Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

After reaching my 3 score and ten. I can assume that I am into extra time,
And what with billions of reserves awaiting there chance for a Life time of Sadness, in most cases, I can say thank you Lord for a wonderful life.
From a very humble beginning, I have not broken any sound barriers, but what with loving family and wonderful 3rd generation Kids,I cant help a smile.
Who knows whether or not I am going to become one of the lucky humans who run on into a century.
If I do then it will be pure luck, as I cant say I have budgeted for longevity.
In fact I have had more than my fair share of near mis,s.
As far as good health is concerned I always thought that I was a fit, and healthy person. played lots of sport as a youth, soccer 3 times a day , school. Boys Brigade and my local Pub. in my early teens, cricket, and squash.

At cricket I would try to hit the ball out of the ground rather than running all over the place making 2/3s.
One almighty 6 would save me loads of scurrying around the park.
As a soccer player I was what my father once explained, as an Opportunist.
Like a poor mans, Garry Linaker.
It appeared that I was like a viper waiting for the center half to make a slight error and I was off, slipping the ball between the goal keepers legs, for one of my many hat tricks.
After the initial spurt of pace I had to rest a while, and could be seen talking to the apposing left back, about the best clubs in the city to find crumpet.
When in the Royal Air Force, I found that I had ability as an Athlete, it was always going to be as a sprinter. perhaps long, jump. but even in these tests I was impressive at 45 yards only and then, lucky if I manged to hang on to the winning post.
Never worried a great deal, I got to the final of the sports, days at all ages, even when I reached 40s I could be called upon not to let my young children down at there school sports, day leading other fathers half my age, in the parents race, right up to the last few yards.
After I passed my sporting days I would from time to time, exercise, usually when my weight had ballooned past what was expected of me,
So if I was to give myself a report on my sporting achievement from 0 to 40 I would proudly say,
A tryer, blistering speed at 50 yards, unfortunately there was no such events otherwise I may have been of Olympic stature.

I offer this rambling, for no other reason than, to tell you that a few months ago,
I woke up one morning and found that I had received a tip, from someone, not sure who, I would like to think it was the All Mighty, telling me that the Candle that I had burned both ends for the 70 years had now become, a mess, with the wick, having difficulty in reaching a flame.
It was my breathing that was the problem, and very shallow.
Whispering to the wife between gulps for air, she arranged an appointment.
As I waited my turn I was finding it more and more difficult, to breath,
As Doctor Premchand opened his door he gazed at me and called out.
Mrs, Orchard I could wait no longer, although it was Mrs Orchards turn to discuss her MRS it was me that required urgent help.
I was going fast, my eyes flickering, could even see the wonderful setting of Lilly covered lake and waterfall in the distance, I had read about these near death experiences, and was worried shiteless.
I had no intention of moving on to the Harp playing angel stage.
My timing must have been very good, because following a run and jump into the doctors room, the next thing I remember was lying in a hospital bed with more tubes in and around me than a astronaut.
Looking up above and to the left, there were monitors, every were.
To the right was my loving wife, discussing with some specialist, what had caused my near miss.
After 3 days I was informed that they expected a minor stroke, day 4 could be a liver problem,
Day 5 I could see that they were flummoxed.
Did I smoke was a regular question regarding my difficulty in breathing,
When I explained that following the death of my mother and father in 1950s/60. in relatively young ages, both with smoking related illness,s I had come to the conclusion that it wasn’t a plan if I wished to reach old age. and had never smoked a cigerette in my life if you forget one Churchillian type Cigar that I tried, after winning a large pot in a French casino.
I knew that I was probably a Secondary smoker what with every one in the house smoking , leaving only me and our 90 year old tortoise, free to breath.
The tortoise however is luckier than me hibernating from December then sleeping non stop until after Cheltenham, and all he eats, is a few strawberries a week, and scurries around the garden, fazed by nothing not even the Stafford Bull Terrier. who is no fool liking him, rather than trying a bite.
It appeared that I had the heath experts foxed. if it wasn’t a heart attack, my liver was now, running perfectly. it was just my breathing, that was causing problems.
After another 5 days, I was surrounded by my Specialist, and 5 of his juniors.
“Mr Butler I have sorted out your problem, at last, you are suffering from Acute Ashma
Between gasps, I asked how on earth I could be Asthmatic, when all my life I had been as fit as a flea and sports freak,
Yes no doubt you were but I would think that the sports that you indulged in did not tax your breathing capacity, no marathons I bet.
He was right After 50 yards I would stop to a walk.
I remember I could run 10 feat and rest for 10 minutes, so my lungs were very shallow.
Once I could get my breath back and start again, how odd.I thought.
I left the Hospital with a bag of medication that would sink the NHS ship, faster than the Titanic. if every one had repeat prescription.
Wasn’t looking good, for my Anti Post, bet to reach 100 that I had placed with Ladbrokes in 1987
It didn’t require me to report my change in circumstances the Bookmaker, lengthened the odds before I arrived home. perhaps they had an insider.
Even before my problem, arose I hadn’t been a fitness fanatic. the strongest activity would be a little strole with the dog, throwing a piece of wood for him to chase, Fishing, not the most strenuous past time, the rest of my time spent playing the piano like key board, on my computer. so with my breathing now under control. who is to say, that I cant expect another 5years at least.
However for the past 12 months, my breathing had got steadily worse.
Every morning sometimes as early as 4.30 I would wake up. gasping for breath, I panic. driving my car about with the window open, in an attempt to force some air into my lungs,
A further worry has been the thickening of mucus that I bring up. more like chewing gum, than the usual. spit.
My Doctor, has been a great help. allowing me Bags of repeat subscription, taxing yet again the Health service.
The other day,. following a 4 hour spell standing in the garden trying to get a deep breath, into my lungs I decided to Google my way out of trouble.
If I was going to reach my new re-accessed, life span, of 3 score years 10 plus a little 10% then I had to do what the Jewish thief, in Oliver did by “Thinking it out again”

What was i doing wrong, that may be causing my breathing problems,
Well the two box,s of Cadburies delight wasn’t a Help. gone in a week.
Eating the Easter Eggs, purchased for the grand Kids just down right greed.
I gazed at a Block of Cadbury,s Whole Nut in the Fridge. how on earth did they ever become so big.
every night after dinner. usually 7.0 I have a habit of sitting firstly on the floor in front of the TV, then sliding on to my back, this particular evening nothing had changed watching soccer, Half the slab had gone by half time. this in the old days would be the period when the Ice cream Girl appeared.
Settled back down on my back, I nestled with the chocolate, on my bare chest. this was indeed a great night,
I had given my inhaler a work out, followed by two puffs of Seratide, I had then cleared my nostrils with Becanase, a Hayfeaver relief. I felt safe and secure. and well.
All doors were locked. and the Stafford shire Bull Terrier was asleep one bite distance away from the back door. and any thief’s.
I was feeling a little tired, but was enjoying the entertainment, to much to go to bed.

The next thing I remember was waking up. I put my hand to my chest, I felt I must have had an hemorrhage. liquid was every were.
For a moment I lay still thinking I had a major problem.

