The Friday Press up

[Brassneck]

What do the bookies know?

Quite a lot actually - That's why they're all so wealthy.

[Legion]

Ayup, you're a Troll.

Also possibly a previous poster making a return.

[Damo70]

What do the bookies know?

Quite a lot actually - That's why they're all so wealthy.

As well as having Wolves, Boro and Villa as promotion favourites they also had Derby and Cardiff up amongst the favourites. I was surprised to see Cardiff listed amongst the pre seasons favourites as I had thought they were a bit of a surprise package this year. The three teams in the top ten who have upset the bookies odds are Millwall, Brentford and Sheffield United, although I tipped Sheffield United to have a decent season. One team they did expect to do well which I was surprised they had so much faith in was Hull.

[dave.woodhall]

I doubt it's the bookies knowing that much as the amount bet on each team. Ultimately, they'll be paying out on three teams - Wolves to win the title, plus us and Cardiff or Fulham to go up, and no matter how good value the odds were for the others, they still lost out.

[Damo70]

The odds compilers (who earn a fortune but soon get the chop if they screw up and cost the company a lot of money), tend to compile the 'first show' odds based on their knowledge and opinions. So the first ante post season coupons is based on their research and their own opinions. Once those first coupons are produced there will be numerous odds changes before the season even kicks off. Those will reflect firstly the punters early betting patterns as to which teams are being heavily backed and secondly their competitive 'tactics' in responding to the odds their rivals are offering. Grab an ante post coupon from Ladbrokes, Coral, William Hill and Betfred when they first come out in July and grab an updated one the day before the season starts and see the difference. Punters will react to managerial and player changes during the summer and be influenced by media opinion. The bookies then have to react to that reaction.

[brian green]

There were two outstandingly clever boys at my son's school. One was my son the other, a brilliant Jewish lad who still comes round to see us,became a Labrokes' odds setter via a Cambridge maths PhD.  I don't think he has ever seen a game of football.  He makes double and treble fortunes for Ladbrokes.  He goes 6/4 us to be promoted if we play Cardiff, 7/4 if we play Fulham.


Posted on behalf of the incomparable Darren Woolley.   Ayup out!

[KevinGage]

Woodhall's alreet.

But anyone mocking Our Darren should be fed to the pigs.

[Damo70]

There were two outstandingly clever boys at my son's school. One was my son the other, a brilliant Jewish lad who still comes round to see us,became a Labrokes' odds setter via a Cambridge maths PhD.  I don't think he has ever seen a game of football.  He makes double and treble fortunes for Ladbrokes.  He goes 6/4 us to be promoted if we play Cardiff, 7/4 if we play Fulham.


Posted on behalf of the incomparable Darren Woolley.   Ayup out!

A guy I knew called Pete had a 'lady friend' as gentlemen of a certain age tend to girl their girlfriends. He was my old man's insurance agent when I was a kid and then I met him again years later as he was the best mate of the owner of the pub I managed. His 'ladyfriend's' son was a senior odds compiler. But my main recollection of Pete is the fact that he used to do a bit of Midlands football scouting for Norwich. At one game he sat next to Kevin Keegan, who gave him a boiled sweet. He always carried the boiled sweet, still in it's little plastic wrapper around in his pocket to show people when he told the story of his meeting with Keegan.

[robbo1874]

So...we’re going up, right?

[brian green]

I met KK when he had a horse running at Southwell   IIRC it was called Number Seven Shirt (dementia sucks).  He is a very nice guy.

[darren woolley]

Another good read Dave a bit late this time had a very busy weekend.