DislikedWell said hanover, one disadvantage to blackjack is that you can't bank roll where as in the markets you can. As you well may know, the reason for the max bet, is so you can't keep doubling your bet to cover a spread. If you were to start with a $100 bet and lose, bet $200 the next hand and lose, bet $400 the next hand and lose, bet $800 the next hand and win, you are now +$100, pocket the $100 and stat your best over back at $100. Problem is when the tables cap you at a max $500 bet, this doesn't work.
The markets however allow you to wager any...Ignored
Poker players of the professional kind use sound money management. Chris Ferguson actually stated that as a player your capital preservation is key and that too many players risk way more than they should thereby handicapping there potential to get on a run. He actually states that a player should divide there entire capital in play by 20 and that is the maximum they should risk at any 1 time. So if your capital base was $1000 then you should only risk $50. Now to extract maximum value out of that $50 he goes on to say that they table limits should allow at least 100 big blinds (variations for ante tables) therefore for a player with $1000 they should be playing at the most at 25c/50c table. Unfortunately and I can concur with this is that tables with those blinds are usually manned by persons who have no regard for the money management side so having a sound understanding of hand strengths and probabilities is almost a key now day to both online and table poker.
Is there anyway to separate poker from gambling, well that depends on your view on gambling. Professional poker players may liken it to more of a sport than gambling but thats a completely different ball game. Trading could have the same viewpoint...
Sound money skills however will help you to live longer but I guess when the time is right and you find yourself with a stastical edge or a high probability hand it is time to place some risk and faith in your skills.
RT