I used to day trade with a partner.  We had 25K U.S. each in an account that gave us 100K in "pixel money".

It was absolutely strange taking positions of 50, 60 100 K for anywhere from three minutes to, maybe, 3 hours.

All pixelated. 

We worked out our best and worst days after a couple of months.

We discovered that if we had stopped every day at 11:30, we would have been up around double our account, even if some days were red at that point.

But dealing with pixelated money numbed the losses which made us blind to it. 

Walked out every day at 11:35 and hit the golf course. 

Made enough to move to the UK :)

It's one of the things I now enjoy is the wins and, either way, the event. 

First, when trading, you can switch gears and it becomes more about "the math" and they do become just numbers.  Infact, that's what you should do; set parameters of gains and losses and stay within that framework.  I think 'high fiving' yourself becomes a bit much on trading.  Because when it all goes wrong, you tend to still be on "success andrenaline" from the previous.

Backing a horse or an event, there it starts to feel like "real money".  I accept the losses and enjoy the wins.  And it feels like real money, win or lose.

The advancement that has me more and more enjoying betting again rather than just trading:  The ability to stream from corners of the globe. 

Lucky enough to have a box here in the UK that latches to someone's feed so between that and what is available on the internet, almost every event I bet on, I can catch some of it, even the last 15 minutes of a match somewhere.

And lately, more and more, if the price is there, love putting the cash down at the local shops.....weather permitting.

What great thread this was/still is.

Always curious to know how successful gamblers feel,although i strongly suspect that almost all pro's are autistic to some extent - some more than others .

otherwise  - if it's it's not an enjoyable experience  - why do it ?

Coachbuster, earlier this year met someone that works for a large syndicate who take on mainly horses and golf. 

The amount of research they put in before is really extensive.  They definitely don't look at it "like pixels" and work hard towards a handful of big plays during the week, usually targeting the Saturday races.

Speaking with him, the money is secondary to when they pull it off.  The wagering is what is system-like.

I have after 13 1/2 yrs. Lost Total 6k(2.75k)fat finger mistakes.

Paid about 15k in comm. Most of the decline came in last 3 or 4 yrs.

Get Pointing.the Amateurs want to win.Not about the money with them,want the glory of winning. no BF,no Laying to Lose like rules scumbags.

Ive won the last 19/20 years.Impossible on BF now. Dont waste your time,you're only kidding yourself.