I did, for all over the carpet and my shirt was a pint of liquid Chocolate.
When the wife saw this I was in trouble.

Over 15 minutes later I had cleaned the carpet, and thrown my shirt and trousers in the washing machine.
I lay there in the semi nude. my thoughts were ticking over. and working over time.
Here I was an Ashma sufferer stuffing liquid oil. into my pipes, call it chocolate if you like but it certainly looked like thick oil to me.
I went up stairs and got into the bath. there was something not quite right.
How could I, be losing sleep. struggling to breath, and fetching mucus up like Glue.
Well it didn’t nead a brains like a Winston Churchill to figure it all out.

I got up at 7.30 called the dog, and took him a walk around the local lake, it was pleasant seeing all the rabbits, and squirrels, scurrying about. the fish, and ducks had been up for ages.
I was still suffering to get that least deep breath, but my mind was as clear and as sharp as glass,
From this moment on it was my life style, that would have to change.
No future drying out of my breathing tubes, water was the best remedy. who said ? Jeeves did,| never mind Chocolate. that was to be knocked on the head fore with.
So with exersize, and water, I could remedy all my ailments. in one swoop.
Within 2 days my breathing had improved 50% the mucus was clear and of a different texture than Chewing Gum, all in all I was a different person.
4 weeks later with 1 stone, in weight and 2 inch off my girth, the great sports jacket that I purchased in 2007, and never fitted, was like a glove. I was a new man.
Walking to my local betting Shop. I asked what price I was reaching 3 score and ten plus a further 30 years.
Ladbrokes must have heard about the Ashma, because they had increased the original odds out to 100 from 66/1
I just had to place a £50 at the new price. if there price assessor knew what I knew the odds would have been no more than 10,
Although I do feel a little sorry for the chap. and advise him to make sure he has a good pension scheme, for in 2035 his job will be in jeopardy.

Cubone.

By now I had a pitch at Hall Green stadium.
It had always been my dream as I had seen some great bookmaker at the track Bookmakers like
Archie Vincent, Graham Green, and Jack Woolf. these were absolute geniuses, at the Greyhound game. pure figures men , betting to 15/20% a race and taking £many thousands a race.
Just emajine betting at those margins. laying every dog. for every £1000 taken they would on average win £150 a race clear at a time when you could purchase a great home for £35,000 and they were making £1000 a night 2 nights a week.
No wonder GG would fly back from a racecourse in 1970 to get to Hall Green.
The problem at the time was doping I remember talking to an expert in this diabolical black art.
It wasn’t as any believe just a case of stopping a favorite from winning a race and all was well after the event I have seen the dogs after being doped and one in particular had to be placed by a running tap for hours on end to help stimulate his bladder. and that was a small problem many dogs just died within weeks of being doped by a non expert.
I do not wish you to think that my last paragraph was flippant. I said expert for the dope/drugs had to effect the greyhound correctly or the benefit was null and void.
if a Dog was given to much dope, he would fall over between the parade ring and getting to the traps. if not enough there would be no effect and the plan to stop a dog winning would not happen.
greyhounds like people weigh differently even ones that look the same may differ many lbs Bitches and Dogs who may look a similar stamp will differ tremendously in weight.
An expert once he has gained entrance to the stable of kennels he had to think on his feet if he dint actually know the dogs weight. however,
In the Doping period between 1960 and 1970. known as the “Knock over” or some times as “Hanging Basket”
Both scams were the same it was the period when licensed betting shops grew faster than Public Houses had in the 30s..
In the case of the Betting Revolution, all the had to do was get into the racing Kennels. on a track and they could win a fortune. in fact at Hall Green there was one trainer who had his runners during the night KO-ed for a month at a time before they become more sophisticated and would dope the dogs
between the times the runners entered the holding kennels prior to racing.
This was so simple that the track security should have been prosecuted for failing to protect the greyhounds and the public’s right to an honest gamble.
At Hall Green there were 60 Kennels that were used for the nights racing
So at anytime between 4.30 and 6.0 the runners would be placed in a small Kennel number clearly 1 to 60 these were the nights stabling arrangements.
So if a dog was running in the first race from trap 4. he would have been allotted Box 4.
This was so easy for villains so they could just steal money under the noes,s of the industry.
Any good judge would know what box a short priced favorite running in the last race on the night from trap 5 would be, in kennel number 40.
The evening before when the track was closed they could climb the wall surrounding the course and make there way to the Kennel Block,
usually the main door was locked but no one thought there was any problem so 50% of the times it was open.
However it took a day to get a key for the door, and then go to the chosen kennel. and inside there would be a load of fresh straw, all the Kennels would have been cleared and cleaned for the new race night.
The dope would be in a Meat ball. and placed in the straw or if it was a Hanging Basket, it would be hung behind the door, so that when the door was opened and the chosen greyhound placed in there the door was shut and there was the meat right in front of his face. allowing the dog to devour the meat.
Even when the odd trainer used there own security by placing a muzzle on there dogs, he would still. manage to eat the meat and lick the muzzle clean.
Hall Green wasn’t the only track to be hit in the 60,s through to the 70s. doping had become a national scandal.
By the time I had waited my tern and managed to get a pitch at this great track the
However the great times of the past when you could lay every greyhound guaranteeing a steady profit were gone, no longer were the personnel experts backing there own oppinion regardless of price.
Now we had what I can best describe as train watchers,
People who hide behind a pillows, or posts waiting for a well known face to strike.
They have found that it is better to follow the leader as they are sure to get a run for there money.
the on course take had dropped 90% of the good old days.
One evening I went out for a meal with an old established, Grader from the old days he had been layed off as he didn’t like the power that Bags the Greyhound power base held,
Demanding that all races should be equal in chance regardless of the fact that many Greyhounds would be certain to find themselves in serious trouble during the race. he explained to me something I already knew and that was that greyhounds are thick and will run the same passage regardless of there safety.
On my way home I thought I must become a great Greyhound Judge if I am to survive. financially.
That night I ordered racing tapes that had become available for owners and fans
That night I studied the greyhounds habits, were they would run,
And I realized if I could section a 500 yard race into sections om;y comcerning myself with the first 1/8 th of the race, as that is when the event is won or lost,
Af
At the first bend a massive amount of winners can be notified.
So what is so important of the run up.
I began sectional timing, on computor sheets, and found that 50 yards past the winning post first time round, was an important and it is when the runners take there desired path,going onto a groove this is the way they run and is used a vast majority of tmes that they run,
if you watch enough Greyhounds run they are an animal of habit a wide runner is a wide runner not because he just fancies going wide one night or a tight railer does not run close to the rails because that’s were the opportunity has arisen, greyhounds are more likely to run into trouble the reason that is the way they usually go. this why very few races are smooth, the vast majority are not trouble free,
It does not need the brains of a Sir Winston Churchill to see that races are doctored or arranged for a maximum of trouble. it is not good TV for a dog to lead all the way better for the public to see disaster at the first bend. with this in mind I found I could prejudge the majority of smash,s. it wasnt guess work it was as certain as night follows day.
But that wasn’t the answer the answer was what will a dog do if he is denied his usual path so I found that I could calculate what the odds were of a dog finishing up on the floor.
It was so easy that I could read the graders minds,
he was prepared to put a greyhounds life in danger so as to protect the Bookmaking industry %,s
To succeed backing Greyhounds you have to see when a greyhound has been given a trouble free opportunity..
Greyhound racing is now nothing more than a reality show. with no real winners, just a steady turnover and gauranted profit, for the Industry.
Within 18 months and no sleep working from 10.30 three nights a week to 3.30 in the morning I had it cracked I could cut the chances of success for 60% of the nights runners to zero.
When I was ready to go.
I started betting early offering the dogs I didn’t fancy first hoping to lay them before i had to offer the rest.
Overnight my turnover dropped 90% it was clear that I had detected a massive conspiracy. in that the more Dogs became out Boxed. the better the profit for theHigh Street Bookmakers.
So here I was with a golden plan, knowing most of the winners each night but as a Bookmaker hoping to lay the dogs I didn’t fancy I found it was impossible to do so.
It was the most frustrating period in my life.
I still cannot understand why computer software has not been developed that visually shows an expected race before the real race takes place, the reason you will not get such a service is that it will show up the disgraceful danger the majority of greyhounds go through in the name of entertainment to satisfy the general public.
Greyhounds have a terrible life as it is, on average no greyhound lives behond the age of 5. and this age expectation is shortened by Graders, doing what they are told to do.from above.
At presnt I cant find any, real Greyhound Experts, other than a firm from Hove specialising at there local track.
If you ever wish to make Greyhound racing pay I advise you to try
admin@tradingtheprices.com

