Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

As a youngster this saying was repeated every new year. one minute after the the clocks struck 12.
As the person with the darkest hair,(lucky) it was my duty to go out of the back door and knock the front.
It is beleaved that I had taken all the old thoughts that were stale and hadn’t worked, out, of the back, and by knocking the front door I came in with a completely new canvas. new thoughts, smelling sweet and clean.
My hair is now silver, and am not called upon to do the family duty any more, what with more than a few Black haired kids, that will do anything I say, around Xmas, and new year.
I feel that for anyone who has a liking of a challenge, they should not bother to wait until next January to make changes, but get all your thoughts, ideas and strategies, that you use in your gambling hobby. and throw them away.
There is a new world, so shiny and new that the 6 years since its conception is nothing, it is still untapped. and new.
So anyone who likes a challenge, that can only improve your way of thinking,
Should go up stairs and have a Shower, put something loose fitting cloths on, perhaps track suit bottoms and a nice shirt.
And log into Betfair.co.uk and request how to open an account.
get loads of fresh clean paper, and we will start, a new, Gambling to Win. strategy from monday.
The first week we will do, nothing but find out what you are doing. now if anything.
Your success or failure, assuming that you do understand, betting and are certainly 18 years of age. or over.
The first understanding is that there has been massive change in the way odds are created and the amount of charges imposed by the Bookmaker or agency. for handling your business.

In my early days, a simple horse race, of 12 runners would be a deduction of as much as 2% a runner..(deduction,tax, Vigorish) call it what you like it is something all service operators impose. so the 124% would create a massive advantage to the Bookmaker. one that reduces you the player of any possibility of surviving very long.
But by looking around that % is very easy to better, in fact many times you will find by playing between all markets the Internet and Exchange the profit for the Bookmaker can be eradicated.
So it wont hurt for you to understand how a charge is collated.
If we take that 12 runner, Horse-race, a Bookmaker will commence with a Tissue Service these are the prices of every individual runner, the tissue expert will bet to a 100% Book, and then add what he feels is a just commission for his pain of creating the service. and to more or less gain him a profit out of you over time. but that % includes that fact that no tissue service can be that accurate, most of the time, they are only price Judges, there opinion can sometimes be massively out.
the fun is defeating there plan and turning the % in to a guaranteed profit for you, now that is a lot harder than it may sound, to do so on a regular basis, makes you a very clever person, one that many would like to copy.
It is not however impossible.
I hope the next paragraph is not to technical but
On many occasions when there is a very small field, taking the fact that all the leading internet layers offer guaranteed odds, then
I have backed every runner in a 3 runner race, knowing that at that moment I will show a 3% loss at the best prices available and yet when the Starting Prices are collated the guarantee has turned it into a 3% profit. just because the market is different,
I will explain this in more detail in a later episode. of Gambling for profit.
The reason for these anomalies is the trade war between all betting services, that has reduced there profitability, between them selves, and open up many different ways that you can trade, a profit, between the various services,

One of the most important things you will need to understand is how close certain race types operate to.many are not far short of being a loss leader, for the bookmaker at start.
The reason is there ever increasing fight for customer base.
I like to look in the Adrianmassey.co site this firm are stats collators, showing how you would go, by following certain simple logical, ways of betting, every single strategy is covered for all the different, eventualities.
Going, draw, tracks, trainers and Jockeys, you name it they have it covered.
take for example backing every favourite every day. over 15 years, this firms stats show that you would have shown a 3% loss, although at 3% the total loss is significant, it is based upon. Bookmakers starting prices, which are so restrictive we would never consider basing a strategy based upon them.
The Bet fair return Price, is so superior that already you could consider a simple plan of backing just favourites, every race every day, but we know that even a simple deduction by the service provider will render the bet a loss over time but it is a basis that shows how tight the margins are, that you are working to. and just a clever well thought out plan, using certain race type and not others, that show a bigger loss can tilt it in your favour. and in some cases into a profit.
Remember thatv point that when looking into the Massey Sight, aall there %s are based upon Industry Prices, and not the much superior Betfair prices.
But as a starter, these tight returns show that a strict policy of improving race type. and using the information offered by the Racing Post, as to ways of improving those %s, can certainly tern a 3% loss on its head and possibly into a profit.
many people look for a profit out of trading between Internet fixed odds and Exchange markets, arbing a profit, simultaneously that is an art, and requires hard work, and practice.
I myself had my best years working between the high street cash shops and the bet fair Exchange, using the poor price control of the Bookmakers, shops, however, betting in cash, in high street shops has become a security nightmare.
Opening accounts with Internet Bookmakers can be attractive, other than you will soon be picked up as a non profitable client and your service refused or at least restricted.
One of the most attractive services at the moment, is certainly the betting in running with an exchange , the best by far is bet fair. who operate In Running for 100s of events a week,
the first thing you will have to understand is that Live Time services like RUK or ATR horse-racing contain a delay, from live time, so no betting can be contemplated with any thing less than a 1/2 mile still to cover, the delay of 5/6 seconds, will make any wager within the time scale, mentioned a guaranteed loser.
Bet fair realise this anomaly and warn of the dangers on all there sites.
But that doesn’t exclude betting earlier in an event, or leaving set prices, in the market either lay or back,
This as you can imagine is a specialist service and all the pitfalls will have to be explained fully before you ever join. these markets.
many other in running markets like Soccer allow great opportunities. to be gained. but it is best when you find one particular that suits you,

Well by now I bet you have ahead ake, and that cant be a bad start.

Speak again soon.
Of course in the days of that restrictive charge very few punters made the game of betting pay.
But things have changed,
And that change has been bought about by the introduction of two things, firstly the new Kid on the Bloc,
The Exchange, markets, of Bet fair and Betdaq, and there revolutionary way of agency control. between person to person.
Has panicked the Fixed Odds Bookmakers into a trade war with themselves, so fierce that the lot of UK Punters is now more attractive than at any time in its 300 year history.
So before explaining strategies, I will explain what you do need to join the new breed of UK punters who bet to earn as against betting with a hope of success.
You certainly need an Exchange Account, with Betfair as a start.
For 1 month you will need to feel good navigating the Bet fair site, and begin to understand why this revolution has turned Gambling on its head.
If you have no experience of gambling what so ever. then. I advise that you telephone Betfair and visit one of there learn to earn. schools, or one of there tutorial.sites.
When the new breed of Exchanges began I had a start on many as I had a 50 years knowledge of Bookmaking but when it come to using a computer to gamble I was at a massive disadvantage,
In fact every one was off a level starting bloc, for no one knew both sides of the coin.
It must be understood that in Horse-race gambling there are many different ways to create an advantage, many times out of the same market.
But before you start you need a gambling surfers licence, we all know what happens when you drink and drive, drink and gamble disastrous for yourself, and those who may rely on you not becoming a compulsive loser. the pitfalls not unlike, those in Traffic Law, the does and don’t are never to be treated lightly.
So using this theme the first Commandment or no go, is you never Drink and Drive (Surf) on your Gambling site. if that cannot be understood than it would honestly be better not to bother.

Every day I will include my thoughts, as to what you need to do if you intend to improve your betting skills. so that you can make it a wonderful experience without the stress and danger applicable to GAMBLING.

Good Luck.

cubone.

