2022 is the year of the digital nomad; the industry is thriving once again, with movement becoming unrestricted and shared spaces open for business. Whilst restrictions strangled the industry; they also woke people up to the possibilities of remote work, which has led to an explosion in the popularity of working from anywhere.
It’s been a tough time for digital nomads, but the fact remains that it is still a worthwhile industry to become involved in. Whether coding remotely, becoming involved in marketing or freelance writing, people are once again traveling the world and combining their work with their movements. Who knows, the articles you read in the United States might have been written in a busy café in Portugal, or the social media post from your favorite English outlet queued up by a digital nomad with their feet up on a beach in Australia.
If you don’t have those skills, you can still become a digital nomad; poker nomads are becoming increasingly common in the modern world. Some of the best poker players in the world have made their name playing online; Phil Ivey has almost as much in cashes from online play as he does in major tournaments. Viktor Blom won millions of dollars playing online before he revealed his identity; for years, he was known as Isildur1. You might not play for millions, but if you get things right, you might be able to become a poker nomad.
Here’s how.
Get Good at Poker
This might seem obvious, but digital poker players don’t make a living by chance. They hone their skills like a digital nomad who writes articles and will have some writing experience before they hit the road. You don’t just need to know the basics either; you need to follow guides to get better at poker, learning the finer points of the game. Online players understand pot odds and multi-table and treat the game as a math exercise. If that’s all alien to you, you’re not ready to be a digital poker nomad! The rule of thumb is if you have never made enough to pay for food and roof in the past, you probably need to consider another method of becoming a digital nomad.
Travel Wisely
Digital nomads do travel where they want, but there’s also an element of planning; they may be required to pop into the office once every so often, or they might travel to a city with a certain specialism or features that fit their employment as well as their desire to travel. Being a digital poker nomad is no different; you might plan a trip to Vegas during the World Series of Poker, the world’s most lucrative poker event, to imbue the game’s atmosphere. Just like a freelance writer might also write for a local paper or magazine, mixing your digital poker playing with a bit of in-person competition is no crime.
Invest in the Right Gear
If playing online poker is intended as a way of life, it is important to ensure you have the right equipment. Don’t just think a tablet will do; you might find yourself without Wi-Fi, for instance. Digital nomads of all types tend to have contingency plans, such as mobile dongles for the moments they need to work but don’t have a connection. Buy a robust laptop that you feel comfortable traveling with but also performs fast enough to keep you in the games. Finally, consider insurance for your gear; when you’re a digital poker nomad, your laptop is crucial, and if it is taken, it is important to ensure you have a contingency.