And the best of luck

cubone

Not happy with my own choices as a greyhound judge I thought I had two options, one was to pick the trainer before the dog. If I could select an honest trainer then at least I was half way to success,
I had my puppies the were growing by the day. eating like lions and playing games chasing each other, arround a paddock they certainly would be nit cases like sputnik.
They all had fancy racing names. and even Blackie the half blind, half whippet who,s father was a Derby winner. had a great schooling. his brothers and sisters, loved him and when fights got a little out of hand they would protect him, first.
They were 16 months when I met with the Perry Bar, racing manager and requested that I bring them to the great track and give them a hand school.
This is done by placing them behind the traps and when the bunny cames past they would be let loose, All the puppy’s chased in a fashion. which was encouraging.
After we were completed I asked if I could just let the black Dog who we had given a racing name although he was a million to one ever reaching that far.a go.he was Johny Akabua.
Johny Akabua. was a Ugandan 400 meter Hurdler. who arrived in the UK with no shoes that fitted and ran against David Hemery in the Commonwealth games, at Edinburgh.
As they reached 3 hurdle out Johnny A was level with David H. and tripping up at the last he was out run by the British and Commonwealth champion.
I had seen the run and never forgot what I had seen.
the main newspaper expert at the Times for Athletics was Turner. and I read a report that he had stated been given a pair of running shoes that fitted and was being trained to jump with a 4/3 method.
This allowed 4 steps to be changed to 3 two jumps out allowing him to accelerate with out finding himself to close to the last hurdle.
When the betting came out for the Olympics Johny Akabua was 33/1 I managed to scrape £175. from by wages at the time and got it on with Ladbrokes.
Although he was massively impressive in the heats he was still 7/1 in the final were he drew lane one,
Three jumps out and at least 5 lenths behind the favorite Hemery. he accelerated the question was will the change in stride patern get him all wrong at the last.
Jumping it like a stag Johny was clear breaking the world record in the process.
I never forgot JA. and named our black puppy who had also been born, behind lifes black ball the same.
I was now however ready to make mistake number one, the puppies were all being reared like family pets, they were never going to be hard enough for the rigors of greyhound racing. and not to waist to much on there failure to even grade into a track. they remained beautiful specimens and loving Pets.
I had not given up on the dream. so I arranged to someone who I trusted to go to Ireland and purchase me a young puppy who had been Irish reared. as against bottle fed. in England.
When it arrived at Elmdon Airport it was indeed a great looking puppy. it had muscles, on top of muscles. this was an athlete.
Schooled at Hall Green he went through all his trials winning the lot. in fact I still laugh that when he ran in his first trail winning by 8 lenths, My wife and I cheered him on as if he was winning the Derby itself.
So good was his trails that he went straight into the top class.
It would be boring to explain all his races but he was second in his first race Top grade and never won a race in 12 months. so angry were the general public who had backed him many times when being offered great opportunities. would actually Boo him when parading. I like to think they were booing me not the dog. as they must have thought that I was cheating in some way.
His last run was in a 700 mter Handicap with Carignavar off 15 yards start.
In the race trainer Drown had a dog owned by a nasty load of people, who I never liked.
By now the wife refused to attend the track when Ash was running. and this night was no exception.
As I arrived I bumped into the trainer.
Get your money back tonight Don. I began to laugh.
On Ash I wont I wouldn’t back him with Bookmakers free money.
No Ive not trained the Ash all week but my other Dog in trap 5. is an absolute cert.
I was fed up of being used.
And didn’t wish to take any notice of the so called cert.
As i arrived in the bar. I ordered a Bottle of Champagne for no other reason than I had one of my punters with me.
As I popped the cork the owner of the favorite, began to laugh. not yet Donald after the race we will have a drink with you, to celebrate our win.
I called over to the manager and ordered a further 5 bottles to be iced.
I then turned to my punter friend and said. go outside and Lay this favorite, for me.
I just had that feeling of doom but not for me but the other owners who thought the game was that easy to predict.
The look from the owner of the enermy was firm enough to cut.
In the race Ash went clear. as was expected off 15 yards.
into the straight, he was still 3 yards in front but stopping dead.
The cheer from the gang owning the favorite was enough to create a wind,
Either way there Bitch floundered a few feet from the post, going down a short head.
I hadn’t said a word. other than Got Ya.
The pops from the Champagne lasted well past the last race, and it was not unexpected when Honest John Drown. was called into the stewards office, to answer a charge of stopping one of his dogs for the benefit of another.
He did ask me why I had purchased the Champaign as it was this action that caused him so much stress.
I asked for a meeting with the stewards myself and was granted one.
My story of Greyhound Ownership convinced the stewards that nothing was amiss. and dismissed the charge against Mr Drown.
That was enough, for me. I offered the dog. free of charge to what appeared to be a nice couple of first time owners.
This action did not go down well in the home, the wife said it was like giving a child up for adoption. and I must admit it reminded me of my old pall Buster who had relied on me to step in when he was about to be dispatched at the Vets, and I had failed him.
It was however to late and Cargnavar Ash our first fully owned and purchased Greyhound, was allowed to go to a stable in Wolverhampton to run at Gloscester.
I was pleased as punch when ASH won his first race at the new track. and then followed up with 5 wins out of the next 8 runs.
I was dumbfounded I could not find the answer, however I received a telephone call from the couple who now owned the Dog.

