If you have some knowledge about the game of poker and more than a little passion for it, then you may have what it takes to be a poker writer. It may surprise you to know that many people lack the talent to write coherently about a topic as complex as poker, so if your writing skills are up to scratch, chances are that someone will be willing to pay for what you can produce.

Get Online

You need to start somewhere, however, and the best way to do this is probably to start your own poker blog. This is a space where you can show what you’re capable of to potential employers, so make it count. Being active online in poker forums will also show that you have knowledge and enthusiasm for the game. It may also be a good idea to have a social media account such as Twitter, where you can write live about tournaments as they are happening. The character count forces you to be pithy and succinct.

Make it Work

As a writer, chances are that you will be working freelance. This gives you more freedom, but it’s important to work to deadlines. If you consistently submit articles late, they will stop calling. You’ll probably be working for more than one client at a time, so make sure you have all your work organised. Another big no-no is delivering identical content to different clients – they will have software to see if the same content appears somewhere else online.

If you really want to make this a full-time gig, then you’ll have to be pro-active. Go along to some big tournaments and watch and report on the action. The players see poker as more a sport than a game, so think of yourself as a sports reporter. You may even have the chance to interview some of the players, which will provide you with some exclusive content to sell to the highest bidder.