Quo Vadis in Life and Poker?

I consider myself quite fortunate to earn a living without being stuck in a nine-to-five office job, at least up until now. And I even enjoy my particular niche job in the poker industry despite all of the stress and headaches that come along with it many a times. While not rich with money, the experiences gathered and places visited thanks to poker far surpass any of my expectations whatsoever.

How long that still may be the case is a question I have asked myself more often as of lately with a new personal chapter shimmering past the horizon in the near future. Living out of a suitcase and always being on the road is not for the faint-hearted and there will be a moment when the urge of settling down takes over instead of being a digital nomad.

What exactly makes poker so special and unique under the current circumstances, you may ask?

In the grand scheme of things, poker is a zero sum game in which nearly 90% of the players lose money while a selected few have carved out an edge to shine in the spotlight more or less consistently. However, that doesn’t mean that there is no money to be made whether that is in tournaments or cash games — the two most common game formats.

Competing against the creme de la creme can be a costly lesson that only a few can afford without selling some of their action. But is it really the ultimate goal of all poker enthusiasts to participate in high-stakes competitions? Perhaps, earning a modest income on mid-stakes seems like a better long-term alternative and there are different approaches to potentially make that happen.

Unlike several years ago, there are now multiple established live poker tours all over the world with a low four figure buy-in and six to seven figure guarantees. Many a times, those willing to jump on a plane and wanting to explore new countries while playing poker for a living have multiple options to pick from.

In the past, this path was perhaps limited to just North America and Europe but South America and especially Asia have been catching up fast. The World Poker Tour is perhaps the most versatile brand out there while PokerStars is once more expanding its regional portfolio as well after years of scaling back operations due to change in ownership.

Among the fastest-growing global markets is the Asia-Pacific region which has been setting multiple attendance and prize money records in 2023. They also benefit from a handful sleeping giants as barely anyone in the global poker scene knows about the massive growth in popularity within mainland China, Japan and Viet Nam. All three of these countries have to overcome some hurdles with regards to gaming regulations, as legal offerings are still limited. Other nearby nations such as Cambodia and Malaysia host large live poker festivals, too, but require a lot of paperwork to get approved.

Early in 2024, the Mike Sexton WPT Champions Cup will be heading to South East Asia for the first time, which by now is no longer a coincidence but a surprise that it has taken so long. The luxurious NagaWorld Resort in Phnom Penh, capital of the Kingdom of Cambodia, will host the highly anticipated stop for the first visit of the WPT Main Tour on Asian soil — many more are expected in the near future. Seven-figure prize pools are no longer a surprise for the country and new headline numbers can be expected.

On paper, the global poker industry experiences a second boom after the Moneymaker era some twenty years ago. Attendance records are set across multiple continents and the guarantees are growing with it, putting the hopes and expectations of card sharks all over the world on a new level. This culminated in a new record field in the 2023 WSOP Main Event, which drew a staggering 10,043 entries with many first-timers taking a shot at glory.

Whether or not this tremendous recent growth will continue throughout the next few years remains to be seen. Especially in the online arena, the rapidly expanding regulation continues to represent a huge obstacle and consistent headache but appears to have no influence on the thriving live poker scene just yet. Apps have become more popular while the overall number of established networks and operators has been shrinking, a fact all but hidden from the eyes of the casual poker enthusiast.

The card game still represents just a minor portion of the income for most global gambling companies and a useful tool in their pursuit to convert customers to casino games and sports betting. Especially the latter is dominating the regulated US markets and new states entering the fray typically prefer to green-light the most promising gambling variants in terms of money to be made first. In that regard, poker will very likely always remain on a back burner.

It is still very much possible to earn a modest income even if not involved in the high-stakes action. Perhaps my point of view is somewhat biased but game and event selection becomes more important and plenty of viable options come to mind. Many mid-stakes grinders have found a new home and frequent specific circuits while others even opted to relocate entirely, splitting their efforts throughout the live and online poker arena.

Cambodia, Thailand, and Vietnam have become popular destinations with many Aussies, Americans and Europeans on the move. Many aspects of the daily life may not necessarily run as smoothly as back home but the minor downsides and often unexpected surprises are a mere drop in the bucket. South East Asia offers a more relaxed and affordable lifestyle with significantly lower expenses across the board.

Add to that the rich culture, sufficient healthcare system and — in my case — delicious food variety, and there is a case to be made to pack up in search for a new mid or even long-term adventure. I am fortunate enough not to care about money as much and rather prioritise (new) experiences, of which there are aplenty in my new chosen home. When and where exactly that will be remains to be seen, but there may very well be a reason for me to make up my mind as soon as possible.

I am not rich nor poor and have seen more corners of this planet than I could have ever imagined as a kid, which grew up in the middle of nowhere.

Whether or not poker will still play a significant role for me is also pretty much a mere coin flip. I thoroughly enjoyed the consistent hustle and relentless stress for more than a decade but the naughty forties are just around the corner. Perhaps, a change of role within the industry will reignite the fire inside even though I certainly enjoy the various challenges that naturally come with live reporting.

In all these years, I gave it my all and tried to be as thorough and efficient as possible while on duty, also attempting to pass on my knowledge to the new generation. Many new reporters simply jump aboard for fun or to make some money before moving on without a hitch, just like high-speed trains rush through regional stations. But trains may very well be replaced by more efficient modes of transport and the same could be said about live event reporters (often referred to as bloggers) in poker.

As much as I would like to be in for the long run, there is a common saying that lingers in the back of my mind.

“You cannot teach old dogs new tricks.”

Ironically enough, long-distance running has become my favourite hobby and fitness regime since the coronavirus pandemic interrupted the lives of so many all over the world. From not being able to run 1km without being out of breath in 2021, I completed my first-ever marathon a few weeks ago in Ha Noi / Vietnam.

Maybe, just maybe, one kind of insanity is replacing another.

The second marathon is just five weeks away, with number three and four to follow early in 2024 — all three of them will take place in Asia. In between, several live poker festivals await to earn some money and afford taking time off. That is perhaps my biggest piece of luxury I currently possess: The freedom to decide when and where I go.

Lets make the best out of it until the body and soul is inevitably starting to wane.