Mr Butler we are the people who found Carignavar Ash a good home.
I had to interact. I do not think it was a good home he wanted he already had a good home he just wanted a fresh start. and I congratulate you on your success.
How can I help.
Ash has damaged his shoulder and we wondered if you wanted him back..
I paused for a few moments and without my wife’s permission I told the male owner to go fuck himself.

That,s enough I thought we are not made for this game and gradually as and when our pups became old dogs they passed away But i never got involved in this great sport Underfunded the losers are the Dogs who if lucky can garantee no more than 5 years if lucky We no longer loved it as a sport anymore…

If as I expect there will be life after death.
I hope that it includes animals. I cant wait to see Buster again.

Cubone

In 1972 I had outgrown drinking a bottle of Vodka each Saturday night and had decided to get married.
The first home I purchased was £7,000 3 bedroom detached overlooking the Lickey Hills.

I had always been a Greyhound lover, but only from a Gambling aspect. I never got within, the distance from the betting ring and the track, by 1973 I badly needed a hobby of some sort and when I had a telephone call from a business colleague who had purchased one and had stretched himself he offered me a 50% of the Bitch for £200.

On that Sunday I decided to see it at first hand, at its training establishment at Fazakly Nr Coventry,
the trainer was John Drown, a Grey haired elderly gentleman.
I did not know what to expect, and I must admit I was a little disapointed there were about 10 Kenals
adgasent to the home, with a further 25 not such a good quality in a 5 acre paddock.
After a drink in the trainers Kitchen , my wife and I met his wife Joan, it was clear that John was a Gentleman alright. one were the dog came before anyone else. and that included the owner.
A visit to the toilet, I had to go through the main part of the house and the first thing I noticed was that although there were plenty of Cups, on show I cant remember seeing any of the Classical prizes.
After the initial day out, I would visit John and Joan every Sunday for at least 18 months it was during this period that I fell head over in love with the Greyhound not one in particular but the Hounds themselves they were one of Gods greatest creations.
My duty on a Sunday was to take some of the older dogs, ones that had been great servants, to the stable and had be pensioned off. for a walk.
John also loved the animal not just because it could get him a meager livelihood,
One Sunday he called me over to him and asked me if I could do him a favor one of the old champs, needed to be taken to the vet.
Yes of course I can, I will be there for 9.0 sharp.
When I arrived he had a great brindle dog, tied to the front door, awaiting for me. I had seen the dog before but had never taken him out on a walk into the wonderful woods that surrounded Johns home.
Ive just got to have a shower I will be with you in 15 minutes, Donald take Buster a walk through the woods.
I never questioned why he needed to go to the vets,
Off I went with Buster, on his lead. the 200 yards through the farm gate I was amazed how placid the 75 ilb beauty was, in fact after we started he placed his noes into my pocket and just waked along. I looked into the dogs eyes and I saw something that I had never seen before in any of my pets, or the greyhounds in the stable it was a look of utter sadness, I thought that it was because he was just a retired hound, no longer doing what he had been bred to do Run.

I was longing to let him off the lead to see him gallop but dare not ,owing to some possible injury hence the visit to the vet.
When I got back John was waiting for us, and the old man was crying like a baby.
Whats a matter John, ??
No its alright I am just overcome, take Buster to the Vets, he knows what to do.
I didn’t understand the tears perhaps he was having some matrimonial problem.
Off I went to the vets,
Good morning Donald. I have been told good things about you, by John. he thinks you are a true lover of the sport. I wish you much success.
I was shocked I had never met the man before.
Bring Buster into the other room,
Just hold him under his stomach. in case he falls, I watched with awe as the vet shaved a little patch in his paw, the greyhound still had his mouth in my hand and I had the other hand under his stomach,
An elastic was placed around his wrist, and an injection was released. the next thing the elastic was removed and within 5 seconds the dog had been dispatched I was taken by shock, the weight of the dog completly took me by storm, and I was fortunate not to allow him to clatter to the floor.
Right under my knows I had witnessed the first of many wonder full greyhounds, being put to death,
You will probably ask the question that for the next month I asked of my self.
Why did he have to be put down, he was a wonderful specimen, of the type. he could have made a great pet, I had no idea what was going to happen and I was angry that I had not been forewarned of the duty I had let myself in for.
So that was why John Drown was so upset.
I drove back to the trainers home I had a lot of questions that needed answering.
Why was the dog killed.
there were others that were just seeing there time out, in the old kennels. another one would have made no difference, and after all he was a wonderful dog.
John was still upset,
Buster hasn’t run a race for over 5 years he done a wrist in the final of the Cesarawitch, at Harringay, and the owner left him with me, just like you leave an empty fish and chip paper I didn’t even ask him for the outstanding vets bill.
I just put him in the paddock and there he has remained ever since.
But I cannot keep every greyhound that is retired either by old age or injury, once the paddock is full I have to keep the numbers in check, I am not God, and the dog was not happy and his liver was giving out, gradually.
You should have told me, though John.

It took me ages to get over the shock,
the Bitch that I had half interest in, was very small and ran like a clock as soon as she was in season the trainer would allow her to get her strenth back and as soon as she was ready, to win she did so never letting me down,
When she was born there were 4 dogs and 2 bitches, Top Smile, was our Dog and the other one her full litter brother was Kingdome Come, a long distance phenomenon.
Any one with a good memory from the 70,s will remember him running at long distances, 1000 metres plus she would walk the first 500 yards getting herself distanced before picking up and making 20/25 yards from the last bend.
His sister and our love would give dogs 12/15 yards start in handicaps,
also coming from a distance behind, the beauty of seeing her run when fit and well was fantastic,
When she retired I was given the Bitch as a pet, and had no hesitation, in deciding to breed off her,
I was then that I saught advice about what blood to look for to improve and add speed to the obvious staying power,
Faithfull Hope was at Stud having won the Greyhound Derby, and £60 seemed a reasonable amount for such a great Sir.
The day out to the mating was never to be forgotten.
When we arrived the little bitch, was placed in a paddock, as we went into the breeders office paying our fee and asking a few questions.
The women in charge once again asked me to hold the Bitches head, my mind went back to Buster,
and the remembrance of how he looked at me before that final act this time the Bitch had a different look in her eyes she was scarred stiff. I doubt if she knew what was about to happen. If she had I would have let her off.
The women walked over to a solitary Shed. at the end of a small paddock.
As the door was opened, out dashed a Dog. it reminded me of when I was a lad on a day out at Billy Smarts Circus and they allowed the Lions out.
This dog had probably. mated 100 Bitches, and he was a professional.
He dashed over ignoring me and grabbed the Bitch, with his front paws, and held her in a vice like grip. behind him was the women who was holding him in a similar grip. in her top pocket she produced with her spare hand a little tin of vaseline, and with her finger she made the Virgin Bitch accessible
Placing the dogs penus in exactly the position required it was Bingo one massive squeal from Racheal, (Top Smile) and a loud growel from Faithfull Hope, the deed was done, although it took ages for them to become unlocked.
There was one final moment that I still remember today,
As my wife placed the bitch back in our car, for the journey home, I went to the front door to say goodbye to the women in charge of the facility, as she was talking to me, I noticed that the litttle tin of vasaline had been replaced back on the kitchen table I had to tell my wife that I hoped that the tin was kept for the job, in hand and not to sooth the young children s lips, in the winter.
Awaiting the Pups was great, what were we to call them, from the mating anything could be expected, another Derby winner perhaps. I was of the opinion that dogs with good names and better than dogs with poor names.
We had a great new Shed installed in the garden of our home, and the vet would visit us frequently.
he must have been fed up answering the same questions, How many do you expect.???
On a winters day. the bitch, was ready however the Vet was concerned ,she was breached yes I was dumbfound I had no idea what the word meant.
The first puppy a massive Dog according to the vet was not in its right position for birth and could result in death for them all even the bitch.
How the vet maneuvered the dead carcass out of the way was brillint as soon as the Bitch saw the dog, she pushed the body out of way and covered it with straw, 5 puppies followed 3 dogs and 2 bitches. the last puppy out was a runt if ever I saw one, it was half the size of the others. its head was much smaller and its eyes were closed that in itself was not abnormal but the vet after finishing his work explained.

