I’m off on my holibobs, going away as we always do for Christmas.

So, just a quick message from me in this post to say to everyone have a wonderful and relaxing holiday period, whether you celebrate Christmas or not, and stay safe and well.  I’ll be posting between Christmas and New Year with a performance update and a quick look back at how things have gone this year overall.

Until then, enjoy your mince pies/turkey/big tin of chocolates/Boxing Day racing (delete as applicable).

Have a good one, folks!

Precision Value continues on its recovery, gaining an uptick of over ten points last week.  It’s now almost 20 points ahead of its lowest point and is now back in positive territory for the year.  Hurrah!

I know that seems like I’m setting a pretty low bar for a (mini) celebration.  I’m not celebrating.  Just would rather end the year in the black with a tipster than in the red, for psychological reasons if for nothing else.

On the flip side of the coin, poor old Racing Service 1 has sunk into negative territory for the calendar year after another unsuccessful weekend.  Am I worried?  No, not unduly.  A. sent out an email to his membership base this week giving his perspective, and as always, spoke a lot of sense.  I for one, have every faith things will turn around.  The thing with betting though of course, is you just don’t know when the recovery is going to start.  When Precision Value was dropping like a stone, there was absolutely nothing to suggest the bounce back would start when it did.  How could there be?

All we can do, is keep putting on the bets as they come, and believe there will be a turnaround until a. there is, or b. you have reason to lose faith (whether that be after a set period of time, a set period of bets, you lose your betting bank, you lose a certain part of your betting bank, or whatever factor you choose to use to decide enough is enough).  As far as Racing Service 1 is concerned, I’m a heck of a long way from being anywhere near that point!

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 478pts, +71.996pts, roi 15.05%, roc 71.99%, High: 71.996pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -25.65pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 568.1pts, +164.118pts, roi 28.88%, roc 164.11%, High: 200.604pts, CDD: -36.486pts, Max DD: -40.22pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 977pts, +8.099pts, roi 0.82%, roc 4.04%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: -47.887pts, Max DD: -66.433pts.

Racing Service 1 (50): Staked 44pts, -2.188pts, roi -4.97%, roc -4.37%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -14.5pts, Max DD: -14.5pts.

Racing Totals: ROI 14.53%, ROC 58.94%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

I saw a tweet from the SBC’s very own Pete the other day, pointing out the ridiculous swings we quite frequently see from the tipsters we follow.  The subject was in reference to the excellent recent form of The Poacher.  Pete pointed out that something like 18 of the past 20 bets at the time of tweeting had been winners, whilst something like just six of the previous 20 had been successful (although there had been a few “Push” results in that mix).  It really does go to show just how wildly things can swing from going in one way to going in the complete opposite direction.  That’s variance, I guess.

Another good week then for The Poacher, although a busy weekend didn’t produce much.

Pleasing to see a continuation of recent improved form from Scottish Football Income Booster too, which took away another three points from their deficit with a couple of winners.

Nothing from Sports Service 1 but I want them resting up, getting their sleep and eating good, wholesome and nutritious food.  They need to be in tip top form starting from Wednesday, when the unique (and crazy) World Championship of Darts gets underway at the Ally Pally.  I love the first night – it means the Christmas holidays are just around the corner.

Sports Service 1 (30pt bank): Staked 51.75pts, +7.022pts, roi 13.56%, roc 23.4%, High: 9.132pts, CDD: -2.11pts, Max DD: -4.185pts.

Sports Service 2 (40): Staked 64pts, -4.934pts, roi -7.7%, roc -12.33%, High 0pts, CDD: -4.934pts, Max DD: -6.734pts.

Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 172pts, -14.038pts, roi -8.16%, roc -14.03%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -18.432pts, Max DD: -28.901pts.

The Poacher (40): Staked 424.5pts, +20.771pts, roi 4.89%, roc 51.92%, High: 24.07pts, CDD: -3.299pts, Max DD: -10.689pts

Sports Totals: ROI 4.89%, ROC 11.65%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

A very quiet week with no European Tour event and only a quirky “shoot out” tournament Stateside for our tipsters to get their teeth into, and Weekly Golf Value decided against doing so.

