For those in full time, paid employment, there are such things as holidays. You give your boss some notice, stick your initials up on the holiday board, and count down the days until you can escape for a week or two. Or if you fancy a day off, following the same process results in an extra lie in or two. It's a pretty simple concept to get your head around.
Now look at the chap or chapess who is running a full time gambling portfolio (and by full time, I have this vague notion this term refers to a portfolio that contains say, ten or more services)? Things aren't quite as straightforward to get some time off as they are in the office job. There's no colleague to stand in and pick up the slack. There's no boss to oversee affairs in your absence. And trouble is, there are some pretty significant consequences to taking a well deserved rest from your betting.
Before considering these consequences further (in subsequent posts), I'd like to ask if some of you who do run a portfolio ever feel the need to take a break from it all once in a while? And not just because you're losing - I have seen people give advice that when on a losing run, it might be a good idea to stop gambling and take stock for a while - but because, put bluntly, you're knackered. The pressure to get the best odds, to ensure you're spreading your bets to protect your accounts with the bookies, the record-keeping done in the evening after a long day at work, the endless football bets to place on a Friday night when you'd rather be slobbing out on the sofa with a pizza and beer...I'm telling you, it all begins to take a toll, whether your losing or winning. It's bound to. And I don't care how detached you can force yourself to be from the events your betting on, there is always, always a stress involved in this game - it is the nature of the beast, is it not?
I can't help thinking that a fresh gambler is likely to be less error-prone than a weary one. I also think that when doing something stressful every day, whatever it is, there is a real risk of suffering burn out from it in the long term.
I've had an idea or two that might soothe some of these stresses, and I intend to share it with you through the week. Nothing ground-breaking and I'm not sure how practical it'd be for everyone. So if anyone out there has any ideas of their own, please do share.
Today's Action
Typical Monday - quiet, and loss-making. None of the four racing services in action turned a profit and only one hit upon a winner - ProBandit (Desert Strike - Wolves - 5/1) and this was a minimum stake in a race in which two other selections were backed to larger stakes. It was a blank everywhere else.
PJA NH: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
On The Nose: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2pts, -0.5pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 0.4pts, -0.4pts.
Financial loss on the racing of £74.
Monday 7th February: Staked £134, -£74.
Week to date: Staked £134, -£74.
Month to date: Staked £4,856, +£749.52, roi 15.43%.
Monday, 7 February 2011
Sunday, 6 February 2011
Right. Home again. It has been a tough weekend. Not in terms of results, as you'll see, but just with regards to getting all the bets on. Balancing running a portfolio of services with ensuring that your children and family do see you in places other than in front of the PC/laptop can be tricky at times, particularly when you have to travel to get a decent Wi-Fi connection. I think under these circumstances it is more important than ever to distance onself when the bets have all been placed; just forget all about them until the evening when it is time to have a look at how you have got on. Couldn't escape the Arsenal score though!
With it having been a busy weekend, and having only just got home after a long drive, I am simply going to go through the action day by day. Please forgive me; we'll start exploring some issues again in the week.
Saturday
Star of the day re. the horses was 4PA. By far and away my strongest performer of the last four months, 4PA had a quiet January, but the first bets of February have seen it come back with a bang. Three selections, one winner (Kilcrea Kim - Sandown - 9/1) and a very nice profit thankyou very much. PJA NH also turned a nice profit due to the same horse at the same price, Kilcrea Kim being the one winner from six selections given, although another two finished placed having been advised each way. Unfortunately Northern Monkey Punter drew a blank from their two tips, but On The Nose maintained their incredible levels of consistency by advising one winner (Medermit - Sandown - 7/2) and one placed from three selections - another couple of points profit in their bag and surely they can't continue in this vein!?! Chasemaster found a winner from their two selections (Wayward Prince - Wetherby - Evens) but at the price and it being a small bet, they still managed a very small loss. A similar tiny loss for Winning Racing Tips whose sole selection was placed at 7/2. Finally, The Sportsman Racing finished the day exactly where it started by picking one winner (Shoegazer - Ffos Llas - Evens) and one loser.
4PA: Staked 5pts, +8.25pts.
PJA NH: Staked 4.75pts, +2.375pts.
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 2pts, -2pts.
