20 Business Ideas For Poker Players [2024]
For poker players looking beyond the felt, 2024 brings exciting entrepreneurial possibilities. Your strategic skills, risk assessment, and quick thinking can be valuable assets in various business ventures.
You could consider creating a poker training website, sharing your expertise and building a community of aspiring players. Another option might be developing a poker-related app, leveraging your insights to enhance user experience.
Additionally, poker tournaments and events organization could be an avenue to utilize your network and management abilities. Diving into these business ideas may open new doors and provide financial diversification.
For each business idea, we'll show you real-world examples of other poker player businesses to help you see what it takes.
Here's the full list:
1. Start a niche blog ($31.5K/month)
Starting a niche blog can be a fantastic way for poker players to supplement their income while sharing their expertise and passion for the game. With a niche blog, you could provide valuable tips, strategies, and insights to fellow poker enthusiasts, creating a strong online community around a shared interest. Additionally, by leveraging affiliate marketing, brand collaborations, and even sponsored events, you could turn your blog into a profitable side business or, with enough dedication, a full-time endeavor.
For poker players, the blog could cover various topics such as in-depth game analysis, tournament coverage, player interviews, and how-to guides on improving game skills. Over time, as you gain followers and credibility within the community, you could monetize your blog through advertising, affiliate links, or even premium content subscriptions.
Why start a niche blog?
- Leverage your deep knowledge and passion for poker to create compelling content that engages a dedicated audience.
- Generate multiple streams of income through ads, affiliate links, and partnerships with poker brands.
- Build a platform that enhances your credibility and connects you with other poker enthusiasts, potentially opening doors to new professional opportunities.
For more on starting your niche blog, visit Starter Story.
How much you can make: $100 — $650,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $650 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Starter Story grew to 1.4 million monthly visitors and millions in annual revenue by sharing the stories of entrepreneurs. Pat breaks down the early days and how he grew the business into something that changed his life.
2. Start a podcast ($97.9K/month)
Starting a podcast as a poker player can be a lucrative side business or a great way to supplement your income. By creating engaging content centered around poker strategies, industry news, and personal experiences, you could attract a dedicated audience who shares your passion for the game. As your listener base grows, there are opportunities to monetize through sponsorships, advertisements, and premium content.
Why consider starting a podcast?
- Monetize your knowledge: You have unique insights and experiences that can be valuable to both novice and seasoned players, creating potential for sponsorship deals.
- Build a community: You could foster a loyal audience of poker enthusiasts who tune in regularly, engage with your content, and create word-of-mouth marketing.
- Flexibility and low startup costs: Podcasting allows you to set your schedule and operate with minimal investment, needing only basic recording equipment and an affordable hosting platform.
For more information on starting a podcast, check out Starter Story's podcast startup costs.
How much you can make: $400 — $1,020,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Time commitment per week: Min. 2 hours/week
A successful podcast production company that grew from one client making $15/hour to a team of 10 contractors producing over 30 shows per week with revenue of over $10k/mo, primarily through referrals and with a focus on providing high personal touch and being picky about working only with clients who are a good fit.
3. Create a mobile app ($70.3K/month)
For entrepreneurial-minded poker players, diving into the world of mobile app development presents a lucrative and engaging opportunity. Whether you have a unique idea for tracking poker statistics, creating a strategy-based gaming app, or developing a productivity tool, starting a mobile app business is feasible and potentially highly rewarding. With basic coding knowledge or the ability to hire a skilled developer, you could transform your innovative concepts into apps that cater to poker enthusiasts and beyond.
Creating a mobile app requires meticulous planning, an eye for design, and rigorous testing to ensure functionality and a seamless user experience. Effectively marketing your app is crucial to attracting users and achieving substantial downloads. The ever-growing mobile app market offers immense potential for innovative solutions that could reach millions of users worldwide. If you have a bright idea and the dedication to bring it to life, the mobile app industry is waiting for you to dive in.
Why create a mobile app?
- The rising popularity of mobile apps offers immense opportunities for innovative and useful applications.
- With the right marketing strategy, a well-developed app could achieve significant traction and generate substantial revenue.
- Developing a mobile app allows you to blend creativity and entrepreneurial spirit, turning your unique ideas into tangible digital products.
For more insights and success stories, you can check out mobile app ideas.
How much you can make: $1 — $500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
BACH, an app that plans and books bachelorette parties, has grown from $0 to >$1M net revenue run rate in less than 6 months, gained over 100,000 users in their first 60 days, and has over 40,000 parties using the app this month.
