Stocks Sinking? Be like Me: Buy Eli Manning

As the Dow Swooned in October, some investors scored big on the jock market. OneSeason.com a website that lets users trade virtual shares of sports stars, made its debut on Oct. 1, and though the stock is fake--Kobe Bryant won't give you a dividend--the profits and losses are very real. TIME's Sean Gregory asked an active trader how to play the game.

First off, how much money have you made on this site?

The day it launched, I invested $200. I quickly put in IPO requests for A-Rod, Kobe Bryant and Eli Manning. In two weeks, my "sportfolio" was worth almost $3,600.

Do you have a 401(k) or other investment account?

No, this is it. I know a lot of traditional investors have problems with this market because there is no physical substance backing up the price of the stock. The price is based only on what other traders think it's worth. Perhaps it's the fact that I am only 25, but I am not concerned that the stocks are virtual. It makes sense to me.

Since you're like Warren Buffett on this thing, any tips?

The way to make money is to get involved in the IPOs. They are basically free. If you are not lucky enough to get those, look for the athletes with fewer shares in the market. Their prices are more likely to rise as more people try to get some of those shares.

What will you buy with your returns?

Well, I still own a house in Tampa that I was unable to sell because of the real estate market. I would love to be able to pay off a part of that mortgage.

You work in retail. Do you have to hide this habit from your boss?

Luckily, my boss is actually my father, and since I convinced him to sign up for an account, he calls throughout the day and says, "Hey, have you made any money today?"