However, it was nice for Golf Insider to come up with the winning pair – Jason Kokrak and Kevin Na (6/1) – who apparently birdied 12 of their last 13 holes.  That’s some going!  So, not the biggest win ever, but a nice end to the season nonetheless.

PGA Profit suggested two pairs but unfortunately neither placed.

By the way I’m just putting together a report of my golf betting year for SBC members which I believe will be released early in the New Year.  It’s been enjoyable looking back over the past few months and remembering the highlights.  Certainly there have been a lot of good times.  Let’s hope there are many more to come in 2022.

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 351pts, -24.132pts, roi -6.87%, roc -12.06%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -38.482pts, Max DD: -91.044pts

PGA Profit (500): Staked 799.5pts, +316.801pts, roi 39.6%, roc 63.36%, High +353.136pts, CDD: -36.335pts, Max DD: -115.77pts

PGA Profit Europe (500): Staked 152.5pts, -40.473pts, roi -26.53%, roc -8.09%, High 75.027pts, CDD: -115.5pts, Max DD: -115.5pts

Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 5,949pts, +1,760.44pts, roi 29.59%, roc 88.02%, High 2,064.97pts, CDD: -304.13pts, Max DD: -461.8pts.

Golf Totals: ROI 22.81%, ROC 54.81%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

A great Saturday for Bet Alchemist as it racked up nearly 11 points of profit on the day.  In so doing, it has now reached a new profit high for 2021, and it can only be considered good timing when a tipster does that in December.

At the other end of the scale, Racing Service 1 continues to struggle and will be disappointed in how the first month and a bit of the new season has gone.  There’s a long way to go yet though, until we reach the end of the jumps season and plenty of time for performance to turn around.  The thing about RS1 is that he has proven himself capable, time and time again, of hitting a couple of big priced winners in quick succession and suddenly the picture looks very different indeed.

Northern Monkey can’t have asked for a better start to his 2022 season than the 4+ points he won on Day 1, although come the weekend and things reverted to a break even week.

And Precision Value continues its comeback, posting a decent profit this past week.  The same again, and we’ll be back in positive territory for the year.

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 472pts, +70.996pts, roi 15.04%, roc 70.99%, High: 70.996pts, CDD: 0pts, Max DD: -25.65pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 562.85pts, +164.931pts, roi 29.3%, roc 164.93%, High: 200.604pts, CDD: -35.673pts, Max DD: -40.22pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 955pts, -2.151pts, roi -0.22%, roc -1.07%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: -58.137pts, Max DD: -66.433pts.

Racing Service 1 (50): Staked 40.5pts, +1.312pts, roi 3.23%, roc 2.62%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -11pts, Max DD: -11.5pts.

Racing Totals: ROI 14.9%, ROC 59.36%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

Two services that turned a nice profit this past week are two services that have found things a bit of a struggle in recent times.

Four bets from Scottish Football Income Booster all proved to be winners in what is the best week the service has had for a long time.  Certainly I can’t remember one as good in recent times.  The year to date figures remain very disappointing, but this can be seen as a very small step in the right direction.   If, and it is a big if, we can go on something of a run over the next two or three weeks, then we may yet see something of a redemption.

The other service to “turn a corner” has been The Poacher.  It’s been a pretty poor run we’ve had to suffer but by sticking to his principles, not panicking, and by keeping calm, results are turning.  Five of six picks on Sunday were successful and 3/3 last Wednesday too, which represents a fine return to form.

One thing that has been noticeable is that despite the Sports portfolio seriously underwhelming this year, the maximum drawdown I’ve experienced has reached just under 10% of the total Sports betting bank.  That figure is quite remarkable the more I think about it. One thing I might need to look at for 2022 is my ultra cautious approach to betting banks.  I’m not going to suddenly become a maverick and throw caution to the wind, but maybe I can loosen the ropes a little.  We’ll see.

Sports Service 1 (30pt bank): Staked 51.75pts, +7.022pts, roi 13.56%, roc 23.4%, High: 9.132pts, CDD: -2.11pts, Max DD: -4.185pts.

