noun
Refers to someone who makes a living through gambling, often with a connotation of skill and nerve. Can also imply a person who thrives on high-stakes situations.
彼は伝説の勝負師として知られている。
He is known as a legendary gambler.
勝負師は一晩で大金を失うこともある。
A gambler can lose a fortune in a single night.
noun
risk taker; daredevil
Extended use for someone who takes bold risks in business, sports, or life, not necessarily involving money. Carries a nuance of calculated daring.
彼はビジネスの世界で勝負師と呼ばれている。
He is called a risk taker in the business world.
博徒 is a more formal or historical term for a gambler, often associated with organized gambling rings, whereas 勝負師 emphasizes individual skill and nerve.
Compound of 勝負 (shōbu, 'match, contest, gamble') and 師 (shi, 'master, specialist'). The word originally denoted a professional gambler and later broadened to any daring risk-taker.