Sport is made for betting

As mentioned here several weeks ago , the amount of betting editorial and odds plugging during live broadcasts of Australian sport is over the top. Public sentiment was turning against it and it was inevitable that something would have to be done. Now the Australian Federal Govt has gotten involved, essentially telling broadcasters and sports bodies to sort it out within the next 12 months, or we will do it for you.. Live broadcasts of betting odds to be phased out by June, Stephen Conroy says "INSIDIOUS" live broadcasts of betting odds will be phased out to prevent gambling becoming embedded in football, cricket and other sports, the state and the federal government agreed today. But the Federal Government's bid to introduce mandatory wager limits on poker machines was rejected by the states and a constitutional battle is now likely. A meeting of state and federal ministers in Canberra agreed that the promotion of live odds during the broadcast of sport events...

A costly lesson yesterday for a Betfair in-running layer at Lingfield, where the winner in one race was matched at 1000 for £66. A late change in colours made it difficult, but as I used to stress to people in BF Education classes, use the period just before the race to confirm the colours, as often the shades in the paper or online guide are out, or there could be a late change of ownership, a damaged set of silks needed replacing or the owner has managed to leave that at home. But the killer in this case was in the detail, as written in the Racing Post..... The winning horse was the only grey in the event, undoubtedly the most distinguishing factor in a race!

One of the most popular search phrases for this blog is 'lay the field' which was one of the fun strategies we used to demonstrate regularly at our Betfair Education sessions. It's been a while since I've made a post about it so today I've decided to have a go and post an example of how it works. Quite simply, we are looking for at least two horses to trade short in-running, with a jackpot occurring if even more do (there have been races where four horses have traded at 1.15 or shorter, my favourite was the day at Worcester when I had three matched at 1.34 and not the winner because it was never in front until the line). In this example I have gone for the double lay - laying £20 at 1.45 on all runners (worst-case scenario -£9 if one horse hits the front and isn't challenged) and then again for £88 at 1.07 (risking another £6.16). Worst-case scenario of -£15.16. The second lay at 1.07 is for the jackpot, when one trades really short, but also not risking enough ...

About bloody time! Complete farce that this law was brought in in the first place (simply to appease the anti-gambling crusaders while the evil pokies and casinos continued to wreak havoc on families), now a body with some credibility, rather than just the betting firms themselves is joining the call for change. AFL calls for in-play ban to be repealed Such restrictions don't exist in any other country and have sent quite a few punters to live in other countries so they can ply their trade. Betting in-play actually allows people to trade smarter, locking in profits or taking a loss when things start going against them, rather than being stuck with a position they can't change during an event. AFL and cricket are two of the best sports going for in-play betting.

Americans will make anything sound like they thought of it first. You could do this online a decade ago on many sports and with on-course bookmakers in Aus, 20 yrs ago on AFL football. These days, any bookie that doesn't offer it (unless restricted by stupid laws, eg Aus Interactive Gaming Act) is wasting their time. Betting on the fly premiers at M Resort 23 March 2009 LAS VEGAS, Nevada -- For avid sports bettors, it might be the greatest advancement in wagering since the advent of the drive-thru sports book. Unveiled over the weekend at M Resort is the first "in-running" sports betting, which allows bettors to wager on the action as it happens. No more needing to wait for the second-half total in a particular game. Hedging can happen on the fly. Watch your fortunes rise and fall with every change of the possession arrow.... More evidence that Vegas is nothing more than a tourist trap and a waste of time as a betting venue.