Is it easy to become a poker pro in 2026?
WSOP champion and coach Rob Kuhn has sparked a debate on X about a professional career in poker. The American regular claimed that in 2026 it's easier than ever to become a poker pro.
Kuhn's arguments are that players can now get free access to solvers and quickly build a bankroll. Back in the day, learning the game was far harder:
"When I started in 2009, there were no decent ways to learn. I watched hole-card streams of elite pros playing, read high-stakes threads on the 2+2 forum and wrote everything down. But objectively speaking, everyone was just winging it."
Opinions in the comments were split. Many users believe Kuhn is wrong. Players point out that a professional career is now hindered by bots in online rooms, high rake that makes it hard to build a bankroll from scratch, major expenses on travel to live tournaments, and significant risks in private cash games.
Some believe solvers have ruined poker, stripping away the edge of those who had a better grasp of game theory and math. Others argue that it was easier to start a career in the 2000s because the fields were softer.
Kuhn's position was backed by Victoria Livschitz, for example. In her view, success in modern poker goes to the players who take a responsible approach to the game and work hard to reach their goals.
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Kuhn's arguments are that players can now get free access to solvers and quickly build a bankroll. Back in the day, learning the game was far harder:
"When I started in 2009, there were no decent ways to learn. I watched hole-card streams of elite pros playing, read high-stakes threads on the 2+2 forum and wrote everything down. But objectively speaking, everyone was just winging it."
Opinions in the comments were split. Many users believe Kuhn is wrong. Players point out that a professional career is now hindered by bots in online rooms, high rake that makes it hard to build a bankroll from scratch, major expenses on travel to live tournaments, and significant risks in private cash games.
Some believe solvers have ruined poker, stripping away the edge of those who had a better grasp of game theory and math. Others argue that it was easier to start a career in the 2000s because the fields were softer.
Kuhn's position was backed by Victoria Livschitz, for example. In her view, success in modern poker goes to the players who take a responsible approach to the game and work hard to reach their goals.
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