How to Take Your Skills to the Next Level

Transitioning from an amateur gambler to a professional in just one year is an ambitious goal and comes with various challenges. Success in professional gambling requires a combination of skill, knowledge, discipline, and a fair amount of luck. Here is the second part of our article “How to go from Amateur to Pro”, where we look at a handful of the considerations one should take into account when considering making this particular career change.

Hollywood sure makes it look glamorous – beautiful people in designer clothes sipping exotic cocktails while wagering huge sums of money, all while being surrounded by adoring groupies and fawning members of the public and press. Yes, according to those big budget gambling movies we’ve all seen on repeat (Casino Royale, Ocean’s Eleven, Maverick), the life of a professional gambler is one sweet deal! They seem to spend all their time either seducing attractive members of the opposite sex or roguishly masterminding epic capers that always end in their triumphing over the evil casino bosses. No one ever worries about anything as mundane as paying their rent or making the payments on little Jimmy's braces. Everyone is always beautifully dressed, perfectly coiffed, oversexed and over paid. With PR like that, who doesn’t want to sign up to become a professional gambler?! All delivered with little to no effort beyond that of a raised eyebrow and a few smart mouthed quips. It’s hard to resist such a siren song of luscious rewards with seemingly little to no effort, and after watching enough of those films, becoming a professional gambler seems to be the ultimate career choice! So what exactly is a professional gambler? Do they really exist? And more importantly, how does someone go from being an amateur to a professional gambler in under a year?

First, let’s briefly define what we mean by “professional gambler”. A professional gambler is an individual who earns a significant portion or the entirety of their income through gambling activities. Unlike casual or recreational gamblers who participate in gambling for entertainment, professional gamblers approach gambling as a serious business and employ strategies, skill, and knowledge to gain an edge and achieve consistent profits. Professional gamblers may engage in various forms of gambling, such as poker, sports betting, blackjack, or other skill-based games. For simplicity’s sake, we’re including advantage play under this broad umbrella. As we discussed in part one of our article, Advantage Play is a legal method used to gain an advantage while gambling. This is not the same as cheating. Advantage play exploits innate characteristics of a particular game to give the player an advantage relative to the house or other players (advantage play will be another article unto itself). Advantage Players (AP) use bonuses and promotions given to players to increase their edge, making it easier to win big. The hardest part about being an AP is finding these bonuses and promotions to begin with.

Onto our second question, do professional gamblers actually exist? The simple answer is “Yes''. The more accurate and considerably longer answer is markedly more complicated and convoluted. It’s impossible to give an accurate count of how many professional gamblers exist. There are no reliable statistics as to how many people are making the bulk of their income through gambling. One reliable study shows that approximately 26% of the world's population has gambled with 60% of Americans admitting to gambling in the past year. Online poker site The Global Poker Index (GPI) ranks over 450,000 online poker players, using data gathered from The Herndon Mob which aggregates the wins/losses of over 325,000 poker tournaments worldwide. A Pew Research study in 2022 found that 19% (around 1 in 5) of respondents said they had placed a sports bet within the past 12 months.

But all those statistics don’t tell us anything about who is actually making money from all this gambling. Whether by nature or necessity, professional gamblers are a discreet bunch. Professional poker players are arguably the most public of any pro gamblers while successful Sport Bettors rarely even reveal their real names. Cardsharps, card counters, and advantage players also keep low profiles and usually shun the spotlight.

Becoming a professional gambler involves a combination of skill, discipline, luck, and risk management. Here are some general steps, but keep in mind that gambling always involves risk, and there are no guarantees of success. Mastering gambling is a complex and subjective concept as it encompasses a wide range of activities, each with its own set of rules, strategies, and elements of chance. Moreover, professional gambling involves a significant look at bankroll management. A degree of luck needs to be factored in, as it is inherently unpredictable. But putting all that practicality aside, let’s indulge in a bit of fantastical daydreaming and explore the steps to becoming a professional gambler.

Specialization

Your first step in your journey to becoming a professional gambler is to identify your specialization. Recognizing your natural inclinations will make it easier to pinpoint which game you should focus on. Be honest with yourself about your inherent skills and flaws – if you’re not a naturally patient person, then poker is not for you!

