What makes a profession?

When you consider the job titles "professional gambler" and "stock broker", two distinct images may come to mind. With the job title of Stock Broker, you'll imagine a person in a business suit, with an office, who uses a complex series of mathematics to determine trends in the world's financial whims and thus allow his clients to profit from his experience and expertise in managing "the odds".

However, when you hear the term "professional gambler", you may conjure up the image of a less than desirable character that you certainly wouldn't trust with your money. This person would be spending all of their hours in a smoke-filled casino (or on a riverboat!) and resorting to all types of disreputable behavior. Does all of this sound familiar? Well, it should. That's because, in one way or another, we've all become the victims of Hollywood stereotypes. When we think of a certain profession – we immediately think their stereotypical counterpart in media representations.

The Hollywood Stigma

Do you think that we actually live in the fantasy worlds depicted in movies and television? Of course you don't! So it is with the realities of professional gambling and stock brokering. Believe it or not, these two professions are nearly identical. You may ask "how can that be?" Well, consider this – both professions rely on the same abilities. First of all, you need to understand the statistical probabilities of certain events occurring. Those probabilities are based on constants that can be relied upon in any given relationship. It doesn't matter if it's an increase in business profits or if the dealer is showing an Ace!

You need to understand, first of all, that every business venture is a "gamble" that is based on many different market variables that involve supply and demand, location factors, competition, etc. Placing all of these issues into perspective and determining profit margins are all within the realm of the stockbroker. But what about the professional gambler? Does their profession merely involve sitting at a table, for many hours at a time, while trying to be more devious than the other players sitting across from them? The answer is a resounding "No!"

Similar to stock brokering, professional gambling involves a thorough understanding of probability and mathematical statistics. When you add to that the psychological and economic factors of any venture involving people – you pretty much have any business model that you may encounter. So – what's the difference?

Actually, the only difference is the stigma attached to professional gambling. But to be fair, there is a reason for that stigma. Just like the so-called "workaholic", people can become addicted to gambling just as they can become addicted to working in the business world. But, unlike those who are addicted to work (to the point where they ignore their children, spouses, etc.) those who spend too much time in the gambling profession are considered to be involved in a "vice". Of course, there is no difference.

The Reality

Let's be realistic, here. Various professions require different talents and skill sets in order for one to be successful. In this particular comparison, "professional gambler" and "stock broker" happen to have identical qualifiers. If you're good in mathematics and statistical probability relationships, then you just may be a good candidate for either a stock broker or professional gambler! By the way, if think that professional gambling somehow relates to a "vice", then you need to understand this. As a successful stock broker, your reputation for honesty and reliability are essential to your career. With professional gambling, the same holds true. If you are a dishonest person whose character can be called into question, then do you think you'll be welcome into any professional casino game? Of course not!

So, when you come right down to it, there really is no difference between the professions of stock brokering and professional gambling – except for the perceived images attached to each type of profession. If you wish to have a good, un-biased look at the professions of stock brokering and professional gambling, then you need to spend some time with someone in each profession. I can guarantee you that you'll have enjoy your encounter only based on the personality of the person you're spending time with. The professions, that you're viewing, will be very much the same!