Having trained poker players (good ones -- consistent winning players -- also some amateurs) I can definitely say: that the skills necessary to be a professional poker player is transferable to becoming a profitable trader.
One of the guys on twitter, a trading coach or whatever he is (https://twitter.com/AlphaMind101 )... constantly keeps saying there are similarities between trading and poker and he says some of the best traders are also top200 poker players. Risk management is important, probably the context is important just like in trading too, but what he says, why the most succesful trader&poker player said why he thinks he is better than anybody else, is his ability to walk away when it's not happening.
longtime hold 'em player; lots of lessons learned vs trading (2+2 forum is great): + i like Negreanu's small ball strategy, see flops cheap => trade small initial size + put players on ranges => trade wide-range atr stocks + table position/late to act best => pay more attn to premkt futs, wait for volume confirmation + good starting cards => minor gap up strong charts + unlike poker we can take chips off the table if our flop misses/failed breakout
A true edge is still only a probability edge, not a certainty edge, therefore it's still gambling imo. If you had a winning edge and it was 100% reliable then it wouldn't be a bet, but that is not trading reality. Many on ET claim trading is not gambling, imo that is just being in denial - due to stigma involved associated with the word.
FinCEN would knock at ones door, or the edges efficiency, would go proportionally down, compering to the number of people using it. Some separete thoughts, down below. Yes, it is ,,gambling" ; theres many similarities (a year ago i wrote that it's not) , but the chances are - much much higher, if the homework was done well, and that part separates two. The word gambling is too wide, one has to go more speciffic into certain types of games. If roulette - nothing similar. If poker - yup, some aspects ~.
it's good that I've found some guys that can understand me. Since not so long ago I gambled a lot in the poker rooms and you know guys, I saw these eyes that all that they wants is the money, and that's all. I really not liked it and I thought about online casino (with bonuses and etc..). So I the good casino (https://kiwigambling.co.nz/) that gives me a chance for self improvement since I can gamble at home with my friends that has different experiences on it. Oh btw this casino can give instant money withdrawal on Visa or Mastercard and this is what I like too..