The Lifestyle of High-Risk Gamblers

With high-risk gambling becoming as popular as it is, the biggest question seems to be: who is the average high-risk gambler? While it’s hard to generalize an entire section of gambling enthusiasts, there are some stereotypes of the past that have broken down in recent years and are worth discussing.

In the old days of casinos, there were primarily two types of people: the “pros” and the “tourists.” Tourists were the ones that came just to blow off some steam and maybe win a few bucks on their weekend or vacation. The pros, by contrast, came to the casinos for one thing and one thing only: to make money. This is that image that has seeped into the public’s consciousness, the visual of a gruff Texan chewing on half of a cigar is just too evocative to ignore.

As reality has set in though, and more people are picking up the cause of high-risk gambling, there’s been a very dramatic shift in just who exactly is taking the casino’s money nowadays. In fact, more often than not, they’re not even that old. Many of the new age gamblers are just post-graduates with math degrees looking to turn their comprehensive knowledge of probability into a profitable talent.

Gone are the days of gender stereotypes too, as women are using these same skills to stunning success as well. In fact, some of the greatest poker players currently around are women. So what does that mean for the state of the game? There’s been a general shift towards more controlled gambling, which has resulted in people being more sure of their potential to capitalize on any risk versus reward scenario. It’s no longer enough to “feel lucky” on a bet, unless of course you’re okay with the shame that comes from a poor play. Machismo has taken a backseat to logic and rationality.

With that in mind, many of these people carry with them the same personalities as many of the tourists that come to casinos to blow off some steam. Anyone with a passing interest in mathematics, and the dedication to study the craft, can slowly gain the skills that have made other people millionaires. This isn’t lost on the Internet gamblers either, who have used the safety of their home to perfect their strategies before striking it out to the casinos to hit it big. While some win and some lose, one thing’s for sure: high-risk gambling is still alive and strong.

Yes, even as the players change, the most effective strategy to conquering the casino has not. Do you consider yourself to be a high-risk gambler? How has your life changed? Be sure to comment and let us know!