01 - Trading Dreams.

Having a punt is something I’ve loved for ages. The first thing I did once I had turned 18 was place a bet. I can’t remember what it was even on, but it would’ve had 4 legs, and I can almost assure you that it lost. But it didn’t matter, I was infatuated. The following year was spent gathering whatever shrapnel we had, and spending it at the local TAB. We would take out the pencils, fill in the bubbles and bet whatever was next, cheering them on like we had cash on it rather than coins. From there, I discovered sports betting. Sports has always been a passion of mine. I spent countless hours consuming as much sport as possible, much to my parent's disdain especially when there was uncompleted homework/chores to attend to. Whilst my attention span for most items in life at that stage was minuscule, it was massive with sport. I was barely able to sit still through a movie, yet a game of live sports was no issue at all. I could sit, analyse and consume every word of Tony Grieg on the commentary and time would fly by. Whilst my parents didn’t love the sheer volume of sports I watched, they were more than happy to support me in playing as many sports as possible. I played Cricket, AFL, Table Tennis, Soccer, Boxing, Rugby Union, Volleyball, Hockey, Tennis, and Futsal just to name a few. Anyway, I’m certain that you get the point, I love sport.

Once I turned 18, I was at Uni 500km from home with a boatload of freedom and had discovered that I could combine something I knew loved in sports, with something I recently discovered I loved with punting. Perfect. The next 5 years were spent doing purely that, punting. We would set up projectors in our dorms and lecture theatres, and all bet on whatever sport was on next with $2 and $5 at a time. Were we successful? No. Were we having a ball? Absolutely. This cycle lasted for 5 years, and towards the back of it, I started learning that whilst mightily challenging, it wasn’t IMPOSSIBLE to make money betting on sports.

2020 was spent tracking my bets in a spreadsheet. Sure I didn’t make money, but it was a year of learning. 99% of punters lose, and I wanted desperately to be in the 1%. 2021, and 2022 had a much more calculated approach. Bankrolls were established as well as staking plans, and small formulas began taking place as to how much you should bet and when. Wooohooo! Finally, my first-ever profitable year. Did I make much? No. But I learnt, that indeed it was possible to make something, and not just lose. 2023 came by, and it was time to up the ante. The goal was to cover beer and takeout money for the week, $50 per week. I surpassed that goal early in the year. By March I could have put the cue in the rack and sat back happily counting my profits, but I didn’t. I put my foot firmly down on the accelerator, got way ahead of myself, and come the end of the year had nothing to show for it.

2024. I had just completed the 4 hour work week, and my mindset had shifted. I no longer wanted to forge a 40-year career as a Civil Engineer busting out 50-60 hour weeks. I wanted freedom, and not accept a salary, which to me felt like the least someone was willing to pay you to own you for 50 hours a week. During this time, I discovered many others who did this successfully to make a full-time living. It didn’t mean I wanted to throw away Engineering, but more so to use Engineering to complete projects in the world that needed it, and spend the rest of my time doing what I truly enjoyed. Watching sport. The dream had been established, and once I had seen it, I could not unsee it. I went to work and noticed the guys 20 years my senior. Through my senior figures, I could see my future, 50 hours a week, for 40 years, and it quickly confirmed that whilst this was a suitable life for some, that this was not the life for me. By the end of January, I was earning more betting than I was at my day job. The times were good. Unfortunately, I fell victim to the same trap. Arrogance, being horrible at losing, and lack of consistency. This cycle continued for the majority of the year. Small win, small win, small win, small loss, big loss. Whilst I had established some edges, my biggest challenge was myself. I knew I had an advantage over the market, and I knew that with consistency this dream could be a reality. The year finished profitably, however, if I had been more consistent and more disciplined it could have been significantly better.

Now it’s 2025. A lot in my life has changed, and I am willing to take risks to create a life of freedom. I now know more than ever, that I am the only one holding myself back from this dream. Whilst the previous 5 years were spent learning the necessities of how markets and odds are formed, the next 5 years need to be spent looking internally. Studying me. Finding a way to stick to mundane bets. To find a way to love the process of watching small bets stack up, rather than getting bored and going on a dopamine and adrenaline induced roller coaster with wild staking.

It’s possible. I know my edges over the market, but how well do I know myself? How well can I manage my emotions, noting that "The House" has no feelings nor remorse for me? I guess only time will tell.