On The Nose: Staked 2.75pts, +2.125pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.375pts, -0.125pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 1pt, -0.15pts.
The Sportsman Racing: Staked 2pts, level.
Financial profit on the racing of £446.
Now to the footie. Me old mate X had a couple of losers, and Football Elite dropped a half point by finding one from three. If the Oscars had a 'Best Tipster - Football' category, then Skeeve would have been the undisputed winner today; six selections if you include the two 'Late Service' selections, and six winners! Football Investor in contrast found only two winners from ten to drop a couple of points or so, whilst Strike Zone got two out of four correct and a small profit. I'm afraid bottom of the class was Sports Investor which had two losers from two, including some team or other that was 4-0 up after 68 minutes but contrived to only draw (sigh and slow shake of head!). Finally The Sportman's only bet was a winner.
Football Elite: Staked 3pts, -0.5pts.
Skeeve: Staked 24pts, +21.57pts.
Football Investor: Staked 10pts, -2.46pts.
Strike Zone: Staked 4pts, +0.24pts.
Sports Investor: Staked 2pts, -2pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.2pts, +0.16pts.
Financial loss on the football of £69.30.
Saturday 5th February: Staked £2,042.50, +£376.70.
Sunday
Much quieter today.
PJA NH had one small bet which lost, as did On The Nose. Chasemaster however found a nice winner from their two selections (Royal Wedding - Fontwell - 10/1). Winning Racing Tips just shaded a profit with one selection finishing in the frame.
PJA NH: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
On The Nose: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.5pts, +1.312pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 0.6pts, +0.06pts.
Financial profit on the racing of £52.35.
Footballistically, Football Elite had one winner from one, Football Investor lost one from one, and Strike Zone scored one from one. Shaolin Betting had just one winner from three, and The Sportsman's sole bet saw stakes returned.
Football Elite: Staked 1pt, +1.1pts.
Football Investor: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Strike Zone: Staked 1pt, +1.26pts.
Shaolin Betting: Staked 3pts, -0.73pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.1pts, level.
Financial profit on the football of £84.95.
Sunday 6th February: Staked £581, +£137.30.
Week to date: Staked £4,892.50, +£783.14.
Month to date: Staked £4,722, +£823.52, roi 17.44%.
So there we have it. Turned into rather a good week in the end.
With it having been a busy weekend, and having only just got home after a long drive, I am simply going to go through the action day by day. Please forgive me; we'll start exploring some issues again in the week.
Saturday
Star of the day re. the horses was 4PA. By far and away my strongest performer of the last four months, 4PA had a quiet January, but the first bets of February have seen it come back with a bang. Three selections, one winner (Kilcrea Kim - Sandown - 9/1) and a very nice profit thankyou very much. PJA NH also turned a nice profit due to the same horse at the same price, Kilcrea Kim being the one winner from six selections given, although another two finished placed having been advised each way. Unfortunately Northern Monkey Punter drew a blank from their two tips, but On The Nose maintained their incredible levels of consistency by advising one winner (Medermit - Sandown - 7/2) and one placed from three selections - another couple of points profit in their bag and surely they can't continue in this vein!?! Chasemaster found a winner from their two selections (Wayward Prince - Wetherby - Evens) but at the price and it being a small bet, they still managed a very small loss. A similar tiny loss for Winning Racing Tips whose sole selection was placed at 7/2. Finally, The Sportsman Racing finished the day exactly where it started by picking one winner (Shoegazer - Ffos Llas - Evens) and one loser.
4PA: Staked 5pts, +8.25pts.
PJA NH: Staked 4.75pts, +2.375pts.
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 2pts, -2pts.
On The Nose: Staked 2.75pts, +2.125pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.375pts, -0.125pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 1pt, -0.15pts.
The Sportsman Racing: Staked 2pts, level.
Financial profit on the racing of £446.
Now to the footie. Me old mate X had a couple of losers, and Football Elite dropped a half point by finding one from three. If the Oscars had a 'Best Tipster - Football' category, then Skeeve would have been the undisputed winner today; six selections if you include the two 'Late Service' selections, and six winners! Football Investor in contrast found only two winners from ten to drop a couple of points or so, whilst Strike Zone got two out of four correct and a small profit. I'm afraid bottom of the class was Sports Investor which had two losers from two, including some team or other that was 4-0 up after 68 minutes but contrived to only draw (sigh and slow shake of head!). Finally The Sportman's only bet was a winner.