4. Start an ecommerce reselling business ($83.3K/month)
Starting an eCommerce reselling business is an exciting way for poker players to diversify their income streams while capitalizing on their analytical mindset and competitive spirit. This venture allows you to leverage your skills in strategy and decision-making to select high-demand products and navigate the market efficiently, without the hefty production costs. Plus, you could start small by using social media platforms to test the waters before scaling up to an official website.
Why start an eCommerce reselling business?
- Low initial investment. You only need to purchase goods for resale, making it a cost-effective way to start a business.
- Flexible schedule. Balance poker playing and business management with a flexible work structure that suits your lifestyle.
- Scalable growth. Begin with social media reselling and expand to a full-scale online store as your business gains traction.
To explore more about the potential of an eCommerce reselling business, including pros and cons, startup costs, and marketing ideas, visit Starter Story.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $150,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,999 (?)
How long does it take to build: 75 days (?)
Empyre Off-Road, an e-commerce business founded by Greg Shuey which sells aftermarket parts for Toyota Tacomas, Tundras, and 4Runners, generated approximately $100,000 a month in revenue and was able to expand its product offering, focusing on content marketing, email marketing campaigns, and organic social media to attract and retain customers.
5. Start a subscription box business ($97.9K/month)
Launching a subscription box business could be a fantastic way for poker players to supplement their income or even start a new venture. Subscription boxes are in high demand, offering exclusive and niche products that can attract a loyal customer base. As a poker player, you could create a subscription box tailored to poker enthusiasts, curating cards, poker chips, strategy guides, and other related merchandise.
Why consider a subscription box business?
- Passive income flow: A subscription box business offers recurring revenue, which can help stabilize your income between poker nights.
- Niche expertise: Leverage your knowledge of the poker world to create specialized, high-value products that resonate with a targeted audience.
- Flexibility: A subscription business can be managed alongside your poker career, providing a flexible and scalable income stream.
How much you can make: $400 — $400,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $210 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
Vowed Box Co. is a line of curated, quirky gift boxes with non-traditional brides in mind, offering four different products that have helped the business become profitable most months since its launch in 2018, with a monthly income of roughly $600.
6. Start an ai based business solution ($55.8K/month)
As a poker player, you're already savvy with numbers and patterns, which gives you a unique edge in the AI business landscape. Launching an AI-based business solution allows you to capitalize on your analytical skills by automating tasks, predicting trends, and offering data-driven insights to other businesses. Consider exploring this high-demand market to diversify your income streams while leveraging your poker expertise to make informed business decisions. For more about the profitability and marketing of AI businesses, check out this link.
Why go for an AI-based business?
- You could harness your analytical prowess from poker to develop sophisticated AI algorithms that automate routine business tasks.
- The growing demand for AI solutions means you'll tap into a lucrative market, promising steady revenue.
- AI tools can provide predictive insights, much like reading an opponent's moves, to help businesses adapt and grow.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $120,000/month
How long does it take to build: 125 days (?)
Mikkelsen Twins grew an online education company from scratch with over 800 students, making over 6-figures in profit every month thanks to their successful program, Audiobook Income Academy 2.0.
7. Start a flight tours business ($772K/month)
Starting a flight tours business could be an appealing venture for poker players looking to supplement their income. The increasing demand for unique and thrilling experiences offers a lucrative opportunity to capitalize on aerial sightseeing, allowing you to provide customers with awe-inspiring views while running a flexible and profitable business. With your strategic mindset sharpened through poker, you could easily navigate the challenges of this industry and create memorable experiences for clients. For more insights, visit Starter Story for success stories and startup tips.
Why start a flight tours business?
- You'll leverage the growing trend of aerial sightseeing, meeting high market demand.
- The business allows for flexible scheduling, letting you balance it with your poker career.
- Your strategic and analytical skills from poker give you a competitive edge in this adventurous industry.
How much you can make: $43,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Envi Adventures, a Troutdale, Oregon-based air tour business, grew from making $7,000 in a month in its first year to over $30,000 a month in its second year, using Instagram and influencer marketing to create an interactive, personalized experience for guests.
8. Start an online course sales business ($85K/month)
As a poker player, you likely possess a wealth of knowledge and experience that can be invaluable to others. By starting an online course sales business, you have the opportunity to transform your expertise into a profitable side income or even a full-time endeavor. With the e-learning market expected to be worth over $645 billion in the next few years, this is a promising venture to consider. Plus, creating an online course allows for passive income, enabling you to focus on your poker career while your course generates revenue.
Why launch an online course sales business?
- You could monetize your poker skills. Turn your strategies and insights into a course that helps beginners and enthusiasts improve their game.