For any one who reads the History of Horseracing they are led to beleave what the books say.as Gospel.
In 1928 a Grand National took place, were a 10 year old carrying the minimum weight of 10.o stone.
Won by a distance, of the 42 runners a record at the time, he was the only horse that completed the course without mishaps. one other an American Champion Hunter remounted, to finish 2nd.
Of the many races since Lottery,s win in 1839 this was as astounding an event even accounting for Foinavon, as there has ever been.
So one would think that every late March after the festival at Cheltenham has settled, all the pundits and lovers of the game, would be talking the big Chase up but of the many races raised and discussed 1928 is hardly ever mentioned, what is more. look into the history and the race and you will see that the winner Tipperary Tim has been created as a monster, for winning the event Why.??
Tubed, asthmatic, £50 Plodder, who ended his life giving children 50P rides at yearly functions, and barbecues. not unlike donkeys on the Blackpool beach.he never received his place in history as a great chaser, for the wonderful feat, that he achieved.
At the time a breathing operation was an excepted part of NH racing, and during a season you could see a few others with the disability.
The Tracoctomy was to help, get air into his windpipe he was tubed. not a wonderful endorsement, if you are promoting an International event. but what did he do wrong.??
To allow a racehorse to compete against 42 others on a world stage in the most testing endurance in the world of Horses was rather cruel. but they allowed it and he beat them, at there own game,
The Jockey Clubs equivalent for National Hunt Horse racing had sanctioned a massive increase in the fee,s this years without imposing any restrictions making it a free for all.
Any horse was now able to enter the race, and what with the worlds finances, flying, many people could afford the gamble. 18 month still to go before they would come crashing down firstly in Wall Street USA. but in 1928 money was still plenty full.
Even Americas Robber Barons would come over to win our Peoples race.during the period.
Of the 42, Runners, in 1928 the real English Blue Blood was Easter Hero, allotted to carry 12.5. a lot for what he had achieved at the time but he was seemed sure to win a Gold Cup,one day, and this attempt at the National was seen as a stroll in the park.
The previous years winner Sprig also took his place.
Of the betting two horses had been backed off the boards, both from 16/1 to 5/1 Master Billie and 11/2 Trump Card,.
There seemed to be a lack of the upper class owners, this year, many thought the race had lost its sparkle if it had ever had been classy, it was 28 years since the HRH Prince of Wales had elevated the event.
Our Disabled runner had started off on the flat, but after 1 season he was deemed as useless,
How the owners ever thought they would win a national I don’t know. but they must have been great optimists,
The weather was dry but very cold as they paraded in the ring, a few Liverpool; wits, remarked that they wondered how Tipperary Tim had managed to do his milk round before setting off for the National.
At the start Lord Sefton spoke to the jockeys about the pace, telling Powell not to allow Easter Hero his head.
When the flag fell,the 42 did what they were told not to do, following Easter Hero flying along,
At the first jump every one of the runners cleared it magnificently.
Causing a panic in the offices of Sporting Indux the leading spread firm, increasing the number of finishers, from 12 to 18.
Over the Beechers Brook, the 6th fence, only a handful had tripped up.
As they approached “The Canal Turn”, Easter Hero still led.
As he shaped up, he changed his mind running down the jump and in a Fosbury Flop ended up on the top, flailing about like a Rat caught in a trap by the tip of its tail.
If there hadn’t been a jump there the horse would have finished up in Kirby Church, cemetery.
Within a few moments the 36 horses still standing 25 either fell .refused.or just went the other way
Tipperary Tim, had been cleverly taking a wide course, well away from any pending trouble, so even if he was a little frail he certainly wasn’t stupid.
As the remaining runners passed the grand stand, now 8,
They consisted of
Tipperary Tim.
The USA Champion Billy Barton.
May King.
the French runner Maguelonne.
and Great Span ridden by a 17 years old lad.
Away round again, it was not long before the French raised the white flag,
And May King Fell.
Now only 3 left.
The public stunned.
taking all the remaining fences, in good order, it was clear that the classy Great Span, was going best
Three jumps out bets of an even thousand many times were taken by Issac Hayes, the latter day Fred Done, tattersalls Bookmaker his Zeiss 10 x 32. Binoculars were telling him, something that no one else could see, for as they landed Bill Payne a teen age,r was hanging on for dear life, with the saddle having slipped, there was now only two.
As they approached the last fence, there were three horses spread across the course, the one in the middle, however looking like a Newcastle Binge drinker with his trousers round his ankles,
I beleave his was the reason Billy Barton took off a yard two early, we will never know, but he landed rather steeply throwing his jockey T Cullinan, into the Liverpool mud.
Our 50 gn rag, took every thing in his stride, sprinting to the line with his amazed jockey not knowing whether to laugh or cry.
The play had not finished however an alert racegoer standing by the last fence, dashed under the railings and caught Billy Barton, then Cullinnan, to clime back into the saddle jusst then an over exited, punter, who happened to have backed the USA runner Each-way. moved in,
Getting his shoulder under the jockeys rear and pushed so hard that he almost shot over the other side, head first before gaining his seat, where he then rode off into the Grand National History. as the only other to finish.
Even the crowd had split into two halves as the two horses arrived. into the winners enclosure.
Tipperary Tim, with the lesser welcome and the USA runner. a massive response.
This didn’t end there, the owners of both horses tried again, before the USA runner, arrived for a glorious retirement and then a place out side the Entrance to Laurel Park. Washington, Racecourse immortalized for ever in bronze.
Tim hasn’t even received his true status, in the country’s leading Books on the National. and I quote.

“A HUNDRED GRAND NATIONALS by T.H. BIRD. The Expert.
Chapter 16
“Tipperary Tim is one of the winners of the Grand National we like to forget”
“The hopes of the large number of Americans rose high as Billy Barton was coming home alone,Tipperary Tim being a long way behind. But Billy Barton stumbled on landing at the last fence and came down,Tipperary Tim owned by Harold Kenyon and ridden by Mr W.P.Dutton a young Chester Solicitor. won the race.
After this Grand National Tipperary Tim relapsed into obscurity from which he came”

Well that sums the whole race up.
for we fair minded players knew that they jumped the fence together, and were equally brave.
I can openly say that I feel sorry for the Punters and Gambler who were around in 1927/8 if the form students had the facts as Billy Barton a distance in front of Tipperary Tim.would have given a very wrong impression. and must have been costly if repeated in other races.
it is my opinion that Tiperary Tim was just as brave as any other runner that year before and after,
If he was not the best looking individual so what, if he was a cripple so what all I know that the History Books should tell the truth that he got round and the other 41 didn’t.
We may have to recall all the Books by Bird and have them, re-written, for prosperity.

Cubone.

All through life. there are amazing happenings, many of them find there way into our history books, at the time or some later, after those involved had past on.
But there is one thing that should never happen and that is that world records should never be lost what ever the genre.
Let us take the position that we Gamblers are in at present although Globally it is a tremendous service for the mass,s any big hitters, those who wish to break the bank of monte carlo, or just get there name in lights fore placing massive bets, are being left behind. and can only dream of such things.
Even at Cheltenham in a few weeks time there will be no bets of £100,000. staked.
Through the last 100 years there has been a dream for all of the large players and that is to either win a £million place a £million bet.
It was Al Capon,s wish to place a £1,000,000 bet but even he fell short of doing so when he managed to get only £950.000 on an odds on certainty, that failed to win, and although both the jockey and the trainer were never seen again LOL Al was banged up in Alcatraz before he could try again.
Even the USA “Fixer” Arnold Rothstiene only managed £800,000
And it is surprising that even Nick the Greek with all his partners was never allowed a single bet of a “FAT” one.
So let our history books be updated with the day that a £1,000,000. single wager was struck.
Not surprising it was in Australia land of the Big Bookmakers during the period 1950 to 1970.
A period when this can happen has to occur when both sides of the coin, are at there strongest.
The decade after the war 1950 to 1960 more millionaires were made than at any time, since the Diamonds and Gold rush,s of 1880 to 1900.so it it was going to occur that was the time.
So how and when did it happen.???
It was early one Thursday morning when Australian Bookmaker William Waterhouse sitting in his hotel room The Southern Cross. he had arrived a day early for the Melbourne Cup Festival. and was cooling out before what he expected to be a bumper turnover meet.
He had just arranged an account with one of those shooting stars that fly across betting rings from time to time, similar to Ramsdon, matters not were the money comes from it is are they prepared to have it on. and what’s more are there any Bookmakers around to let then on. many finish up owing or bumping when there ego,s run out. with the saying, “Jail usually follows publicity.”
Ramsdon tried to beat the £1 Million Tag when he backed Mr Snugfit, to win well over the magical figure, but to no avail.
This star from the Fillippens had not been tested yet but was causing havoc with his bets, both in Sidney and Melbourne.
After his own Bookmaker who he had bet with, for 12 months got cold feet, Waterhouse was asked to help out.
And following a meeting at the punters home a few wagers were struck and an account agreed.
His name was Felipe Ysmael. President. Ferdinand Marco,s of the Phillippines,right hand man, his job was to invest the country,s vast wealth.
In any casino he would just go up to a beautiful croupier of his choice place £1000 on Red and tell the girl. if it was black he would give her a £1000 tip. if it won he would spend the money on her after she finished her stint.
This was a good way of finishing up with her. later on and it has been said that less than 3 plus himself was a bad night.
His nick name was The Babe., and every one was invited to call him by his nick name.
Small in stature smart, and calm, he never fell out if anyone refused him a bet, but he made it plane that he only wanted to play at his terms. by placing his wagers with someone. so it was inevitable that at some time he and Bill Waterhouse would clash.
At one time he would hide in the stand and have some agents to get his bets, but no one knew why he changed this policy but it could be the day that Waterhouse played his Deaf Trick..
When Bill was being challenged to a betting war he would often, take a large bet, ignore it completely and in fact do something unexpected.
Like the day one big hitter who was flash and arrogant asked for a £50,000 on an outsider and were all the other Bookmakers in the ring, would be spinning there prices and sending there staff to unload there liability, causing havoc.
William however at the same time he was asked for the bet, he turned to the Clerk, and said take this bet, Thomas, Im going for an Ice Cream. .
That was enough to send the volatile punter into free fall, and over the edge, the rest of the day lost fortune trying to get even with Bill.
But Ysmeal was a different kettle of fish, he would have just ignored the Bookmaker and carried on doing his thing.
He was obviously inspired with many expensive horses, he also expected them to win if he was told they would, and quick to change stables from time to time. if unhappy. on the other hand any trainer or jockey could expect to be well provided for, if successful.
So when the telephone in the hotel rung, William Waterhouse knew the caller at once.
What you doing Bill.???
Helo Babe, Im reading a book at present but have decided not to go to the races today in fact I fancy the pictures,
Great idea I will see you at the Hotel at 12.0

