Playing poker for a living online isn't for everyone. There are many who quit their day jobs to become a pro before acquiring the necessary skills. Contrary to popular belief, pure poker talent. Or maybe online poker is just another scam and you will never win? Can you trust online poker rooms like Pokerstars, Full Tilt Poker or Party.

Online gambling is a growing industry, with online gaming transactions rising from $7.4 billion in 2003 to $41.4 billion in 2015. Despite this tremendous boom in interest, many people still question whether or not it’s possible to make a living gambling over the Internet. It isn’t easy, but there are professionals out there that have developed the strategies and systems needed to allow them to make lucrative incomes playing online poker, sports betting and various casino games from home.

How Online Gamblers Have Beaten the House

You’re probably familiar with the old adage “the house always wins,” but this absolutist phrase doesn’t always hold true with online gambling. While gaming providers definitely have an edge with most casino games, it’s still possible for gamblers to make a handsome profit. However, they need to develop the appropriate systems in order to make a sustainable living.

Here are a few of the different ways online gamblers can try to make a full-time living:

Taking Card Games Against Less Experienced Players

Making a killing from online slots can be difficult, as the numbers are randomly generated. For this reason, it’s a lot easier to make money on skill-based card games, such as online poker. Talented players in these games understand the impact of statistics and the elements of game theory, which gives them a strong edge over their less experienced opponents.

Making money playing poker on online gaming sites isn’t usually as difficult as it is in a traditional casino, as these sites tend to attract more amateur players. However, despite this, it still takes time and practice for players who want to “go pro” to develop their skills to the point where they’re able to beat the “noobs” and win regularly.

With practice, though? The very best online poker players can make bank. As an example, Niklas “ragen70” Heinecker earned $6.3 million in 2013 alone from online poker. Tom “durrrr” Dwan played very few hands, but still netted about $750,000 in the same year.

Playing Online Slots

Anyone that’s played slots in a traditional casino is probably skeptical about the fact that anyone can make enough money from online slots to earn a living. The first thing you need to keep in mind while playing online slots, however, is that they operate entirely differently from the slot machines in land-based casinos.

Online slots rely on random number generators, which aren’t actually random. They use complex algorithms to determine the next sequence of numbers, which means that it’s possible to predict outcomes by deciphering them.

Keep in mind that random number generators are extremely complex, so few online gamblers can figure out how to predict future outcomes. However, since the average payout on online slots is usually between 96% and 99%, you only need to be able to predict the outcome slightly better than the average user to walk away with a profit.

Of course, it’s also possible to make great money if you’re lucky enough to win a large jackpot from online slots. A couple years ago, a Scottish woman won £5.4million playing BetVictor’s Hall of Gods (though it’s important to remember that this was the largest win in UK history, and that it was due to sheer luck).

Online slots are really primarily games of luck. While it’s possible to develop a system to make a living from them, you’re still generally more likely to succeed with other forms of online gambling.

Sports Betting

Sports betting is another very popular form of online gambling that many people try to cash in on. According to Deloitte, U.K. citizens spent nearly £1.4 billion pounds on sports betting websites in 2013. They wager more money on sports than any other form of online gambling.

There are a couple of ways to make money from sports betting. The first is through arbitrage. A professional sports better on Reddit did an AMA about three years ago and illustrated how he makes a great living off of sports betting arbitrage. Essentially, he places bets on both teams through two different bookies that offer different payouts.

Here’s an example of some of the bets he may place:

• One bookie is offering lines of +120/-130 • The second bookie is offering +130/-140

What the Redditor would do is to bid $100 on one team and $125 on the other. This means that there are two possible outcomes: he either breaks even or wins $5.

There are other ways that players can make money as well (without rigging the competitions, of course). Betters that have a thorough understanding of the competitions can possibly forecast the odds better than their online bookies, which can help them earn a lot of money.

What Does It Take to Make a Living from Online Gambling?

Most online gamblers are hobbyists that expect to lose money in exchange for a little excitement. Some online gamblers are able to make a great living, but it isn’t easy. Make sure that you have all of the following on your side before trying your luck:

Capital You Can Afford to Burn

It’s going to take time to develop an online gaming strategy that’ll work for you in a regular, profitable manner – and you’ll only reach that point by playing regularly. Of course, this means that you’re going to need to spend (and possibly lose) some money.

