Life on the Road as a Poker Pro

By Chris Moneymaker

At first glance, life as a professional poker player might look like a dream: exotic locations, high-stakes events, five-star hotels. And sure, there’s a lot to be grateful for. But what most people don’t see is the grind beneath the glamour; the travel delays, time-zone whiplash, and long stretches of isolation.

I’ve lived both versions of this life: full throttle and scaled back, and over time, I’ve learned what really matters.

From 10 Months to 4

In the early years, I was on the road nearly ten months a year. If there was a tournament, I was on a plane. But when COVID hit, everything stopped. And like a lot of people, I took a hard look at my priorities.

Now, I travel about a quarter of the year. Four months, give or take. That shift wasn’t about the game changing, it was about me changing. I wanted to be home, to be present, and to actually watch my kids grow up. That became more important than chasing every event on the calendar.

The Upside You Don’t See on Camera

The obvious perks of the tour are the ones people expect: prize pools, recognition, great hotels. But the subtler wins, those stick with you too.

I’ve eaten at some of the best restaurants in the world. I’ve been to beautiful cities when the weather is perfect. And when I get to bring my best friend along for the trip, it turns the whole thing into something special. That kind of travel creates memories you can’t replicate any other way.

The Toll It Takes

But the lifestyle also demands real sacrifices. Constant travel, solo hotel nights, jet lag that never quite wears off. I’d go from staying up until 5 a.m. on the road to waking up at 7 a.m. with my kids at home. My body never knew what time it was supposed to be. That kind of disruption catches up with you, especially as the years go on.

A Typical Travel Day

Most travel days start painfully early. I usually book the 6 a.m. flight so I can arrive before the tournament begins. That often means getting to the hotel before check-in, dropping my bag with the bellman, and finding somewhere to grab a decent meal before I head straight to the tables.

Would it be easier to fly in the night before? Of course. But that’s one more day away from home. And those days add up.

Staying Grounded on the Go

I keep things pretty simple. I work out every morning. I talk to my family before I play. That reminder of what I’m playing for, and who I’m playing for, helps keep me focused.

I don’t usually play long series, so I’m rarely in one place for more than a week. That helps. I don’t need a detailed plan for surviving a six-week grind in the same hotel room. I come in, play, and if I bust early, I catch up on some sleep and a little TV.

No Study, No Streaming — Just Breathing

When I’m on the road, I don’t bring study tools or a streaming setup. I’m not running simulations between Day 1 and Day 2. Once I’m out of the tournament, that’s my downtime. I don’t try to fill it with work.

Those early bustouts may be frustrating, but they also give me something rare: a quiet room and a break from everything else.

The Travel Nightmare I’ll Never Forget

Every poker player has a horror story. Mine? Uruguay, 2025.

I missed a connection in Chicago by 15 minutes and was stuck there for 25 hours. That caused me to miss another flight in Buenos Aires and I couldn’t get out for another full day. On the way home, I boarded a flight that sat on the tarmac for nine hours before being cancelled.

To get back in time for a high roller, I ended up driving an hour to another airport and flying back to the venue only to get food poisoning. To top it all off, we lost all our luggage. It was brutal from start to finish.

The Stop That Feels Like Home

If there’s one location that always feels familiar, it’s The Bahamas. I’ve been going there almost every year for two decades. I’ve probably spent more time at Atlantis than any other single resort. That place, more than any other stop on the circuit, feels like a second home.

When (and Why) Family Stays Home

In 20 years, my family has only come on one poker trip and that was to Australia. It took months of planning, coordinating schools and pets, and lining everything up. It’s not impossible, but it’s far from easy. Most of the time, poker trips are solo missions. That’s just how it works.

The Best Advice for a Sustainable Grind

If you’re just starting out and plan to spend serious time on the road, here’s the best tip I can give you: find people you enjoy and travel with them. A bad stop can turn into a good one with the right crew. And a great stop can turn into a lonely one if you’re always alone.

Poker’s a solo game, but the road doesn’t have to be.

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