Sports Service 2 (40): Staked 64pts, -4.934pts, roi -7.7%, roc -12.33%, High 0pts, CDD: -4.934pts, Max DD: -6.734pts.

Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 168pts, -17.138pts, roi -10.2%, roc -17.13%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -21.532pts, Max DD: -28.901pts.

The Poacher (40): Staked 408pts, +17.513pts, roi 4.29%, roc 43.78%, High: 24.07pts, CDD: -6.557pts, Max DD: -10.689pts

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

It was much reduced stakes this week as the golfing year comes towards its end.  A small field over in the States, and an unofficial tournament due to the new Covid variant causing the European Tour to cancel its South African swing meant for much fewer bets than we are used to, but Golf Insider managed to find its way to winner Daniel van Tonder at 33/1.

I posted a couple of weeks ago after a winner, that I hoped Golf Insider would push on in the last few weeks of the year to claw back as much of the year’s losses as possible.  Credit to it for doing just that.

A placed return for PGA Profit meant that they finished just on the right side of the P&L line, and only two points staked by PGA Profit Europe, neither of which saw a return.

Finally, just three golfers supported by Weekly Golf Value, none of which found the frame despite one of them – Bryson DeChambeau – leading at the halfway point.

So a profit on the week and that puts a halt to what had previously been the golf portfolio’s worst losing run of the year.  Nice.

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 350pts, -27.732pts, roi -7.92%, roc -13.86%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -42.082pts, Max DD: -91.044pts

PGA Profit (500): Staked 792.5pts, +323.801pts, roi 40.85%, roc 64.76%, High +353.136pts, CDD: -29.335pts, Max DD: -115.77pts

PGA Profit Europe (500): Staked 152.5pts, -40.473pts, roi -26.53%, roc -8.09%, High 75.027pts, CDD: -115.5pts, Max DD: -115.5pts

Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 5,949pts, +1,760.44pts, roi 29.59%, roc 88.02%, High 2,064.97pts, CDD: -304.13pts, Max DD: -461.8pts.

Golf totals: ROI 22.82%%, ROC 54.71%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

The Northern Monkey’s 2021 season came to an end yesterday, and with it Wayne sent out an email to members, giving some thoughts on the progress of the service over the past 12 months or so.  Despite being one of the longer serving tipsters out there, Wayne is never to be found wanting in terms of customer service and transparency.  I can say from this particular follower, his meticulous approach is very much appreciated.

It’s been a great year for the service.  The 2021 season figures are not the same as for the calendar year starting in January (clearly!), but over the 12 months an exceptional profit has been recorded.  To their own recommended 80 point bank, even if taking the very worse price on each selection, your ROC would have been 97% (204% to the best prices).  Wayne’s odds quoting policy is the fairest in the business, so I would imagine that most if not all would have exceeded the 100% ROC mark, and most would have beaten 100% comfortably.

The highlights were without doubt, yet another fantastically profitable Cheltenham Festival, and then when September arrived and with it some big winning multiples….ah, those were the days. 🙂

Well done, Wayne.  Your efforts and hard work are hugely appreciated, and here’s to a storming 2022!

Bet Alchemist (100pt bank): Staked 465pts, +61.146pts, roi 13.14%, roc 61.14%, High: 67.66pts, CDD: -6.514pts, Max DD: -25.65pts.

Northern Monkey (100): Staked 552.85pts, +164.901pts, roi 29.82%, roc 164.9%, High: 200.604pts, CDD: -35.703pts, Max DD: -40.22pts

Precision Value (200):  Staked 934pts, -7.484pts, roi -0.8%, roc -3.74%, High: 55.986pts, CDD: -63.47pts, Max DD: -66.433pts.

Racing Service 1 (50): Staked 38.5pts, +3.312pts, roi 8.6%, roc 6.62%, High: 12.312pts, CDD: -9pts, Max DD: -11.5pts.

