Gambler and Player

Just finish read a book, "My professional poker player". The book is about profile of some well known professional poker player, such as Doyle Brunson, Johnny Chan, Stu Ungar, etc.... The book bring out a good point, since casino is always having edge, and if someone have no reason to not gambler, why he choose a game which himself does not have edge? Why not he choose poker, which it seems fair to every participant, the only diff is only pro's and noob.

Let's me explain what my title exactly wanna bring out. Gambler, 赌徒，is someone, who gamble for fun, base on his luck. Sometimes, he might win, sometimes no. And the most important thing is, he himself do not know what is the reason he win or lose. Player, 玩家，is someone, who gamble, and gamble for their living. They are caution, not gamble base on emotion, but gamble for win, win the money for their living. They analyze, observe, calculate, counting card, trying their best to find an edge compare with others. They have good money management, cutting lose when chances of winning is low, double their bet while chance is high, acting, traping people to pour their money into them.

If you have chance to watch movie "Rounder", star by Mat Damon, a movie about a professional poker player. There is a scene, saying Mat Damon playing with Johnny Chan, and that guy, is the real Johnny Chan, 9 time world champion on Poker.

After reading this book, I think trading is also like gambling, but we can choose to be gambler or player. Trade for living is never easy, it is just as hard as gamble for living. It need smart mind, high discipline, well money management, etc. But I am so glad, seeing a frieng of mine, is moving toward it. He really have the discipline, and passion about trading. Go ahead, Lion. We can be a player in someday.