Bill knew there was something up and it certainly wasn’t the pictures.
When he arrived, they greeted each other cordially.
Got plenty of time Bill have you got a paper, put the racing on and we can have a few little bets to pass the time away.
A warning Bell rung in Waterhouse ear, this was no casual get together before the Festival this was a get up. a well organised plan.
But Bill wasn’t going to show his hand,
The meetings on were Flaps, similar to our Wolverhampton a day before Cheltenham.
“Just one bet that will do”,
William decided that he would give $10,000 a run top whack., even that would be an expensive film.
As soon as the race meeting was located they were at the post ready to start.
Here you are Bill its all I have in readies,
$20,000 on the fav at 2/1,
Bill was astounded he didn’t mind betting the man, but at least he wanted to know what he was laying.
This was pure Gambling not something heb had been taught, from his father.
Once you laid one horse you attempted to lay the rest.
But that was impossible this was a pure man to man Challenge.
But his instinct formed from the first day they met was still strong
He was a CHASER. and that would make him a loser. no matter how inspired he was.
Right you have a bet. $20.000 to wein $40,000.
Gaining no thrill the horse was beaten, before the straight.
Ok lets have something to eat, and drink.
One thing Bill never did was Drink whilst betting.
But he could eat for he Australia, and one glass of wine wouldn’t matter.
Turn over to the 1.30 Bill lets get my money back
Ego was now taking over, Bill certanly would let him have a bet to chase his loss,s that one thing the bookmaker loved.
Another $40,000 was lost this time in a photo but Ysmael was now losing $60,000
At least Bill had confirmed he was a Chaser and that gave him confidence for there forthcoming battle at Melbourne. would be exiting and more than likely very successful,
What happened then with the flicks forgotten, The Babe started on a chasing fervour, although Waterhouse knew it was the man,s weakness the figures were amazing within no time he was losing $500.000.
It was just like a blur, two men, betting in telephone numbers, with monopoly money but they couldn’t have been so calm.
If The Phillippian had an ace up his sleeve he was going to have to Pay a big price to produce it.
Bill darn,t telephone his office to see if there were any moves on the card that would have shown a weakness, he certainly couldn’t hedge any of the final bet to guarantee a wonderful profit
Missing a race and switching the channels anxiously he had shown his hand,
Losing out of all proportion, it was clear that he was now waiting for the one race.
The plot had back fired on him they probably worked out that with an ace in the hole it was just a matter of a few FREE Bets, if the nap was as good as planned.
But what had happened was just amazing with every bet beaten, resulting in the planned bet having to win to just get out.
What also had happened and not found out until afterwards, thus horse had been backed by Yasmael all over the place,
Bill had shown his opinion was spot on. there was a plot a brewing alright
And the Bookmaker had taken an amazing chance, as any of the horses that had won, he would have got himself in to a lose/lose situation but they hadn’t and The Babe was well and truly in the mire.
Only a massive Gambler like Ysmael could be so calm.
“Right Then Bill I am losing half a Million$,
I expect you to allow me the chance to get my money back.

It this favourite that I want to back. its 1/2.
So I will have $1,000,000 to Win. What I am behind.
It was the first time in Betting History that a single $1,000,000 bet had been struck.
There was no way Bill could get out of it if he had wanted to, and that was debatable.
It was his destiny to one day take such a wager but the way it had transpired would have have been thrown out of our, Dick Frances in tray, as to unbelievable.
Bill could have attempted to play his old ice cream trick but who would have he been kidding.
This was history and both knew it.
They sat next to each other like a 17th century Duel. between to Gentlemen.
Not a response.
Bill knew that this horse was owned by Ysmael. and it had been backed all over the place, not for fact but by instinct. and as usual he was right.
Within a moment Bill knew he had come level on the day. and his punter began to smile.
It was a Dual that would be repeated on all Australian major Tracks over the next two years but not to the same velocity, before history struck and Jail followed Fame for both The Babe and his Master back home in the Phillippines.
History may not repeat itself, but at least William Waterhouse will go down as the Bookmaker prepared to create that History.

Cubone.

As we are all over the correct age to gamble we can discuss a problem that many have in gambling,
It is compulsiveness. by those who have no control over there thought process,
I do not wish to judge these unfortunate people but are very saddened by there plight.
I can understand how a person who feels they have no other option than to try to win money, to alleviate debts they may have,
In the case of a single person that’s bad enough but when a gambler is betting with the family funds it is grossly unfair, for them,to do so. and in these case,s they must get help. and advice.
I personally will always be willing to give my time to help anyone in such a position..
In the case of people who from time to time, CHASE there loses, losing control it is an event that all Gamblers can fall in from time to time and it is the very point that Bookmakers gain there biggest winnings, I am not saying that they play on these vulnerable beings but must admit that they should have some process set up were when a punter can is clearly seen to be under duress a senior management should offer some sort of advice, in serious cases.
Having spoken senior management they like to state that it is not possible to control a man or women’s betting habits, as they never know what a persons personnel finances are.
That doesn’t mean that they should not offer a stop contract for a person that they know to be vulnerable.
Having just read what I have written I obviously realise what would happen if a genuine punter who got into a chasing situation and obviously was attempting to get it all back with a get out stake. and what I have written occurred and then as we all know fate took over and the horse won. with the punter having been deny,d the opportunity to get his loss,s back.

So really i must admit that although in a true just world a clause to hep a person should be found, it is in fact impossible to do so.
But the thought was nice. don’t you think and I would hope that all Gamblers should follow my
No1 Commandment, never to back any horse of sporting eventuality that they had not first given plenty of time in the consideration.
It is the most fundamental principal that having worked to a set of rules, when gambling in the first place to do something outside of that planning is not far short of criminal in the eyes of all Gamblers.

So every time you feel in a Chasers Condition, stop and switch off you computer and go for a walk.
Think of protecting your loved ones and regroup. starting again.

I always read Rudyard Kiplings Poem “IF” and realise what a lot of Bolox. he wrote.

