Super Saturday

After a terrible time towards the end of the year I was really beginning to doubt some of the decisions I had taken in terms of trying to earn a decent 2nd income from betting. The whole game had lost it's sparkle, it's enjoyment and it wasn't a lot of fun.

Going on holiday and finally making the decision not to bet while I was away was just the ticket and I came back earlier this week re-invigorated! Putting the bets on on Wednesday felt like fun again and I felt like it all had a purpose again. My first post of 2010 was positive even though at that point it looked like it was going to be a losing day.

It's good to feel that way again and my mood is helped very much with a stunning day today with Equine Investments and Steve Lewis Hamilton leading the way with decent price winners. Another solid day from Tipping Legends as well. If my records are correct that was SLH's first out and out winner since 17 November so very very pleased with that.

Highlights of the day for me were;

SLH - Iconoclast (11/2) - 2.05pm in Kempton (2pt win)
Equine - Exceedthewildman (8/1) - 2.40 Lingfield (1pt win)
TL - GeeDeeNan (25/1) - 2.45 Kempton (1pt e/w).

Not so good today from 4PA or Double the Odds (although DTO produced 2 places out of 3 bets so on the right track). But this is what it's all about - having enough on the go to produce a profit even when some fail to deliver, but as I said Wed / Thurs not too many to make it unmanageable.

What I'm going to do this is year is to display the odds I get vs. odds quoted by the tipsters. More often than not I don't get bang on odds quoted and I want to try to portray how difficult it is to do so - more because of the reality of the way I run things (and the flaws in that) rather than how realistic the tipster is. For example - best price may be with Skybet but my account with them is restricted and effectively closed so I have to go elsewhere or I whack the cash on through Ladbrokes as it's the quickest way of doing it on the go or best price is with a bookie I haven't opened an account with yet. etc etc.

Talking of restriced accounts - I'm no high roller but some bookies have restricted my account - named and shamed below (none of whom I've won more than a couple of grand with - which is amazing);

Skybet.com - all bets - I was told that they were "running a business" so had to restrict my account.

Sportingbet.com - all bets - stitched me up with their free bet offer when I opened the account (they refused to give me the free bet promised - when I queried - I was told they didn't have to give a reason and their decision was final). Was quite pleased I took some money off them before they restricted by account.

Blue Sq - all bets - although manageable as restrictions aren't too bad and a bit random for some reason. E/w definite no no and golf bets capped at about £2!!

Boylesports - golf / darts - very very quick to restrict these bets (especially the darts). Ok still with horse racing and very generous with free bets which is a definite plus. Certainly wary of going through oddschecker with them.

So with more restrictions it gets harder and harder.

Anyway a great day overall and a brilliant start to 2010 - long may it continue.