We all have that friend that is very enthusiastic about gambling, but never seems to have any money. Needless to say, that friend isn’t a professional gambler. Chances are they’re more of a cowboy gambler, drastically overestimating their abilities.
Make no mistake, there is a very big difference between liking gambling, and being good at it. If you want to be good, and truly turn professional, there are a few things you should know up front. First of all, being a professional gambler isn’t easy. It takes a great deal of skill, dedication, and perseverance. Second, you’re going to have to do a lot of research, and practice on a daily basis.
If you’re still interested read on to learn more about being a pro gambler.
Money Management Is Key
The biggest skill you’ll learn on your path to being a pro gambler is money management. If you’re careless with your money, and aren’t keeping track of how much you have, quit now. Managing your money is the backbone of your entire career, keeping you clear about where you are, and clear about what you have to achieve.
Thankfully, the vast majority of online casinos make it easier than ever before to manage your cash. All you have to do is track your own spending. Remember; when you’re gambling you should have a set limit on how much you can lose, and how much you want to win. It is absolutely essential that you quit when you’ve hit that limit, either way. Walk away if you’re ahead by a set limit, and walk away when you’re down by a set limit.
Understand Odds And Live By Them
You’ll notice there are a great many pro Blackjack players, but not many pro Roulette players. Why is that? Probably because the best odds you’ll find in Roulette are around 2.7%, while the best odds in Blackjack are roughly 0.6%. See the difference?
Yes, you’re going to have to get very familiar with Poker and Blackjack if you want to win consistently. They’re skill-based games, and going pro is all about developing skills. The trick is that developing Poker and Blackjack skills is time-consuming and very demanding. The best Blackjack players hone their skills over many years, putting in hundreds of hours of research and practice. If you’re not willing to do that, you’re going to have a hard time going pro.
Putting In The Hours
But isn’t spending hours at the virtual Blackjack tables going to leave you broke? Not at all. Being a pro gambler doesn’t mean that you’re a high roller. On the contrary, most pros don’t bet big when they play. Instead, they bet small, focus on practicing, and walk away with more money in the long run.
Any time you play a session of Blackjack, and walk away with more than you started, is a big win. You can play at a table that has a maximum bet of $1 at Lake Palace casino and still get in the practice you need. Remember; being a high roller isn’t the same as being a good player. In fact, that friend of yours we mentioned earlier probably has no money because they’re so sure that betting big is the key to winning. It isn’t.
Doing Away With Emotions
Yes, gambling is about having fun, and you can have plenty of fun even if you’re a pro. But having fun doesn’t mean letting your emotions do the thinking. Losing streaks are frustrating, and may even make you swear in annoyance. But absolutely don’t let the emotion get the better of you, push you into betting big, and make the losing streak even worse.
Pro gamblers are cool, calm, and never emotional. If you’re on a bad losing streak, walk away and try again tomorrow. Don’t chase the losses, and don’t assume that persistence will force the tables to turn. While persistence is good, sometimes you just need to accept the losses and move on. Never, ever convince yourself that winning is only a matter of raising the bet and having one more round.
Raising Stakes Versus High Rolling
But how can you make a living if you’re only playing at the $1 tables? There is a big difference between being a high roller and playing smart at the high maximum bet tables. If you have $10,000 in reserve, and step up to a table with $1,000, you have to work within those limitations. If you lose all $1,000, it’s a heavy blow, but you still have $9,000 to work with. If you step up with $10,000 and lose all of it leaving you broke, you’re in a whole lot of trouble.
How much you bet, versus how much you’re working with, is key to being a smart gambler. Needless to say, you’re going to find it very difficult being a pro gambler if you only have $1,000 to your name. It’s probably best if you have a decent bankroll to start off with. Assuming, of course, you’re going pro with the confidence that you’re good enough to make ends meet. Get in that practice first before you make any commitments.
Think Long Term
Like with any career, pro-gambling needs to be thought of in the long term. Sure, you might do well today, but will you do well tomorrow? How about next week? How about next year? Yes, it’s the rest of your life we’re talking about, since you’re a pro player now. Going pro means that this is your only source of income now, right?
If the thought of relying only on gambling as a source of income worries you, it should. Gambling is tricky, there are going to be ups and downs, and you have to make it work. This isn’t to say being a pro gambler is impossible, only that it’s going to require a whole lot of planning, practicing, and serious money management.
If you still think you have what it takes, we wish you luck. Remember to quit while you’re ahead, and remember to bet with your brain, and not your heart.
