Gambling is a popular pastime for many people worldwide. The thrill of winning a big jackpot leads many to frequent casinos and online casino platforms, looking for that next huge win.
The global online gambling market is expected to reach $72.02 billion in 2021. There is a lot of money to be made in this industry, leading many to want gambling careers.
However, making a career out of gambling is no easy task. Due to the nature of gambling, you can do everything right and still have trouble achieving a successful career.
While this career path is challenging, it is still possible for many people looking to put in the effort. This article will offer a complete overview of how to become a professional gambler.
Build Up a Bankroll
While we would all like to think we can start with only a few hundred dollars and turn it into millions. However, the realistic expectations are that you will lose more money than you make at the beginning of your career.
You will undoubtedly run into rough patches where it doesn’t seem like you can win any of your money back. However, these situations are much more manageable when gambling isn’t your sole income.
It is best to start your gambling career as a side income while working a day job. When you have a steady income from a job, you can afford to lose money and not be in financial danger.
It would help if you continued to build your savings dedicated to your gambling income. It takes discipline, but you will thank yourself when a significant loss doesn’t phase you at the casino.
Pick Your Game of Choice
If you are looking to make gambling your career, you need to pick a game that is your primary focus. Developing a winning strategy in one game is tough, so you should not spread your time to multiple games.
However, if you are new to gambling, you can take some time playing different games. You want to find a game that works best with your skills and playing style.
Whatever the game, you want to choose one that allows you to control the outcome. Games like slot machines give you limited control over the outcome.
There is an estimated 1 in 49,836,032 chance of hitting the jackpot on some slot machines. All of the power is placed in the “house’s” hands, determining the odds of you winning.
If the game is not played at a reputable casino or at one of the top 10 online casinos, the odds of you winning are very slim. If you want to make a living on gambling, you should pick between games like Poker or Blackjack.
Poker is the most popular game played by gambling professionals, with its big emphasis on strategy. If you are serious about the game, you will spend most of your time at tournaments.
If you choose Blackjack, the money will also be made in tournaments. However, you are playing against the house and not other players.
Develop Your Strategy
Before you can move to gamble full-time, you will go through some learning challenges. The best way to get good at the game is by putting in the hours to perfect your craft.
You need to develop a complete action plan that details how you will achieve your professional gambling goals. Whether it’s money management or in-game strategy, you should have it planned with actionable steps.
Learn everything about your game of choice and put it into action on low-stakes games. You want to spend your time making mistakes that aren’t devastating to your bankroll.
There are free casino games that you can play to get your practice without risking any real money. Many of your competitors have years of experience, so you need a solid strategy.
If you play a game like poker, everyone plays the hands based on percentage odds. You will quickly realize you are not ready for the pros if you play based only on luck.
Be Committed to Your Goals
The road to being a professional gambler is not an easy one. You will experience frustrating losses, running low on funds, and the other setbacks that come with achieving the goal.
However, you also experience the incredible highs of winning at the poker table or hitting that jackpot. You need to be committed to doing whatever it takes to reach your goals.
Making it to the pro level will also take longer than you expect. The long process is why many people never make it as professional gamblers and quit early.
Trying to be a professional gambler with a half-hearted attempt will never pan out as you want. The people that make it to the professional level have complete commitment.
Stay Disciplined With Money Management
One of the essential traits of a professional gambler is how good they are with money management. Every professional bettor has a system for how they bet their money.
Being reckless with your money will quickly leave you hurting financially. While your emotions may convince you that betting large sums is the right move, you need to stick to your strategy.
Professional gamblers play the long game and look to win over the long term. If you focus on winning jackpots every time you enter the casino, you need to change your strategy.
Hire Someone to Coach You On How To Become a Professional Gambler
Every good competitor has a coach by their side who helps them elevate their game. Gambling is no different from any other competition, and it helps to have a coach giving gambling tips.
A coach will speed up the learning process and get you on the elite level of professional gamblers. If you have a coach, they will correct you on even the smallest weaknesses in your game.
However, hiring a coach is only beneficial when you are ready for one. If you are a beginner, you should spend your time learning the fundamentals before consulting with a coach.
Having a professional coach when you have only played a game for a few months will not be worth it. You need to have more experience under your belt to make it worthwhile.
The true mark of a coach being useful is if you increase your hourly rate at the poker table. If you continue to win more with a coach, they are a great addition to your team.
Pros and Cons of Being a Professional Gambler
Professional gambling is like any other career path, having its advantages and disadvantages. Before you jump into starting your journey as a professional gambler, you need to know what to expect.
Pros of Being a Professional Gambler
The benefits of being a professional gambler make this career path so attractive to many people. Many people gamble because of their love for the rush of winning.
For some professional gamblers, their job does not feel like work, and they enjoy what they do every day. You can bet whenever you want, giving you the freedom to work without a schedule.
As a professional gambler, you will also have the chance to receive large sums of money. High-stakes poker tournaments reward life-changing sums of money for many people.
During the Online Poker World Championship in 2010, the prize pool totaled $12.22 million.
The earnings potential for professional gambling is nearly unlimited. However, most professional gamblers earn a modest 5-figure annual salary or low 6-figures.
Along with these benefits, some of the others you will experience are:
- Be Your Own Boss
- Travel to Tournaments Worldwide
- Play From Home With Online Casinos
- Bragging Rights
Most professional gamblers were introduced to their career path from their love of gambling. Many see no other option for their career, putting their all into gambling.
Cons of Being a Professional Gambler
Unfortunately, being a professional gambler isn’t all beneficial. There are several disadvantages of the lifestyle that can be tough for many aspiring to have gambling careers.
One of the biggest challenges is having a losing streak as a gambler. When you are constantly losing money, this can strain your bankroll and even your relationships.
You will start to play with your emotions as you continue to lose money, and the cycle is hard to break. Having a losing streak is where most potential is lost for gamblers.
Another disadvantage is the time investment required to make it professionally. Most professionals have committed their lives to winning at the casino.
Along with these two main disadvantages, some others you may experience are:
- Income Isn’t Steady
- Must Stay Mentally Strong
- Hard to Maintain Work-Life Balance
- It Can Be Very Boring When Doing Long Tournaments
One of the most challenging aspects of pro-gambling is the “grind.” The long hours at the card table can be exhausting, but it’s necessary to get good at any casino game.
Start Your Journey to a Professional Gambling Career
Many aspire to have professional gambling careers, but only a select few achieve this dream. It takes a strong commitment to learning how to become a professional gambler.
You need to develop a strong mentality to become a professional at gambling, but it’s worth it for those that make the dream a reality.
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