The road to full time
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Zero trades today, got caught watching the cricket too long and didnt feel like i was in a good mindset to trade without monitoring it all. Away this weekend to go pick up my keys for the new flat. Will mean no trading for me rest of the week. Looking at future fixtures i doubt ill be looking to get involved in any of the midweek stuff coming up. Im not a big fan of trading 1st leg ties that dont involve the big teams. So aiming to start august trading next weekend, hopefully nothing goes wrong with moving and can get back to it.
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@dave-jessop thanks mate, its honestly such a confidence boost to hear comments like this
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@dave-jessop 100%, so one of the things me and @Martin-Futter have just been discussing is talking to loads of you guys about the journey you've gone on.
Success leaves clues and we have some excellent guys here, there will be loads of crossover where people have had that lightbulb moment and also people who identify with others. So if we can put them together it will be cracking
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Solid day, liking these qualifiers.
Football:
Urawa was a pretty straight forward selection my plan had allowed for a goal either way also so getting in when it was 0-0 and at the price was happy days.Qarabag much the same, 1-1 from first leg set this up nicely. Similar to yesterdays game with olympiakos all of the same criteria fit here with stadium/match situation.
Finally the highlight trade of the week so far, rosenberg price did seem a bit short to me, but with the way i trade and the plan i had meant that value could be gained later on. Got on the LTD once it hit my entry point. Rosenberg had missed some absolute sitters, BATE had been carved open time and time again and looked leggy. Rosenberg scored with a penalty because i was monitoring another game set up a exit trade for further down the line and got matched so came away with a nice all green position here.
Could have been an even better day, at the time of the AIK 2nd goal i was waiting to get matched, since it was an attacking free kick the price had shortened meaning i wasnt getting matched. Goal came from it. This is just one of the annoying things about daily trading but im not changing rules and taking smaller prices just because it might be a goal.
So overall a fairly solid quiet day. Nice that there are still some nice midweek games to help support these qualifiers. Europa league tomorrow, which ill be even more selective with as sometimes its varied as to how much teams want to be involved with it.
Daily p/l = + 3.4 points
August p/l = + 6.3 points -
Tough day to get selections, a lot of those champs league qualifiers were already over from first leg.
Football:
Only 2 games traded as only 2 games fit the criteria that i had mapped out in trading plan. First game to hit was Basel vs PSV. Got in the overs market for this as it was a hectic end to end game. I started to edge towards PSV for the game so when basel scored i was keen to get in again, thus going against the plan and as always is the case end up cutting profit as no other goal came.Next up was olympiakos. One of my favourite trading/betting teams in the champs league. Its a volatile atmosphere there and playing against this level of teams in qualifiers should have given them an edge. I was hoping it would stay 0-0 for longer allowing me on get in the match odds market, but my plan had allowed for 1 goal, and especially when it was the home side. Plzen would have to press to get that away goal and felt home side would carve them up as they were quicker and faster with their passing. Got on the overs market for a tasty price considering the time left in the match. Game went to plan and managed to come away with a profit overall in the football today.
Horse Racing:
Just a side test today, 1 trade 1 winSo another simple day, greed got the better of me in the basel game but i think its the first time in a while lack of discipline has hit. Still confidence boosting for the rest of week to still be profiting even after a silly mistake.
Daily p/l = + 1.1 points
August p/l = + 2.9 points -
Nice and simple day today. Actually spent most of it reading the spreadsheets i have got and seeing if any new patterns are emerging. Im so happy with how everything is looking right now. LTD/FHG/SHG all still working fine, coming up to a good milestone in my new over 2.5 selections. Dependent on how august goes in terms qualifiers will start to be adding it on a small stakes basis once the main leagues have had a few games in them.
Football:
Wasnt totally convinced by the elfsborg game pre match tbh. Still it was on the shortlist and was worth a monitor. At half time i had the stream up along with another and was pleasantly surprised with the activity in the game. Not only that but the odds were screaming value. I got in the overs market after a flurry of activity. Managed to get a very good entry point and when the goal came i was interested by how the home side had reacted. Not something i tend to do on games that i havent researched more but i decided to LTD for a meagre £2 from the goal profit. The home side looked way more positive and when 5 mins added time came i felt a bit more confident. Looking at it now i should have stuck to my guns as i would normally have put 0.5% on this kind of trade, especially when it was clear they would get more chances and in this case score, but first day of the week and happy just to get back on the board with profit.Nice intro back, missed out on a few games today probably because i was cautious after a break. The next few days are interesting with champs league, will check them later and see if there is any opportunities to add. In terms of tracking my trades ill count rest of this month as august as its easier for the spreadsheet.
