August 2024

I’m sure many readers who have found this article on the search engines answered: Yes, you bet!’

Even though this book was published back in 1992 by Aesculus Press Limited it is still one of the best reads for budding gamblers. Such was its success that Betting For A Living was a best seller. I think the definition of a best seller is offloading at least 5,000 books in one week, which is no mean feat in the horse racing world with a small niche market.

Betting For A Living had at least six reprint from 1992 – 96.

I have one copy, so I was part of the success story.

Betting For A Living is a big old stamp of a book with over 300 pages.

The dusk cover is prominently duck egg blue in colour, Betting For A Living in black capitalised text, Nick Mordin written, underlined in fonts coloured in racing green. A couple of betting tickets (so much better than the modern receipts now given on course) and rent book filled with cash. The cover was designed by Iona Stern and Kevin Macmillan. Layout by Legend Design, Bristol.

It has been a long time since I read this book and there have been many changes within both horse racing and technology. Certainly the advancement of betting exchange the biggest aspect for consideration. However, I am sure the fundamentals of reading form, finding your approach and working with discipline are the basic foundation for any would-be gambler. I intend to read this publication over the next few weeks. I look forward to it. There may well be a few articles written off the back of it too.

Betting For A Living features 15 chapters in the first part and the second part a Journal: Turning Theory into Practice.

The book is a true testament to the passion of Nick Mordin’s work. It details why he wrote the book, what the book is about, how to predict how a race will be run, why different horses win at different courses (especially the all-weather), how to analyse the effect of the draw, how distance effects horses, assessing the look of the horse, assessing horses by their class, listening to trainer comments and their trainer methods, horse fitness, how weight affects horses, betting with value, maximising your winnings and how much to bet, how to use systems, which factor suit a particular horse, how to watch a race and more.

Part two details a journal following six months of using the method at the races.

I particularly like the forward written by Mordin himself which is humorous and can only be described as ‘racing fever’.

The aim of the book was for Mordin to digest as much information as he could and write a publication to help punters make their betting pay. Not only would he write a best selling book but apply his wisdom to betting on course. In fact, this is exactly what he did during the winter 1992/93. He did exactly what he proposed making over £1000 a month betting in his spare time at weekend and bank holidays.

A great read for all those who love their horse racing.

I went to church today.I’ve lived in my home town for 53 years. I can count on one hand the number times I have been to a Sunday service. None of my family are particularly religious although we are Church of England. The classic weddings and funerals.

Christian, perhaps more in spirit than practising.

As I walked towards the church, the bells rang out. It was a welcoming sign and as I headed towards the gated entrance, Rev Andrew Smith, dressed resplendent in his gown, walked into the church with me chatting about a wintery morning.

I’m pretty sure most, if not all, members of the congregation must have wondered who I was. I noticed a few of them look round and some said hello. The Victorian church looked beautiful, tranquil, and uplifting with about 20 or so parishioners. I had been there before with my girlfriend, Marlene, who lives in Florida, and much more of a church goer than myself. In fact, it was her suggestion we went to my local church. I told members of the congregation about this anecdote. I said it as a humorous story although I wasn’t quite sure if it was a little off centre. My church experience was a good one.

As a gambler, I wonder how it would be classed as a sin. Although I have no idea how investments would be viewed because everything is a gamble.

For me, life is about having faith. I think people often associate faith with religion but to me faith his faith. It is an enduring belief in what you do, your hopes, dreams, and having the character to keep believing in times of difficulty. We all face challenges in life. To triumph over adversity – to keep the faith – it is very much about finding answers to questions. You often don’t even know a question exists until it stands before you. We fight the good fight. It is often shown the battle is internal.

What is the answer, the best answer to the question?

The greatest strength you will ever find and need is your personal faith.