Become a professional gambler? Why not? Interview with Raul Cohen

The good thing about being unemployed is that your opportunity costs are low.  Thus it is a time to try new things and take a look at creative and fun ways to make money. One of my all time career goals has been to become a professional gambler. I figure now is a better time than any to give it a try since I do not have much to lose.   With that said I did some investigative reporting and contacted a semi pro poker player.  Raul Cohen is a undergrad student at a big 10 university and has managed to make over 150K in the past two years with limited cash while attending school full time.   Although 150K for 2 years does not sound like much given are expectations after graduating from a top MBA program, it is not a bad deal considering that one can maintain a full time job and play poker, or that many like myself our unemployed. Thus  75K a year playing poker does not seem all that shabby.   Let's learn more.  

Q&A

How much did you make playing Poker since you started?  

Over the last 2.5 years of my undergrad I made about $150k 

How long did it take you to start making cash?

After 3 months I was beating the low stakes for 2k/month 

Is this a crowded market? 

In the past 4 years the market has become a lot more competitive. But in general there is an enormous supply of degenerates, and plenty that try to do what I do but are incapable. 

Can unemployed broke MBA's be taught how to play?

Absolutely.  MBA's by default are usually intelligent, and being a critical thinker is the most important skill in playing poker.  I recently coached an undergrad business student to beat the $25 tables for 1k/month after knowing him for only 2 months.

How much can an MBA expect to make playing if they learn your system?

With some focus and good risk management one could expect to make between 1k-3k after a couple months.  If the person sticks with it and works hard they could make between 40-100k after a year.

How long to train an MBA to play poker?

1-2 months

Do you advise playing with Visors or Sunglasses?

Usually I like to clearly look my opponents in the eye as the dealer ships me the pot.

What is your poker strategy?

Basically, gathering as much information as possible and just figuring out how people think and then playing optimally against them based on what I know they know.  Also removing bad as well as good reactions and emotions from your play is uber important.

Last but not least Killing It or Getting it Done?

Without a doubt Killing it