Other commandments like why horse,s should never be backed in there first ever run. but those rules have fundamental basic to them and will be discussed shortly.

Cubone

In the Uk we punters have an amazing cross section of Betting Opportunities,
Fixed Odds, High Street and Racecourse, Tote, Pool, Spread Betting, and not to be forgotten, Exchange Services, by Betfair, Betdaq,
The service in 5 years has become so competitive that the punters lot has improved by at least 10% in his favour.
But the real revolution has been in the Exchange markets that has pushed the boat out in value.
Today the amount of sports bets in High Street or Internet, alone are wall to wall. it is therefore possible to place a bet on some global event 24 hours a day.
It has been estimated that the Exchange Revolution has increased the amount of winning punters, and As I do not have any true facts to examine I am not in a position to say if that statement is it is right or wrong.
It is my opinion that there are a vast amount of people who do not lose as much as they did in the period,
1960 to 2000.
Is that a good thing ???
It is for the public but not for High Street Bookmakers and some will say for the Horse. But to take in these new opportunities, Bookmakers have increased there expenses out of all proportion, were will this end,
What has also taken place is the death of a massive sway of the 1960 chalk and betting slip customers replaced by much shrewder computer literate players, there sons and daughters, who seek value like there wives do in supermarkets, but not nesecary in Horse betting that is not half as exiting as Sports bets, they also have very little interest in the working of Horse-racing.
There are many who thought that the loss of corner shop traders would just be a start of all the high street including betting Shops,
And to a degree there are obviously a lot less Bookies, even though the law, on capacity no longer a consideration.
What has saved them short term, is the Government relaxation on what a betting shop can now do.
A shop is now a mini casino, with wall to wall services, including reality racing every 10 minutes in some case.
Also super duper One Arm Bandits, to cater for everyones compulsion.

But what has been lost is the Horse-racing markets, with the Sos of the revolution (1960) now happier to bet on anything other than Horses.
The UK Bookmaker when given the Red Light to become the Global Gambling Centre miss judged the public, mood. and were slow off the mark, allowing others a running start. hence the Big Three is now Big three of what. they certainly have not created a monopoly in public trust. with many internet competitors offering much better service.
The change was a certainty to become computer driven. with the High Street shops becoming, a burden, even now the competition that the big three had under control between villages and towns have now been flooded with new Indipendants, already over traded where on earth do they think the trade is going to come from.
The internet however is the future and any Government body who told them different were wrong.
With less that 3% of the citizens betting on Horse and over 50% of them playing on the Lottery. I can understand why at last the Industry are fighting like 19th century gloveless pugilists. for a slice of customer base.
But when will there trade war with themselves end and an unconditional surrender to the new way of betting THE EXCHANGE. take place.
The Exchange is exactly what was the order of things when Gambling on Horses first started it was only
Individual Bookmakers who began as agency, imposing ridiculous deductions.for the privelage of balancing bets from individuals in an attempt to make a round book.
When two Public School boys, looked at it all Tote Pool/Fixed Odds and put them through a convolution. (Fit of Giggling).
And came up with a BOOTOT. but as that sounded rather silly they thought why not just BETFAIR.
That was was as good for the Gambler as the wheel. was for transport.
Within no time perhaps 12 months any thinking punter realised that this way of person to person betting would allow betting through a computer to outstrip any Bookmaker service first in time and then in value,
The real revolution and something that no fixed odds Bookmaker can ever compete with however is In Running, Betting. on Horses, this facility offers punters the most exiting service imaginable.
Only the difficulty in creating a level playing field, in the time scale, Betfair are struggling to protect 95% of the customers, and when they do. I see an increase in turnover of 5 fold. over night.
One of the biggest mistakes by the internet Bookmakers in there failure to compete with Betfair is the speed of there service. no sub service were a market fluctuates sec by second can compete with the service that is creating the true service.that creates the market. this lack of information has created a mass of punters following price changes, any racecourse punter is taught on his grandfathers knee that you do no harm following the money as it never lies, yet the Internet punters are betting with information superior to the Bookmakers, a crucial invitation to bet, this results in a second class and expensive loss leader, this plus a tightening of there margins, plus Guaranteed Odds, will result in there demise even if they carried no expenses. no information run service can ever survive if there clients know the movements before them. This has been brought about by the 1880 reliant on an out of date racecourse Service created by in some cases 5 Bookmakers. namely the Starting Price System.
As bad as when Pigeons relayed prices to Hyde Park corner. in 1820
Instead of the General Public being satisfied with the new Revolution only computer driven gamblers are and that is a travesty.
When Bet fair first started Warwick Bartlett the Industry Think Tank expert and a friend of mine
Stated that Bookmakers have no fear from Exchange Betting because the majority of there clients have no computer or use credit cards to bet with.
What a Difference 6 years can make Warwick.

So what of the next 10 years, I see in my crystal ball, 50% less High Street shops, and many Bookmakers offering half fixed odds half agency permits granted by Bet fair. that is unless Hills and Ladbrokes combine to turn The Totalizator Board into a Glorified Exchange,

Wee will see,

Cubone

If you strip down what a Bookmaker is it is clearly an agency who juggles bets, for there benefit an exchange is the same but as he is an agency who allows there clients to juggle the bets with each other the odds offered are in most cases superior. and because it is computer driven bets can be offered in many more eventualities and at a quicker rate,
Hope this helps.

Tomorrow I have decided to devote an exersize in Truth and Dare an old game played during the 1930,s
Were I will give you all, my honest opinion as to why any Gambler who does not have a BETFAIR account, is failing to get the best out of the markets they are interested in,
I don’t decry the services of all the other Internet Bookmakers, many offer great value from time to time. there Guaranteed odds for instance something I never thought possible,

And later on I will give you my thoughts warts and all. for those who wish to get the most out of there Games of chance
At present we will devout it to Horse Race Gambling. ONLY.
As it will be a Sunday I will play my cards in the way our Beloved father did with his 10 Commandments,
Hoping that no one will feel I am being BLASPHEMOUS.