You have a nice group of well formed puppies, in fact the two dogs are impressive,
2 I thought there were 3,? Dogs.
No the black dog will not survive very long, I will take him with me,
No you wont I was angry, I wasnt going through the Buster escapade again.
If the Black Dog is no good as a Greyhound I will give him the job as a Guard or Mascot..
I doubt he will. see, very well his eyes are not formed correctly.
Never mind, I will send him to Spec Savers, (Of course Spec Savers were not in business at the time)but that were my thoughts,

Within a few months I was getting complaints from the next door nabour, but instead of causing any problems, The incident made me aware that we should find a more appropriate dwelling in the country as I was adamant that greyhounds was to be my new vocation. I would have has many as I could purchase and like Drown I would make room for as many as possible there would be no visits to the vet for my Dogs. accept for health and injury,s, they would live there lives through to the end, as racing dogs or pets, it would make no difference, there will be no 4 year old Dog. who cant run 500 yards in 30 seconds being dispatched.

cubone.

For over 5 years I have been retired from the Betting and Gaming Act, I must say at first I did miss the hustle and bustle of the racecourse industry. it is the most cut throat industry you will ever find.
I believe it when I say that the majority of Bookmakers are honest but the honesty is in the payment of winnings not in the fair trading of there industry,
I will explain more fully`.
If a Bookmaker offers a price about an eventuality, and the event lands. then you will be paid in full.
In fact the amount of Welshers I have come across in the 55 years are as follows. and my memory is excellent.
To many to count between 1925 and 1945
Very few between the war years and 1960
So few that the count is minimal between 1960 and the present day.
On racecourses the reason why after the “Racecourse Wars” of 1920 to 1930 it was so bad as it has been likened to the Wild West in the USA.
No Bookmaker was safe, without a “Minder” these were easy to find as they would be in the present day of Cage Fighting. in fact many of the emigrants from the Eastern, Europe, were great fighters, imagine them leaving there home in the morning and knowing that if they did not earn a crust during the day, there would be a loving mother a disabled father and perhaps half a dozen young children starving when they arrived, that should be a great enticement to Beg Steal or Borrow,
and it worked, you only have to look at the Boxers who made it to the top of the tree during those times, and Except for Gentleman Jim, and a few aristocrats
who moved over from fencing to boxing for fun.
But when it was seen that many Boxers were not the type to abide by “Gentlemen s rules” drafted by the Marquise of Queensbury any one with any brains would leave Boxing to the needy and not the greedy
The first and arguably the first Gentlemen of the ring was Gentlemen Jim Corbet, there was never any knead for Jim to fight for a living. but he did.
I doubt you will see many of today,s youth who following a good education and a business opportunity in the old mans firm would stand for the “Cage”
So when in the wars years there were very few opportunities for the youth, they fought there way out of poverty, and after that ended many became a MINDERS for a Bookmaker.
Not many became a Bookmaker in there own right, and I can count on one hand the few that did.
So bad was it on british racecourse that all the leading Bookmakers were called into the Jockey Club offices and were told that unless the public were protected from welshing and thuggery, statutory changes would take place bringing in a Tote monopoly.
Even the thickest of Bookmakers could see the light and created a Punter Bookmaker Association,
All new Bookmakers would have to start at the back and work there way up. by prompt payment and civility.
This worked perfectly as even the punters were cagey with who they bet, and Bookmakers who took the most money had proven there worth.
But having said that there is more ways to skin a cat.
The betting that takes place is not easy to calculate by majority of gamblers, and it is this that constitutes the wheat from the chaff.
a Bookmaker will bet to a reasonable profit margin but as very few punters can Wooze (an old fashioned word for being able to calculate a list of 18 runners and see exactly what margin the Bookmaker is offering.
But if you do not know what you are actually paying for the goods you receive, there are those who say you shouldn’t participate.
So let me tell you the pitfalls, that you are in front of you every day. that it matters not how clever you are you will not overcome.
We have at present 61 Racecourses every one is different.
By being different no form can be taken for granted.
(a) running at say Brighton on one day and then running at Warwick a few weeks after, cannot be taken for granted.
Even if the distance is the same. there are some courses so different, that it is like an atheleat, winning at 100 meters and then running in the 100 meters hurdle.
The surface that horses run on so different that even All Weather courses do not stack up. as equal.
So what can we do to minimize the odds that are stacked against us, when Gambling on Horse-racing.
If you take some of the simple facts and look at the reason how they became so popular, over the years I will give my reason why they are not to be ignored completely.
“Horses for Courses.”
There are many horses that are trained at an establishment that is right or left handed and it goes without saying that a horse that has only ever been trained on a left handed course will liken that type of course over the others,
To see horses being run, on going and distances not sutable is a daily occurance. and of course nothing that an authority can do anything about it. other than shake there heads.
So when should you back horses, well I wont tell you when but I will tell you when you should not.
This little country of ours is a never ending shocker as far as the weather is concerned, even the weather forecasters on TV fail to get it right, in fact if they were punters betting on there accuracy. then they would be in the poor house over night.
So whilst there is drastic changes to the going taking place, your money should remain in your pocket.
The time that Bookmakers love best is the autumn, of October to November. some of the 3 year old that have done very little racing will find stones at this time of the year and shock the market.
What type of races should you bet in. the better the class of horses the more the form can be relied upon.
Horses that win and are brought out very quickly for a repeat hold up as a very good marker,
Emagine a horse that has been in a stable for 12 months or more and has run without any success and all of a sudden it wins, a few things can be taken as gospel
The jockey has ridden the horse in a manor best liked by the horse it is running on a track in going that was best suited.it is fit and well to have won a race as it is clear that not many horses win a race what so ever,
If you see this horse come out again within a few days then to support it again is as good as you will get, other than throwing your pin away,
