These days whenever I hear someone call the President of the USA "the leader of the free world" I assume they are being sarcastic.
I read the news today oh boy! Page 2,215
Yesterday, Boris Johnson's press briefing was scheduled at 4pm, the it changed to 5pm, then another delay. Finally, he appeared, 5 minutes after the Italy v England Six Nations match. For the record, I predicted this 10 minutes before the end of the game.
Is gambling still a big thing in the UK? Any of you lot going to Ladbrokes to put money on Trump winning?
Online gambling is apparently popular. But, no as a) do not want him to win and b) do not expect him to win. Are you betting yourself then?
One of the biggest cons on the net. Prefer craps in the street.
Well clean em up or I'll rub your nose in them
I have on-line accounts with 14 different bookmakers (some I use more than others). Pre-internet I had several telephone accounts. I use them only for things in which I have an interest and some knowledge - so mainly for horse racing or football. I certainly have no interest in virtuals and games. And, no, in answer to the original question, I am not betting on the US election. With odds of 1/2 and 7/4 not much value either way.
Quote: Billy Bunter @ 2nd November 2020, 1:52 PMWith odds of 1/2 and 7/4 not much value either way.
Billy, you seem knowledgeable about this and I read one pundit stated lots were betting on Trump due to sentiment and they then suggested his odds didn't represent value. Would that then mean a bet on Biden would represent better value ? I.e. do the bookies balance off the odds against the other side ?
Quote: Firkin @ 2nd November 2020, 5:04 PMBilly, you seem knowledgeable about this and I read one pundit stated lots were betting on Trump due to sentiment and they then suggested his odds didn't represent value. Would that then mean a bet on Biden would represent better value ? I.e. do the bookies balance off the odds against the other side ?
Yes, definitely. They have to balance the odds in order to make a profit. With the odds at 1/2, that means that if, for example, they took a bet of £1,000 on Biden, they stand to pay out £1,500 if he wins. With Trump at 7/4, if they took a bet of £400, they stand to pay out £1,100 if he wins. So they will have taken a total of £1,400 and stand to pay out £1,500 if Biden wins (a loss of £100) or £1,100 if Trump wins (a profit of £300). If more money starts coming in for one candidate in comparison with the other, they will change the odds accordingly. So if more money did come in for Trump because of sentiment, they would have to decrease his odds and increase Biden's odds to balance their books (hence the expression book making) so that Trump's odds no longer represent the true chances and cease to be of value and, by the same token, Biden's odds would then be better value than they probably should be.
Apparently lots of people are reluctant to admit they will be voting for Trump so the polls could be more unreliable than usual.
Quote: john tregorran @ 3rd November 2020, 12:22 AMApparently lots of people are reluctant to admit they will be voting for Trump so the polls could be more unreliable than usual.
There is a similar tendency in British opinion polling. The so-called "shy Tory" factor. Basically, people are (or were) often embarrassed to admit that they vote for them.
Quote: Chris Hallam @ 2nd November 2020, 9:40 AMOnline gambling is apparently popular. But, no as a) do not want him to win and b) do not expect him to win. Are you betting yourself then?
I tend to only gamble once a year, if in Australia - on a horse race that coincidentally was run today.
Quote: Billy Bunter @ 2nd November 2020, 1:52 PMI have on-line accounts with 14 different bookmakers (some I use more than others).
It certainly makes sense that the Owl of the Remove would frequently fancy a flutter. Do you keep a ledger to indicate whether you come out ahead or behind each month/year? My sole UK gambling memento is a 1995 Ladbrokes diary, in which I wrote daily. A very durable diary.
Quote: Kenneth @ 3rd November 2020, 6:14 AMI tend to only gamble once a year, if in Australia - on a horse race that coincidentally was run today.
With a 1-2-3 for Ireland/GB this year and won for the third time in four years by a horse trained in Ireland/GB. They'll have to change the entry criteria!
Quote: Kenneth @ 3rd November 2020, 6:32 AMIt certainly makes sense that the Owl of the Remove would frequently fancy a flutter. Do you keep a ledger to indicate whether you come out ahead or behind each month/year? My sole UK gambling memento is a 1995 Ladbrokes diary, in which I wrote daily. A very durable diary.
Like a lot of would-be diarists, I start off with good intentions but get fed up after a week or two. Particularly if I've placed a few losing bets. I have no wish to keep a record of those - I am expecting a postal order that will cover them.
Quote: Billy Bunter @ 3rd November 2020, 9:37 AMWith a 1-2-3 for Ireland/GB this year and won for the third time in four years by a horse trained in Ireland/GB. They'll have to change the entry criteria!
One of the also-rans fell during the race and broke a leg, and was promptly put down. Perhaps those entry criteria should indeed be changed to allow Donald Trump to join the race, and heaven forfend he should take a fall.