How modern poker professionals diversify their income beyond the tables

From live tournaments to Twitch streams, today’s poker pros are redefining success. Discover the three paths reshaping the game’s financial future.

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2025 December 28 . 1:31 PM

1 min read

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How modern poker professionals diversify their income beyond the tables

The world of professional poker has evolved. Players no longer rely solely on tournament wins or cash game profits to earn a living. A recent WPT Global blog post outlines three main paths modern poker professionals follow to make money.

Each route offers different ways to build income beyond just playing at the tables.

The first archetype is The Working Live / MTT Pro. Players like Ari Engel, Shannon Shorr, and Brian Altman focus on live tournaments and cash games. They boost their earnings through selling action, backing deals, sponsorships, and coaching.

Another group, The Online Grinder / Strategy Pro, includes names such as Patrick Leonard, Benjamin Rolle, and Ryan Laplante. Their primary income comes from consistent online play, but they also earn extra through mentoring, backing, or training sites.

The third category, The Content & Ambassador Pro, blends poker with entertainment and branding. Lex Veldhuis, Brad Owen, and Andrew Neeme fit this mould, generating revenue from playing, sponsorships, streaming, affiliate links, and merchandise. Others in this space include Jens Knossalla, known for his work as a PokerStars commentator and streamer, and Dian Vegas, a top poker and casino influencer on Twitch and Kick. Dan Bilzerian also falls into this group, recognised as both a poker player and a major social media personality.

The blog highlights how today’s poker professionals rarely depend on a single income stream. Instead, they combine playing with other ventures to sustain their careers.

These three paths show how poker careers have evolved. Players now mix traditional table success with digital content, coaching, and sponsorship deals. The shift reflects broader changes in how professionals build and maintain their income in the modern game.