Daily p/l = + 1.8 points
August p/l = + 1.8 points -
@darri Sounds good to me buddy, I don't actually think being a student is a backward step. I was a student when I was trading mostly and it was great because I did the same as you.
Worked on a degree and traded at the same times, without that I wouldn't of been the trader I am today.
£1K bank is also plenty with the way you have been trading recently.
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So its been a while since i last posted. As iv made aware im currently a student im away to enter another year of study. Im studying media, which im trying to focus on tv and film production. 2 of my friends have already completed the course and both have worked at the womens world cup, strictly come dancing, great british bake off and x factor. Its a goal of mine to be involved in sport via the media. Now entering the year in which i need to show off an individual project. I got given the equipment list and how much it is to hire the kit i need. Im a bit of a perfectionist and if i do something it needs to be done well. So my budget is more than most. So unfortunately iv had to withdraw most of my previous bank and some of this bank to help fund the initial hire, so i can pre book and know what schedule im working too. My student finance kicks in at the end of august so then ill be able to be financially strong again. Its a bold move im making but this course is the backup career if trading cant become sustainable in the future. Iv had to work bloody hard to get onto the course so i have to take that as the priority. As a side note my project is of the effects sports have on people, this is from watching, supporting, taking part, investing and gambling. Ill be filming, editing, interviewing people in sport, etc. Its a pretty big project but if its good then it can keep it for future jobs.
Its just a slight reminder that even tho this is my part time job that real life is still trying to drag me down. That being said being a student and having smaller responsibilities as others do at my stage of trading its just a slight backward step. Im still fully focused on trading full time in the future. I have over the weekend come up with a plan financially for myself for the year. Basically ill be starting again with the £1k bank. Its money i wont need to touch for the rest of my course. I have over the summer been in edinburgh for placement and will be getting a mighty fine bonus for an extra project i helped with. I move back to aberdeen in 2 weeks and have had a nightmare finding a flat but finally got one so everything is now taking shape.
So basically im back trading now, its been a funny old week. Iv spent the last few hours reading all the posts in threads. I think the next week will be me getting back into it. Now that i have everything all settled in my life outside of trading i can start to put more priority back to it. Trading will still be part time but will be varied depending on coursework/project.
Anyway enough rambling. Had a look at whats coming up next few weeks, excited to see some leagues returning for football, cricket growing for the ashes and the final big flat meetings of the summer in the horses. For the next few months it would be nice to be consistent not just in trades but actually being able to spend time trading. Not had time to look at stats software in ages either so will sit down and have a look at a shortlist tomorrow. Just feels good for a bit of calm and now to just ease my way back to trading. Its good to be back to normality.
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Smooth start to the weekend today, still loads to come so not getting carried away.
Horse racing:
Just a few trades today, i got a bit greedy on the loser and took a chunk of profit from the other trades. Still on course to make a few points a month from horse racing which is something i can build onto once i start focusing on it more.Football:
Really productive day, we have the return of some more european leagues and i managed to find a few good quality ones to trade. Set an alarm and traded the LA galaxy game. Zlatan the man making for some great opportunities to trade.Rostov vs Spartak Moscow was my highlight trade today. Got on the LTD at around 2.4, it was an end to end game but spartak scored, given that it was late enough in the match i just cashed out. I waited to see how the Fav (rostov) would react. There was significant pressure from rostov and had about 2 clear cut chances from crosses to score. The price on spartak was declining and i got on for a lay at 1.27. Rostov managed a late equaliser.
I had a few trades that had hit the filter this morning and they went according to plan. Slight downer has been the trading of the swedish superettan. Its been a relatively bad league for me this summer and since has now been taken off the filters. Its not a league im massively involved in but have seen relatively bad trades creeping in.
Trying to incorporate more LTD trades instead of just backing the overs. Narrowing down when to use it and so far profits are increasing because of the change. I think the next few months are going to be heavily focused on the football for me as its clearly my main sport. I only envisage me trading cricket when its on the tv so will be quiet on that front for a while.
Daily p/l = + 5.3 points
July p/l = + 40.4 points -
@lee-woodman its definitely something that i have to look into, for me it would only be for the horses. I will probably leave it right now as im still bank building via football. Once i can assign time to it its definitely looking like it could be a worthwhile investment. I will probably look into it at end of the year.