Treat your new online gambling career like you would starting a new business by saving up a good share of money you can afford to lose. If your wallet is already stretched thin, this isn’t the time to start trying for a career as a gamer.

A Lot of Perseverance

Even the best online gamblers will have their share of off days (and off weeks). You can’t afford to give up if you think that your system isn’t working anymore; instead, you’ll need to just ride it out until you start to make a profit again. If your system has proven to work, have faith – it’ll work again in the future.

Are you a professional online gambler? Do you wish you were, but something’s holding you back? Share your experiences by leaving a comment below:

Living Off Online Poker

Poker is riding a wave of popularity thanks to major tours and televised games keeping it in the mainstream. Those who want to try poker by gambling online before heading to the casino will find some benefits to this strategy. Here’s a look at some of the advantages of playing poker online versus in a casino.

Living Off Of Online Poker Real Money

1. Learning the ropes – Many new players are a bit uneasy about jumping into a live poker game at a casino with a table full of what they may perceive as real poker sharks. Playing online offers a chance to cut through some of those fears. Players can jump in low stakes games for pennies (or even play for free) and get a grasp of the game before moving up in stakes as they feel more comfortable and confident.

2. Easy access – Who likes to wait? A trip to the local casino may require a wait before being seated at a table. When playing online, there is almost always a table available for any bankroll. Joining the action is as simple as a mouse click. Not waiting also means no major gambling temptations like that nearby craps or blackjack table. Save those dollars for poker, where there is some real skill involved. Play your cards right and you may walk away a winner.

3. Tournament time – For players who enjoy tournaments more than cash games, playing online is a delight. Most sites feature constant tournament action with buy-ins of every size, from only a dollar or two up to thousands. Even lower buy-in events offer a chance at a nice score. Some sites also offer major tournament series with some added incentive to take on a big event with a nice payday.

4. No time crunch – Even an average multi-table tournament online may only take a few hours to play. Don’t have that much time? Sit and go tournaments allow you to play a single table of six or nine players or even heads-up. Some tournaments may only feature two or three tables. There are numerous options to suit a player’s mood or preferences.

5. Games offered – While the vast majority of poker games offered at casinos and online tend to be No Limit Texas Hold’em, playing online offers plenty of others. Maybe you’d rather play Omaha or Seven Card Stud. Those options are regularly available, as well as many others. Players also can choose limit, pot limit, and no-limit variants as well as games with a high/low split. Some sites even offer more games like Badugi or Razz. Players looking to try something new have a chance to learn the games at lower stakes.

6. No real table required – One of the great things about playing online is that you can play anywhere. Got some free time while away on business? Pull out that laptop or mobile device and log in for some action. There’s no need for a casino — simply an Internet connection.

7. No smoking, no problems – OK, so this really depends if you smoke or where you’re playing. But beyond smoking, online players don’t have to worry about noisy slot machines, slow cocktail service, or an unruly drunk at the table. Players may be able to chat by typing on screen, but if someone is annoying it’s easy to hit the mute button. And with no dealers at the tables, there are no worries of a misdeal.

8. Few tells – A tell is a physical movement or verbal cue that gives away the strength of a player’s hand. Good players can pick up on these and use them to their advantage. While there are certain online tells poker players can pick up on, for the most part players don’t have to worry too much about giving off tells to opponents.

9. Money management – Players who have booked a trip to a casino may feel more of a need or urge to hit the tables. Despite some losing sessions, it may be hard to get away from that urge. Players at home can easily log off and find something else to do after a losing session. Stepping away from the action may be a bit easier away from the flashing lights and colored chips.

10. Lower rake – Players more accustomed to playing in a casino may notice that the rake, the amount taken by the house for each hand or the fee for playing a tournament, is traditionally lower. Players looking to win consistently not only have to overcome the other players at the table, but the rake going to the house. With lower rake online, players have a better chance to profit.

Living From Online Poker Reddit

Whatever your skill level or bankroll, online poker can be a great way to work on your skills, learn the game, have some fun, and hopefully make a few bucks.