Why I Don’t Tell People I Trade WTA for a Living
And a Funny Story from an Upscale Casino in Tallinn
In this post, I want to share a pretty entertaining real-life story that happened to me at a high-end casino in Tallinn, Estonia. It touches on public perception, bias, and why I rarely mention my Betfair trading activities in casual conversations—even though it’s a significant part of my income.
The Call
Some time ago, I got a call from a friend of mine—a successful entrepreneur in the construction business. He wanted to check out a newly opened, ultra-luxurious casino in Tallinn. This wasn’t your average gambling spot; it was designed to attract Asian high rollers, the kind of clientele who play with millions, not thousands.
I told him the only time I’d ever set foot in a casino was in Las Vegas, and even then, only because I had to walk through the casino floor to reach my hotel room. He laughed and said, “No pressure—we won’t even gamble. Let’s just have a few drinks.”
So, I drove to Tallinn.
Scene: High-End Casino Lounge
The place was immaculate—think Bond movie vibes. I ordered a Gin & Tonic, and while I was waiting, I noticed four rather attractive women sitting alone at the bar.
Now, for context: this is Estonia. Women approaching men in bars is about as common as snow in July.
To my surprise, one of them initiated a conversation. She asked what I was drinking and even offered recommendations for the next round. Then came the classic question:
“So, what do you do for a living?”
Wanting to be honest (and perhaps a little cheeky), I told her,
→ “I treat WTA tennis players like financial instruments for a living.”
Her face changed instantly. In the blink of an eye, the curiosity disappeared, replaced by the look of someone bumping into an old classmate at the supermarket and doing everything they can to hide behind the nearest cereal shelf.
I chuckled, walked back to my friend, and told him what had just happened. He smirked and said,
→ “Well, looks like it’s not our night—WTA traders and construction workers don’t stand a chance.”
Take Two: The “IT Manager” Version
A few drinks later, I went back to the bar to grab another round. To my surprise (again), another woman struck up a conversation. This was starting to look like a pattern. She also asked if she could recommend a drink and—yep, you guessed it—asked what I did for a living.
This time, I played it smart.
→ “I manage enterprise-level software development projects on the business side.”
Suddenly, her eyes lit up. Sparkle mode: activated. She wanted to join us at our table. I politely declined and went back to my friend, feeling like I’d just discovered a live-action social experiment.
The Point: Public Bias Is Real
This whole episode was funny—but also kind of eye-opening.
It showed me just how strong public bias is, not just in trading markets, but in everyday social dynamics. Estonia is often referred to as a startup nation, and there’s a widespread perception that anyone involved in IT is a potential millionaire.
Meanwhile, Betfair trading? Most people haven’t even heard of it. And if they have, they assume it’s just another form of gambling.
That’s why, despite WTA trading being more profitable than my day job, I usually default to saying I work in IT. It’s easier, more socially acceptable, and doesn’t require a 10-minute explanation that still leaves people confused.
If you’re planning to make 100% of your income from Betfair markets, this is something to think about. You will be misunderstood—often.
Why I Choose to Trade Part-Time (Even With an Edge)
Besides the public perception, here are a few more reasons I choose to trade part-time:
1. Diversified Income
I work fully remotely and my boss actually knows about my trading. He even allocates resources when I need to add automated tools or AI agents to support my workflow.
As long as I don’t mix the two and keep my focus clear, there’s no reason I can’t run both in parallel.
2. Stress-Free Mindset
Imagine this:
You’ve got a mortgage, a car lease, and a pregnant wife—all depending on your Betfair income.
Sounds like a nightmare, right?
Trading is one of the few professions where stepping out of your comfort zone doesn’t make you better—it makes you reckless. That kind of pressure can turn solid traders into gamblers. I’ve seen it.
The goal in trading is to remove as much pressure as possible. Keep it boring. Keep it emotionless. That’s when the profits come.
3. Entrepreneurial Mindset
Let’s say you master Betfair trading—should you really drop everything else you’ve spent 5–10 years building?
Would you really move to the Philippines and live off-grid because you “made it”?
Nothing wrong with that if it’s your dream—but for many of us, trading is just one tool in the arsenal. A way to build capital. A stepping stone to fund other ventures. It’s not the endgame—it’s a launchpad.
Final Thought
Sometimes it’s easier to say you work in IT.
Sometimes it’s smarter to keep trading part-time.
Sometimes the best trades happen when no one’s watching—and no one knows.
But every once in a while, you get a Gin & Tonic and a valuable reminder that public bias blinds people to where the real value often lies: in the niches.
— U.