Cubone

For over 5 years now I have been tampering with my Blog. by now quite a few must have an oppinion on whether of not I do know a little about the horse-racing subject if there was an examination with A levels as the prize I would fancy myself knowing quite a bit I would even back myself to beat the Egg Head,
if all the questions were about the Grand National. my pet subject.
Like the racing memorabilia that cover my bed room, all will be lost the day the umpire in chage of this game we play puts his second digit of his right hand in the air. there may or not be anyone shouting
HOWZAT.
But it wont make any difference no one has ever been exonerated form that finger.
The saying about not taking anything with you, I hope that is true as I have two lovely grand kids who are being trained to know what to do with it.
As far as the memorabilia items are concerned many I am sure will finish in a skip and in some cases that is the best place for them
I cant ever imagine looking down from above, and seeing my little girl. doing the vacume cleaning for her own family and on the walls are half a dozen “SPY” caricatures from 1900.
I certainly wont expect to see the boy reading
“Come Racing with the Butterfly” an Australian Professional Gambler who re-routed to England from Australia, to show us how it is done.
So would I want the siblings to become gamblers,
No Way, it is one thing finding out the Golden Grail of how not to lose. but the stress kills Rats.
without the aid of Warferin.
You may say why not pass a few of the gems on to those lesser mortals. so they can join the gravy train.
However it doesn’t work like that for instance any punter who bets every day, every week at level stakes must lose. even the tight margins that Bookmakers opperate to today, will gradulaly kill us all.
The first time I saw the handicap of the Vigorish, was in 1955. I had become equanted with a butchers daughter, who didn’t mind bringing me some prime steak every Friday in exchange for, I wasnt sure at the time,
Vigorish is a Jewish saying for “Tax, or Deduction, in USA they call it The Juice,”
So when this illegal Gambling den catered for 8 card Players, from 8.0 until 4 in the morning, charging every player 2/6 That was Two Shillings and Sixpence. in old money known to racing folk as a “Tosheroon.”
I had the duty of driving her home but not before I did what I called a Houdini,
Harry Houdini being the only other person than me who could service a rather over weight lassie in the back of an Austin Mini.
her duty before we left was to count the juice, and bag it up.
One night as the game finished I asked all the players how they had gone and was surprised that they all claimed a loss.
That was however before Little Miss Chops (a further advantage of our friendship) told me how much there was in the box.
This extortionate juice, is the only way that Bookmakers can make a living, even the new Kids on the bloc, Betfair.who only deduct on average 4% out of all winning wagers, is significant.
So when betting level stakes you are saying that every wager is as confidant of success as the others,
You only have to look at the Newspaper naps Chart, to see the few that make a net profit at the end of the year, thats is based upon Starting Price and does not take ito account the deductions made.
A futher problem is if you take the same naps Chart the next 5 years you will see the ones who make a gross profit one year rairly do so the next, In fact I have been very surprised to see one particular news paper tipster “The Computorman of the Daily Express has won the trophy on 3 out of the last 6 years. but I am sure that after a deduction per bet, even he will be a loser.
talking about the Butterfly, I found his book and had a spare hour and read it,
He was an obvious extrovert who had some sound opinions, that he was only to happy to allow all readers the privalage of also knowing there value.
I only had to go down what he desribes as his “Ten Commandments” to write in the book out of date.
He was I am sure succesful in his gambling but I have had the privalage of knowing a great friend of his who just let it slip one evening that the Butterfly, had the eyes and eras of all the Australian Jockeys who flocked to our shores during the period 1940 to 1980.
Australians are very clanny and that was the mans skill being ijn the right place at the right time
So his 2nd commandment
“Thou shall only back horse trained by the top Jockeys and trainers” is also out of date.
There must be 50 trainers now with a swimming Pool and all weather facilities, and to look at the top trainers, and jockeys of course they ride and train the most winners but backing them all would be like committing Hari Kari.
There is another point he makes that is worth considering,
Psalm 2, Thou shall not back 20/1 outsiders, in 1950 Bookmakers would bet to approx 2.5% a runner,
and all horse at 20/1 were usually grouped together as 20/1 Bar,
So all those priced offer diabolical value,
If you look at the betting from Ireland they still bet to these large margins, and an exponent of the rings, told me that there justification is to save themslves form massive betting coups for outlandish odds,
But as I said that was the past now with the margins as low as 1% a runner and 8 of the leading internet Bookmakers offering gauranted odds dont worry if you fancy a big priced runner.
Other little snipits not a great deal use to us i am afraid.
What he missed and what I rely on is PACE,
And this is the reason why many form students who have found a certainty scrath there heads when the horse they have chosen fails to pick up like he did the month before.
I waw once talking to a USA Odds Compiler, who was mortified when I told him we have 60 racecourse all different shapes sized, both left and right configuration, and going that alters daily from bottomless to bone hard without on many occasions punters being told the correct, depth of the clerk to the course dip stick.
One thing I always love and it is most important if you are not inspired as to the well being of a horse.
It is fine that a horse can come back after 12 months off, and sluice in. it happen regularly however I would sooner back a horse that I saw run 5 days ago and is being brought back out to gain advantage before the weights go up.
It is quaint that these horse are called 7 day runners and most newspapers mark your card what they are.about to run, but take my word for it if you are fed up of backing your own selections and lose then you will do no harm during the summer months to follow this simple policy.
there is another point I take head of. and it is aids for horses Cheek pieces, Hoods half Hoods, everything that tells you the horse needs help as he or she is a crack pot.
I think I may be the only person who has 3 years stats for the horses that have to use a Monty Roberts Coat, before they will go in the stalls and it makes good reading.
Any person in the old days who wanted to make the game pay all they had to do was become an expert on the draw.
But I am afraid now, you cant use you old wits, as for Draw placement or advantage , owing to the fact that the going can have been part watered something I beleave is very sinister.
I can even tell you the date that this problem arose it took place the same time that the leading Bookmakers removed the 25% bonus on tricasts, but that is a story I will withhold for a while.

There are a few things that I would be silly letting slip as they are are only workable on the Exchange markets, owing to the principal of Backing and Laying during the race (In Running)
It is very easy to gain 15% of turnover but on a limited liquidity. and if that was know by all punters the profitability ends at once.
One thing I don’t mind telling my readers who do bet on Betfair markets that will be successful all through the period to the start of the flat but I need to know if there are any out there who may need advice on the topic.
It is only any good for those who spend the afternoon watching UK racing. and have a computor at hand.

Good Luck we will discuss the points again

Cubone

I looked in the mirror, and patted my chin with the last drop of old spice, after shave that will have to go on my shopping list.
I had no financial restraints at that moment, having received my first years bonus from the family betting office chain, well not rearly a chain more of a link,
The Shop was in Selly Oak, Birmingham its Hospital now famous for the wonderful lives they save when protecting our soldiers from Afghanistan. injuries.
At the time however the village,s claim to fame was the gold plaque showing the world that an Oak Tree once stood there.
But there was no time for an history lesson I was off to TOWN, Bird Pulling. at 22 I was in my prime,
With the bonus I had received from the firm I had carried a promise given to my grand dad before he died.
“Never a crime to be skint only to look it.”
A Blue Silk Suit, a pair of Italian shoes and a great mohair overcoat with a half belt designed and made Bespoke by the best Jewish tailor in the Midlands.

I wasn’t a stranger in town but tonight I was going to set a standard that I hoped would never drop
The tie was also pale blue, and you would not be be surprised that I had a dark blue pocket handerchief. also silk.
Tonight was going to be great, if I dont pull this evening I never will.
Before I left, on the razzle, I looked at my little cake. Money, £45 rapped arround a doctored toilet role. hat was plenty and more than 2 weeks wages for a fully fledged Bookmakers clerk.

Outside it was pitch dark,,but the hood of my Sunbeam Alpine, was still down, my pride and joy. every time I sat in it I felt like Brabham no one could have told me that my Cherie Red drop headed sports car wasn’t a Ferrari even though it said Sunbeam Alpine on bonnet
At least I didn’t have a pair of driving gloves. it was in fact a lovely fairly warm evening, but I wanted every one who I passed, to hear my favourite music, “What do you want to make those eyes at me for” Blasting from my radio. this song had been No1 for 6 weeks, and Emile Ford a must in my house.
I first passed by the old flat were my Mom and I lived whlst at the bottom, end of our lives. by now it looked even worse than it did 8 years before. this little trip became a ritual the more success I had the more times I paid homage. to my unfortunate mum.
Straight into down town Brum, and an eatery called the St James, in those days you could park right outside the door, and never get nicked.
A Double Diamond, a fore runner of Larger was a starter, a quick chat to the bar man who had spent hours teaching me how to flip a coin up my sleeve without anyone seeing it, disappear. even CCTV wouldn’t have caught the little villain.
He explained he only did it for fun but I knew he was getting his own back on his manager, for some dispute over tips. he was so popular that his tips were more than the manager was making.

, I was there for about an hour before I decided to go up the Hagley Road into the Ambasadors, all the leading gamblers in the midlands frequented the club, I was ready oozing confidence, all my hit em dead one liners ready for action. even if I didn’t score I always had a reserve in the background Lilly was the Clubs Croupier, a stunner but as thick as good custard. and just as tasty. I had managed to keep a smile on her face for 18 months,
As I walked in, a new hat and Coat Girl, collected my overcoat and informed me that it would be put in her special container for safety, that was worth an extra 50P her comment about me looking like Clark Gable a £1.
Into the main bar, it was full. walked up and ordered myself a Gin and Tonic, with a little ice, I refused the slice of lemon. telling the barman it was only any use for Pancakes. and that only once a year.
The suit actually brought back unhappy memories, of the time that my mother got me a great herring bone, suit from a shop that did Provident Cheques, all there goods were £3 deposit and 3 shilling s a week for about 26 years.
It was Friday and i was having my first relationship with an Irish girl. we were both 17 I had arranged to take her to the local picture house but only after I had met her parents.
As I retired with both my mother and 5 year old sister, all in the one bed I never noticed my brother on the run from, his 2 year stint in the Army. take my suit leaving his uniform, instead this was a killer blow the next day I still went to see the Irish family but in uniform spats and all. I don’t think they were impressed when I told them I was in the cadets
Come over hear Don, I looked behind it was a pal of mine Birminghams Leading Bookmaker and owner of the Club.
Jackie Woolf, was a person who loved any young kids, trying to get there foot on life,s ladder. he obviosly knew that there was a time when he, was just starting. himself, and realised that every one had to start from the bottom I also loved to sit late at night hearing his tales,
Next to him was two of the real Gambling big hitters at the time one I liked the other I loathed.
Tom Hayes was one of those who if he had been in Films he would have been the mafia hit man, who only gave orders. he could start a fight in an empty room.
Every thing he said was sarcastic. all his jokes failed to raise even a titter,
There was jealousy oozing from every one of his veins.
I wasnt realy happy to be in his company but that was fate there was no other chair available.the gaff was full. and I wasn’t going to move just because of him.
As ussual all the talk was about racing and gambling and the fact that every one expected a revolution in High Street Betting with a forthcoming Betting and Gaming Act.