Football Elite: Staked 3pts, -0.5pts.
Skeeve: Staked 24pts, +21.57pts.
Football Investor: Staked 10pts, -2.46pts.
Strike Zone: Staked 4pts, +0.24pts.
Sports Investor: Staked 2pts, -2pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.2pts, +0.16pts.
Financial loss on the football of £69.30.
Saturday 5th February: Staked £2,042.50, +£376.70.
Sunday
Much quieter today.
PJA NH had one small bet which lost, as did On The Nose. Chasemaster however found a nice winner from their two selections (Royal Wedding - Fontwell - 10/1). Winning Racing Tips just shaded a profit with one selection finishing in the frame.
PJA NH: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
On The Nose: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.5pts, +1.312pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 0.6pts, +0.06pts.
Financial profit on the racing of £52.35.
Footballistically, Football Elite had one winner from one, Football Investor lost one from one, and Strike Zone scored one from one. Shaolin Betting had just one winner from three, and The Sportsman's sole bet saw stakes returned.
Football Elite: Staked 1pt, +1.1pts.
Football Investor: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Strike Zone: Staked 1pt, +1.26pts.
Shaolin Betting: Staked 3pts, -0.73pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.1pts, level.
Financial profit on the football of £84.95.
Sunday 6th February: Staked £581, +£137.30.
Week to date: Staked £4,892.50, +£783.14.
Month to date: Staked £4,722, +£823.52, roi 17.44%.
So there we have it. Turned into rather a good week in the end.
Back into the valley of the dead...
Back at the coffee shop with the strange clientele...briefly.
Sitting in the car yesterday, with Radio 5 on detailing goal after goal after goal after goal go in at the right end as far as yours truly is concerned, I thought I was to have a bumper day. After a lovely walk with the children in the Shropshire countryside, and a return to the car in time for 'Sports Report', I discovered that a series of second half goals had gone against me and left me feeling in the depths of despair!
But that's enough about the Arsenal...the betting wasn't too shabby (although could have been a lot better!).
I'll be back home this evening and provide a full update...
Sitting in the car yesterday, with Radio 5 on detailing goal after goal after goal after goal go in at the right end as far as yours truly is concerned, I thought I was to have a bumper day. After a lovely walk with the children in the Shropshire countryside, and a return to the car in time for 'Sports Report', I discovered that a series of second half goals had gone against me and left me feeling in the depths of despair!
But that's enough about the Arsenal...the betting wasn't too shabby (although could have been a lot better!).
I'll be back home this evening and provide a full update...
Saturday, 5 February 2011
Yesterday
I'm sitting in a cramped cafe in Ludlow. I will keep this brief...
Yesterday's figures:
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 1pt, +1.437pts.
On The Nose: Staked 2pts, +2.75pts.
PJA NH: Staked 2.25pts, -0.965pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2.5pts, -2.025pts.
The Sportsman Racing: Staked 0.5pts, +1pt.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 2.8pts(!), -0.32pts.
Financial profit on the racing of £24.25.
Friday 4th February: Staked £433, +£24.25.
I don't have the weekly/monthly figures with me (how amateurish!) but will bring everything up to date in tomorrow's post.
Shropshire is a beautiful county, but it is home to some strange people. Hopefully, I'll be back tomorrow with a proper update.
Until then...
Yesterday's figures:
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 1pt, +1.437pts.
On The Nose: Staked 2pts, +2.75pts.
PJA NH: Staked 2.25pts, -0.965pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2.5pts, -2.025pts.
The Sportsman Racing: Staked 0.5pts, +1pt.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 2.8pts(!), -0.32pts.
Financial profit on the racing of £24.25.
Friday 4th February: Staked £433, +£24.25.
I don't have the weekly/monthly figures with me (how amateurish!) but will bring everything up to date in tomorrow's post.
Shropshire is a beautiful county, but it is home to some strange people. Hopefully, I'll be back tomorrow with a proper update.
Until then...
Thursday, 3 February 2011
You gotta have faith...
