In Bets and the City, I mentioned that I went through a phase of feeling I was directly responsible for market price action. All I had to do was place a sell trade… the stock would soar - and my losses would accumulate faster than you could say, “I am an evil genius.”

Clearly, I’m not the only one to possess these Black Magic Powers.

Here’s an email from someone called Rob:

He says: “I’ve been a Finspreads customer for about 4 years now. I received a copy of your book as a gift, and thoroughly enjoyed the read. It’s a laugh-a-minute page turner.

“It’s great to know I’m not alone in being able to control the market!

“Imagine being able to place a buy trade and watch the price drop through the floor. Or go on
holiday (to Penzance or anywhere else) and miss the 1,000 point rally that’s been waiting all year to happen. Such power. Uncanny.

“I even began to wonder if my wife was somehow able to know when to book the holiday, so that they coincided with such big market movements. if I was superstitious I’d probably use the following methods for trading:

1) Book the holiday then change it at the last moment to ‘dummy’ the market into producing its rally while I am still in the countryto take advantage.
2) Or place my trade and say ‘buy’ when I wanted to sell and vice versa.

Looking at my account history that strategy alone would place me quite nicely in profit!”

As it happens, the Welshman (like Penzance, he features in the book) once gave me almost exactly the same advice:

Do all your research into a trade. Be very, VERY sure you know which way the market is going to go. Then when you place your trade, do exactly the opposite of what you think.

And I think this is the place where FSA regulations require me to say, “Don’t try this at home.”

I’ve just noticed that someone on Amazon is selling a ‘Used like New’ copy for only £4! (Let’s hope it’s NOT because their spread betting experience has necessitated a fire sale of possessions!)

Here’s the link. SOLD to whoever’s fastest off the mark!

http://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/offer-listing/1905641060/ref=dp_olp_2/203-9936532-1612712