At the moment no bookmakers have to pay 5 places on the Grand National, but I think they should do. The rules state that bookmakers only have to pay first 4 on 16+ runner handicaps. I think it is about time that a new rule is made, lets say 20+ runners they should pay 5 places. I know all the online company's pay first 5 and some first 6, but most betting shops are getting away with paying only first 4. I think its ridiculous that a 16 runner race should have the same amount of places as a 40 runner race! Before anyone asks, no I didn't back the 5th, I didn't even have a bet in the race, it is just a point that really annoys me about the GN. The tight bookies bet to around 170% on the race, with 9 horses going off 16/1 or less, with the first 2 in the market going off 11/2 and 8/1 and then they only have to pay 4 places. It's disgraceful!
It's a fair point but I think what should be more concerning is the fact that on course bookies were going 1/7 a place in some races on the AW last week when there was an odds on favourite.
Ye I know, I rarely bet EW anyways so doesn't affect me, but at Cheltenham some of the bookies were betting 1/6 of the odds on the Coral Cup, a 25 runner handicap. I can only assume they didnt want to take any EW
1-2-3 on the Supreme Novices or Triumph has always seemed like a bit of a joke with 20-odd going to post most years.
I can see why they only bet first 3 in level weights races though Oddy, as its far easier than a handicap, to work out which horses are going to be in the mix. Take a look at some of the races in Ireland, you have 20 runner maidens that are 33/1 bar 4 of them. Granted the Cheltenham festival races are abit more competitive
Defo agree King, also im sick of going into my local Corals and asking for BOG, and been told no, i tell them i can get that on line answer "well go on then" the demise of the high street bookie, and if its only a 5th or 6th on course then they wont be far behind nothing feels better than cash in the hand but its the way the world is going 10 yrs time i tell my boy "we used to pop over the road to put the bet on" answer yeah right dad
I can understand why you get more value online, and why the bookies offer extra incentives like BOG. They don't have to pay bills, or as many staff if there whole business is online. Have you any idea what the electric bill must be like in a bookies? It's like looking at the TV section in Currys
High street bookies are there to provide a place to site those machines. Pros: Cash in hand Harder to steam and donk off your bankroll Laughing at idiots who think they have a tip Laughing at people donking off their bank roll Cons: No BOG Uncompetitive pricing - if you're in WillHill you're taking their price. Stink of piss. The people are horrible. The shame of walking into a bookmakers. Pissheads trying to talk to you. Rude people cutting in front of you so they can put their 50p bet on a dog.
always used to be after the whitbread at sandown end of april?-- summer racing starts next day! truth is there is no end anymore-- as for betting , they want us all on line--but while the law says you must provide bookmaking services in order to have the Idiot Machines , that may well change-- the lobbyists willse to that---i was asked to leave a betfred shop after an 'altercation' with manageress who insisted that lots of people win money on virtual racing-- its very popular she kept saying-- i pointed out that is was a lottery--no she said--there is patterns and 'form'-- they employ morons to take your money-and enter it into a computer--seems like some want to go a bit further-- have kept away from that shop since.....
A lad that lives on my road with his parents, only about 19, tells me he's skint 3 days after pay day every month thanks to those machines, and he works full time. His parents have had to get him to sign papers which ban him from the bookies it's got so bad. I struggle to understand the attraction with these machines myself, but alot of the young ins love them. I can't understand why anyone would want to play something that in the long term your guaranteed to lose