Racing Totals: ROI 14.65%, ROC 57.23%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

I think that with just one month of 2021 left to go, the sports portfolio has this year failed to deliver.  It just hasn’t worked, and whilst the bigger picture is brighter with both the racing and golfing services faring much better as a collective, I can’t help but feel disappointed.  I’m very much looking forward to a bit of a sporting reboot come January.

Until then though, I’m resolutely plodding on.

Although there hasn’t been much to shout about this past week, what little there has been has come from Sports Service 1, which enjoyed a good Saturday of darting action at the Players’ Championship Finals.  Three winning bets from four provided a good return.  Now just a couple of points down from the year’s previous high water mark, I’m hoping a good World Championships over Christmas will end the year on a high.

Now for the bad news, and The Poacher has really suffered these past couple of weeks.  A decent Sunday has hopefully stopped the rot but unable to catch a break with red cards and late goals going in at the wrong end has resulted in the service reaching its deepest drawdown for 2021 to date.  I have every confidence the downward trend will reverse.

And another disappointing week for Scottish Football Income Booster.  Three bets in the Premiership north of the border, and three losers.  Their deepest drawdown for the year has gotten three points worse as a result.

Sports Service 1 (30pt bank): Staked 51.75pts, +7.022pts, roi 13.56%, roc 23.4%, High: 9.132pts, CDD: -2.11pts, Max DD: -4.185pts.

Sports Service 2 (40): Staked 64pts, -4.934pts, roi -7.7%, roc -12.33%, High 0pts, CDD: -4.934pts, Max DD: -6.734pts.

Scottish Football Income Booster (100): Staked 162pts, -24.507pts, roi -15.12%, roc -24.5%, High: 4.394pts, CDD: -28.901pts, Max DD: -28.901pts.

The Poacher (40): Staked 399pts, +13.381pts, roi 3.35%, roc 33.45%, High: 24.07pts, CDD: -10.689pts, Max DD: -10.689pts

Sports Totals: ROI 1.19%, ROC 4.41%

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown

Now don’t get me wrong, I’ve had my fair share of good luck with my golf betting this year, and some poor soul testing positive for Covid when leading during he final round and subsequently having to withdraw leaving my chap out in front to pick up the spoils, has been the pinnacle of that good fortune.  But this weekend’s sport was frustrating.

There was no PGA Tour event so we were down to the “European” Tour competition over in South Africa.  A combination of bad weather and the announcement of travel restrictions due to the new Covid variant meant that the tournament was abandoned part way through the third round.  The Tour rules dictate that two complete rounds are enough to declare a winner, and so the third round scores were eliminated and the standings at the half way stage taken to dictate who won and who placed.

This all left me with one in the frame, a 66/1 shot from Golf Insider who was thus deemed to have “finished” second.  Other than that, not one player finished high enough for a return.  It felt a bit like having a sizeable antepost bet at big odds going off as favourite on the day, only to see it fall at the first.  There was no-one and nothing to blame, but it all just felt completely unsatisfactory.

Coral actually refunded my bet on one WGV tipped golfer I’d backed, but that was the only one.  Seems that most bookies aren’t too generous in their rules declaring what does and doesn’t make up a completed tournament.  The bookies not being generous?  Who’d have thunk?

Golf Insider (200pt bank): Staked 344pts, -44.632pts, roi -12.97%, roc -22.31%, High 14.35pts, CDD: -58.982pts, Max DD: -91.044pts

PGA Profit (500): Staked 780.5pts, +322.601pts, roi 41.33%, roc 64.52%, High +353.136pts, CDD: -30.535pts, Max DD: -115.77pts

PGA Profit Europe (500): Staked 150.5pts, -38.473pts, roi -25.56%, roc -7.69%, High 75.027pts, CDD: -113.5pts, Max DD: -113.5pts

Weekly Golf Value (2,000): 5,898pts, +1,811.44pts, roi 30.71%, roc 90.57%, High 2,064.97pts, CDD: -253.13pts, Max DD: -461.8pts.

Totals Golf: ROI 22.74%, ROC 53.91%.

*ROI – Return On investment, ROC – Return On Capital (ie. bank growth), CDD – Current Drawdown, Max DD – Maximum Drawdown