1. 05-09-11 12:56 PM #1
    Nicemove
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    What It Takes to Make It As a Professional Gambler

    I recently read a thread about how gambling destroys people's lives. I feel compelled to write this thread in order to put a light on gambling as a career. I am a professional gambler for almost 8 years. I support myself as a professional poker player and do some sports betting on the side. It can be very rewarding if done correctly but very painful otherwise. The truth is gambling is not for everyone. Most people who gamble lose money(I'm guessing 95%). It is actually for the selective few who has the natural born talent along with great analytical skills. Most kids see the alure and glamour on TV and think its all fun in games. They chase the riches and eventually go broke. Losing not only their bankroll but also meaningful relationships. The saying goes for gambling is: "Its the hardest easiest way to make a living." It takes a lot of mental toughness to ride the swings. Losing and winning thousands daily is not for the faint of heart. For most people I suggest using gambling as more of a recreational purpose. Like I said before only a small percentage of people in the gambler world can really make a living. If you are one of the pros out there who had made it feel free to comment on this. Perhaps some wisdom for the younger kids ...............
    Last edited by Nicemove; 05-09-11 at 01:04 PM.
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  2. 05-09-11 01:09 PM #2
    LLXC
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    If you are a good analytical sports bettor, you can make A LOT more guaranteed money at one of the large financial firms...
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  3. 05-09-11 01:40 PM #3
    tony_come
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    Think outside the box

    and years of wisdom

    Most kids/ppl don't understand the meaning of a box. How many squares do you need to make a box?

    Good luck
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  4. 05-09-11 01:43 PM #4
    clarkacal
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    I think it all boils down to "You have to enjoy winning more than gambling." If you never reach this point you're doomed.
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  5. 05-09-11 01:51 PM #5
    str
    Nothing's easy
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkacal View Post
    I think it all boils down to "You have to enjoy winning more than gambling." If you never reach this point you're doomed.
    This is 100% correct.
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  6. 05-09-11 01:52 PM #6
    face
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    ^that is a good post. i am not at that point, and hence, still a slight loser. i love betting underdogs like yesterday the brewers +120, when i knew that bet had a big chance of losing. but bulls nba lost too at -145. gambling is hard. i basically win about 50% which is still losing. wish i could just get to 55%.
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  7. 05-09-11 01:53 PM #7
    JohnGalt2341
    46 and 2 are just ahead of me
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    A little bit of brains... and lots of hard work. Oh... and did I mention DISCIPLINE?
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  8. 05-09-11 02:10 PM #8
    jjgold
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    Most of us bet to lose
    We love the agony of defeat
    Losing feels better
    Most of us are afraid to win
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  9. 05-09-11 02:16 PM #9
    Al Masters
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    Quote Originally Posted by clarkacal View Post
    I think it all boils down to "You have to enjoy winning more than gambling." If you never reach this point you're doomed.
    I Disagree with this statement.

    Real pro's never win...they earn.

    No such thing as winning for years,if you're winning for years then you're earning witch makes you a pro.
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  10. 05-09-11 02:19 PM #10
    Iced
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    Oops
    Last edited by Iced; 05-09-11 at 02:20 PM. Reason: Misquote
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  11. 05-09-11 02:29 PM #11
    SASH
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    DUH! WINNING! . I've been professionally gambling for the better part of 2 years
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  12. 05-09-11 02:48 PM #12
    Br0nxer
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Most of us bet to lose
    We love the agony of defeat
    Losing feels better
    Most of us are afraid to win


    very true

    in a weird way love the struggle of scrambling to pay bills
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  13. 05-09-11 04:22 PM #13
    killawookie
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    Some day I hope to Become a Pro.. until then society will keep me in check limiting any money that could even potentially be gambling by never really sitting in a bank account for long as bill collector withdraw
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  14. 05-09-11 04:38 PM #14
    doublej95
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Most of us bet to lose
    We love the agony of defeat
    Losing feels better
    Most of us are afraid to win

    Exactly, everyone remembers a bad beat and loves to talk about it. People never want to talk about a big win.
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  15. 05-09-11 06:38 PM #15
    clarkacal
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    Quote Originally Posted by Al Masters View Post
    I Disagree with this statement.

    Real pro's never win...they earn.

    No such thing as winning for years,if you're winning for years then you're earning witch makes you a pro.


    So if you get someone to pay you 60:50 on a coin flip you don't still call that gambling?

    Whatever Mr. Semantics. Hey if your earning takes a downturn you can always sell that diamond you made out of the big rock up your a**
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  16. 05-09-11 07:54 PM #16
    emoney
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    I thought the quote is "the hardest way to make an easy living."

