But how is Bloom such a good gambler?
If you wonder whether a billionaire gambler is a creation of nature or nurture (clearly both because you can't escape your biology or environment) it is worth noting that Bloom detailed his early gambling experience as being remarkably unsuccessful to the point of guessing.
We've all been there.
This factor tells us something very interesting - if not unsurprising - he learned how to gamble successfully.
It disappoints me how few gamblers progress as if lazy bystanders losing cash for fun. Thankfully, not everyone follows this maxim but many do and it really is something which can be improved upon.
Bloom's interest in gambling came from his grandfather who enjoyed a night at the casino and owned greyhounds.
Tony frequented the local arcades to play the slots (more like one-armed bandits back in the late 70s) and even made a fake ID to place bets at the bookmakers. However, these formative years told him something - he wasn't a very good gambler. Clearly a very intelligent man. He had the wisdom to understands knowledge is not only powerful but something to be protected from prying eyes.
This poker player (who has won over $3.5 million just for fun) is known to keep his cards close to his chest and that has been the key to his successful football betting consultancy, Starlizard.
Like many successful gamblers, Bloom gained a degree in mathematics. After, he worked for over two years at accountants Ernst & Young. While he beavered away, he focused on improving his knowledge of sports and spread betting.
By the end of this period (1993) he had won £20,000.
For a short time, he worked in the City as an options trader. However, this was just a six-month stint.
He said he was winning more money betting at home!
Whether Bloom's employment was by luck or design, he was on a big learning curve, improving his knowledge and acquisition of skills.
From 1993 - 97, he honed his skills as a professional gambler. He bet aggressively on cricket and football using spread betting platforms, a form of gambling that can be very volatile. He recalled losing £5000 on a cricket match which felt like a triumph considering it could have swallowed up his entire bank. He said: 'I believe in betting aggressively, and, occasionally, to win big, you have to risk losing.'
Clearly, this is a very insightful quote for the man would soon be betting billions. This understanding would serve him well with Starlizard.
Bloom's pivotal career moment came when he received a phone call from, of all people, bookmaker, Victor Chandler. Both Bloom and Chandler would learn and greatly benefit from the bookmaker dipping his toe into the Asian handicapping betting market. Primarily the football betting markets. You can see the link, hey. I'm not sure if Bloom had any experience of the Asian handicapping platform but he probably did (making good money) for Chandler to ask for his help. If not, he was a very fortuitous. Even Bloom would agree we can all do with a stroke of luck.
Bloom spent six months in Bangkok learning about Asian handicapping. He bet for himself and Chandler, before a further three years at Chandler's bookmaking headquarters at Gibraltar.
Clearly, wishing to bring Asian handicapping to the UK punter, he started his own bookmakers Premierbet. However, this was short lived and closed after a year. Basically, selling it for a nominal sum of £1M.
There's little doubt the experience of Asian handicap markets and bookmaking made him appreciate something very important. He could make a lot more money using his knowledge and that he needed to protect it from prying eyes. Also, why bet with your own money when you can bet with other peoples, gain a big commision on winnings, and plough some of those profits into Starlizard.
The company website says it best:
Data.
We are data specialists.
We consume information on every aspect of sporting fixtures to provide unparalleled view of what is happening on, and off, the pitch. We combine cutting-edge analytics with our expertise and passion for sport to produce world leading match predictions. We are at the heart of an evolving, dynamic, global market. Our bespoke platforms enable us to execute high frequency orders around the clock.
So what have we learned about Tony Bloom? How did he become such a good gambler?
It was a journey of both learning and fortuitous events. But, ultimately, he continued to learn and progress even when many would have stopped, satisfied with their lot.
Starzard say: 'We answer the most interesting questions in sport.'
Starlizard was founded in 2006. A sports betting consultancy, primarily football, providing data-driven insights to high-stakes gamblers.
The biggest betting operation in the world.
From a gambler who started off guessing to a billionaire.
The word is learning. Ultimately knowledge.
Photo: Freepik
