Becoming a professional bettor is a goal and dream for many people who like to bet and gamble regularly, partly because of the allure of becoming instantly rich and the creative representation of high-rollers in most Hollywood movies. Unfortunately, what was portrayed in the media is wildly different from reality.
There are a lot of steps and mental discipline to become a professional, let alone a competent gambler. So, in this article, we’ve put together a starting guide so you can take that first step today and become a responsible and professional player.
1. Learn The Online Betting Industry
No matter where you are or what type of game you play, you must take the time to understand your state’s regulations and game rules. Rules and regulations vary per location, as each state has unique ways to promote responsible gaming.
Other than that, the game itself can be complicated if you yearn to play professionally. And your understanding of the games and the industry affects your decision-making skills. As a start, you may look around betting websites and determine which states allow online casino gaming and other legal disclosures you need to read.
2. Commitment, Commitment, Commitment
On top of taking time to study and strategize your first games, commitment is also needed for your road to becoming a professional. Understand that in long-term, professional gambling, it takes substantial commitment and mental fortitude to succeed.
Even the best players in the field still have the fundamentals and study new ways to win. If you want to reach similar success, treat betting as more than just a recreational hobby, put the time and hours in and be committed to the craft.
3. Leave Emotions Outside The Table
Part of being professional is making calculated and logic-based decisions when comparing data sets and wager values. That said, this game must have no room for emotions or sentimentality. In other words, follow your head and what’s best, not your heart.
That goes the same with superstition. If you’ve ever been to traditional casino floors in Vegas or any gambling spot in your area, you’d see many people wearing charms and doodahs of shapes and colors. They might initially feel lucky, but that gives nothing but false confidence.
4. Set Proper Expectations
Competent bettors have realistic expectations and don’t go around playing; they’d get their first million of the night. Instead, they have different goals far from becoming wealthy; they could either play to understand the game or maybe learn some patterns and algorithms of the wagers.
That’s not to say that they’re not aiming to be rich. Still, it shows that their actions are focused on long-term success, which means taking losses from time to time and improving gaps in their strategies and being a professional means sticking to reality and making their goals doable.
5. Manage Your Bankroll
Your money is your lifeblood when it comes to betting. And this is a skill that every gamer needs to have for a fulfilling betting experience. Professionals spend a limited amount of cash in every betting session and try not to go overboard the limit for any reason.
Since starting, build your bankroll based on your skills and how long you’ve played. Maybe you can start betting with a $100 budget and increase it to your first thousand when you’re competent enough to apply betting strategies as a professional.
6. Choose Your First Game
We believe practical skills are better than solid theoretical knowledge in betting. And when it comes to games, it would be helpful to pick simple, less-risky wagers to practice your skills and have a hands-on feel of the action.
That’s what most professionals do when starting. Not all of them possess excellent gambling skills; some just stuck to one game and fell in love with the industry. So don’t be afraid to start with slots or small betting games; use them as stepping stones to play the big leagues.
7. Practice
To be efficient with betting, you must practice and get your decision-making skills as close as the real thing. Fortunately, there are many things you can do to practice betting.
You can check online legal betting platforms to operate in your state. They usually have practice rooms where you can use a dummy account and bet fake or real betting games. That should help you get as close to the action as possible without losing a cent.
Two, be social and connect with like-minded individuals or experts in the field. Social platforms like Facebook and Reddit have great communities about betting that you can connect with and get insider tips or tricks that you can apply in practice sessions.
8. Indulge Yourself with Numbers
Sports betting and gambling, in general, are numbers galore. And since most gambling aspirants want to be a professional or make this their livelihood, you better expect this when entering the betting scene.
This means that luck has no room for betting. The industry has evolved so much that all betting odds, lines and information are readily available. You must train yourself to read through these numbers through continuous studying and a rock-solid commitment.
9. Always Prepare to Lose
Often, what makes an average bettor from a professional is how they react to losses. Of course, no one wants to lose how that makes us feel or affects the long-term journey you will be on.
When they lose, most professionals take a step back and re-evaluate their actions. You shouldn’t take losses near to heart but, instead, an opportunity to learn through your mistakes and be better.
10. Don’t Drink and Bet
You shouldn’t do many things as a bettor; you might have seen or heard of some phrases like fading the public, chasing your losses or betting everything in one basket. Amongst all other things, there is one thing that you shouldn’t do when betting, and that’s drinking.
As mentioned earlier, betting takes strategy and a clear mind to be competent, and what does beer or alcohol do? The opposite of clearing your mind. This shouldn’t be complicated because it is as simple as not drinking when driving. But alas, we still see some rookies falling to the allure of the alcohol.
If there are cardinal sins of betting, drinking and betting should be at the top.
Final Thoughts
While it is alluring and tempting to don a fine suit and place big money wagers, being a professional takes commitment, genuine interest and love of the game. Not only does this take time, but it also takes most of your priorities and money to be classified as a professional.
Fortunately, the tips mentioned above can simplify the road to being one. And with enough time, you’d be able to see yourself being at the top with time and determination.