Games like poker or blackjack, which involve skill and strategy, may take a longer time to master compared to purely luck-based games like mini-baccarat. It is common knowledge that Banker bets win more than Player bets, yet many gamblers don’t want to pay the 5% commission that comes with that win. That is why no-commission baccarat games are so popular with professional gamblers. Skill-based games require a deep understanding of the rules, strategies, and often involve continuous learning.

Mastery in one type of gambling doesn't necessarily translate to mastery in all forms. If you're interested in mastering multiple types of gambling activities (e.g., poker, sports betting, casino games), it may take more time. Some players choose to specialize in a particular variant of poker, such as Texas Hold'em, Omaha, or Stud. Specializing can deepen your understanding of the nuances of a specific game but may require additional time.

Emotional Control

Developing emotional control is essential for mastering gambling. Handling wins and losses with composure, avoiding tilt (emotional reactions to losses), and maintaining a disciplined approach are crucial skills that may take time to develop. Professional gamblers must remain calm under pressure. Emotional decisions can lead to poor choices and significant losses.

Bankroll Management

Mastery in gambling often includes the ability to manage your bankroll effectively, understanding when to bet and when to walk away. This is a skill that develops over time through experience. It is vitally important to budget not just gambling money, but also money that pays rent, utilities, and food. As losing streaks seem to happen right when rent is due, which is why emotional control goes hand-in-hand with bankroll management.

Professional gamblers need a significant bankroll to withstand both winning and losing streaks. Building a substantial bankroll within a short time frame can be risky and may not be sustainable. Poker players are often advised to have a minimum of $50,000USD bankroll to begin with, so you’ll want to start sucking up to that wealthy older relative asap.

Practice, Practice, and More Practice

Mastery of your chosen game requires a substantial amount of hands-on experience. Regularly playing in different situations, against various opponents, and adapting strategies accordingly is crucial. This phase can take several months or even years. The more you engage in gambling activities, the more experience you gain. Regular practice, combined with reflective learning from wins and losses, contributes to skill development. Hundreds of Hours of play in either live casino settings or using online simulations, is crucial for building confidence and familiarity with the game.

Continuous Learning

Sharpen your skills through practice and continuous learning. This may involve studying game strategies, reading books, attending workshops, and engaging with experienced players. Regular interaction with live or simulated games is the only way you can keep current on the ever-changing ways casinos try to claw back already slim margins. One way to get this continued learning experience without wasting thousands of dollars is to get a job as a casino dealer, where you are around these games on a daily basis. As a casino dealer, you can see how other people are playing and what works and what doesn’t, all while getting paid for the experience.

Networking

Building a network within the gambling community can provide valuable insights. However, developing these connections may take time. Connect with other professional gamblers, join forums, and attend events. Networking can provide valuable insights, tips, and support.

Legal and Regulatory Considerations

Understanding and navigating the legal landscape of gambling is essential. Professional gambling may be subject to specific regulations, and compliance is crucial to avoid legal issues. Know exactly what the rules and laws are for your chosen game in your chosen area. Find a good gaming lawyer and keep them on retainer. Advantage players especially must know the laws inside and out. Maintain detailed records of your wins and losses. This helps with analyzing your performance, identifying patterns, and also ensures compliance with tax regulations. Many pro players have beaten the casino, only to find themselves beaten by the IRS!

Luck

Lady Luck is a fickle mistress who answers to no one. No matter how skilled you are, if you’re on a losing streak and start chasing your losses because rent is due, all you will accomplish is to increase your losses. Succumbing to excessive stress and going on tilt is the last thing a pro should do. A true professional understands that it’s called “gambling” for a reason; if the element of luck didn’t come into it, it would be called “guaranteeing”. If you think you’re always going to win, Lady Luck may quickly crush those dreams. For example, just because you know the count, doesn’t mean you'll know what the next card is going to be. Keep this in mind and build up your savings for days when rent is due but you’re on a losing streak.

While the idea of turning professional quickly is appealing, it's important to approach gambling with caution. Most professional gamblers have honed their skills over an extended period of time. Rushing the process can increase the likelihood of financial losses. If you're interested in pursuing professional gambling, it's advisable to start as a serious hobbyist, gradually gaining experience and refining your skills over time. Be realistic about the challenges involved. Gambling always involves an element of risk, and there are no guarantees of success. No matter what Hollywood tells you, responsible gambling practices are crucial, regardless of your skill level.