I got round to thinking about Football Elite today. The service has been quite the centre of attention recently and I've read many a comment in forums about their recent poor run. Many seem to be on the verge of quitting with it, others are talking about reducing stakes. I think you know where I stand on the subject - I've said on numerous occasions that I will simply plod along, keeping stakes the same until at least the end of the season. But which approach is the right one? Which is the best course to steer?
Having thought things through, I think the correct course of action would be to stop following Football Elite's selections completely with immediate effect, or, as I will be doing, simply carry on as normal. The very worst thing to do in my opinion would be to continue following, but at reduced stakes. This halfway house approach can lead only to disappointment as far as I am concerned.
You either have faith in a service, or you don't. If you are convinced that at some point between December 2010 and January 2011 Matt at FE completely lost the plot, why on earth would you put any more money on his selections? Why throw good money after bad? It makes no sense; there is no logic to it. You don't believe FE can make you any money, so why back the selections at all? Why reduce stakes? All that would mean is that you would slow down the rate of losses. But they'd still be losses.
The flip side of the coin of course, is that you think this is just a particularly rough patch in what for four years has been a tremendously consistent service. It had to come at some time, and this is that time. Ride it through - Matt's selection policy for identifying bets hasn't changed. There's absolutely no evidence that he isn't working as hard as ever to find winners. He will come good. So, if you believe this to be the case, why on earth would you reduce stakes now? The inevitable consequence would be that as soon as the losing run is broken, you'll make back your losses, but at a much slower rate than the rate in which you suffered them. At the point at which by carrying on staking at normal levels you get back to actually making profits, at reduced stakes you would still be merely reducing the deficit. It could take you twice as long as it should to get back to level pegging, never mind actually making some money out of the service.
Reducing stakes is the wrong course of action. There is no upside. If Matt has suddenly lost it, you'll still lose money. If he hasn't, you won't enjoy the full benefit of the winners he picks.
Naturally, I've talked about Football Elite because it is topical. But this principle must apply to any service. I think to gamble successfully, you have to commit yourself. You're either fully in, or your fully out. Make a decision and stick to it. Form an opinion on whether a service will make you money in the long term, or lose you money. And then act on that conviction.
Simples.
Today's action
The racing got off to a flyer today with the first bet being a successful Winning Racing Tip's selection (Jimmy The Saint - Towcester - 11/2). Trouble is, from that point on, it was pretty much downhill. WRT also had an each way double, the first leg of which won, the second leg of which (naturally) finished fourth. Of the other services, Northern Monkey Punter managed to get one placed from two and ProBandit one placed from four. PJA (0/1), On The Nose (0/2) and Chasemaster (0/1) all drew complete blanks.
PJA NH: Staked 0.75pts, -0.75pts.
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 1.75pts, -0.55pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2pts, -1.543pts.
On The Nose: Staked 1.5pts, -1.5pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 1.1pts, +1.48pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
Financial loss on the racing of £58.94.
Football-wise, only Skeeve with a single selection today, and Skeeve with a single loser.
Skeeve: Staked 4pts, -4pts.
Financial loss on the football of £60.
Thursday 3rd February: Staked £316, -£118.94.
Week to date: Staked £1,836, +£244.89.
Month to date: Staked £1,665.50, +£285.27, roi 17.12%.
So today has seen us give back a bit of what we made yesterday. After the first bet of the day, I was hoping for a little better than that.
PS. I have a bit of a problem over the next two days as I'm going to my parents for the weekend (they don't want to see me - just their grandchildren!). They live in deepest, darkest Shropshire. So deep and dark in fact, that there is no internet connection and no reception for my Iphone, so I can't even use that to post. Quite frankly, if anyone thinks I'm going into the nearest town, which is about 15 miles away, to make a blog post at goodness knows what time, well, they can think again! There are some strange beasts that frequent them there Salop hills. So, I will try to post some basic figures for Friday on Saturday morning and then I shall return on Sunday with a full weekend round up. That's the plan anyway...
Having thought things through, I think the correct course of action would be to stop following Football Elite's selections completely with immediate effect, or, as I will be doing, simply carry on as normal. The very worst thing to do in my opinion would be to continue following, but at reduced stakes. This halfway house approach can lead only to disappointment as far as I am concerned.
