I'm sure that title got you here like a man possessed.
Terry Ramsden - professional gambler book. If only that was true. Over the years, we have seen a number of quality professional gambler books released. I can't help think that most do it in a desperate act to cash in some chips after life turned ugly. There are others who have released a book out of vanity. Not to say we can't learn something from every professional gambler story.
I've read a number of publications by the following:
Dave Nevison
Harry Findaly
Patrick Veitch
Alex Bird
Nick Mordin (and yes to you know it alls, he did have a time as a professional gambler)
I'm sure there are others but I can't remember them off the top of my head. To be fair, I enjoyed each book(s) for different reasons. I think every professional gambler has strength and weakness (as we all do in every aspect of life). But as they say conflict makes for a good read.
Terry Ramsden is a man most punters remember. Back in the days of Thatcher, he was the Essex man made good with his company Glen International and his buying and selling of Japanese bonds. He was someone we all admired. The man with the mullet hairstyle and a wallet that saw no bounds. Money was no problem until one day it was and he was on the slippery slope to bankruptcy and spent time in prison.
I always liked Terry Ramsden.
I still admire him to this day. I used to rile people up by saying he was a professional gambler. They would come back with some stupid retort saying he wasn't.
What was he doing all those years buying and selling bonds for tens of millions?
No, that's right, he wasn't a professional gambler!
When he was winning money gambling he was a professional and when he lost it was a hobby. Yes, of course it was.
I'm sure a few readers have found that old fuzzy episode on Youtube published by Knobhead 10, originally on TV somewhere called Jackpot. This series seemed to follow a few professional gamblers including Harry Findlay and UK poker legend Dave 'Devilfish' Ulliott.
It's a fascinating documentary about Ramsden catching up with him after his release from prison and residing in the USA.
Take a look and see for yourself