This system called the 7 day Run holds up year by year and has done so for the past 50 years.
Should you back favorites. well the stats for winning favorites even at starting price is well worth looking at, but to back them all without any other regard then you will lose between 2 to 5%
Of course it is not very difficult to gain an advantage over the Industry Starting prices, by either only betting with Bookmakers who offer guaranteed odds, although this advantage is not so advantageous as some think.
The other way to back favorites and shorten the % loss is to bet with the Exchange services of Betfair or Betdaq, but even this advantage is being attacked little by little.
When supporting any horse I would advise that the longer the distance the better the reliability. the reason for this is that horses are not bred for extream distance and when a horse has a proven record at an extream distance he can be relied upon. to repeat its present form as long as the going is also consistent and what it requires.
The draw. is also a very important point that must be considered,
The advantages are known by all. and that of course is all the UK trainers, so if we have a horse from a gambling stable running from a bad draw on a particular course it is stupid to think that it will be Off on that day.
No stable will take a chance going for a touch when they are being handicapped by a clear and certain disadvantage. better to give the horse an “easy” and this is something that you should take careful notice of for future reference.
About the Draw I must add a very important point and that is Part watering.
In the late 1980,s more and more Bookmakers began to promote a bet (tricast” it became very popular, however when ever a wager receives massive promotion the Bookmakers have to consider if they are pushing the advantage over the top making the popular bet a non profitable bet.
This has happened any many occasions the best example was during the 1940s when soccer betting became of mass interest. to the betting public. the odds for a draw began at 5/2 and gradually rose to 7/2 that may not be a lot for the non thinking punter but you only have to look at the amount of games that are drawn, to see that the Bookmaker is moving into dangerous quarters.
For 3 draws from a full list of all games. odds commenced at 33/1 and didn’t stop until they reached 66/1 this was when the pro,s stepped in and made a killing.
In the case of the Horse tri-cast a 10% Bonus was offered and then 25% and even 50% this was enough to bring all the late night thinkers out to specialize in this bet.
Racecourses like Thirsk were there was a massive advantage in sprints, became money for nothing,
Bookmakers bagan to shake there heads, over this bet that at one time was a great money earner and had now become a massive loss leader.
It was at this time when a sinister occurrence took place and one that still in my opinion is part of the black part of the industry.
One day at York (Friday) there was a handicap. over 5 furlongs, the going was an advantage for high numbers, of the high numbers there were 5/6 that looked outstanding
The race went according to plan, with the 5 high numbers chosen coming home filling the first 3 places and therefore hitting the tricast paying £1750 for £1, on the saturday, the big race of the day also over 5 furlongs, took place and the early anti post betting was shattered with the high numbers also being favored for a repeat.
“as i was not present, what I say took place on the friday evening is only hear say,”
” My xxxxxx, xxxxx this is Mr xxxxx xxxxx.. as you are aware we sponsor many races at your course however we have a problem, we find that on certain times of the year, the draw is so advantageous that the betting is a massive loss leader and will result in us having to withdraw our sponsorship. unless the races can be made more competitive,”
On the Saturday with 3 furlongs to go the favorable side were clear however when they hit the last part of the race it was clear that part watering had taken place and that resulted in the favored section. running into a bog, coming home 20 yards behind the low numbers.
Now before people say whats wrong with that a racecourse should do everything in there power to equalize a race, if they can.
I will agree however, the draw on a racecourse occurs naturally and is known to all those prepared to look. both Bookmakers and Punters, the Bookmaker can when the advantage is known adjust the betting accordingly making the advantage, less popular in betting terms.
However any part watering should be made known. to the public at large if not it is akin to a conspiracy to defraud,
I beleave that this still goes on and leaves the public, in a very unhealthy position.
A further point should be raised and that is about the changes that have occurred in the number of races that were once 16 and above runners that have now been reduced to 15/14 runners,
Not always owing to a late withdrawal that is sinister enough,. but some racecourses that used to have 16 runner handicaps and are now by policy only 15 runners.
I would like to point out that 16 runner handicaps are a very good betting medium for the punters owing to the disproportionate place odds created from course Bookmakers who are betting win only.
This is unfair to the High Street Bookmakers however it is there own fault not shortening the win odds accordingly.
One thing I do know and that is that a punter who has placed an eachway bet during the morning, and had his expectations shattered to the worst possible terms imaginable with the place odds remaining the same but only three places,now appicable from 4. this is a problem that the industry will have to sort out themselves however at present the British public are being raped at the racecourse with the racecourse Bookmakers being given card blanch to place any place odds they wish. even as low as 1/6th the odds a place, others will only pay 1.2.3 places. even in 18 runner races this is a national scandal
The answer is simple there are so few of these races at present, so what if it is an attractive bet for the public. and after all they have to place 2 bets win and place, so the win odds of 2% a runner should be acceptable but what is not acceptable is the conniving that is taking place.
Another tip I must pass on to all Gamblers and that is “Chasing” every day you should know what and how much you can afford to lose, for your days enjoyment. not a penny more should you have available
If you are single then perhaps although you should at all times have your finances under control. it is your money.
If the funds are not strictly yours but are part of the family,s finances then you have no right to allow them to be on offer. out of control
So if it is good enough for one of the UKs great gamblers, then it should be ok for you.
Telephone your Bookmaker and tell them that you require an understanding that no more than a pre arranged amount can be taken out of your account per day. this will give you a breathing period to get your breath and take hold of what you are letting you and your family in for.

I will add further thoughts to this Blog in due course
Good Luck.

