[VegasDave]

I am 21 years old (22 in January), and everyone keeps telling me that it is perfectly natural to not know what to do with my life at this point. Maybe it is. But I've taken multiple breaks from USC (despite being a straight A student in high school, college has not treated me well), I've worked multiple jobs and have disliked them all. The only things in life that I am passionate about are sports, horse racing, and gambling.

I have been working on my handicapping skills for years now, but I was wondering about taking things to the next level. I know that there are professional gamblers out there and I'm sure some (or many?) of you guys are.

So my question is, how do I get to that level? What books should I read, how would I get started, what can I do?

Thanks for any and all information.

[Breaker]

To go pro you need to beat the juice consistently.
If you bet -110 type sports the break even point is 52%, to do well you need to get better than 55% at least, long term.

See if you can do that first, see if you can handle the incredible ups and downs that come with it.
If you can average above that for a few years without going nuts you have a chance.

One way to achieve that might be joining Statfox and sticking to one cathegory that works for you.

Good luck.

[SBR_John]

Dont waste your time. By the time you figure out an angle to cap winners the books will counter and set the line so accurate that God wouldnt even know which side to play.

Finish school. Read books on running a website and open a sports gaming site or go work for a book in Costa Rica so you really know whats going on.

You can spend half your life learning what Im telling you is true. I already wasted half of mine figuring it out.

[Arilou]

I'm always dismayed when someone wants to be a pro; most of the time it will end badly, especially if you skip school. Don't be in a rush. But once you do get into the picture, don't get caught in the -110 trap: Pinnacle still has the -105 and exchanges allow you to do even better when they're available, plus there are other line types. You need to be prepared to do what it takes to get access to non-USA sites.

[VegasDave]

Originally Posted by Arilou

I'm always dismayed when someone wants to be a pro; most of the time it will end badly, especially if you skip school. Don't be in a rush. But once you do get into the picture, don't get caught in the -110 trap: Pinnacle still has the -105 and exchanges allow you to do even better when they're available, plus there are other line types. You need to be prepared to do what it takes to get access to non-USA sites.

Don't mean to give a life story but I do want to clarify why I am asking.

I know that being a pro is a bit of a pipe dream... and I'm sure I won't actually go through with it.

I would however like to keep my options open and not completely shut it down as a possibility.

I hate school... I've hated it my entire life. I also hate work. I know that everyone does... but I feel a serious emptiness inside me when I work full time, and it effects my livelihood outside of work. I'm less interested in doing things that normally make me happy.

I've been thinking for the past year or so, without rest, what do I want to do with my life? And the sad thing is that even if I close my eyes and try to imagine a wild fantasy world, where schooling and salary play no role and I could be doing anything I want for a living, I still can't come up with anything. There isn't anything I can see myself doing for 40 hours a week and even remotely enjoying.

The only exception is handicapping. Even when I don't have the money to gamble, I still spend hours a week handicapping for a free football picks newsletter that I send out and some college picks I broadcast on youtube. Just because I love it.

So going by the theory you should do what you love... I should most definitely be a gambler.

[pico]

i love coke, but i don't think being a professional coke head is a career opiton for me

[jjgold]

You will ruin your life Son,look at all the examples here. Listen to SBR John's post, I could of not of said it better.


I think your looking to make money easy, it won't happen, secondly the lines are too sharp now along with sports being more unpredictable due to equal talent on all sides .

Son I am in the foothills of CR picking up money, I am a bum and all started out like you.

[BuddyBear]

It's a dead end lifestyle for almost eveyone who tries it. Best thing is to finish school. find a career that interests you, and bet on sports on the side for recreation or if you want to be a serious gambler do that just make sure you have something else.

If you are interested, read The Odds by Chad Millman and see if you are still interested in being a professional bettor.

[Zeroed]

as others said, you never should skip a real job or school for betting sports. But if you want to get into it, 2 things are most important: Discipline and line shopping.

You should always get the best line that is offered, no matter how strong your play is (in your opinion).
You should always think matemathically, and not with your heart. AND you should immediately stop if it starts getting to you.

[raiders72002]

really good posts on the subject here so I'm not saying anything new here.

Do not under any circumstances drop out of school.

Gambling is a very enticing thing to do professionally. You get to set your own hours, you can take a vacation any time that you want and no one tells you what to do.

The problem is that it's almost impossible for most to do. 1% or 2% are winning gamblers but it's not nearly that much that are pros.

Most guys ruin their lives trying to gamble full time. Don't get caught up into that trap without a back up plan.

Fezzik's an actuary that made good money but quit that field to gamble full time. Get set up with what's considered a real job first while you are gambling.

If you can then beat the game, go pro.

[Doc JS]

Originally Posted by usckingsfan31

I also hate work. I know that everyone does... but I feel a serious emptiness inside me when I work full time, and it effects my livelihood outside of work. I'm less interested in doing things that normally make me happy.

You have gotten some really good advice here from people who know of what you speak.

My advice is a little less warm and fuzzy...

It's called the Peggy Lee Syndrome, "Is that all there is?".

The answer is YES.

Grow up and deal with it.

[Zeroed]

I also find it important to not just cap and bet straight.
If you use a line service and see a good scalp - take it.
It is free money, and if you don´t do only thatmost books wont care. Same thing with bonuses and other offers, don´t be too proud to take a little extra. Even if it might not be much for you, it is a mental boost to get some free stuff.

[Justin7]

Finish school. Get (and keep a job). Gambling has a 2-3 year learning curve IF you focus on learning. Start with a small bankroll - $500 - and practice discipline. If you can't limit your bets to $5 with that bank, you won't fare better when you have real money.

Never quit normal work until you have at LEAST 50-100k saved up as your gambling bankroll.

Focus on props and smaller sports. Don't try to beat Vegas at NFL or NBA, at least not at first. Instead, focus on Div I-AA football, Swedish B-league soccer, or even underwater basket weaving if someone will put a line on it. My winning hold on obscure stuff is much higher. You won'y always be able to make your earn on this stuff - you'll want more than $500 limits... but it's a good way to sharpen your teeth.

[WestsidePete]

Originally Posted by picoman

i love coke, but i don't think being a professional coke head is a career opiton for me

awesome post picoman...and Scarface one of the best movies as well but things didn't end up too good ....too much stress being a top coke man I guess...

[raiders72002]

The only things in life that I am passionate about are sports, horse racing, and gambling.

Also, if you are serious about about trying to go pro quit the horses.

Unless have inside info of are moving money you aren't going to make money here.

I gave up the horses many many years ago. I'm not even sure what the hold is anymore. It use to be between 17% and 25% but that's just a guess.

[durito]

You'll have to work a lot more than 40 hours a week.

[LargeMouthBass]

Listen, if you really like sports that much, go get a job at ESPN or Fox Sports West... Start out in the mail room and if you are determined, they will find a spot for you. I had this opportunity but my ego got in the way and didn't want to work in the mail room