It sounds like the most glamorous and exciting career possible, doesn’t it? Professional gambler… There is something debonair, suave, a little James Bond about it. But it’s not all cocktails and casinos – there are some very particular dos and don’ts that you will need to adhere to if you are considering making ‘gambler’ your chosen profession.

The Dos

Do remember to stay within your field of expertise. Although the next big thing could be so very tempting, unless you know exactly what you’re doing it could be a big mistake. Remember that not all games will be your game.

Do practice. That’s how the guys and girls who really do gamble for a living make it big. They study hard. They might read a review about live game twenty-one if they are keen to play blackjack; they might watch other players do their thing in a poker game; they might play over and over again on an app or through an online casino. Whatever their method – and yours – as long as it works it doesn’t matter.

Do take breaks when you’re playing. As with any form of work, you will get overtired without taking breaks and that can lead to mistakes. To keep on winning you need to keep fresh and alert – if you are feeling tired then you might want to step away from the game for a little while to regroup.

Do accept losses as well as wins. They are inevitable, but hopefully they won’t be anything you can’t handle.

Do have fun – whatever you do, whatever game you play, you need to enjoy it.

The Don’ts

Don’t play without understanding the game that you are getting into. You will need to have skill rather than just luck, and you won’t have that if you have never played a game before.

Don’t get disheartened if you lose more than you win at the beginning. It’s okay. It happens. In fact, it happens more than most professional gambler will usually admit! As long as you never lose more than you can afford to, it’s all part of the life of a professional gambler.

Don’t forget to keep track of the games you’ve played and what you’ve won, when you’ve won it. This tally can be really useful for gathering together information about your tactics and decisions.

Don’t mix gambling with alcohol. This is your job, and it should be taken seriously. Therefore, drinking excessively – or at all – is not a good idea. Not only is it unprofessional, but it can also lessen your ability to play the game, and this can lead to losses which are completely unnecessary.