The Paradise Interview: Zonker part 4

Punters Paradise

One of the people here tonight comes to you and says he's thinking of going pro (he has a red hot system on South American Soccer for example) - what sort of checklist would you have for him in terms of advice?

Zonker

Well, firstly I would say make sure you have tested your system over a few months, so show that it does indeed show a profit.

I wouldn't advise anyone to quit their job, only to find that things don't quite work out. I was lucky in that I had a job offer from an investment bank that they were happy to keep open for me for a year. I also had money saved up to cover losses, as well as the confidence of making profit for 3 years.

I would also say, visualise how it will work out. If you are confident in what you are doing, then go for it.Make sure you have enough money to cover any short-term loss, then develop a plan and stick to it.

Punters Paradise

Would you say that running a tipster service is a good idea, diversification and all that, or does it depend?

Zonker

Well for me, it makes sure that you're disciplined, and certainly doesn't do me any harm at all. Itwould be easy to get lazy at times for example if you've not got to do anything, but this makes me keep busy so it probably is beneficial for me. It does bring a bit of extra cash as well, but that isn't my m.ain reason for doing it

Punters Paradise

Ok - more mundane matters - bankroll management. In terms of drawing down a 'wage' how do you operate? Fixed amount per week, depends on profit - keep a fund separate from betting bank and top up with winnings etc?

Zonker

Well the way things are now, I don't really have a seperate bankroll as such. I have a substantial sum sitting in a few betting accounts, I keep my current account topped up in case of needing to fund some accounts and the rest in high interest savings account. I spend money as I need to, really.

Punters Paradise

Do you stake a percentage of your bankroll or do you stake fixed sums and perhaps increase them periodically as your bank grows?

Zonker

Well for me, it makes sure that you're disciplined, and certainly doesn't do me any harm at all. It would be easy to get lazy at times for example if you've not got to do anything, but this makes me keep busy so it probably is beneficial for me. It does bring a bit of extra cash as well, but that isn't my main reason for doing it

Zonker

Fixed sums, based on a points system though I do review the amount I bet per point occasionally

Punters Paradise

On a practical level - what kind of IT setup do you have - multiple computers? Backup internet access?

Zonker

Multiple computers certainly, and I have broadband internet, with a dial-up back up if i need it.

Punters Paradise

No WAP technology?

Zonker

I could probably connect via my mobile if I was really pushed. I have actually had a problem with this too - in October 2003, a company that was installing new streetlights, decided to dig through the phone lines where I live. I was without an internet connection for 4 days; I was not amused.

Punters Paradise

Do you stake a percentage of your bankroll or do you stake fixed sums and perhaps increase them periodically as your bank grows?

Punters Paradise

You have a magic wand that you can wave over the betting industry as a whole - including betting information and you have two (or three) wishes - what would you like to see happen?

Zonker

I would like to see bookmakers stop being so cowardly, and have more confidence in their odds compilers. I would like to see more bookmakers prepared to lay larger bets.

By this time of the week, you usually find that odds are about the same everywhere another thing I would like to see, is a greater amount of markets on more obscure matches

Punters Paradise

What time of week do you typically look to place your football bets (for Saturday)

Zonker

Around 8am I rarely get to bed before then, I usually stay up the whole night. bookmakers are asleep, so there isn't a great odds movement overnight.

Punters Paradise

And is the staying up all night a strategic decision, or just habit?

Zonker

You can consider things overnight, all of the websites you need are fast loading, as no one is trying to access them.

Well before I started my website, I used to do my research on friday nights, go to bed, and place bets in the 2 hours leading up to matches these days, I think it only fair that all my members receive my email by 9am at the latest

If there are any matches, I am unsure about, and need to see team news for, i'll wait till 2:30pm, when I see line-ups. obviously, I can't advise these to my members, but I can place them myself.

Punters Paradise

Regarding your own bets - if you had a piece of software which could track prices and activity at bookmakers and exchanges, informing you of the latest matched price, and changing your offers/requests, would you use exchanges more often in your betting?

Zonker

Certainly, if this would lead to me getting matched at better odds than I could get elsewhere.

Punters Paradise

Ok final question - if you had one piece of advice to give to someone just getting into sports betting, what would it be?

Zonker

Try to be aware of all possible factors that could affect your betting. things such as team news, form, statistical trends for the actual bets, and your own psychological state of mind. Then try to learn from these as you go.