Marc Couper, originally from Scotland now living in Brighton, packed in his job as a software developer to earn his living from playing poker.
The 33 year-old swapped microchips for gambling chips after discovering he could increase his salary by spending his time competing in online poker tournaments.
He has managed to win £60,000 in just six months which equates to around £125 per hour by playing against other poker players across the globe on his home computer.
Marc only began playing poker in his spare time just two years ago, but picked up the game very quickly.
He said, “It started out as a bit of fun but I have honed my own style of play.
“My family and girlfriend were very sceptical at first but now they are fully behind me.
“I am only playing about 20 hours a week but that is enough to win big in a few tournaments.
“My secret is that I am an aggressive player. I am not a gambler by nature.
“I only bet when I think I have got an edge – and I have in poker.”
Marc is like many modern poker players who cut their teeth by playing online before entering the offline tournaments.
He has qualified to appear at the Asian Poker Tour 500 event in Macau, Hong Kong taking place in August. The top prize for this tournament is £750,000. So far his biggest win was in an online tournament back in January where he scooped £15,000.
Marc is nicknamed Bluff Daddy and has ambitions of becoming a big name in the world of poker by winning a World Series of Poker bracelet.
He added, “My aim is to win a World Series bracelet.”
He says his worst month so far, saw him lose £2,500 but claims he rarely fails to break even.
Despite his success so far and his World Series of Poker ambitions, Marc remains level-headed and knows poker is a risky business.
He said, “I spent 10 years in software development so if it ever goes wrong, I can go back to my career.”
His girlfriend, 20 year-old Kelly King, had reservations about Marc’s decision to quit his job and solely make money from poker but she now seems to be warming to the idea.
She said, “I was a bit sceptical when he started but he is doing really well out of it.”