I think im much the same as you on that, slightly sceptical until i try it, not manually inputting the trade and not being in control is the other issue i would have to overcome i suppose but everyone on the horse racing thread seems to be doing well with it. Also my bank is still at a low level and i think if i veer off too much it could strain progress on it. Definitely a side project idea right now for me.
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@darri I think the BOT is a good idea for certain ways of trading. Theyre ideal for a lot of horse strategies in particular which dont require on-the-fly decisions, so something like Little Acorns, DOB's, B2L's, L2B's, Martins Lays etc where youve already decided the trade. It just helps the execution if the conditions are pre determined. For football theyre probably less useful as a lot is done depending on in-play stats but they still have their place
I only got mine about a month ago, slightly sceptically, and its been so handy. I just need to learn to check the trades at the end of the day and not watch them individually!
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Up and down day, i suppose it was to be expected after a good day yesterday.
Horse racing:
1 trade and 1 loss, interesting to see a lot of activity on the forum about automation. Im very much a manual trader right now but its pretty much a necessity for horse racing. I think ill have to give some time to it. Iv noticed BF Bot has a free trial so might have to give this a chance before the main football season takes over my trading.Golf:
this is a bit of a one off for me, its only because its our major that im involved with it. Interesting that 3 of my golfers picked have halved in price since the start. Could i have found something. I literally just used the data gathering i have for draft kings (fantasy golf) so maybe worth paper trading. I probably will not trade rest of the season but maybe take a look at it again next season and be able to track it better.Football:
After the highs of yesterday i got off to a stinker in the mls. That was soon rectified by a FHG goal trade that has been working really well for me. Currently have used my own take on the FHG, and so far after 52 trades we have hit 41. When you factor the returns im getting on average with it its become a very good addition to the portfolio. Massively annoyed at myself in the copenhagen game, missed putting my full stake in because i had my eye on another market. Its not cost me here but when its your bread and butter strategy and the one you rely on it hurt a bit more. Senegal game was a bit off pace and although i lost this game i have traded the tournament really well and taken a big profit from it.A bit of a dud day, loads of action this weekend. I would love to be able to add automation to my trading for the horses. I just think right now given how well im doing with building this bank that it maybe something to revisit once the bank is more self sustainable. I dont yet know how consistent i could be with it in order to get a return so lots to think about and test. Right now tho we are closely coming to august and once football season kicks in maybe ill not be able to put in as much effort as is needed for it.
Daily p/l = - 0.9 points
July p/l = + 35.1 points -
Firstly it took me a good while this morning creating plans and scenarios for the trading plan today. So in comparison of how long it took me compared to my profit im so happy with this. Right from the first trade i had a good feeling.
Golf:
Lay of koepka for 1st round leader when he went to 4 under those last few holes in the back 9 are killing some good golfers today. Its definitely something ill be using in the next few rounds if an opportunity comes. Rahm came storming with a few birdies early doors just like spieth and i naively backed both for 1st round leader which cuts the green. Also when Holmes joint led with rahm i put a lay on him and hence i had a bit of a turn around from green to red. Might get in less and only focus on when im far more comfortable. Didnt help i was watching football also.Horse racing:
Just a couple of trades for me here, horse racing starting to feel consistent again. Building up nicely to the weekend.Football:
I wont go through what games i traded here, i just think research and planning exactly how your going to trade games is absolutely vital for long term gains. Fair enough my planning all clicked today but knowing when to enter and what prices to take really help.Trading plans have helped me massively, there are strategies out there on the forums and other sites that require you to be flexible and just go based on blind stats/odds. Yes use them to build banks slowly but remember focus on your own path to trading, improve your own trading style and strategies. Its taken me far too long and blown far too many banks (former gambler) to realise not to just follow how other people are trading. Research games, get plan sorted and then execute your plan. no one can teach you the perfect way to trade it can only be done by experience and trading yourself. Use the comments from other good traders to guide you to it quicker but practise and knowledge of the markets is the biggest change iv had since i started trading.
By doing this your improving your own strike rate and are relying less on quantity of trades to make green and picking quality trades instead.
I realise this sounds big headed after a decent day but im trying to show whats helped me along and improve be it small or big improvements.
Its coming into the weekend now and im gaining on the target for end of august which was to be able to up my stakes. Im not a firm believer of nailed on targets but im flexible with them. Lets just see how close we can get without putting too much pressure on it.