- It's a flexible business model. Create the course once, and it will continue to generate income without requiring constant attention.
- Tap into a booming market. The e-learning industry is rapidly growing, making it an opportune moment to get involved. Learn more about starting your own online course sales business.
How much you can make: $100 — $300,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $2,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
A multipreneur shares how she built a successful print on demand side hustle, generating $120,000 per year through multiple brands spread over various platforms.
9. Start an affiliate marketing business ($77.5K/month)
Starting an affiliate marketing business makes perfect sense for a poker player. You could leverage the analytical skills and strategic thinking honed at the poker table to identify the most profitable products and partnerships. Additionally, the flexibility of this online business allows you to earn passive income, giving you more time to focus on poker.
To get started, learn how to find the right product and brand to partner with. For example, you may prefer becoming an affiliate marketer for an eCommerce store, partnering with a manufacturer, and marketing their products for a commission. For more tips on starting, visit Starter Story.
Why consider an affiliate marketing business?
- You could generate passive income while still pursuing your poker career.
- Analytical skills from poker help you pick profitable products and optimize campaigns.
- Flexible work hours align perfectly with the irregular schedule of poker tournaments.
How much you can make: $500 — $773,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $700 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
This case study explores how Spencer Mecham founded Buildapreneur, an affiliate marketing business, and has made over half a million dollars in profit with no employees, relying solely on content marketing through platforms like Facebook, YouTube, and TikTok.
10. Start a stock investing business ($30.3K/month)
For poker players, starting a stock investing business can be a natural extension of their skills in analyzing risks and making strategic decisions. This venture revolves around buying and selling stocks to generate profits by scrutinizing market trends and executing informed trades. Thanks to the interconnected world of finance, poker enthusiasts can leverage their insight into human behavior and probability to navigate the intricacies of stock markets effectively. Discover more about how these skills translate to stock investing success here.
Why starting a stock investing business?
- Your analytical skills as a poker player align perfectly with the strategic demands of stock investing.
- Stock investing offers the potential for high returns if approached with informed strategies and risk management.
- You could leverage educational resources and trading platforms to continually refine your market strategies.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $160,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $3,500 (?)
How long does it take to build: 90 days (?)
Ticker Nerd is a monthly subscription service for investors that surfaces and analyzes trending stocks before the hype train arrives, and now has $4.5k in monthly recurring revenue from its newsletter without spending a single dollar on advertising, having validated the business via subreddits and organic Product Hunt launch strategy.
11. Start a gift wrapping service
Starting a gift wrapping service as a poker player is a viable side business that contrasts your high-stakes environment with a creative, low-risk venture. This business requires minimal initial investment, just grasping materials like wrapping paper, ribbons, and boxes. You could market your service online for free and rely on word-of-mouth recommendations from satisfied customers.
Given the flexibility of poker playing, you could manage your gift wrapping service during off-tournament seasons or downtime. This service allows you to use your interpersonal skills to attract and retain clients, harnessing your network to drive business growth. For more details on startup costs, visit this page within Starter Story.
Why consider starting a gift wrapping service?
- Low startup costs mean minimal financial risk.
- Flexible work hours allow you to balance poker and business.
- Creative and enjoyable work diversifies your daily routine, offering a break from the intensity of poker.
12. Develop an online survey tool ($304K/month)
Starting an online survey tool could be a smart move for a poker player looking to supplement their income or dive into a side business. Online survey tools like Typeform offer a convenient and cost-effective way to gather customer feedback, making them increasingly popular among businesses. With the right skills in critical thinking and strategic planning, poker players could excel in developing an online survey tool that meets market demand and brings in additional revenue.
Considering that Typeform has seen significant growth, with its annual recurring revenue surpassing $70 million in 2021, there's clearly a lucrative market for this kind of service. If you're interested in leveraging your analytical skills and knack for reading people, building an online survey tool could be a profitable venture to explore. For more information on how to get started, check out Starter Story's Online Survey Tool Success Stories.
Why developing an online survey tool?
- Online survey tools are in high demand. Businesses require data to make informed decisions, and your tool could become essential to them.
- It leverages your strategic, analytical skills. As a poker player, you know the importance of understanding human behavior, which is key in creating effective surveys.
- Potential for scalable, recurring revenue. With the right business model, you could enjoy a steady income stream from subscription-based services.
How much you can make: $40 — $1,600,000/month
How long does it take to build: 180 days (?)
GreenRope, a self-funded CRM and marketing automation platform with over 1,000 customers in 20 countries, was built organically and focused on creating a positive, customer-centric culture without outside investment, with an all-in-one interface solving challenges in managing sales, marketing, customer service, and operations.