Cubone
++

At my age having been a child of three generation Bookmakers I have leaned what I know, after years of trial and error.
The laws of Gambling themselves have changed considerably over the past 100 years, making what was once an opportunity for the layer (Bookmaker) now an opportunity for the player.
Gambling is the speculation of an uncertain event involving the placing of money or other possessions in the hope of achieving more money or better possessions.
Gambling is part of life, as no one can foretell the future, even when taking all care and consideration to cross a road, there is a certain risk in that you are gambling that car users, have shown the same amount of care and consideration.
Like the insurance companies, who gamble on each policy that they write up. take for example not many insurance companies, go bankrupt, so are the Insurance companies who are in a gambling profession cleverer than the Gamblers of the world. ask a big percentage of Whip Lash sufferers and I will see a new opportunity, Insurance companies like Bookmakers have limits on there payments.
Anyone who has ever been involved in a claim, will remember the wriggling, by the insurance company to only pay part of the claim or even non of the claim.
So if there is a comparison between Bookmakers and Insurance brokers, then Bookmakers are much more honest.
Bookmakers control there liabilities in the same way as insurance companies by hedging part of a contract (bet) both have a long list of rules and get out clauses,
Both show concern against fraudulent claims and protect themselves accordingly.but once a wager is won Bookmakers do pay.
There is one thing however that places the Gambling Industry in a separate league,it is what I will call the Pascal.
Pascal was the first real brains on Gambling Odds,
Blaise Pascal was a mathematician physicist, and Philosopher. his probability theory is accepted as the best on the subject.
Feodor Dostoevsky the Russian novelist (Crime and Punishment) introduced human psychology into gambling thought. he was a known Gambler himself, always under severe pressure from his debts,
He asked himself why do people gamble and then spent many years dissecting the subject.
his book “The Gambler” goes a long way to sum us all up. and between the two Pascal and Dostoevsky I am sure they would have made a great gambler.
Add to these two individuals Alex Bird the Manchester Gambler from the 1940/80s and we have a team in the master class,
Alex Bird was a genius but no more than a person being in the right place at the right time, his betting on photo finishes, was unique, but at the time it took a Clerk of the course 10/15 minutes to collect the result of a photo finish and the longer it went the more Bookmakers would panic, offering better and better odds for those who thought they knew the result Alex had the knack of finding a place well away from the running rail and had a photo memory he perfected what is known as a “Blind Spot” when horses are racing wide apart, there is a moment when the majority of race watchers, cannot judge horses this side as well as when the are close together, he beleaved that there was a fraction in favour of the horse closest to him. that made a very close finish, were the one the far side looked as of it had won, it was not the case so he would not place a wager owing to this black spot however if he thought that the horse this side had won it was a vertual certanty because of this blind advantege. he won a fortune during this period, of course that ended with the introduction of instante results and prints. in 2003 a Young Lad realized that the Racecourse Coverage was in fact an second delay over live time, gaining himself a massive advantage it made no difference when betting stopped at the off and no further bets were taken but once a new Gambling creation Exchange betting began, , betting in running the lad had the game at his mercy. however believe me when i say after winning £1 million in 14 months, he set out to see the world but not before passing the knowledge on to 2 individual friends, since then many have the plan. and the golden goose has now become a pigeon. but like Alex Bird the lad was in the right place at the right time.
The question Why do people Gamble is very relevant however and all would be successful gamblers or even those already hooked and compulsive should spend a little of there time looking into the subject and seeing were they fit in the scheme of things. believe me it is never to late. to become one of the .07% who win and not lose. so with that in mind let me ask you all a question.
Why. do you Gamble.
(Greed.) you may not admit it but it must be high on the ladder of reasons
(Snobery)
yes there is nothing better than knowing that you are one of the very minute amount of people that can Gamble and Win
(Boredom) i am sure that there are some who could find better things to do with there time, certainly a compulsive gambler or continuous loser would be better sitting on some river bank, giving £3 pounds worth of maggots a chance.
(Fantasy) Having spent may years sitting in Casinos waiting for an old girl friend to finish her shift,
makes me certain that the layout of Casino, all Blue and Gold ooze class. and can convince a player that his station in life, has been alleviated by some lucky run or participation in a very large Bet I have often thought I was a James Bond, when skinning the whole players in some game of Baccarat, following a screech of (Ill Take it All) this always brings the house down with every one taking notice of who is acting so boldly.

So the many reasons, as to why we Gamble should now be added to WHY do we allow ourselves to continually lose.
We will start on the most simple of Gambling that being to spin an Honest Coin.
I say Honest as this must always be considered in any wager we place The Honesty of the transaction. is paramount.
Will I get paid if I win. is another.
The moment that a Credit Bookmaker in 1995 offered to pay out on 8 places in the Grand National should have been followed by a Notice. (Of Course you wont get paid if you win)
Pascal would have sat in a room with a pen and paper. just doing the numbers,
His 36 x1 x 25% of 33 x 8 equals Zero. and come up with a room full of Laughter.
And yet over 5 hundred fellow Gamblers, who I will not be so rude as to call Mug,s sent postal orders, as advised through to a Postal Address,

Pascal,s notes would have created an estimated loss by the Bookmaker of a 50% of the money taken.
So the £100.000 taken by the Firm who I will not consider promoting any more, than the publicity gained at the time, would have created a £50,000 loss, from there publicity slot. instead of the 100% gain they achieved by scarpering.
Of course all the doubting Thomas.s would have been proven right, when the Deposits, were never seen again probably now safely invested in a very successful Night Club in some hot destination.
Pascal would have told us all that you should never take part in any betting transactions unless you know the absolute terms, and odds. and the chance of getting paid.
My education started in 1943 when I realized that there were bit players in the industry of Bookmaking those who were not brazen enough toi make big money and never kept a serious flout or bank to see them through bad runs.
This was a great education to be wealthy at one time and very poor the next great in that i could feal both sides of the coin in one year.and bade me realize that poor is to be avoided at all times.
During the war years, many of the youth would have not been on the streets. drinking cheap wine, like today but they would have been Gambling, alright.
All standing a fixed distance from a Wall. usually a wall still standing after Her Hitlers Luftwaffe had done there dirty deeds.
Any player not knowing the rules, would get short changed.
It is your duty to know what you are letting yourself into at all times.
30 years ago all but a fraction of a % would know buy there returns that they had no chance of success.
Today there are so many sporting events to play in, it must be hard to know what of them you get the best terms, it is a pity, because the female species would never shop in the high street, without knowing every item that’s been discounted, and therefore value.
It may be a minor thing but any punter who bets in a betting shop without being offered the best of terms when a short walk, he can is stupid in the extreem
Concessions like payment first past the post or on an emended result Rule is most important it may not be considered by many owing to a change in rules making the chance of a reversal in result unlikley it would however be very costly the very few times that it happens.
The concession guaranteed odds is certainly a great concession however since all the main stream bookmakers have joined this bonus, it happens very few times, for the popular runners. but once again when it happens, it is a serious difference for larger stakes.
Other concessions on the internet like money back if a horse is beaten or Free bets for new clients, is not so obvious as may be seen, and I gather very few know why this bonus is offerd and how expensive it actually is.
If it costs them £100,000 in free bets to create a customer base of genuine regular punters,
A £100 Free Bet by a Bookmaker for a new client is the same as purchasing a Client. all bookmakers know that if a genuine punter is enticed to open an account it will be a very short time before he has lost sufficient to have made the Free bet a great idea,
So what are you to do. you should certainly know the difference between a genuine concession, and a confidence trick. by now.
In the 50s I had a heated debate regarding a popular wager called “Trap”
It was a wager offered by Bookmakers only for a short period,
The biggest short term gambling stroke was in fact an honest wager placed by a two man team. with the many High Bookmakers at the time,
” Hole in One”
The team would go around the shops, dressed like a golfer two good looking Kids with lovely jumpers on.
“Excuse me do you bet on Golf.”
This request always, gained the simple answer, “Of Course we Do”
The next question was
There is 2 Big Tournaments over the next 3 weeks what price a Hole in One,
Usualy because many of the Uk Bookmakers had come up from the 1960 Betting revolution
They thought they were cleverer than the usual Shop Punter/
“what price are you after.
My mate said it was 100/1 a hole in one. but I dint think its that’s high.

The Bookmaker give it some thought and even telephoned his brother at another shop.
Who told him.. “He can name his own price” followed by laughter from all concerned,

I tell you what I will lay you 50/1 then,
OK that will do go I write it on an ordinary betting slip.
Yes thats fine.