You either have faith in a service, or you don't. If you are convinced that at some point between December 2010 and January 2011 Matt at FE completely lost the plot, why on earth would you put any more money on his selections? Why throw good money after bad? It makes no sense; there is no logic to it. You don't believe FE can make you any money, so why back the selections at all? Why reduce stakes? All that would mean is that you would slow down the rate of losses. But they'd still be losses.
The flip side of the coin of course, is that you think this is just a particularly rough patch in what for four years has been a tremendously consistent service. It had to come at some time, and this is that time. Ride it through - Matt's selection policy for identifying bets hasn't changed. There's absolutely no evidence that he isn't working as hard as ever to find winners. He will come good. So, if you believe this to be the case, why on earth would you reduce stakes now? The inevitable consequence would be that as soon as the losing run is broken, you'll make back your losses, but at a much slower rate than the rate in which you suffered them. At the point at which by carrying on staking at normal levels you get back to actually making profits, at reduced stakes you would still be merely reducing the deficit. It could take you twice as long as it should to get back to level pegging, never mind actually making some money out of the service.
Reducing stakes is the wrong course of action. There is no upside. If Matt has suddenly lost it, you'll still lose money. If he hasn't, you won't enjoy the full benefit of the winners he picks.
Naturally, I've talked about Football Elite because it is topical. But this principle must apply to any service. I think to gamble successfully, you have to commit yourself. You're either fully in, or your fully out. Make a decision and stick to it. Form an opinion on whether a service will make you money in the long term, or lose you money. And then act on that conviction.
Simples.
Today's action
The racing got off to a flyer today with the first bet being a successful Winning Racing Tip's selection (Jimmy The Saint - Towcester - 11/2). Trouble is, from that point on, it was pretty much downhill. WRT also had an each way double, the first leg of which won, the second leg of which (naturally) finished fourth. Of the other services, Northern Monkey Punter managed to get one placed from two and ProBandit one placed from four. PJA (0/1), On The Nose (0/2) and Chasemaster (0/1) all drew complete blanks.
PJA NH: Staked 0.75pts, -0.75pts.
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 1.75pts, -0.55pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2pts, -1.543pts.
On The Nose: Staked 1.5pts, -1.5pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 1.1pts, +1.48pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
Financial loss on the racing of £58.94.
Football-wise, only Skeeve with a single selection today, and Skeeve with a single loser.
Skeeve: Staked 4pts, -4pts.
Financial loss on the football of £60.
Thursday 3rd February: Staked £316, -£118.94.
Week to date: Staked £1,836, +£244.89.
Month to date: Staked £1,665.50, +£285.27, roi 17.12%.
So today has seen us give back a bit of what we made yesterday. After the first bet of the day, I was hoping for a little better than that.
PS. I have a bit of a problem over the next two days as I'm going to my parents for the weekend (they don't want to see me - just their grandchildren!). They live in deepest, darkest Shropshire. So deep and dark in fact, that there is no internet connection and no reception for my Iphone, so I can't even use that to post. Quite frankly, if anyone thinks I'm going into the nearest town, which is about 15 miles away, to make a blog post at goodness knows what time, well, they can think again! There are some strange beasts that frequent them there Salop hills. So, I will try to post some basic figures for Friday on Saturday morning and then I shall return on Sunday with a full weekend round up. That's the plan anyway...
Wednesday, 2 February 2011
For Eddie...
Eddie left a comment on the 'End of Month' review post and asked the question asking how much I have made, in terms of percentage returns, from each service since the midway point of last year. I have outlined the stats further down.
It is always a worthwhile exercise I feel, reviewing the figures and seeing what progress has been made in the past. When things are not going your way and you're in the middle of a losing run (like the one at the moment) I find that seeing positive figures next to monthly totals is hugely reassuring. It helps to gain a perspective. It is oh so easy to get caught up in the 'here and now' when gambling every day.
By the way, I've said it before but I'll say it again...please do leave a comment if there is something you read but don't agree with, or wish to comment generally on, or perhaps something you'd like a further opinion about. Those that read my early posts will know that I don't want this blog to become a running bean counter. There are blogs better than this one that you can read that provide graphs, tables, etc showing the daily, weekly and monthly stats. Also, the SBC do this in a way far better than I ever could, so if you're not a member and you like the stats side of things, go and have a look at their site.
