Becoming a professional gambler isn’t as straightforward as getting a bachelor’s degree where you follow a set curriculum for four years.
You might have been led to believe otherwise by the success stories of famous gamblers including Archie Karas, Bill Benter, Viktor “Isildur1” Blom, etc.
Together, these individuals have won over $1 billion through gambling.
However, it’s not as simple as it seems. It’s true that gambling can sometimes bring in money, and for a lucky few, it can even provide a living. But it’s not a guaranteed paycheck.
Isn’t it interesting how everyone’s path to professional gambling is so unique? Yet, fortunately, we can always find certain kinds of similarities in their stories. That’s where this post draws its inspiration from.
This post isn’t a magic formula, nonetheless, it’s a good starting point. It’s up to you to take this information and build on it to carve your own path in the gambling industry.
To the “how”!
Don’t ever think you’re too big to learn the basics, or as some might call it, the ABCs of gambling. It’s something you’ll want to be familiar with, like the back of your hand. You can even see it as an investment that will keep paying dividends throughout your gambling career.
Speaking of ABCs, let’s get into it from the “variety” angle. There’s a whole planet of gambling out there, from sports betting that adds a sprinkle of reward to the enjoyment of passionate football and other sports lovers to poker for those who enjoy a mental challenge to slot machines for those seeking quick wins or visual excitement, to roulette for those who can’t get enough of the spin — whether it’s their Bugatti’s steering wheel, the roulette wheel or other spinning stuff. The casino and other gambling locations are a full “house” of options.
If you’re a regular follower of the gambling industry, all these things I have said must have rang your brain to recall the age-old debate: “Is it skill or luck?” Let’s cut to the chase.
Poker, for the start. I won’t disagree, for a small part of it, there is luck for example in the shuffle of the cards. However, for the bulk of the game including… Analysing the strength of your hand, reading your opponents’ body language, calculating probabilities, and maintaining mental strength — that’s all skill, my friend. The same goes for blackjack.
Roulette, on the other hand, is probably the riskiest game in the casino due to its unpredictability. The moment the ball takes flight, the wheel spins, and the ball bounces between 37 or 38 outcomes, fortunes can be made or lost in seconds. Even though physics might suggest some predictability, human quirks, imperfect parts, and even air currents can add to the randomness. Can you predict when you’ll scratch your eyebrow or when a gust of air will stop the ball? I didn’t think so. The game is luck-based.
Slots are even worse than a game of chance. They use Random Number Generators (RNGs) that work 24/7 to generate random numbers that determine the outcome of your pull of the lever or click of the “Spin” button. It’s a level playing field here — billionaires and Walmart employees alike have the same odds.
Even the casino management doesn’t know the outcome of the spins. Online roulette, craps, and baccarat also use this technology.
You just need to know which game is which so you can approach them with the right mindset.
Understanding your opponents’ body language, which I mentioned earlier, is part of the broader psychology of gambling. It’s amazing how much work casinos put into setting the right mood.
They’ve got it all figured out, from the layout to the games and even the smells, all backed by science. They’ve got the ambiance down pat, with the colors, lights, music, and freebies such as drinks and food.
They’re not trying to control specific outcomes but rather to create an atmosphere that encourages prolonged play. Yet, it’s easy to lose track if you’re not careful.
The avidity of the unknown, the potential for a big payout, and the challenge of outwitting the casino — those are the driving forces behind the fun of gambling.
In recent years, gambling establishments have taken these immersion techniques online with simulations and other methods to keep up with the rise of online gambling services.
Online gambling has been a smashing success from the get-go. It’s a colossal market that’s constantly got eyes on it. With fresh games and updates rolling out regularly, it’s made gambling more accessible than ever before. As a gambler, the future of online gambling should be an exciting prospect that gets your adrenaline pumping.
To wrap up this section and move on to the hotter ones, it’ll do you tremendous good to specialize in a type of gambling. You’ll excel at a game, say poker, if you focus solely on it. It’s better than being a jack of all trades and master of none. After all, the stories of great gamblers we’ve heard mostly focused on a niche.
As I said before, there are no definitive “steps” to professional gambling. However, there are valuable insights you can add to what you have in your knowledge box. You can use these insights to sketch your own map or something.
You might already be smelling it, learning and studying go hand in hand in professional gambling. It’s a continuous process. Grab every opportunity to learn. No matter how experienced or old you are, there’s always something new to learn. It’s lifelong.
Successful gamblers are always updating their knowledge and staying on top of the latest trends and strategies in their chosen field. They don’t just skim through information, they study deeply to go deep into understanding game mechanics, probability theories, and techniques.
Observation is another part of the process. Professional gamblers are also “pro” observers. They study other gamblers, learn from their strategies, and try to incorporate them into their own gameplay. They also learn from their own mistakes and others. They analyze their past games, identify their weaknesses, and work on improving them. Sure, yes, they leverage technology to gather data, analyze games, track their performance, and plan their strategies.
When the time for practice comes (that always comes), they often use simulations to test their strategies and make necessary adjustments based on the outcomes.
