It is the most common question in the industry: “Can I actually beat the games if I have a full-time job?”
Most training content is designed for aspiring pros who have 8 hours a day to grind and study. But what about the accountant, the engineer, or the parent who only has a few hours a week?
Phil Galfond, the founder of the legendary Run It Once training platform and widely considered the “GOAT” of PLO, recently released a video answering exactly this. His answer is a definitive “Yes”. But only if you avoid the specific traps that kill most part-time careers before they start.
👇 Watch the Video Below: Scroll down to the end of this article to watch Phil Galfond’s full breakdown on part-time poker strategy.
The “Timeline” Reality Check
Galfond’s first point is a massive relief for anyone feeling “behind.” He explains that skill development works exactly the same way for a full-time pro as it does for a part-time enthusiast. The only difference is the calendar.
If a full-time grinder takes 2 years to reach a high level of competency, a part-time player might take 4 to 6 years to reach that same point.
You aren’t “worse” at learning because you have a job; you are simply on a stretched timeline. Accepting this removes the pressure to get rich quick and allows you to focus on the actual skill of playing cards.
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The “Success Trap”: Why Smart People Lose
The most profound insight in the clip is about Ego and Game Selection.
Galfond highlights a specific demographic: successful professionals. These are people who make good money in their day jobs. Because of this, playing $0.10/$0.25 (PLO25) feels like a waste of time because the money isn’t “meaningful” to their lifestyle.
This is the trap.
“Stepping into games where you just get beat up… it’s going to discourage you from learning and improving.” — Phil Galfond
If you jump into high-stakes games just to “feel something,” you will get crushed by regulars. You won’t learn why you are losing; you will just lose.
Phil’s advice? Drop down and find soft games. Play stakes you can beat. The goal of a part-time player shouldn’t be to pay the rent. It should be the satisfaction of spotting leaks, exploiting mistakes, and outsmarting opponents. That “dopamine hit” of playing correctly is what fuels long-term improvement.
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How to Shorten the Curve (Efficiency is Key)
If you are a part-time player, Time is your most expensive asset. You cannot afford to waste 6 months “figuring things out” by trial and error. You need efficiency.
To follow Phil’s advice and accelerate that 4-6 year timeline, you need the right tools:
- Structure Your Study: Do not browse random YouTube videos. If you are new to Omaha Poker, commit to a structured 30-day PLO course like Run It Once: From The Ground Up (PLO Edition). It condenses years of theory into a step-by-step syllabus.
- Use the Right Tools: You don’t have 10 hours a day to run manual calculations. Use a modern PLO solver like Run It Once Vision. It allows you to visualize GTO ranges instantly on your phone or desktop, helping you spot leaks in minutes, not hours.
- Join a Community: The fastest way to learn is by osmosis. Joining a top-tier poker training site ensures you aren’t learning outdated strategies from 2015.
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WATCH: Can Part Time Poker Players Win? (Phil Galfond)
Do you agree with Phil? Is it better to crush the micros for “fun” or struggle at mid-stakes for the “thrill”?
With over 12 years of Omaha Poker experience, Lebi is the Head of Content at PLO365. A dedicated PLO specialist, he bridges the gap between complex GTO theory and practical street poker. He leads our review team, stress-testing PLO solvers, HUDs, and training courses to ensure they meet the demands of the modern grinder. When he isn’t auditing poker room RNGs or writing strategy guides, you can find him grinding PLO cash games and Turbo MTTs.
