Poker Writer
Garrett Adelstein believes that pursuing a career as a full-time poker pro in 2026 is not a smart idea.
The former cash-game icon did a Reddit AMA on Tuesday, where he addressed several things, with the biggest takeaway being his current view of poker.
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Do Not Go Into Poker as a Pro In 2026
One of the most upvoted questions asked Adelstein what he would do if he were to restart his poker career now, in 2026, as a 21-year-old. He did not mince his words and clearly stated he would not consider being a full-time poker player today:
For clarity, without the knowledge-base I have currently, I’d never even consider it. Poker in 2026 is remarkably difficult. It now mirrors many other brutally competitive fields where you’ll have to invest years and years, with no guarantee of even turning a profit, let alone make the big bucks. There are so many problems with a career in poker.
He was pessimistic that he would be able to make anywhere near the same amount of money that he was able to make during his peak years playing high-stakes cash games.
But he did go on to entertain the question in a hypothetical where his 21-year-old self has the same knowledge and ability as his current 40-year-old self.
From there, I’d start grinding the very best public and private games I could wiggle my way into, probably in LA or Las Vegas. I’d use everything I’ve learned over the years to find the best spots (shorthanded, overnight games), work 80 hours a week, and avoid various pitfalls (tilt, rigged home games, overspending) through all my experience. At $2-$5, there are plenty of opportunities for sick games.
In response to another question that asked him about the mindset shift needed for low-stakes cash players, Adelstein again said it was not a great use of time in 2026.
To become great, you have to figure out the highest leverage skills in your playing environment. And then put in the (often monotonous) work of becoming elite at every one of those skillsets. For most of you in 2026, it’s probably not a great use of your time.
On J-4 Defining His Career
Many of the questions related to the infamous, and frankly oversaturated, J-4 incident with Robbie Jade Lew that all but ended his livestreamed cash game career. Adelstein admitted that at first, the public’s reaction greatly frustrated him.
But now he is more at peace with it and, in some ways, thanks the incident for allowing him to start a new chapter in his life.
I love poker. Always have, always will. But it was time to focus on the next thing. And that next thing turned about to be the most rewarding four years of my professional life. In that way, I’m grateful to Robbi and company. I’m not sure I could have walked away from my cushy, part-time, 7-figures annually gig otherwise.
Grateful to Step Away From Poker
He added that he is grateful for this extended break from poker, even though it has required him to pass up extra millions in potential money.
Some people think I’m a moron for not playing nice with HCL and ensuring I kept my seat in those games. I get that. But what I think that judgment misses is how little another $1-3M a year would enhance my life, if at all. Plus, I still would have needed to keep doing a job that I had grown pretty weary of. Easy for me to say given all the fortuitous breaks I’ve had in my poker career.
And he has not been playing poker at all since he stopped appearing on the cash-game streams following the J-4 incident. He confirmed to one user that he is not playing at all at the moment:
None. Writing a book, creating a 35+ hour poker course, and too many other new jobs, all while raising a 3- and 1-year old, has kept me a bit preoccupied.
Other questions during the AMA touched on his appearance on Survivor 15 years ago. Adelstein also made several plugs for his new book, in which he says he addresses the J-4 hand in more depth with “proof” of cheating.
Image credit: Curtis Gregory Perry/Flickr (license)
