Oh dear ozrider, can't compare stock market to the casino. In...

Oh dear ozrider, can't compare stock market to the casino. In gambling the casino, pokie, bookie whatever has the odds stacked against you, hence over long term you cannot win. Stock market is the opposite, over the long term it will always goes up, so there's one huge difference.

For mine, good small miners with fundamentals are the way to go because they are under the investment media radar and hence some terrific values, especially if the stock has proven resource, good management and working towards production.

Some fundamentals to consider:

1) Will this be the Asian century? Or at least will we see Asia (not just China) outperform ROW in the next 5 years?

2) What does Asia need that we have in spades? Energy resources, commodities, both? Are we good at these things?

Hot Copper is invaluable for sifting through quality posts on stocks and gradually narrowing down to a portfolio of not so speculative small/mid caps for 2-3 years investment.

Well managed small/mid caps will increase 5-10 fold in the next three years and there are a few out there IMO. And a lot more fun to research than stodgy blue chips. Love the thrill of finding a good explorer/developer, with switched on management that you can see has got the right stuff to deliver.

Hope 2011 goes well for you ozrider.