An assist from the master: how a therapy session with Pricewise cured my punting blues

I know it isn't like being down the pit, but years of experience have taught me that punting is a tough old game, even when you're operating at my level – what I like to call 'serious recreational' – which is why I have the highest regard for anybody who has to put food on the table with their betting, and why a recent chat with the master of Pricewise, Tom Segal, was such an eye-opener.

Segal has his losing runs like the rest of us, but he can't just raise the white flag like we can. However, if he feels the pressure like the rest of us, he does a very good job of not showing it. So what's the key?

Where I would have every big winner framed and hung on the wall, he has to have his memory jogged to recall them – not due to senility or lack of enthusiasm, simply because he believes every punter will have their moments as long as they keep doing things right. His general view seemed to be that in those circumstances the time will come when you see everything as clear as crystal, your confidence will swell to epic proportions and the game will seem easy, at least until it seems hard again.