    But you're the "professional gambler," so you must be right.
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  17. 05-09-11 08:06 PM #17
    clarkacal
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  18. 05-09-11 08:34 PM #18
    sneak-a-peak
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    Just fade jj's spreadsheet.......

    After he goes on a little run start hammering away on the other side of his plays and you'll make it
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  19. 05-09-11 08:37 PM #19
    MendozaLine
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    did I miss the part where you explained what it takes to make it as a professional gambler?
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  20. 05-09-11 08:40 PM #20
    clarkacal
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    Last edited by clarkacal; 05-09-11 at 08:47 PM.
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  21. 05-09-11 08:42 PM #21
    falconticket
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    It will catch up with you. Nine years is not that long. You'll be suking coks on the strip one day for a buffet ticket. Lol. Jk
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  22. 05-10-11 03:36 AM #22
    warriorfan707
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Most of us bet to lose
    We love the agony of defeat
    Losing feels better
    Most of us are afraid to win
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  23. 05-10-11 05:47 AM #23
    ApricotSinner32
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    Quote Originally Posted by tony_come View Post
    Think outside the box

    and years of wisdom

    Most kids/ppl don't understand the meaning of a box. How many squares do you need to make a box?

    Good luck
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  24. 05-10-11 05:53 AM #24
    mrmarket
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    Blind leading the blind.
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  25. 05-10-11 06:15 AM #25
    Cap dat 4ss
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    Quote Originally Posted by MendozaLine View Post
    did I miss the part where you explained what it takes to make it as a professional gambler?
    Quote Originally Posted by mrmarket View Post
    Blind leading the blind.
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  26. 05-10-11 06:59 AM #26
    OTL
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    Lots of discipline and good instincts.
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  27. 05-10-11 07:22 AM #27
    jbrent95
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    Discipline and living off of a 2-5% ROI.
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  28. 05-10-11 08:33 AM #28
    mikejamm
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    Quote Originally Posted by MendozaLine View Post
    did I miss the part where you explained what it takes to make it as a professional gambler?
    Yeah, that's the part I was fuk'in wait'in on too! Guy's got like 9 posts and he's on here talk'in like he's big time, "I support myself as a professional poker player", not recently, if you're playing online and living in the USA. "Most people who gamble lose money(I'm guessing 95%)" Oh so now you're guessing here? How about you back up your statement with facts? Like Al said, "Real pro's never win...they earn." Taking in the vast demographics of sharps vs squares, recreational gamblers, and so called professionals, The percentage of winners is a lot higher for those who are intelligent enough to do proper research and money management.
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  29. 05-10-11 08:44 AM #29
    immy5150
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    correctly said 2-5% ROI is the method of the madness....ride the downs because the ups will come if you dare not steer away from your program....
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  30. 05-10-11 08:48 AM #30
    Smoke
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Most of us bet to lose
    We love the agony of defeat
    Losing feels better
    Most of us are afraid to win
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  31. 05-10-11 08:55 AM #31
    mikejamm
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    Quote Originally Posted by jjgold View Post
    Most of us bet to lose We love the agony of defeat Losing feels better Most of us are afraid to win
    I hear ya smoke! Is this the true definition of loser or what?
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  32. 05-10-11 09:03 AM #32
    Smoke
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  33. 05-10-11 09:06 AM #33
    Blax0r
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    Quote Originally Posted by LLXC View Post
    If you are a good analytical sports bettor, you can make A LOT more guaranteed money at one of the large financial firms...
    Agreed, although you'd likely need a degree (w/ a decent GPA) from a top school.
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  34. 05-10-11 10:53 AM #34
    lcscanada
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    Very simple, if you don't have these 3 mastered, you'll never make it.
    1. Emotional Control
    2. Proper Bankroll Management
    3. Analytical Skills
    1/3, 2/3, is not enough. You need to win this parlay daily, all 3 to succeed.
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  35. 05-10-11 11:22 AM #35
    jnsbanman
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    Quote Originally Posted by lcscanada View Post
    Very simple, if you don't have these 3 mastered, you'll never make it.
    1. Emotional Control
    2. Proper Bankroll Management
    3. Analytical Skills
    1/3, 2/3, is not enough. You need to win this parlay daily, all 3 to succeed.
    I Agree!!! I think in a lot of cases this is learned... Generally by loosing a lot of money first. Then you learn what it takes to take emotion outta the bet, how to properly manage what ever betting style you chose whether it be flat betting, labbys etc. As for analytical skills... study stats, watch games, use the web. There is tons of info out there to help you.
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