satellite Qualifiers visit Online Poker Tournament Strategy Tips today!

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