The current issue of Scientific American has an interesting article on
experts, and how they did it. The focus was on chess masters (where
expertise is relatively easier to evaluate), but the article says the
principles remain the same for other kinds of expertise, including
musical prodigies, mathematical/physics geniuses, etc. I believe the
ideas would apply to VP, card poker, and other forms of gambling that
reguire skill.
So, if you would like to become an expert, the article might help you
speed up the process, by showing you how to focus your efforts.
Evidently the concept of a "inborn talent" such as a prodigious memory,
musicality or mathematical talent is not the key factor which many
people blieve. Chess masters, for expample, have pretty much average
memories, including those that can play multiple opponents blindfolded!