I knew what would happen,,, sitting opersite was Geof Gilbert, another great bookmaker. very inspired some of his tales have become folkelaw, he would tell about Lester Piggott when they had a great horse running at York in the Gymcrack, as the great jockey arrived in the parade ring to mount Gilbert explained how he wanted the race run. he told him how to hold the horse up. and when to bring him to the front. no more than 10 yards from the post, and winning by 1 length. making all the apropriate moves by hand as if he was riding the horse himself.
Lester looked at the owner rather fat, for a would be jockey, took his Cap off and gave it to the Bookmaker along with his whip. with the instruction.
I never knew you could ride so well so I think it best that you ride the fkn horse.
I would have been in stiches, but I had heard the tale to many times, he also had a party trick for the gullable. a bit like betting on a Karoki Session offering odds that no one knew the words exactly. of a song. usually a £5 bet. and I don’t remember him ever losing.
No one ever knows all the correct words, of any song unless you have the sheet, and he had a few pals who would join in shouting.”Thats Wrong” collecting at least £25 on a good night.

When I came back out from the toilet there sitting on his own at a spare table was a sliver ring Bookie, who actually lived with his mother in Selly Oak, his name was Ronnie Cummings, my first instinct was to ignore him after all he wasn’t the most enjoyable company. in Brum.
And certainly he was not going to be a great help in my plight of gaining female company.
His knick name was Crocky I doubted if anyone had ever asked him why Crocky. I certainly wasn’t going to.
I had been told that he looked like the Fish Monger casino owner from the 1700s William Crockford. the only resemblance was that they both had a start in fish. although having seen a few prints of the great Casino owner, neither were very attractive.
The last thing I wanted in my quest, was an obese middle aged, Bookmaker who never smiled. 18 year olds dressed like Mary Quant, were not enlightened by the oppinion that Arkle was the best jumper since Golden Miller. more chance if you had said Glen Miller.
But one look at the guy, and I realised that he needed my company more than I neaded his, he looked ill and I felt sorry for him.
It was then that I remembered some one saying that he was ill. so hear we go I thought, after all it didn’t have to be long.
How are you Ron.? “Can I buy you a drink. of course you can. I could do with some company.
That was the start of a Gut Rendering session. about about death and destruction.
Not something you would wish to hear, a week before xmas., and certainly I neadnt have splashed myself with Old Spice if I had known.
He never beat about the Bush. straight to it “I’ve been told I have 2 months to live”
What a great Party Stopper that was.
I didn’t know whether to say. Dont believe them Ron. take another opinion. and it will be all right but one look in his eyes and I could see that 2 months may have been an over budget.
Except for the death of my mother a few years before and that was sudden, I had never witnessed a serious illness, and never wanted to.
I quickly changed the subjest.
What do you fancy for Cheltenahm Ron. 3 moths to the greatest horse-racing festival of the year.
I was well aware that he was one hell of a good judge. of horses, as good as there had been in the game for years.
I doubt if I will make Cheltenham, he countered. it was a bit like playing Snakes and Ladders with someone, were you keep climbing up to the top and every time you give your opponent the dice he slides down on his arse.
I quickley fetched two more Gin and Tonics, if that was mothers ruins, it wouldn’t be doing our Ronnie any harm.
I had to be in my very best form if I was going to get through these few hours before I could get the croupier, under my Granddads WW1 trenchcoat, that reminded me I wonder if I had taken his medals off. as the last victor I had taken home had complained of damage to her nether reagon.
After a while I noticed he was producing a little bottle of milk, although I guessed it may well have been something a little thicker and obviously stronger.perhaps Morphine.
One of the Barmen had stated that fog was beginning to gather outside and it looked like we would be in for a long night he seemed concerned but I quickly put his mind at rest that I would get him home alight. one way or the other.
The conversation was more than a little stained, until we began to discuss the festival at Cheltenham in march,
It was then that he raised a relative bomb shell.
Never known as an exaggerator..and certainly no Spiv,
He moved his seat a little closer and began to whisper, I was pleased that we weren’t in the Mafia, as eating this information would be next..
Out of his pocket he produced a little cutting it had been well and truly fingered and was dirty. but you could still see the betting and date of the newspaper. it was the Racing Page of the SUN.
Pointing to the article about the Champion Hurdle he told me to take a look at the betting.
he then said there is a mistake there is a horse in the race that by March will be favourite.
and its not on this list.
I was quickly transported out of a playboy mode into a money making machine.
A race with Bookmakers offering 50/1 bar those on there list, that will start favourite, was better than any golden goose.
So that was the inference that you could have 50/1 any other not on the list.
Go over there ,pointing to the 4 Midland Greats, and ask them to lay you
Moss Bank, at 50/1 or more.
After all you have a right bunch of so called big hitters there
Pointing to the table next to us.
How much readies do you have on you.
Pulling my make believe £500 out of my pocket, I showed him the £35 I had left.
Even he had to laugh, but I wished I hadn’t played the trick as his false teeth almost shot onto the dance floor. frightening some old dear practising the Pasa Dobla..
I looked at the table next to me and could see at least £100 I could have with the credit firm Miles, a very old established Bookmaker there moto was “if you are good enough to bet with us, then we would never ask you to pay up front.” perhaps I could get a lttle wager out of Jackie Woolf. as well.
Leave it to you I doubt you will get so many Bookmakers together outside of a racetrack. and I feel by next week the cat wil be out of the bag. about the horses ability.

Right leave it to me what,s the horse called. again.
Moss Bank.

Over I walked and sat next to Jack.
Ive had a tip for the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle, Jack do you fancy laying me a bet.
Whats it called Son.
Moss Bank I dont think it has won a hurdle race yet.
Jack an old veteran who started as a Milkman Pony holder, making sure it never dashed off between drops. Any horse that has never won a hurdle race 3 months before the race must be name your own odds.
He will lay you, pointing to Gilbert. he is on a role must have won a fortune of late.
What do you want ar Kid.his black country accent as thik as he looked. but looks deceive he was a mathematical wizard.
I want to back an Irish gelding by the name of Moss Bank. in the Champion Hurdle. I have the list here. showing him the Sun. sitting next to him was Hales and he couldn’t help hear what I had said.
An Irish horse called Moss Bank. never heard of it.
Thats just what I wanted to hear.

