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Counting cards is too much work, playing poker takes too much studying, and cheating is just too risky. So how does one go about beating the casinos at their own game without sacrificing too much time or risking potential criminal charges? In short, you don't. There are a number of ways to consistently make money gambling, three of which I'll detail here. Unfortunately, every single one of them requires you put in a fairly decent amount of effort. Read on to find out a little more about each of the methods listed above, perhaps a career as a professional gambler awaits you...

*POKER*
Poker is the only casino game where you aren't betting against the house. Poker is strictly a game of skill, so the better player will eventually prevail. With the recent poker boom more and more first-time players are sitting down at the tables. With pockets full of cash and knowledge gained from watching the World Poker Tour, they sit at the table dreaming of playing in the World Series of Poker. The only problem is they haven't taken the time to learn the game properly. Poker is a complex game with intricacies that can take years to master. The good players quickly skin the beginners who leave only to be replaced by an exact replica (with a new pocket full of dough) and the process repeats. This means that a player who takes the time to refine his skills can easily be a consistent winner.

*CARD COUNTING*
By keeping track of the cards played from the deck, a blackjack player, under certain circumstances, can have a theoretical advantage over the player. All card counting systems are built around determining if there are more small or large cards remaining in the deck. If there are more high cards (9 thru Ace), the deck is said to be "rich" and this is generally good for the player. If there are more small cards the player will know he is at a disadvantage. Either way, having this knowledge allows you to determine your bet size and play your hand accordingly. Becoming a professional card counter requires time and practice. A large bankroll is also necessary, as losing streaks are not uncommon. The advantage that a card counter has is only theoretical and is calculated over millions of hands. Card counting is 100% legal, but casinos are allowed to ban you from playing for any (or no) reason. If a casino realizes you're a skilled card counter you will politely be informed you are no longer welcome to play blackjack. Don't worry, the days of broken knuckles and cattle prods are over.

*CHEATING*
As a 15 year industry veteran, I can say that the only sure fire way to come out ahead every single time you play is to cheat. It's the only way to take luck out of the equation completely. That being said, it is also the ONLY one of these methods that can land you in prison. You may get away with it forever, you may get caught the first time you "pull a move". One thing's for certain, if you get caught they're going to come down on you hard. In Nevada, for example, cheating in a casino is a felony. Casinos take protecting their assets very seriously and train their employees to pick up on even the most subtle of clues to a person's intent.

There you have it, three proven methods to winning at gambling. Two advisable, one not so much. Pick one (I suggest one of the first two) and start reading up on it. Better yet, you could just take a class and become a dealer. I've spent 15 years gambling 40 hours a week and have come home ahead every single night.

Learn more about this author, Dan Livermore.
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