How to become a professional video poker player?

Hi, petrachsor!

Video poker is one of the most interesting and lucrative casino games, and it’s no wonder it has a professional gaming scene of its own.

So, you want to play video poker professionally? That’s great, but there are a couple of important things every aspiring player should be aware of.

First, always be realistic. Yes, it is possible to become a professional video poker player, but that takes a lot of time and dedication.

Second, consider this position carefully in terms of income. Do you want to make video poker your primary source of income? Or do you just want to become more and more skilled to better influence your winning chances?

Traditionally, becoming a pro and making video your sole source of income is extremely rare and challenging. While a few individuals have managed to sustain themselves through video poker, they are exceptions rather than the rule. One example is Steve Bourie, also known as Johnny Chung, by his alias.

Steve/Johnny/Whatever you like to call him had an impressive track record, but to make his way to the top and earn at least $80,000 yearly, he had to rely on tremendous amounts of skill, luck, and deciding to make video poker literally his full-time job. 

However, video poker can be a great way to earn some short-term money, as it has one of the lowest house edges in casino gaming and rewards strategic thinking. If you’re interested in becoming a professional video poker player to boost your income and increase your winning chances, I recommend you start with the following:

1. Get familiar with video poker rules and choose a variation that suits your skill level. For beginners, Jacks or Better and Deuces Wild are amazing starting points.
2. Master the optimal strategies for the specific variations of video poker you're interested in. Practice these strategies extensively to improve your decision-making skills.
3. No matter which format you choose, always search for the best video poker games. Hunt for ‘full-pay’ video poker games, as they have the highest possible payouts. For example, look for 9/6 Jacks or Better games, which pay the highest.
4. Keep records of your games. I know tracking wins and losses sounds demanding and frustrating, but it’s a good way to analyze your own moves and decisions. Learn what you did good and what you did wrong. In this way, you will learn how to adapt your playstyle and make better decisions in video poker.
5. Always try out new stuff on free demos first. It’s vital that when you learn how to play video poker professionally, you do this with free games. Avoid needlessly losing money by putting into practice what you’ve learned with free demos beforehand. And believe me, you will need to pour quite some time into those demos, as you cannot become a pro overnight. 
6. Stay up-to-date with the latest trends and strategies in the world of video poker. Study these trends and developments by engaging with the gambling community and reading relevant materials. Materials can be online resources, books, charts, and dedicated websites - like Chipy - created to help players sharpen their skills and make more informed decisions.

Practice and study make perfect, so it’s best to practice using free demo versions, reading dedicated guides such as those on our Video Poker Academy, and accepting the fact that your first couple of games will probably suck. 

And that’s okay because you learn from your mistakes, adjust your gameplay and strategies accordingly, and make your way to the top. 

Remember that even with the best strategies, there's no 100% consistent winning spree at video poker, as it’s still a game of chance. It's crucial to approach gambling realistically and not rely on it as a dependable source of income. Always gamble responsibly and within your means.

I hope all of this information answers your question.