Thursday 23 August 2012

Making the most of summer evenings.

I have a confession to make. I have been neglecting my trading. Actually, "neglecting" perhaps doesn't quite cover it. Abandoned, might be a better word.

This is only a temporary condition of stasis however. I have plans, you see. Ideas and ambitions. Ultimately, I want to be able to develop two strong income streams; one from the portfolio, and the other from trading.

Tennis is one sport that I plan to reintroduce myself to, as far as trading is concerned. I can't help thinking there are other sports though, that will allow the opportunity to gather some 'green'. Golf for one. The longer term footie markets are ripe for plucking some profit from, surely? How many times does a team reach c. 1.50 to win the Premier league only for one or two results go against them resulting in a significant drift? Cricket. Rugby. The list goes on.

To be honest, the reason I have temporarily called a halt to my tennis trading learning curve is simply a desire to make the most of the kids' summer holidays and to spend time with them of an evening. It's very easy I think, to lose perspective and perhaps forget what the really important things in life are. I make no secret of the fact that I consider my gambling a business, albeit one I have to run around "normal" working hours. As such, the demands I place on myself are heavy - I don't feel I can ever just let the portfolio look after itself. Back-up plans, alternative strategies, the protection of bookmaker accounts, re-investment, portfolio growth, maximisation of margins, etc., etc., are all things that I am constantly thinking about, analysing, and theorising over. (You know I read that last sentence and think what a sad b*stard I really am - I must be scintillating company!).

Anyway, these are just off-the-top-of-my-head blatherings. The point is that I'll soon be ready to pick up the trading torch again. I'll keep you posted as to how it goes.

Wednesday's Betting

Another really good day, this time with thanks and gratitude to Winning Racing Tips and, appropriately enough after last night's post, Form Lab Lite.

Thought I might change things slightly with this results section too. Hopefully it will make things a little more transparent on a day to day basis, which I know will appeal to some if not others.

Northern Monkey
Two horses backed today and an overall profit. The 'winner' was Mass Rally - York - 2.65/1, supported in the 'to be placed' market in the opener (the horse finishing second). A small stake was also risked on the same horse in the normal 'win' market, and there was a loser in a later race.
Staked 2.25pts, +1.24pts

On The Nose
A small loss on the day. Four selections provided no return, but a good one was found to place (Spanish Duke - York - 16/1).
Staked 3.75pts, -1.25pts

The Market Examiner
No joy today (0/1) from a service that is currently suffering from a severe bout of seconditis.
Staked 1pt, -1pt

Winning Racing Tips
Great tip! Great, great tip! Wasn't a 33/1 winner or anything, but such a well thought-out selection (Farrh - York - 7/2 in the without Frankel market). This was essentially an eight horse race with superb value on the 'place' part of the each way bet. Really good tipping to my mind. I was only able to get half my stake on at 7/2 and had to take 100/30 for the other half. Bloody bookmakers!
Staked 0.8pts, +1.56pts

Form Lab Lite
Great evening in Sweden for FLL, with two Over 3.5 goals bets being landed at decent odds. One of the matches was comfortable, but the other saw the fourth goal go in at around the 89 minute mark. Late goals do go for you aswell as against you, although this is easily forgotten at times.
Staked 2pts, +3.04pts

Service X
A loss! What!?! Just not good enough - this one's for the bin! Five bets and only two winners, Goddammit!!! Pathetic. Pfft. The guy just hasn't been the same since getting 14/17 right over the weekend just gone. Needs to pull his socks up and I shall be emailing to tell him so.
Staked 13pts, -4.551pts


Month to date figures...

Racing
Northern Monkey: Staked 35.5pts, -6.878pts, roi -19.37%
On The Nose: Staked 37pts, +6.55pts, roi 17.7%
The Sportsman Racing: Staked 3pts, +0.526pts, roi 17.53%
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 7.4pts, +0.076pts, roi 1.02%
The Market Examiner: Staked 25pts, -18.8pts, roi -75.2%
Total roi 2.26%

Sports
Football Elite: Staked 1pt, +/- (+/-£), roi 0%, ROC 0%
Summer Of Football: Staked 21pts, +10.573pts, roi 50.34%, ROC 52.86%
Skeeve (Asians): Staked 7pts, +1.6pts, roi 22.85%
Skeeve (Doubles): Staked 5pts, -5pts, roi -100%
Skeeve (Shortlist): Staked 2pts, -0.2pts, roi -10%
Skeeve Total: Staked 14pts, -3.6pts, roi -25.71%, ROC -4.5%
The Sportsman: Staked 0.5pts, +0.133pts, roi 26.73%, ROC 2.21%
Form Lab Lite: Staked 22pts, -1.635pts, roi -7.43%, ROC -3.27%
Sportyy: Staked 30.5pts, +15.428pts, roi 50.58%, ROC 19.28%
Service X: Staked 197.2pts, +34.147pts, roi 17.31%, ROC 34.14%
Total roi 21.05%

Grand Total roi 15.4%

4 comments:

  1. Have you ever considered adding some automated strategies to your portfolio? Not that I use any myself at the moment. I know how to build bots using excel and Betting Assistant, but have never created one which has been profitable over the long term. Any which have started out profitable, seem to decay over time.

    kind regards,

    Brian

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    Replies
    1. That's a good question, Brian. The answer is that I haven't, really. I did once look at an automated Stop At A Winner system a fair while ago but quickly realised that it wasn't going to end happily.

      My problem is that I like to be in control. I know that's stupid, and a properly, safe, automated strategy or two could be beneficial. But I just don't think it's me. Perhaps it's something to do with the fact that the amount of money being turned over via the portfolio scares me a little when I actually stop and think about it - I think putting the bets on physically myself acts as a psychological comfort blanket...kids me into believing I'm fully in control!

      Illogical, I know. :)

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  2. Hi rowan i have question to ask. I have two services both with the same recommended bank. I have 5000 euro bank for each and the recommended bank for each is 75 points. Is it enough to divide 5000 by 75 or do i have to do more calculations based on the number of selections each service usually has per year to work out my bet per point.

    excellent blog keep up the good work..

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    Replies
    1. Hi Mate.

      Funnily enough your question does have particular relevance to something I've been thinking a lot about recently. Essentially there are two schools of thought as to how to play this, and I'm in the process of changing my approach a little.

      What I'll do is write a proper post on it this week - probably Wednesday.

      Cheers now,

      Rowan

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