No, what I'm trying to do here is give more of an insight into the constant thoughts that occur when you're using a portfolio, give an idea of how difficult gambling can be to do properly, to talk through mistakes made previously and new mistakes that are being made in the present. I don't think that I can teach as such - I'm certainly not the perfect gambler and although I feel experience over the last couple of years has taught me a lot, I know I still have a lot to learn. What I am is an experimental guinea pig, a lab experiment of a gambler, if you like. Of course, that makes you lot the boffins in the white coats (heh!), and the poking and prodding that seems to come naturally to boffins can take the form of comments and questions that raise areas for discussion. That way, hopefully the blog will stay fresh, and we all just might learn a thing or two along the way.
Anyway, I digress. The stats below cover the period from 1st July 2010 to 31st January 2011. Where I joined a service part way through, I have indicated the month in which I joined. I have left out the couple of services that I have subsequently dropped, but the overall financial results at the end are all-inclusive. I have not detailed the finances committed to each individual service, as staking changed when I became more confident that a service I was "trialling" had a long-term future as part of the portfolio. In the cases of The Sportsman Racing, Northern Monkey Punter and On The Nose, the only stats are those I posted in the end of month review the other night, as I have only followed them since the 1st January. In the case of the football services, the figures cover the period starting when the first selections were given at the beginning of the football season, except Sports Investor which contains a couple of bets from the World Cup.
PJA Racing NH: Staked 200pts, +10.156pts, roi 5.08%.
ProBandit: Staked 195.03pts, +28.626pts, roi 14.67%.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 100.9pts, -4.322pts, roi -4.28%.
4PA (from 1/10/10): Staked 73pts, +36.684pts, roi 50.25%.
Chasemaster (from 1/11/10): Staked 33.375pts, +2.293pts, roi 6.87%.
Football Elite: Staked 49pts, -0.386pts, roi -0.78%.
Football Investor: Staked 236pts, +3.694pts, roi 1.56%.
Strike Zone: Staked 140pts, +10.884pts, roi 7.77%.
Skeeve (inc. 'Late BSS' service): Staked 376pts, +32.12pts, roi 8.54%.
The Sportsman: Staked 10.78pts, +0.092pts, roi 0.85%.
Sports Investor: Staked 50pts, -1.951pts, roi -3.9%.
The monthly financial returns...
July 2010: -£647
August 2010: +£1,199
September 2010: +£2,510
October 2010: +£1,391
November 2010: +£699
December 2010: +£1,135
January 2011: -£273
So, there we have it, and I hope that answers your question ok, Eddie? The overall roi at the end of January was 7.78%. My target is 10%. At the end of December it stood at 10.41%. Shows what a poor month can do.
Today's Action
Good day for the racing bets today, with only Winning Racing Tips (0/1) and Northern Monkey Punter (0/1) drawing a blank. PJA was the very model of consistency, selecting four horses, all of which were placed, and finding one winner (Mayolynn - Leicester - 4/1). Pro Bandit had a very good day, finding two winners (Primo De Viola - Lingfield - 2/1 and Rubenstar - Lingfield - 9/2), as did Chasemaster with three selections, two of which placed and one won (Lockstown - Newcastle - 9/2).
PJA NH: Staked 3pts, +2.209pts
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2pts, +2.75pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 1.2pts, -1.2pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 1.25pts, +1.356pts.
Financial profit on the racing of £153.57.
At last. A sigh of relief. Following a good day on the horses, came a good evening with the footie. Football Investor missed out (0/1), but Shaolin Betting (2/2), Strike Zone (1/1), Sports Investor (1/1 - although only a half win on the Asian Handicap) and The Sportsman (1/1) produced the goods.
Shaolin Betting: Staked 2pts, +1.68pts.
Football Investor: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Strike Zone: Staked 1pt, +0.7pts.
Sports Investor: Staked 1pt, +0.665pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.2pts, +0.135pts.
Financial profit on the football of £281.60.
Wednesday 2nd February: Staked £702, +£435.17.
Week to date: Staked £1,520, +£363.83.
Month to date: Staked £1,349.50, +£404.51, roi 29.97%.
