Playing Poker to Be Self-Employed: Does it Work?

For many, gambling is an every-now-and-then thrill, a pleasant entertainment best saved for special outings and occasions. But for some, gambling is daily bread and butter…and it can add up to big winnings. But is playing poker to be self-employed at all viable for the every day, average worker?

Self-Employment…with Poker?

It’s true that some rare individuals, a small percentage of the population, learn the craft of playing poker so well they can earn enough money, consistently, to support themselves in full. Professional poker players are, in a sense, self-employed, because they rely upon themselves for their income. Some even manage to gain sponsorships and endorsement deals for their efforts. Poker is considered something of a sporting event, so there is real money to be made in this skill.

Like athletic sports, however, only a small portion of the population can master the art of playing poker professionally. That said, it’s not impossible to achieve self-employment by gambling.

Being Self-Employed

Being successfully self-employed, in any profession, requires a lot of dedication. There’s no room for error when it comes to claiming income and paying the self-employment tax, for instance. Gambling earnings are still earnings, and must be claimed. Also, a bad day at work for a professional poker player could add up to staggering losses - and those staggering wins may not come just because a player wants them to.

Professional gamblers learn how to keep a cool head and study their craft inside and out. Even then, they may not succeed. Being self-employed means being in charge of oneself. Be sure to set some of those earnings aside, don’t forget insurance and retirement plans…and remember that being self-employed isn’t all fun and games, even in professional gambling.

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