Daily p/l = +10.5 points
July p/l = +36 points -
After a slow last couple days managed to get a few games from the trading plan come good.
Football:
Started with the china games, both games coming out with a nice profit and pretty stress free leaving me in a good position going into the evening games. Dundalk was more a opportunity trade and lured by price. Only half a point on so not too down about the trade.Celtic game was the main trade for today, as i highlighted in my last post. managed to get in at a good price for the 1st half goal. Celtic were pressing hard early doors, and could have got on half time match odds but celtic are known for their vulnerability at the back in pressure games and instead i went for the goal markets, sarajevo had been fairly confident on the counter in the first leg. They equalised in the 2nd half and with plenty of time remaining and with constant pressure i got on the LTD and was pretty comfortable as only in for a short time.
Pretty solid day today given there wasnt many stand out fixtures, but sticking to my plan and weeding out the potential bad ones has paid off. I have written a trading plan for the MLS games tonight but will include that in tomorrows results.
Daily p/l = +3.7 points
July p/l = + 25.5 points -
Just a quick update on a very quiet last few days trading. Feeling a little deflated after such a crazy weekend of sport. No trades on monday as none of the games on trading plan matched my entry points.Football:
Good trade on the china game, evergrande under cannavaro continue to give drama, good end to end game and some finish. As with all my trading midweek after a busy weekend i always like a confidence builder so start with small stakes. Got over excited with the qualifiers, lost 1 and won 1. TNS was a bit of a saviour here, managed to get on at a good time and price for a goal to be scored. Football looks good for wednesday with china and mls at night. Probably avoid champs league trading as celtic are playing so will be watching that.Horse racing:
Was in profit till the very last race i had on the trading plan, was only going to be either a small gain or loss so not too bothered. Only managed a couple of good pre race trades hopefully will start to build on that as week goes on.Nothing really to report not much quality about in the football, its times like this im glad i changed how i traded and started to plan and stick to it. Quiet periods with low quality games can really nip into a bank as you try to force trade. Just wanted to post because there are a few games i like tomorrow in china and mls so will be less boring to write about.
Monday/Tuesday p/l = + 1 point
July p/l = + 21.8 points -
Amazing weekend of sport! What a finish to both the tennis and cricket.
Horse Racing:
managed to trade the big tv races well for a change, got onto steamers in the market and managed to get 2 dutch trades to work.Tennis:
Lay of halep when she went a set up. Williams won her service game easily at end of the set and thought that might calm her down. It didnt, i traded out after the break. Thought williams had got her game back mid way through and crowd really got behind her. Re lay of halep failed badly as next game she won with ease. Never seen her have so many unforced errors. Didnt trade the mens as cricket was on but some game that. Wish i had traded now as must have been some swings in the price there.Cricket:
You will notice it says no cricket on screen. Well i got too caught up in the match. Firstly i backed NZ at 2.12 when morgan entered, he was up against ferguson who loves a bouncer, morgan has been vulnerable all tournament to short stuff. He got out to a short ball but not off ferguson but price shot down to 1.47, so easy green. I then waited for england to build again. Once stokes and buttler had both hit double figures i backed england, managed to ride down the price and got out and sat pretty on a lovely bit of green. I got caught up in the game and it cost me. All that lovely green gone because of a super over. It stung, but it was a risk i took i mean how unlucky were NZ to lose that, stokes accidentally hitting the ball as it was thrown. Ah well what a tournament it has been for me and really happy cricket is now a profitable sport for me to trade now.Football:
Mixed bag, got some great form over the weekend. Stayed up to trade the MLS and it paid off. Its a league i really have got into, and now that iv added it to trading it really a lovely trading league. It wasnt on my shortlist but followed keith on the senegal game. Because i was engrossed in the cricket i did it as a more set and forget trade. It went to extra time, and with 2 pens missed and a number of chances i backed a goal in extra time.Apart from the excitement of the finals in both games im really happy with those trades. God it would have looked better if i had put some insurance on the cricket. But cant argue and profit is profit and the bank is continuing to grow. Hopefully ill be able to find some good quality games midweek.
Weekend p/l = + 5.3 points
July p/l = + 20.8 points -
Just also want to point out that the BTC training posts and videos in the forum is full of gold so please go check it out. Every newbie/part time trader should when there is a time be going through them as martin has done a superb job on them
