“All in,” you say, pushing a mountain of chips to the croupier. You reveal your cards: a royal flush that wins you everything in the pot. Just another day in the life of a professional gambler, right?
Unfortunately, Hollywood has perpetuated one too many myths about gambling. Betting on sports especially makes it look like gambling careers are just about being sexy and smart. Like all things in life, there’s more to it than the silver screen can show.
Want to know how to become a professional gambler? Look no further. Let’s discuss everything it takes, and what you need to do.
How to Become a Professional Gambler
Betting on sports in recent years has exploded in popularity in the US. A professional sports bettor will find no end to high-quality books and ways to gamble.
Contrary to popular belief, gambling is not just all about luck. There is an incredible amount of foresight, strategizing, and planning that goes into it. Gambling jobs aren’t the sort where you stumble in drunk and cast a few bets with no prior thought.
Let’s discuss some of the key things you need to learn if you want to make it in this field.
Choose a Sport and Stick with It
At least in the beginning, you should keep things simple. Choose a single sport, such as basketball, and focus all your energies on it. Even if you are a very sporty person who watches games of every kind, you want to stick with your guns here.
In addition to focusing on a single sport, you should focus on a single team. There is so much variability from one team to the next. Something as small as a player change can drastically affect the overall result.
Lastly, focus on a single series of games rather than an entire season. Avoid big sporting events, such as the Super Bowl. You want to master the basics before you start putting up big money.
Find a Reliable Sportsbook
Every professional sports bettor knows that they are only as good as their resources. You need to find licensed sports betting operators that you can rely on with your money and whose odds are fair.
More than anything, you want someone who is established and under the purview of the law. Some back alley sportsbooks might seem to have better deals or offer you a bigger cut. But someone in that situation has no incentive to be honest and forthcoming.
Also, take caution with online sportsbooks. With a physical office, you have somewhere to go and someone to talk to if issues ever arise. Online sportsbooks require you to trudge through the customer service gauntlet just to get answers to simple questions.
Experiment with All Types of Bets
Starting out, you want to keep it simple with moneyline or parlay bets. These are the easiest bets to cast, with the lowest chance of kickback if they go wrong. They’re an excellent learning opportunity as you get a feel for things.
Generally speaking, the less control you have over a bet, the more money you can earn. Bets that give you greater granularity tend to have lower payouts.
Find bets that you enjoy casting and feel are the sort of challenge you crave. Bets that give you constant anxiety may not be for you.
Learn from the Experts
Those who come before you have seen it all and then some. People who have written entire books about how they made their bets, and what strategies work. Even those who have been betting for years know that it’s the sort of job that teaches you something new every day.
Whatever the case, you have a lot to learn from your betters. Accept the tutelage of experienced bettors with grace, as it will be a vital tool for you to spread your wings. Allow them to coach you through making bets so that next time, you stand a real chance of winning.
Be Patient
As with all things in life, you are not going to get it on your first try. Nor on your second, hundredth, or millionth. It will take many long years before you get fully comfortable with being a betting person.
Part of that patience means learning to accept loss. Let’s be real here: there will be a ton of losses along the way. You may lose hundreds or thousands of dollars, but it will teach you important lessons you wouldn’t get otherwise.
Set a Budget
Rock bottom is usually defined as some sort of addiction plus gambling debts. Avoid becoming that stereotype by setting a hard budget on how much you bet. Don’t let your kids go without food because you wagered too much on March Madness.
Limit yourself to a few small bets every month. Think of these as investments in a retirement fund. They may take time to gain interest, but you don’t want to throw it all in at once.
Take Breaks As Necessary
Having a bad streak? Take a break. There’s no shame in spending a few weeks or months away from the sportsbook.
Your favorite sportsbook will be there when you get back. After a big loss, you definitely need some time out for the count to lick your wounds. You’ll come back stronger and with better mental fortitude the next time.
Cast Your Bets Today
Now you know how to become a professional gambler. It certainly isn’t easy, but like any expertise, over time you will get a feel for it and learn patience. Soon, you may be one of the experts teaching the newbies how to cast moneyline.
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