Betting the odds, playing cards, spinning the wheel – it comes in many forms, but it all boils down to the same thing in the end. You enjoy the thrill of the chase, but just because it all involves chance doesn’t mean that you can’t improve. We’ve asked the experts and compiled our essential guide for making the most of it. As with any other skill or hobby, if you invest some time and energy, a little is guaranteed to go a long way. So pay close attention, take a few notes, and you’ll be a hustler in no time.
1. Money
We’ll get the most obvious one out of the way first. If you want to make money, you first need to have money. Never put in more than you can afford to lose. It tends to be easier to spend than it is to earn, but with a pocketful of tricks, you can make your money work for you. Knowing when to start will increase your chances of a smooth run.
2. Confidence
Be confident. This may sound like yet another obvious factor to mention, and you’re probably thinking, “Easier said than done!” But there are ways to work at this. Fear of failure is natural. It’s a universal emotion. We all experience it, and we all fall victim to it in some form or another – whether it’s on first dates, delivering presentations at work, and so on. When the stakes get higher, fear or anxiety can grow even worse – but there are ways to take control. Acknowledging this is the first step to overcoming it.
Whether you’re sitting at a poker table at the Bellagio or behind your computer screen, your body language can be surprisingly significant. Social psychologist and Harvard researcher Amy Cuddy advocates the use of “power poses” for increasing self-confidence.
She argues that something as simple as standing with your hands on your hips or arms raised in the air can radically affect how confident you feel, and, as a result, how you behave. Research shows that these expansive postures can lead to higher levels of testosterone, the power hormone, and lower levels of cortisol, the stress hormone. High power poses increased testosterone by 20 percent and decreased cortisol levels by 25 percent.
So, the next time you’re getting ready to hit the tables, spend two minutes pretending that you’re Beyoncé accepting her twenty-third Grammy Award or Leonardo DiCaprio making bank in The Wolf of Wall Street, and you can experience the difference for yourself. If you pay careful attention, you’ll notice a shift in the way that you feel and the way you think. Don’t underestimate this element – it can and will change how you play.
3. Discipline
You know what they say: money is a good servant but a bad master. Be smart, and use that newly acquired, hard-earned confidence to your advantage. Don’t overspend. It’s widely known that gambling can be an addictive habit, and making sure that you stay aware of your own tendencies as a player will help you hold onto the level of confidence you’ve worked so hard to achieve.
Know yourself and set your own limits. Exercising self-restraint at the right moments will keep you playing and riding that wave of excitement for longer. The more you play, the better you’ll understand yourself as a player in terms of when to push ahead and when to hold back.
Sleep, exercise, and eat healthy – these are equally important when it comes to making the most of your experience. They’ll help you maintain a sound mind and make wise decisions. Set a schedule for yourself and stick to it. It’s the routines we do on a daily basis that have the most significant impact on the quality of our lives. Prioritize these elements, and you’re sure to reap the benefits.
But of course, as with everything else, take it in moderation. Don’t forget that the whole point is to enjoy yourself as much as possible, and splurging once in a while never hurt anyone.
4. Composure
Be cool. Risk is an inherent part of the game – that’s what makes it as thrilling and rewarding as it is. Without it, much of the satisfaction would be lost. Enjoy it, embrace it, bask in it! If you don’t learn to let yourself lose without losing your cool, it will take the fun out of the game. Remember that you can’t win without losing some. Don’t let that rattle you.
If you think that things are going south, give yourself a quick break – stop what you’re doing and take a few slow, deep breaths. Focus on releasing any tension in your muscles. This will give you a moment to clear your head of any thoughts or feelings that could cloud your judgment.
Don’t forget that you can also prepare yourself for tricky situations ahead of time. After all, you know you’re the one person who knows yourself best. Pay close attention and keep track of what makes you tick. After some practice, you’ll know what to look out for so that you’re equipped for any situation that might get in the way of your own enjoyment. If the game seems like it isn’t going your way, you’ll be ready to tackle the problem head on.
5. Hunger
Stay motivated. Don’t let yourself get complacent just because you’re on a winning streak. There’s always room for improvement, and it can only benefit you to have that in mind as much as possible. The fact that you’ve made it this far into the article means that you’re committed – so stay on track! Continue honing your craft, doing your research, and looking for new ways to play.
Save our blog website as a bookmark, and check back for the latest news and tips. The world of online real money gambling is changing all the time, so do yourself a favor and stay informed. We’ll be sure to keep you updated on the latest developments and the newest, most exciting ways to win.
You can also try playing games on your iPhone during your daily commute to work or when you’re taking a break between sets at the gym (just make sure you don’t park yourself on the equipment while you’re playing your games). There are plenty of apps out there that are designed to train your mind and strengthen your memory.
Is blackjack your game of choice? Check out Elevate, an app with mini-games that fall neatly into categories like Memory and Mental Agility. If not, the app also includes categories like Attention, Problem Solving, and Emotion Control to prepare you for your risk of choice. Apps like this offer what can be considered the mental equivalent of going for a run. Think of them the same way – they both keep you feeling good and performing well.
6. Signature Style
If you’re a sports fan, you know that all the best athletes have their own unique ways of getting their heads in the game. Serena Williams takes her pre-match habits seriously: for the 35-year-old tennis champion, these superstitions include bringing her shower sandals to the tennis court, tying her shoelaces with the same method each time, and bouncing the ball five times before her first serve and twice before her second. She even wears the same, unwashed pair of socks during a winning streak.
These habits aren’t just limited to athletes; in 2009, Taylor Swift spoke about her love of the number thirteen in an interview with MTV: “I was born on the thirteenth. I turned thirteen on Friday the thirteenth. My first album went gold in thirteen weeks. My first #1 song had a thirteen-second intro,” she said. “Every time I’ve won an award I’ve been seated in either the thirteenth seat, the thirteenth row, the thirteenth section or row M, which is the thirteenth letter.” She loved it so much that she would even write the number on her hand every time she performed.
Develop your own trademark – make the game yours. Whether that means carrying a rabbit’s foot in your pocket or cracking open a can of your favorite energy drink at 12:00 a.m. sharp, let it reflect your individuality – it’ll work like a charm.
And that brings us to the final cornerstone…
7. Luck
Make your own luck. What does luck mean to you? Define what it is, what it looks like, what it feels like. Think positive, relish the highs, and celebrate your wins – the universe is on your side! All you have to do is embrace it.
When you hear the word “gambling,” you probably think of poker, slots, roulette – the list goes on. Really, though, gambling is all about your lifestyle, a willingness to take chances and an unrelenting thirst for adventure. The best way to enjoy this gambling lifestyle to the fullest is to make it your own, and holding fast to these seven basics will be just like having an extra ace in your hand.
Take a look: “Elevate your game“
