Alan Woods was a mathematical savant who used his abilities to become one of the most advantageous gamblers of his time. Whether it was by counting cards in baccarat or by developing software that accurately predicted the outcomes of horse races, this man has had a significant impact on the wagering industry.

Read this detailed biography to learn more about Alan Woods and his voyage to finding success through wagering. We examine his childhood, wagering history, and personal life in greater detail. You will definitely learn something you did not previously know.

Initial Years

Alan Woods was born in 1945 in Australia. His parents were accomplished industrialists who operated a news agency, a cordial distillery, and a hotel, among other enterprises. His family’s wealth rendered young Woods quite pampered. He received nearly every material item he requested and relied on the housekeeper to tidy his room and complete the majority of his schoolwork.

His father introduced him to card games at a young age by teaching him how to play solitary whist. Similar to bridge, solo whist is an elaborate trick-taking card game. Woods enjoyed playing this game with his family, and he was quite proficient at it. This card game revealed to Woods that he had a natural aptitude for mathematics.

Woods pursued a mathematics degree at the University of New England in Armidale after graduating from secondary school. Woods did not find his math homework particularly difficult, but he still received low grades in college due to his poor attendance. Just one semester before graduating, he was expelled from school.

Introduction to the Gambling Industry

A few of his undergraduate companions persuaded him to visit a nearby casino with them one weekend. Woods had never been to a casino before, so he was unsure of what to expect. He was overwhelmed by the vast selection of gambling machines and table games. Since poker was the only game he was familiar with, he decided to play it first. He found both the rules and the competition to be difficult. That was not his cup of tea.

During his first few visits to the casino, Woods also lost a substantial amount of money on the slot machines. His parents ceased sending him money because they had no idea how rapidly he was squandering it. Due to his limited funds, Woods was compelled to avoid casinos for a while.

He ultimately substituted visits to the racetrack for time spent in casinos. He attended his first horse race with a college acquaintance and became instantly captivated to the ambience. The first wager he placed was on a horse projected to finish third. That day, Woods made a prudent decision, as the horse he chose astonished the entire audience by winning first place and surpassing its own personal record.

The following time, Woods decided to be more prudent with his finances. He established a strict budget and recorded his victories and losses. He began by gaining a respectable quantity of money on his wagers. However, as time progressed, his losses rapidly surpassed his victories. Woods determined that it was in his best interest to temporarily abandon horseracing.