You know, all these things cannot be achieved if you do not have patience and persistence — traits that successful gamblers have in abundance, Archie Karas, for example. They understand that it takes time to learn and master any skill. You should, too.
Speaking of hitting the books, Edward O. Thorp, the “father of card counting” and a maths professor, certainly hit them well. Because otherwise, how would he have written his 1962 hit book, “Beat the Dealer”, the first book of its kind to prove mathematically that blackjack could be beaten by card counting?
He definitely spent hours studying the game, practicing card counting, and strengthening the muscle mass of his strategy.
Even though it’s not advisable to take up gambling as a full-time job instead of for fun, if you decide to do so, you need to give it your all. Set a schedule, dedicate specific hours to play the game and study, watch multiple matches a day, and maintain a professional attitude.
You could use online platforms to play practice games. If you want a community feeling, playing with friends can add a fun and social dimension to your learning. Your hands will surely get stronger over time (no pun intended).
Emotions can impair your judgment. In the heat of the moment, it’s easy to let excitement, frustration, or anxiety dictate your actions. However, successful gamblers appreciate the necessity of staying rational and using logic and strategy, rather than emotions, to guide their decisions.
There are several techniques that can help keep emotions in check while gambling. These include taking regular breaks to clear your mind, practicing mindfulness and meditation to improve focus, and setting loss limits to abate the impression of frustration in your gameplay.
It would be a crime not to seal off without mentioning attitude. Maintain a positive attitude, even when things don’t go your way.
Just as I mentioned earlier, focusing on one game can help you channel your energy and become a master in that area. This focus can lead to a deeper grip on the game’s mechanics, strategies, and subtleties, which can give you an edge over other players who may be spreading their attention too thin across multiple games.
Here are some tips for you. When picking a speciality, the easiest way you can do it is to consider your interests, skills, and the amount of time you’re willing to devote to learning and practising.
Begin by scouting around for various games to discover which ones you enjoy and excel at. Once you’ve pinpointed a potential specialty, research it thoroughly, become more serious with it, and consider seeking advice from more experienced players.
You know, it doesn’t stop at choosing a speciality — that is just the beginning. You need to have a strategy for your game. Not just any strategy, a well-defined one. Having that kind of strategy can be a blessing in your gambling career. A solid strategy guides your decision-making process, assists you in managing your bankroll fruitfully, and can boost your chances of success in the long run.
There are numerous gambling systems that players have successfully used. For instance, the Martingale system in roulette involves doubling your bet after every loss so that the first win recovers all previous losses, although this isn’t generally recommended.
In poker, a common strategy is to calculate pot odds to determine whether a call is profitable in the distant future.
In that “future,” your wins and losses will fluctuate, your bank account will rise and fall, and you have to keep a record as a professional who knows what they’re doing. Keeping track of your wins and losses helps you monitor your performance, identify patterns, and make informed decisions about your betting strategy.
For the most basic record-keeping method, a journal should do the trick. An effective gambling journal should include details of each bet (including the date, the game, the amount wagered, the outcome, and any observations), reflections on your decision-making process, and notes on any patterns or trends you’ve noticed.
Regularly review this journal to inform your future betting decisions. If you prefer digital over paper, there are mobile and web app journals or other tools available for this purpose.
Money management in gambling is sort of a well-stacked burger — buns with lots of onion, tomato, cheese, beef, hamburger sauce, and more between them. Don’t worry, I will narrow it down to the main ingredients.
Just as an electrical circuit wouldn’t be complete without the fuse, successful gambling isn’t complete without the ingredients of setting win goals and loss limits.
A win goal is a set amount of winnings at which you’ll call it a day. On the flip side, a loss limit is a set amount of money you’re prepared to lose in a gambling session. These limits help you avoid the common trap of chasing losses or getting swept up in a winning streak. They instill discipline and help you know when it’s time to step away, safeguarding your bankroll and helping you gamble responsibly.
If you have long-term success in gambling in mind, having a functional bankroll management system is a crucial step. Here are some tips:
Professional gambling is not an easy path. It is very far from the flashes the media portray it to have. It requires a tremendous investment of time and effort, and the results are not guaranteed.
Some of the challenges include dealing with losing streaks, managing stress and emotions, staying disciplined, and maintaining a work-life balance.
There’s also the risk of developing gambling-related problems, such as addiction.
In addition, you have to approach professional gambling with realistic expectations; otherwise, you will be shooting yourself in the leg. I never disagreed, it’s definitely possible to make money from gambling, however, it’s not a “get rich quick” or Ponzi scheme.
Professional gambling requires skill, strategy, and a lot of patience. It’s not for everyone. You have to approach the thing healthily and responsibly. Enjoy the process, not just the outcome.
If you’re still of the mindset that you’re one of the select few who can excel in professional gambling, I wholeheartedly wish you the best. My support comes from a place of sincerity, not skepticism. Just proceed with caution. Digest the information in this post and merge it with your current knowledge. What am I even saying? Don’t just digest, apply as well.
We can indeed tackle most seemingly impossible or tough tasks when we fuel our minds. You’re no exception.
