Professional gamblers. A job many might misunderstand. Although the business attracts some sharks and charlatans, there are people out there who made legitimate fortunes gambling. Now they’re teaching the public how to do it too.
Gambling, you might think, is not something that can be taught. As far as many people are concerned, you’re either lucky, or you’re not. But that is far from the truth.
Although some gambling games are pure chance, many have subtle elements of skill that can absolutely change the outcome in your favor. Especially over long periods.
From placing a canny sports bet, to making the perfect mathematical play in poker or hitting the right slot at the right time, there are plenty of ways to improve your chances of a winning gambling session.
Sure, the odds are often against you. No gambling coach will deny that. But, some players, through grinding out a small tactical edge over long periods of play, are long-term winners.
Today, many of them make even more money – consistently – teaching other people how to do what they have already done.
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Poker’s Boom Means More Demand
In recent years poker has been booming in popularity across the globe. For example, the 2024 World Series of Poker in Las Vegas was the most attended event in poker history. In the UK, online poker has doubled in popularity in just the past three years.
There are literally tens of thousands of professional poker players across the globe, some of whom make millions of dollars a year from flipping cards.
Now, with all these new players joining, many want to get better at the game and fast. Enter, poker coaches.
Imagine if Mo Salah, LeBron James or Patrick Mahomes had a YouTube channel dedicated to running through their games or practice sessions, to teach you how to get better at their sports? This is what you can get in poker.
Some of the world’s very best players regularly post poker teaching content online, with either simple content for free or more in-depth analysis behind a paywall. Globally top ranked players who also have hours of educational content out there include:
- Daniel Negreanu
- Phil Galfond
- Dan “Jungleman” Cates
- Doug Polk
- Jonathan Little
Sports Betting Gurus Making Millions
Tipsters have long been around for sports bettors to consult. But the social media age has changed the way they operate.
Sports-mad stats nerds following the “Moneyball” method of data-driven decisions. Syndicates touting their latest algorithm that can automate the perfect sports bet. Or even just the slow and steady returns of matched betting.
There’s no shortage of sports betting advice out there and it’s easier to access than ever. However, sports betting is one of the more difficult gambling games to get profitable at in the long run.
Although more information and depth in theory equals more skill, there are many more variables in a sports bet than in, say, poker.
Nevertheless, there are online tipsters out there making big money, with legions of fans convinced they’re helping them on the path to profitable gambling. Maybe some of them are onto something?
Slot Advantage Play: Math or Myth?
This area of expertise is most controversial among professional gamblers. Some, especially those most mathematically-minded, might tell you slots are a waste of time.
There is no real skill involved in the actual playing of slots either. But, coaches and advice can teach you how to pick a good slot game to play and at a good time. Not all slots are equal, with some having significantly higher payouts than others – and even other types of gambling.
For these reasons, slots advantage play (or AP as it is known) still remains the most divisive form of professional gambling among those in the know.
Why Teach, Instead of Keeping it to Themselves?
There is one common criticism that comes up in comment sections of anyone teaching ways to make money online.
“If this really worked, why are you teaching it and not doing it yourself?”
In the case of teaching gambling, there are two big counters to this argument.
- Being a full time gambler can be profitable, but it’s risky. If you find a gambling teacher who says they have a foolproof method to always win – be careful. All professional gamblers have had downswings, or some big losses. Yes, they may make money in the long term but there are periods of losses.
- Pro gambling is difficult and time consuming, with players often eating, sleeping and breathing gambling for years or even decades. If you’ve made a few million gambling, why would you continue to spend your life risking it in a race against the casinos and bookmakers, when you could make an online course that makes money while you sleep and helps others at the same time?
There’s Still All to Play For
Gambling teachers are not going anywhere. As online gambling grows in popularity across the world, more and more people will be looking to find out where they can get an edge against the house and maybe make some money.
Although some people might sell advice that is questionable at best, there is no doubt that profitable gamblers turned expert teachers do exist. And they’re out there to learn from right now.
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