From online poker to stock trading

To be successful playing online poker at the very highest level you need to possess some special qualities. You need to have a calm head when others are panicking, good observational skills, you must be able to make quick and concise decisions and have nerves of steel. So it’s no wonder that online poker pros are being asked to make the move from online poker to stock trading by head-hunters for trading firms.

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Unsurprisingly online poker players who make it to the top of the game share many of the characteristics of successful hedge fund managers and stock traders. Traits such as a good understanding of risk management, quick and clear thinking under pressure, self-discipline, very good memory and recall skills and even bankroll management are commonplace at the top online poker tables and also at the London Stock Exchange. This is why many head-hunting firms, who work on behalf of hedge fund and trading forms are viewing play at online poker sites to try and find that special kind of person.

When you think of London stock brokers you think of men who are trading stocks worth more than the annual GDP of some third-world countries, in the blink of an eye. Decisions which would give many of us mere mortals a nervous breakdown are made in a split-second by these fearless men and women.

But think of high-stakes poker for a second. Earlier this week the biggest ever online poker pot was won by Patrik Antonius. He calmly played out a hand to take down a pot of $878,958.50. Elite online poker players are used to gambling phenomenal amounts of money on a single hand and also display the required good understanding of risk management, quick thinking, self-discipline and memory skills making them perfect candidates for recruitment into the stock trading world.

If you're a regualar at any of the internet's top online poker sites such as PokerStars or UltimateBet then manage to build a decent bankroll and win some big cash finishes then who know's, maybe you could find yourself head-hunted for a dream job in London.

25/05/2010 15:17:17

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