That's better!
It is always a worthwhile exercise I feel, reviewing the figures and seeing what progress has been made in the past. When things are not going your way and you're in the middle of a losing run (like the one at the moment) I find that seeing positive figures next to monthly totals is hugely reassuring. It helps to gain a perspective. It is oh so easy to get caught up in the 'here and now' when gambling every day.
By the way, I've said it before but I'll say it again...please do leave a comment if there is something you read but don't agree with, or wish to comment generally on, or perhaps something you'd like a further opinion about. Those that read my early posts will know that I don't want this blog to become a running bean counter. There are blogs better than this one that you can read that provide graphs, tables, etc showing the daily, weekly and monthly stats. Also, the SBC do this in a way far better than I ever could, so if you're not a member and you like the stats side of things, go and have a look at their site.
No, what I'm trying to do here is give more of an insight into the constant thoughts that occur when you're using a portfolio, give an idea of how difficult gambling can be to do properly, to talk through mistakes made previously and new mistakes that are being made in the present. I don't think that I can teach as such - I'm certainly not the perfect gambler and although I feel experience over the last couple of years has taught me a lot, I know I still have a lot to learn. What I am is an experimental guinea pig, a lab experiment of a gambler, if you like. Of course, that makes you lot the boffins in the white coats (heh!), and the poking and prodding that seems to come naturally to boffins can take the form of comments and questions that raise areas for discussion. That way, hopefully the blog will stay fresh, and we all just might learn a thing or two along the way.
Anyway, I digress. The stats below cover the period from 1st July 2010 to 31st January 2011. Where I joined a service part way through, I have indicated the month in which I joined. I have left out the couple of services that I have subsequently dropped, but the overall financial results at the end are all-inclusive. I have not detailed the finances committed to each individual service, as staking changed when I became more confident that a service I was "trialling" had a long-term future as part of the portfolio. In the cases of The Sportsman Racing, Northern Monkey Punter and On The Nose, the only stats are those I posted in the end of month review the other night, as I have only followed them since the 1st January. In the case of the football services, the figures cover the period starting when the first selections were given at the beginning of the football season, except Sports Investor which contains a couple of bets from the World Cup.
PJA Racing NH: Staked 200pts, +10.156pts, roi 5.08%.
ProBandit: Staked 195.03pts, +28.626pts, roi 14.67%.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 100.9pts, -4.322pts, roi -4.28%.
4PA (from 1/10/10): Staked 73pts, +36.684pts, roi 50.25%.
Chasemaster (from 1/11/10): Staked 33.375pts, +2.293pts, roi 6.87%.
Football Elite: Staked 49pts, -0.386pts, roi -0.78%.
Football Investor: Staked 236pts, +3.694pts, roi 1.56%.
Strike Zone: Staked 140pts, +10.884pts, roi 7.77%.
Skeeve (inc. 'Late BSS' service): Staked 376pts, +32.12pts, roi 8.54%.
The Sportsman: Staked 10.78pts, +0.092pts, roi 0.85%.
Sports Investor: Staked 50pts, -1.951pts, roi -3.9%.
The monthly financial returns...
July 2010: -£647
August 2010: +£1,199
September 2010: +£2,510
October 2010: +£1,391
November 2010: +£699
December 2010: +£1,135
January 2011: -£273
So, there we have it, and I hope that answers your question ok, Eddie? The overall roi at the end of January was 7.78%. My target is 10%. At the end of December it stood at 10.41%. Shows what a poor month can do.
Today's Action
Good day for the racing bets today, with only Winning Racing Tips (0/1) and Northern Monkey Punter (0/1) drawing a blank. PJA was the very model of consistency, selecting four horses, all of which were placed, and finding one winner (Mayolynn - Leicester - 4/1). Pro Bandit had a very good day, finding two winners (Primo De Viola - Lingfield - 2/1 and Rubenstar - Lingfield - 9/2), as did Chasemaster with three selections, two of which placed and one won (Lockstown - Newcastle - 9/2).
PJA NH: Staked 3pts, +2.209pts
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
ProBandit: Staked 2pts, +2.75pts.
Winning Racing Tips: Staked 1.2pts, -1.2pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 1.25pts, +1.356pts.
