I am often asked about the traits that make someone suited to being a successful punter. Something I have seen time and time again is the ultra competitiveness of the people involved. Very often it isn’t about making money but effectively winning against the competition.
I have seen so many examples in sports betting, DFS and poker where it is the competitiveness that is the driving force behind the continued success. The desire to be proved correct. Often the money is simply a by product of that success.
One thing that happens, that is if you decide that this is the career for you, is that you will be questioned by all and sundry as to why you are doing it. People will question your sanity. People will doubt you. People are often left with a chip on their shoulder about it.
People are incredibly focused on what they are trying to achieve. You have so much more skin in the game, because it is usually your money and bankroll on the line. Not someone else’s. Unless you love a challenge you wouldn’t put yourself through it.
I think in the early stages making money is obviously a huge factor but most have achieved this to an extent early on in the journey and often before taking the plunge to turning professional. The motivating factor after that is a competitive desire to be one of the best in your field.
One thing that does help them is that because the money isn’t the driving concern they find it easier to make optimal decisions. The money is often just a way of keeping score. I think it certainly helps with longevity in this game.
Let me give you a quick example I saw a couple of weeks ago. A very good friend had a really bad weekend in his chosen field (wont reveal which part of gambling it is). He literally couldn’t have cared less about the money and we are talking about some large sums at stake (£100k+).
He was far more bothered about not having succeeded against the competition. He wanted desperately to beat his peers and was frustrated they may have outwitted him somewhat, although running poorly was the most likely reason. There is undoubtedly some ego in there
but it is also that competitive drive to be the best at what you do, that drives him on to be one of the most successful in his chosen field. They are the type of people who would get as much joy out of beating their friends at Fantasy Sports with no/small amount of money on the line than they would had they won a significant amount of money on their day to day activities.
It is not the most important trait or the only trait, but it has been an overwhelming trait of many people I know who have been successful in this game.
ProPunting 