He had very close relationship with Barrie Foders, a well known genuis from the emerald Isle.nothing took place there without him knowing. if there was going to be an amazing coup. on an Irish horse it wouldn’t start in some Brummie Casino.
But perhaps they were trying to get on themselves, and the last thing they would want was an early move being made by someone not in there team.
I still had a debt to settle with Haines it had been over 12 months, when I arrived at an Hairdressers shop next to the Birmingham City Soccer ground, I had been placing some of the manageress,s bets, for commission and there is no doubt she had been inspired. but like all good things she had a bad run and looked like tailing. (defaulting)
Unbeknown to me she was also Betting with the others,, and when I arranged to meet her in the local coffie house by the ground.
Both Hailes and Foder turned up. obvously with the same job as I and that was to collect there owing s.
As the girl came into the shop, she saw me and came over giving me an envelope, and a kiss on the cheek I was just about to leave when I heard Fodder who as it happend was a nice guy. say to Hales who is that.
He is only a shmock.
The jewish put down. was like a kick in the teeth. I jumped up and grabed him by the throut.
Appologising to Billy at the same time.
So here I was now asking him for a bet. the last time I was strangling him.
He must have forgotten the incident for he said in his normal sarcastic voice. What,s it Called.
I can only guess he had realised that he had been out of order.
Moss Bank.
Never heard of it.
“what would you know about an irish horse”, any way, dont tell me you are taking bets in that little dive of your in Selly Oak.
So he hadnt forgoten our little trouble all together and still intended to get his own back verbally.
What price do you want, ???
I never lost my rag 66/1 bar according to Ladbrokes and Hills.
Come on give the Kid a bet. Jackie Woolf knew how to wind people up. and he knew what strings to pull.
Cutler wasnt going to let me off, for the skirmish. that easy.
“What stake”.
£100 win will do fine.
“Just £100 I thought it was a real man,s bet. that you wanted.”
A great put down, but not one I would respond to.
Instead of the other Bookmakers at the table. laughing like he expected them to.
The first responce was by Miles who I had an acount with.
Donald you can have the £200 with me just write in to the office and tell them I have layed you £200 at 66/1 Moss Bank for the 1961 Champion Hurdle Non Runner you must lose what a gentleman I thought..
Thank you Mr Miles.
By now Jack Woolf was firing on all cyliders,
I thought you were a Bookmaker were is your civility and prompt payment. badge.
Haines was being shown up. and didnt know how to handle it,
I was getting angry mysellf. so even if I got out of my depth I had to respond.
Mr Hales I will have £200 win at 66/1 with you as well then is that big enough.
I could guess he didn’t want to lay me the bet, but was in a corner.
Ok you have a bet but it is pay on, as you have no credit account with me.
Still he was doing everything he could to wriggle.
But Jackie Woolf once again joined in with “no nead to pay on Son I will guarantee Payment the Bookie was out of his depth. but so was I, now I had £400 a 66/1 chance tipped me by a dying old silver ring Bookie, out of his wits with Dope. and all I wanted was £50.
When I got back to the table my friend was a sleep and mumbling as only a dying man can, showing he was in severe pain.. outside I had arranged to take the croupier home and realised that it was going to be a struggle in the two seater. with one 16 stone and the other 8.
I had to decide which of my obligations would I fulfil.
I could have a smack and tickle any day of the week
But a man with days to live who had given me a tip that could be life changing, deserved full consideration
Back at the old Selly Oak Fish and Chip shop, I dropped him off and thanked him profusely.
And arranged to meet him during the next week.
So I had lost a great Girl Friend. for the night,and had got my self £400 in debt. oh well I thought its all in lifes experience.
I woke up next morning like I used to after a right binge when you look up at the ceiling before anything else.
many a time I would dash to my trouser pocket to see if I had been successful or not
This morning I had obviously had to much to drink, but didn’t really remember what had taken place..
I quickly gathered what I had let myself in for when I began remembering the bets. it didn’t take long however for me to see that the information from Ronnie Cummings had been spot on.
“Moss Bank wins the Dolphin Hurdle at Punchestown backed from odds against to 4/6 winning Pulling a cart. a reference to a stroll in the park. Next stop. Cheltenham said owner Tommy OBrien.

When I arrived at the little office, of our still illegal Betting Shop. awaiting the 1961 Act to be implemented.
The phone rung it was mt enermy thank you very much you have pulled a right stroke. Tommy Obrien wants to know how you got to know that his horse was about to be smashed into favouritism,

Just a crystal Ball tell him. the phone was quickly replaced.
Over the next two moths all I ever read about was Moss Bank.
A few weeks before the festival I did have a meeting with Bill Fodder, nothing heavy, he just wanted to know how on earth, I had got to know that information that night in the Ambassadors.
With a week to go, I spent quit a few hours gazing out of my bedroom window, over to the south, and Cheltenham,
Little did I know that the owner was spending many hours doing the same but from Ireland and to the east.
Tommy OBriens nicknames the Coal man was Islands equivalent to our own Terrie Ramsdon. a born Compulsive gambler the only difference was that he was such a good bungler (Tipper) when his horse won, that he was given some of the hottest info ever planned.
When ever a coup or even stroke was taking place, The Coal man would be told, but only after every one else had got there money on.
But what I didn’t know was an incident that took place less than 2 months before the race and it was Moss Banks jockey selection.
Tommy ObBrien was at Leopardstown when Johhny Rafferty came over and told him that he would win the Ticknock Handicap Hurdle. on Rouge Scott, and that Tommy should shovel it on thick and fast.
After the race the winner backed from 10/1 to 7/2 Rafferty came over to be congratulated, so pleased was The Coleman that he shook the Jockeys hand and told him that he could have the ride on Moss Bank all the year including the Champion Hurdle.
Even Rafferty was dumbfounded although he had been a great jockey a massive drink problem had made him a liability.
When Willie Tracy the horse trainer was told, he went bezerck, even to a point of being prepared to give up his relationship with OBrien.
The owner knew he had made a mistake but his word was his bond.
So the plot had now settled and became calm. perhaps before a storm

