When you Google the top poker pros of this day and age, the lists will include successful players like Daniel Negreanu, Phil Hellmuth, and Justin Bonomo. And what do those poker players have in common? Amongst other things, they all started playing poker at a young age.
While poker is generally considered an ageless game, as you can meet both younger adults (18+) and people way past retirement age at the poker table, those who want to turn the game into a profession seem to kick off their careers as early as possible.
Why is that?
Well, there are multiple possible answers to this question.
First of all, many of the poker pros who started their careers before they even turned twenty, attested to the fact that they had trouble staying focused at school, which meant they started looking for a more flexible environment to better express themselves.
Playing poker allows players to challenge themselves mentally while providing them with the ability to control their own schedule, which makes it the perfect choice for young people who want to have a rather unconventional career.
Others look at their college years as the perfect time for self-discovery. Students are exposed to a wide range of new experiences, ideas, and opportunities, and poker is no exception. The game can help students break the monotony of their study schedule, while for others, it can be a way to make new friends, bond with classmates, and develop important social skills.
College is often a common starting point for many poker players because it has the perfect environment for players to thrive in. Most campuses are filled with young, ambitious, and competitive individuals looking for ways to challenge themselves, and poker provides them with the perfect opportunity to do just that. Surrounded by like-minded people, new poker players have more motivation to practice playing poker and they gradually get better and better at it.
Furthermore, the rise of online poker has made it easier than ever for college students to access and play the game. Online poker platforms offer a convenient way for players to practice, compete, and hone their skills from the comfort of their own dorm rooms. This increased accessibility has undoubtedly contributed to the growing popularity of poker among college students and has proven to be a crucial factor in the development of many successful poker players.
As for why it is harder for older fans of the game to turn from amateur players to professional ones, it should be noted that poker is a mentally demanding and competitive game. Also, it is no secret that young players, who don't have many responsibilities to take into account, are able to dedicate most of their time to getting better at the game. However, the older you are when you start playing poker, the harder you might find it to adapt to the constantly changing circumstances and the high financial risk of being a newbie in the industry.
In Conclusion
Overall, there is no age limit when it comes to when people can start playing poker. However, there is a reason why most poker pros kickstarted their careers as early as possible. The more time you have to develop your poker skills, the better your chances are of bursting the bubble at tournaments and winning cash prizes when you take a seat at the poker tables.
So, if you've been wondering whether now is the right time to start playing poker, of course it is. Bottom line is: ANY time is a good time to start playing poker. The challenge, the comeraderie, the pure entertainment, just can't be beat - at any age!
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