13. Become a sleep consultant
As a poker player, you know the importance of focus and mental clarity, both of which are directly impacted by the quality of your sleep. Starting a side business as a sleep consultant could provide a lucrative opportunity to supplement your income while leveraging your understanding of optimal performance. By helping others to improve their sleep routines and environments, you could offer personalized coaching and strategies to a wide range of clients, contributing to their overall well-being.
Why start a sleep consultancy?
- You could diversify your income stream, mitigating the variability of poker earnings.
- Your insights as a poker player into the significance of rest and mental acuity give you a unique perspective to help clients.
- The growing awareness of sleep health means a high potential demand for your services, allowing you to tap into a thriving market.
How much you can make: $60,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $5,000 (?)
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
Pediatric sleep consultant earns up to $12,000 per month within the first year of launch and surpasses $454,000 in annual income by offering sleep consulting services and creating her own sleep consultant certification course with mentorship and support for students.
14. Become a music reviewer
If you love music and have strong opinions about it, becoming a music reviewer could be the perfect side hustle for you as a poker player. A music reviewer evaluates new songs, albums, and concerts, providing valuable insights to audiences. This can be a great way to diversify your income streams while leveraging your analytical skills honed through poker.
Becoming a music reviewer involves articulating your thoughts through compelling reviews on blogs, social media, or dedicated music sites. It might take some time to build a following, but the potential to influence musical tastes and trends is immense. With dedication and your unique voice, you could turn your love for music into a respected and lucrative profession.
Check more about the business of being a music reviewer here.
Why becoming a music reviewer?
- You could tap into a passionate community and share your love for music while growing your personal brand.
- With your analytical mindset from poker, you'll be well-equipped to critically evaluate music and articulate your thoughts.
- The flexibility of this side gig allows you to manage it alongside your poker career without much interference.
How much you can make: $100/month
How long does it take to build: 5 days (?)
Snake Oil Music News is a website that promotes new and emerging indie rock bands and artists, with a focus on reviews and live events, and has expanded to include merchandise sales and video content creation, looking for volunteers to help keep up with demand.
15. Start a real estate investment firm ($398K/month)
Starting a real estate investment firm would make sense for a poker player because the analytical skills and risk management strategies developed at the poker table are directly transferable to the real estate market. Real estate investment involves strategic decision-making, similar to poker, and requires a keen eye for evaluating opportunities and negotiating deals. By leveraging your poker expertise, you could make informed investments in properties to build a steady, lucrative income stream.
Why start a real estate investment firm?
- Real estate offers a tangible way to generate consistent cash flow through rental properties.
- You can leverage your poker skills in market analysis and risk assessment to secure profitable deals.
- Property investments often appreciate over time, providing both short-term income and long-term wealth-building opportunities.
For more insights, check out the pros and cons of starting a real estate investment firm on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $10,000 — $1,500,000/month
How long does it take to build: 210 days (?)
Equity Residences is a luxury real estate investment fund that has raised $40 million from over 200 investors, offering them access to a portfolio of luxury vacation homes for investment and personal use, with a minimum investment of $161,500 and plans to acquire a further twenty residences ranging from $1.5M to $4M.
16. Start a niche website ($107K/month)
Creating a niche website is a fantastic side business for poker players looking to supplement their income. The specialized knowledge you have in poker can be repurposed into compelling content that attracts a dedicated audience. You could create guides, share strategies, host forums, or review poker tools and products, all while monetizing through affiliate marketing, ad placements, or digital products.
Why start a niche website?
- You have unique insights that can attract a loyal audience of fellow poker enthusiasts.
- It's an opportunity to diversify your income streams beyond poker winnings.
- A niche site can evolve into a passive income generator with regular content and SEO efforts.
For more in-depth success stories and actionable tips, check out niche website success stories on Starter Story.
How much you can make: $400 — $250,000/month
How long does it take to build: 60 days (?)
DPW (Digital Procurement World) is a fast-growing conference and community in procurement that has more than tripled in revenue since launching in 2019, capping out the year at €1.8 million, with 95% of their growth coming from inbound traffic leveraging LinkedIn and applying social selling techniques.
17. Start a social media automation business ($139K/month)
Starting a social media automation business could be a savvy move for poker players looking to supplement their income. Imagine managing multiple social media accounts effortlessly while driving engagement and growth; that's the essence of this business. By developing tools and services to schedule posts, automate interactions, and analyze data, you could meet the significant demand from businesses and influencers who are eager to save time and enhance their online presence.