Whitaker Bookmakers.
£100 Win Hole in One British Open 33/1
£100 Win Hole in One American Open 33/1
and a £10 Double Both Events.

So what has made History as the cleverest Gambling Cup in Gambling History,

These type of bets were placed all over the UK winning over £2,000,000 in less than 8 months.

So what is clever about the bet and why is it that a Bookmaker 3rd Generation was foolish enough to start the ball rolling by laying such a stupid wager.

After careful consideration, any Bookmaker worthy his salt, would have realized that in an Golf open there are 4 days play. let us say ave 100 per round counting the cut after 2 days.
so 400 golfers playing the 4 par 3 holes and all what is needed is one Hole in one.
As soon as you look at that fact you see that the 100/1 would have related to naming the player who shot a hole in one ny Name. not giving the punter 400 chances for the same odds.
It was just a play on words.
The punter asked for the odds for a hole in one, and not naming a golfer to shoot a Hole in One.

To say that this caused mayhem in the industry, is an understatement many Bookmakers stood for the clever Bet, as it wasn’t a Con or even a stroke it was just 2 Gamblers placing a simple bet not well thought out by the Experts.
Other times there have been Bookmakers who have been conned by there own cleverness.
In the 50s. a punter asked a Bookmaker to quote him a price for three of more of the same trap winning at Hall Green Greyhound Stadium, the Bookmaker calculated that it was difficult to any trap. to do so. so he offered 10/1 however wahat he punter had realized was that in a 8 race card of runners (at the time now 6)
So by the 6 race the punter must have had at worse one trap winning twice. so in the last race he had to dogs running for him at an average price of 3/1 that represented evens and he was having 10/1 of course he had other combination of if the same trap didn’t win the 7th race he could have 2 dogs in the last running for him once again at 10/1 the bet was amazing value for the punter and stayed as a staple diet of the betting industry for ages.
A first popular greyhound bet was naming 8 placed dogs or 8 unplaced dogs at fixed odds starting off at 33/1.
Predicting 8 placed dogs was not as easy to predict and gradually increased in price however one day after the bet became popular a dozen Midlands arrived in Birmingham at 10.0 in the morning they had a list of dogs to back not to be placed in that evenings meeting.
What was different you may say,
Well it was the first heats of a Greyhound Grand National and in the heats were many 100/1 chances these greyhounds had no chance of even getting round and should have been offered at 500/1, group 4 of these dog together in a series of 8 timers the bet was a massive loser for the Bookmakers the result a cancellation of these bets in future, once again a clever coup not illegal just Bookmakers not knowing there trade.
Other people who bet in all good faith on events like reality shows like Big Brother, Britains Got Talent, etc, it is obvious that Simon Cowel rules not only the show but also the results, what Simon wants Simon will get,
A year ago i Big Brother the Bookmakers bet on who will be first out, it was obvious that John Macrirrick the Horse-racing Guru, was the most hated, in the show and was odds on to be first out, no other entrant was supported. genuine people placed there hard earned on the out come of first out.
All of a sudden a new runner arrived in the “House” as soon as she was seen she became odds on favourite to be out first, now in racing terms that Gamble was mno more than a confidence trick by someone at the TV. organization.
I will not say it was done to gain financial advancement. but my thoughts on the subject will remain, just that mine.
I will never forget a telephone call I had at 5.30 one evening from a wonderful Bookmaker now Dead,
he asked If I was anywhere near, Ladbrokes the bigest Bookmakers in the land, next to William Hill.
I told him that it would take me 15 minutes to get to two of Ladbrokes shops,
He gave me a list of the runners he wanted to back in that evenings Miss World Competition.
All the runners were over 12/1 and there were 5 runners. in fact the prices were 12/1 20/1 25/1 25/1 and 40/1 he wanted me to back them all to win as much as I could Win and Place. the place odds were 1/4 of the win odds 1/2/3/4 places.
In the shops and on the telephone I managed to back every girl to win £4000.
At 9.0 the show comenced with all the runners 40 in there National Dress.
It seemed that the Bookmakers wager was no more than a Gamble.
At 9.45 after all the contestants had been seen the voting began.
of the 12 runners through to the final stage.
All of his bets, were stilll there.. in the final his bets were 1/2/3/4/5 in no perticular order.
The next day I oppoplogised for not getting any more on for him, and he was forgiving, I commented that I had not bothered to show any interest in the event although I obviously should have.
He explained his success this way,
At 12 .o noon all the runners, (Contestants) were filmed in there National Costumes, and the voting took place with the last 20 going forward of the 20 all those with the power to vote had there vites in a computor so in fact the result was known then, and the word ” Live ” was a complete con. the final was shown live with the full result but only the Final stages all the others pre aranged. at 5.0 the time that he had telephoned me he had walked into the Betting Shops of london helping himself as easy as picking apple off a floor.
But the quest I raise is not “What about the poor Bookmakers ” but what about the genuine punters who watching the “Live Show” and chosing there selection, when in fact there was a very good chance that there selection was already on there way home.
This and all the terrible scenes of Vote Rigging during the last few years, make it imperative that all Gamblers owe them selves, a duty of care when placing any bet regardless of type of event.
The other night I was discussing with my sons friend, who I thought was the best sportsman during my life, and I made my thoughts clear in Voting for Jamaican Bolt. it didn’t need rocket science to have come up with that, however I made a statement,
I could beat him, at 100 meters, if the terms were right,
He laughed of course stating how could you a 72 year old cripple beat the fastest man in history.
Very simple I said. by creating your best terms.
He once again laughed, What terms could be so favorable as to allow you to beat him. he remarked.

I don’t know but tomorrow I will see how far I can run in 9 seconds.
I will then create the start I require, if I can run 50 meters in 9 seconds, then he cannot win as he would have to run 100 meters in 9 seconds. simple.
In the 1940s there was a very famous film star whose name I have forgotten in my old age.
He loved nothing better than a Gamble he would never take a standard bet, but loved to ask for stupid terms, for example he once met a fellow star, who had more money than science.
He had just started to play Golf, and was still not handicapped. he was a rookie. but he was very cocky regarding his so called ability.
I tell you what said the old Star, I will play you a game of Golf 9 holes I will play with a Hockey stick, every one laughed but the youngster had to go ahead, for not to do so was an embarrassment.
Of course it was no random bet he knew how many shots it would take to get round the 9 holes as he had played it with his Hockey stick hundreds of times, and knew within a stroke or two what he would score, and he was to cunning for the youngster.
There was once a snooker player who would challenge all the players he came across with him playing one handed. as soon as the bet was struck he produced a small rest, making several 50/70 breaks. in over the best of 5 frames. winner take all.
So what have you learned from this little thesis.
Well that the game is not and has never been straight, and it may not be your Bookmaker who is securing a massive advantage. but your fellow punters may be.doing so. if that is the case why not join him by rethinking your hole policy when placing your bets,

So next time you do place a bet, look at the terms and conditions of the wager, and if not happy, just watch the event without a wager being placed.
Nothing worse than having your pocket picked, without you leaving your house.

Any Questions do not hesitate to ask,

Cubone.