I woke up to find the day was amazing even though it was March it was like a summers day.
The Sunbeam was spit polished, and I had gained a day off work.
The whole war chest was taken out, from Mohair Overcoat, to Highly Polished Shoes,
I was on a mission, I was the one who got the cats cream, 66/1 a 7/4 favourite.
All it had to do now was WIN.
Only 26 miles to the course and every mile I would sing, along with the radio.
Also every mile I would check to see if I still had the vouchers,
About 2 miles from the course I hit a traffic jam, and for over 15 ,minutes I was behind a Dailmer. I actually knew the driver of the car, it was the Redferns a west of England Bookmaking family, in the back was daughter Anthia, she was beautiful. and for over 5 miles I am sure that she was giving me the eye, I doubt he was more than 16 years of age but I was smitten,
All of a sudden the traffic eased and the Daimler took of for the track.
I darted behind not to lose site of my new love.
When Screech, the Daimler had skidded to a halt,
I was travelling at at least 60 miles an hour and hell bent on a collision.
Both feet were united with the break peddle and for over 20 yards I skidded right to within 1 inch of there rear bumper.
The shock on young Anthia,s face had just changed to relief when I heard a noise that would have frightened Ronnie Cummings out of his heavenly sleep.
I had chance to look in my rear mirror to see a car more like a tank. bearing down on me at break neck speed.
Please God, Save me, got no further than P when I was smashed into the back of the Daimler not once but 3 times as the Range Rover, rendered my 8 ft sports car into a 4 ft Rubic Cube. every colour of that contraption with all its colours were re-enacted but in my case mostly RED. not counting the few brown smudges.
It was only the impact forward and backward that saved my life.
the last thing I remember was the face of an angle staring out of a Car window, and woke up seeing a face of another at the bottom of my bed.
It was 5.30 before I was told that I would live a long and healthy life. if I purchased a more robust motor car.
As soon as I could get out of bed, I looked in my coat pocket the vouchers hadn’t been stolen but what I needed them for, unless I had saved them for the 50 years, to the day and offered them on Ebay under Racing Memorabilia I could expect a pony (£25) instead of the £25,000 about (£200,000) now.
It was 20 years later when I got the full story of what had taken place.on the day of the Cheltenham Champion Hurdle 1961.
As OBrian mingled with his fans entering the course, he was full of apprehension, he knew he had made a mistake offering Rafferty the Gig, every one was telling him to substitute him for one of many great Jockeys without a mount, most of all Bobby Beasley,
Another Flash the 1960 winner had been taken out of the race so, why not and any way you could always offer Rafferty a massive part of the prize money, but I guess that although Rafferty was on the way down, he still had pride and he would have taken that decision badly.
As they entered the Trainers and Owners Bar, Trainer Paddy Sleator was barring his way.
Tommy do yourself a favour give the mount to Bobby, Moss will be a certainty if you do.
What the father figure of Irish Racing was telling him hit home.
Not actually running, but he dashed to find his trainer Treacy,
OK you are right get Bobby Beasley to take over I will handle The Rafferty.
Its to late said Treacy he came down to breakfast this morning already dressed for the race, in the silks. take him off now and you will be seen as the Devil himself. not to mention a meeting not forget the headlines in Sundays papers.
In the parade ring In sure that Rafferty could have felt the massive tension every one was quite. not like the usual, banter before a massive Coup.
Before he mounted Treacy gave him his final instructions.
What ever you do dont follow Albergo.I don’t think it will stay and could fold up 2 jumps out.
During the race Moss Bank was cruising as they came down the hill, 2 hurdles out, Moss Bank was were his jockey was told not to be,
As Albergo crashed out Eberrnezor, the 4/1 well supported English runner was wide of any trouble and as soon as Winter landed he kicked, The instructions given to him by Ryan Price were now being perfectly carried out.
So with Ebernezor following a straight course up the glorious Cheltenham Hill,
Moss Bank was moving towards the tattersall,s running rail.
he must have forfeited 10 lengths, in doing so.
But even now the Irish Cry was deafening, over the last wide apart, it could be seen that there Champion was Flying.
Although he was beaten 3 Lengths at the Winning Post by the time they reached the 50 years old wooden Stewards box 20 yards past , Moss Bank was 5 Lengths in front.
They still had a party, there would still be many other crak,s and coups, to come more, golden opportunities, but deep in The Coalmans heart he new he had let the big one slip.
Moss Bank showed his class recovering all there loss,s when ridden by Aussie Bill Williamson by winning the Ascot Queen Alexandre Stakes,
Unfortunately our Brummie was left out of the plot. and was in the families little betting shop. at Selly Oak.
So ended a dream with all the actors, taking as much out of the episode as they wished.
OBrien was to die very young (50) when overturning a heavy duty plant vehicle, crushed to death,
Hales, Rodgers, Woolf and of course Ronnie Cummins all passed to the Big Casino in the sky. I guess even Moss Bank is no longer with us,
me I still keep fiddling along, It was this event that made me give up the word Gamble although Gambling is still my Bread and Butter.
What I took out if the episode was not to lever eave anything to chance..in future.
A funny thing occurred 50 years after the day in question.
I was a member of the Midland Bookmakers Association when a revolutionary policy was adopted where all racecourse Bookmakers could in future sell the pitches, on the open market.
There was one clause to this No women could be granted pitches in the first place. a complete breach of Womens right.
In all of the country there was only 2 Women that would be affected.
Mrs Redfurn from Devon and Cornwall.
Angela Marlow Liverpool

Mrs Redfurn collecting over a £million for her husbands No 1 Pitches at all West of England courses.
at the sale Mr Redfurn gave me a little Kiss, although she was about 85, the furteh Kiss form her daughter was long over due.

As for the bet.
remember you can always make a good bet BETTER.
Fortunately the game now allows individuals to trade for win or lose. on there own computer, so the bet would have been conducted differently Cubone wouldn’t have cared if Moss Bank won or lost,
The £400 to win £26,400 would have become
at least £10,000 win or lose without being pushed and shoved, at the Festival of Sport although who would miss
Two pots of Jelled Eels. and a rendering of Whisky in the Jar by some U2 Band.

Cubone. The End.

I have always been fascinated by the fact that not many clever fathers are followed with the same success by there siblings,
In fact now that I think of it how many tyrants have spawned a copy cat. son or daughter.
We will forgive Herr Hitler as he and Eva Braun weren’t given much time to prove my case.
and it will take quite a little research to follow Pol; Pot the Cambodian Tyrant.or would I wish to.,
But taking the most famous Son of Great Britain, Winston Churchill. I cant say that his son and there sons have ever graced our National Newspaper the SUN, with ideas to save the planet.
How I first got the idea was looking for our very best Bookmakers to see if they had ever thrown a great Bookmaker son.
Victor Chandler, is the nearest I can find,
The Chandler dynasty commenced with Bill, born about 1890. I guess, who died in 1957 he fathered 7 sons and a daughter so you could say he was giving himself more of a chance than the 2.5 children, that is the average.
Started as a racecourse Bookmaker once he had sufficient flout, betting along the rails, but was also a massive gambler.of the times.
the wider family were in at the beginning of the revolution on Grey Hound racing when he thought that Walthemstow make be a prime spot for this sport.
As for his gambling he loved the years big anti post races, he had his first big hit when he won a 21st century equivalent of £2 Million when Ocean Swell won the 1944 Derby,
However it wasn’t all plain sailing he turned up one day at Cheltenham, when every favourite won the first of the 3 days, he decided to shed his betting boots, and change them for more comfortable ones allowing him to skip around the ring, as a Punter, backing every favourite during the last two days.
The result was that Bill lost a fortune were as every other Bookmaker got there first day losses,s back and were part of a Festival Punters blood bath.
Once in a Casino in London, he got bored with placing many of the casino,s maximum bet allowed, so he demanded a real bet with the promoters
betting eq of £100,000 on the spin of 1 turn of cards in Chemin de fer.
The biggest loss recorded was an eq, of £4 Million on a St Leger, and all he did was to tell his racecourse clerk to hurry and turn over to a new page.
Larger than life, his eldest son also Bill died tragically when his car crashed into a wall on his way back from a successful day at Salisbury. races, by then he had bucked the trend of inferior Son and Heirs, by dominating the betting rings during and after the period 1940s.
He would have been a big part of the Dorothy Paget, tapestry if he hadn’t died, so young. already he was taking all her large bets, and those from another women gambler Pat Rank. of the time, wife of the wealthy Industrialist. when other Bookmakers refused them because of there size.
Young Bills passing who was a major blow to the UK Bookmaking industry, but was followed by his younger brother Victor, senior,
Vic 1 as I will call him also ruled the betting game becoming Bookmaker of the Year in 1969 before he also had an untimely death at 50.
There was no way that he would have wanted his son Victor 2, whose education would have been more in keeping with a politician, or leader of commerce.
However our modern day great Victor,2 loves to portray his own father in Pathie News shots of the war years, started a revolution of his own when not satisfied with the Governments treatment of UK punters with a ridiculous betting tax moved, loch, stock, and Barrel to Gibraltar, were he began a no tax service. for his punters.
So it is the Victor Chandler dynasty that has bucked my trend by not only throwing in a great Gambler Bookmaker, son, that started with Old Bill.they have done so not once but 3 times, through to the present days Leviathan.
But not only in Gambling and Bookmaking, is there a lack of follow the leaders, I know of very few great singers or comedians, who ever have sons or daughters that reach the same dizzy heights,
Not unlike Racehorses that are actually bred to follow on in glory.
Perhaps there are those that may wish to look to see if, there has ever been a son of a hanged father that followed his footsteps, with a date with Pierpoint. who no doubt had a job mapped out for his son, before Government policy. stopped. them in there tracks.

cubone.

Today I visited my regular optician, I thought that my sight should be re-assessed as it is my opinion that there is a problem with my left eye.
After a full examination he disappeared and I knew he had gone a little to long, he had actually written me a letter that I should take to my GP on Monday.
For some time know I have struggled to read even the newspaper in the morning but put it down to the very fine print in the Sports paper pages I rely on.
I’m also struggling to find the point of contact, when betting on the internet.
I will carry on telling my “Tales,” as before. and if there is anyone who wishes to ask any question about Gambling or Life in General, regarding how to gain an advantage over Bookmakers in the UK. then don’t hesitate.
I am not sure who my readers are if they are UK Exchange Gamblers I am sure that there are a few pointers that they can take notice of, if they, are not British then they will have to tell me the type of Gambling they like best.
I will start off telling you what mistakes that I no longer fear. you may never no, it may be these that cause you concern without being ably to stop them happening
Good Night I will speak in the morning,

Gubone your Grandfather.