Why start a social media automation business?
- This business aligns well with the strategic and analytical skills many poker players already possess.
- You could leverage technological proficiency to create solutions that provide consistent, automated social media engagement.
- The demand for these services is high, offering a reliable stream of clients and income.
Learn more about the possibilities and benefits here.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $400,000/month
How long does it take to build: 50 days (?)
MeetEdgar, a bootstrapped social media automation tool founded in 2014 by Laura Roeder, has grown to $4 million in annual recurring revenue and more than 5,000 customers, with a team size of two dozen, achieved through content marketing, social media marketing, and organic search.
18. Start a health and wellness app ($108K/month)
As a poker player, maintaining optimal health and mental clarity is crucial for sustained performance. Developing a health and wellness app allows you to supplement your income while building a platform that can offer personalized fitness routines, nutrition plans, and mental well-being exercises—all essential for peak performance at the poker table. With the growing trend towards digital health solutions, this venture could seamlessly integrate your passion for poker and wellness, creating a meaningful business that has the potential to positively impact the lives of users.
Starting a health and wellness app involves market research, collaboration with health experts, and effective marketing strategies, but the potential rewards make it worth the effort. Learn more about how successful entrepreneurs have started similar ventures here.
Why start a health and wellness app?
- You could provide essential tools that help others maintain mental and physical well-being, crucial for high-stakes environments like poker.
- The app's growing market means significant revenue potential as more people seek convenient digital solutions for their health needs.
- You'll combine your expertise in mental resilience with a profitable business, turning your passions into a thriving venture.
How much you can make: $600 — $300,000/month
How long does it take to build: 200 days (?)
Founder and CEO of SelfDecode, Joe Cohen, explains how his company helps people discover personalized diet, supplement, and lifestyle recommendations based on DNA and lab tests; generating about $2.7 million in revenue over the past year and raising $8 million in a crowdfunding campaign, SelfDecode provides personalized health recommendations prioritized on unique genetic variants, marking the future of healthcare.
19. Start a cold email service business ($170K/month)
Starting a cold email service business could be a fantastic fit for a poker player with a strategic mindset and the ability to engage through words. This type of business involves creating and sending targeted email campaigns to prospective clients on behalf of businesses. By leveraging your analytical skills honed at the poker table, you could craft compelling emails that drive conversions and help companies generate leads and grow their client base.
The potential for scaling this business is significant, as you could start with small businesses needing lead generation and expand to larger clients and markets. Furthermore, familiarity with email marketing tools and a knack for creating engaging content are essential skills you could develop and refine over time.
Learn more about starting a cold email service business.
Why start a cold email service business?
- You could use your strategic thinking skills to craft targeted and effective email campaigns for clients.
- This business offers scalability, allowing you to begin small and grow your clientele as you build success stories.
- There's always a demand for lead generation services, ensuring a steady stream of potential clients and revenue.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $450,000/month
How much does it cost to start: $200 (?)
How long does it take to build: 35 days (?)
GMass, an email marketing platform that allows users to send cold emails and email marketing campaigns with Gmail, has attracted over 500,000 user signups, including major tech companies like Uber, LinkedIn, and Google, and now generates over $200K in monthly recurring revenue through a successful content marketing strategy and focused ad spend.
20. Create an AI writing tool ($255K/month)
Engaging in the creation of an AI writing tool could be a lucrative side business or even a full-time venture for a poker player. This business idea leverages the rapid advancements in technology to develop a tool that generates accurate and engaging content automatically. With the constant demand for quality content from businesses, bloggers, and students, this tool could significantly ease the workload of writers and provide a consistent income stream.
In the digitized world of today, embedding AI into content creation can transform the traditional writing process, making it automated, error-free, and time-efficient. As a poker player, your analytical skills and understanding of strategic thinking could be instrumental in developing and marketing an AI writing tool that meets the evolving needs of the content industry. For more insights on starting this business, explore these success stories.
Why invest in creating an AI writing tool?
- You capitalize on expanding market needs; the demand for quality content is consistently high.
- Your poker skills in analysis and strategy can give you a competitive edge in developing a sophisticated AI tool.
- This venture could provide a substantial and steady revenue stream, supplementing your income as a poker player.
How much you can make: $4,000 — $1,000,000/month
How long does it take to build: 52 days (?)
Rytr, a new AI writing assistant developed by a startup platform and business incubator, has become a market leader, serving over 300,000 customers across the world and doing seven figures in ARR.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
Download the report and join our email newsletter packed with business ideas and money-making opportunities, backed by real-life case studies.
