Taking Insurance

I've mentioned previously on this blog that I sometimes take outright positions to cover outcomes I don't necessarily want to happen.  The way I look at it is that I'm paying for the service of not having to endure a result that would be uncomfortable to bear.
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So to all my English friends, I'm sorry to tell you I've backed England to win the Rugby World Cup!  Even though I don't think it'll happen, with the 'Northern Hemisphere' side of the draw looking like an open contest I can't take any chances...once was enough, but twice?!?
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To be on the safe side, I've also lumped on Samoa at a big price just in case they miraculously beat Wales out of the pool ;-)
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One Small Step...

Overall, the first game covered in the NFL trading room received positive feedback.  This is encouraging and although typing when trading can be distracting, I do enjoy speaking with others when a game is on.  It makes you realise that there are other people who do this too!
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More good news is that I've managed to coax Cassini into covering another game next Sunday.  So, if you'd like to take part then click on the link at the top of this page to register.  The match in question will be the 6pm kickoff on Sunday (Buccaneers @ Vikings) which promises to be a close one so hopefully we'll do well.
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As I couldn't do this alone I'd also like to thank Cassini again for giving up his time, and it's good to see he was able to post a fantastic result on Monday night with this result.  The Raiders were leading by 13 points at half time but the Broncos surged back to unluckily fall short by just 3.  This got me thinking.  What was the biggest upset to happen in NFL history?  Now I don't have records going back to the 70's or 80's but remarkably I do recall the Broncos v Raiders match last season.  The Broncos went off 7 points favourites and ending up losing 14-59!
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With possibilities to profit on events like this each week it's now no wonder that my love for this sport is deepening - watch out Billy Walters!
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Showtime

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The new NFL season is due to start on the 8th September and I'm very excited.  Long time followers of my blog will know I've always been a fan of this American sport although I have to admit to it only being my 4th most profitable behind cricket, rugby union and darts.
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This year I hope that'll change as I'm really keen to establish a regular a income from a sport other than cricket during the winter months and NFL fits the bill perfectly as there's not much cricket played on Sunday and Monday nights!  To help in this quest I've put a lot of time into studying the sport and I'm hoping this will pay off.  So watch this space, or.....
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You could join my NFL Trading Room.  This was an idea I had at the beginning of last year whereby I would blog my thoughts 'live' during a match to give readers an idea of what I was doing. It was good fun but the main problem I had was that typing and trading at the same time just didn't mix, and I was worried I was missing opportunities that I'd otherwise be able to capitalise on.
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So why am I thinking of doing this again?
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Well there's two main reasons.  Firstly, Cassini from the well respected and popular blog 'Green All Over' has agreed to help me co-host.  By sharing the hosting responsibilities it'll hopefully take a little pressure off me to fill the gaps whilst also providing a different outlook on what's happening on the field.  Cassini is a big follower of American sports and has a proven record so I see his input being invaluable to myself and others.
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Secondly, I want to find out if there's a demand for this type of thing and whether or not I have an ability to host it. With Betfair increasing their Premium Charges there's a big incentive for me to slow down the rate I win at, and it maybe the case that in the future I can do that by offsetting future wins by charging for services similar to this.  That may or may not ever happen, but there you have it - I'm being honest.
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So if this sounds of interest and you'd like to come and take part, all you need to do is click on the link at the top of this page.  The first match to be covered is likely to be the Steelers @ Ravens on Sunday 11th September but this will be confirmed in the members area nearer the time.
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Distracted

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August has been a testing month so far which is especially frustrating after having a blinding start.  I'm wondering if it's at this point I stood on a mirror or perhaps insulted a gypsy by mistake, as every step I've made since has left me banging my head against a wall.
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Firstly it was my cooker.  One lonely night I was all set for a ready meal 'a la carte' and the bloody thing wouldn't heat up.  It turns out the heating element had gone.  Three days later it was fixed and back up and running - ah well, I thought.
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The next day I got a call off Nic who shouts down the phone, "the car's broken down on the motorway!"  Bugger.  She managed to get it to the nearest garage but what was initially diagnosed as a 30 minute job turned into a bill for a £1000 and a week driving a courtesy car. I hate Mechanics.  With the risk of something else going wrong it was decided we needed a new car.  More money down the drain.
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Surely nothing else?
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Wrong! Within the next few days the Dishwasher packed in and my computer blew up!  Unbelievable.  Now I like to think of myself as a pretty good planner and someone who takes into account all eventualities, but this was turning out to be me v the World at Defcon 1 and Dell telephone support were not the people I wanted to be speaking too.  Maybe I went a little far in screaming down the phone but they had me on the phone for 6 hours trying to fix what turned out to be a faulty graphics card.  Something which they couldn't resolve but still wanted to charge me £69 for because I'd taken up the Technicians time.  If only I'd been in Bangalore.....grrrrr.
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If you add to all this a 20 week baby scan (which fortunately went okay - we're having a little girl), the hassle of Betfair Premium Charges and doing preparation for the upcoming NFL season, you could say it's been a busy time.
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What was it that John Lennon once said?
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" Life is what happens while you're busy making other plans"
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Too right John.  Rant over.  Feeling a little better.