Financial profit on the racing of £153.57.
At last. A sigh of relief. Following a good day on the horses, came a good evening with the footie. Football Investor missed out (0/1), but Shaolin Betting (2/2), Strike Zone (1/1), Sports Investor (1/1 - although only a half win on the Asian Handicap) and The Sportsman (1/1) produced the goods.
Shaolin Betting: Staked 2pts, +1.68pts.
Football Investor: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
Strike Zone: Staked 1pt, +0.7pts.
Sports Investor: Staked 1pt, +0.665pts.
The Sportsman: Staked 0.2pts, +0.135pts.
Financial profit on the football of £281.60.
Wednesday 2nd February: Staked £702, +£435.17.
Week to date: Staked £1,520, +£363.83.
Month to date: Staked £1,349.50, +£404.51, roi 29.97%.
That's better!
Tuesday, 1 February 2011
Groundhog day!
Very quick post tonight - it's late!
I have found that there is a tendency for there to be a heightened sense of optimism on the first day of a new month, particularly so when the month just passed has been a poor one. The thing is, the horses and football teams being bet on are not aware of the significance of it being the first of the month, and often fail to raise their performance levels!
It's been a day showing a minor loss. But talk about a continuation from January! Five racing services in action today - four losing services, and one winning. Which one produced the goods? Need you really ask...?
Today's Action
On The Nose had one winner from two selections (Qozak - Taunton - 11/2) for a nice profit, and PJA NH one placed from two selections (Tenor Nivernais - Taunton - 4/1) for a small loss. Blanks were fired by Northern Monkey Punter (0/1), Chasemaster (0/2), and ProBandit (0/1).
PJA NH: Staked 1.5pts, -0.75pts.
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.625pts, -0.625pts.
ProBandit: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
On The Nose: Staked 2pts, +3.2pts.
Financial loss on the racing of £38.50.
Fairly busy tonight on the footie. Football Investor suffered a small loss (2/6) and Strike Zone gleaned a small profit (3/4). My mate had two bets and found one winner (1/2).
Football Investor: Staked 6pts, -0.85pts.
Strike Zone: Staked 4pts, +0.803pts.
X-Factor: Staked 4pts, -0.4pts.
Financial profit on the football of £7.41.
Tuesday 1st February: Staked £647.50, -£31.09.
Week to date: Staked £818, -£71.34.
Month to date: Staked £647.50, -£31.09, roi -4.8%.
I thought I'd tidy up the results reporting a little in an attempt to make things easier to follow.
See you tomorrow.
I have found that there is a tendency for there to be a heightened sense of optimism on the first day of a new month, particularly so when the month just passed has been a poor one. The thing is, the horses and football teams being bet on are not aware of the significance of it being the first of the month, and often fail to raise their performance levels!
It's been a day showing a minor loss. But talk about a continuation from January! Five racing services in action today - four losing services, and one winning. Which one produced the goods? Need you really ask...?
Today's Action
On The Nose had one winner from two selections (Qozak - Taunton - 11/2) for a nice profit, and PJA NH one placed from two selections (Tenor Nivernais - Taunton - 4/1) for a small loss. Blanks were fired by Northern Monkey Punter (0/1), Chasemaster (0/2), and ProBandit (0/1).
PJA NH: Staked 1.5pts, -0.75pts.
Northern Monkey Punter: Staked 0.5pts, -0.5pts.
Chasemaster: Staked 0.625pts, -0.625pts.
ProBandit: Staked 1pt, -1pt.
On The Nose: Staked 2pts, +3.2pts.
Financial loss on the racing of £38.50.
Fairly busy tonight on the footie. Football Investor suffered a small loss (2/6) and Strike Zone gleaned a small profit (3/4). My mate had two bets and found one winner (1/2).
Football Investor: Staked 6pts, -0.85pts.
Strike Zone: Staked 4pts, +0.803pts.
X-Factor: Staked 4pts, -0.4pts.
Financial profit on the football of £7.41.
Tuesday 1st February: Staked £647.50, -£31.09.
Week to date: Staked £818, -£71.34.
Month to date: Staked £647.50, -£31.09, roi -4.8%.
I thought I'd tidy up the results reporting a little in an attempt to make things easier to follow.
See you tomorrow.
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