Cubone - The Gambling Historian!

The other night someone asked me what was the most outlandish Betting Coup that I had ever seen or heard of, during my times in the Gambling profession.
And if the strokes or cons of yesteryear have been cleverer than the one,s during the 20th century.
Well cheating in Gambling is not always cheating in the true scence of that word.
For example the bench mark I use is the criminal law. if the con, stroke, is not criminal although is against the rule imposed by Bookmakers to safe gaurd there profits, you have to ask if the rules themselves are fair.
I will not consider all the strokes, that have taken place in the last 200 years other than by a comment “Illegal” or Fair Game.
And they will not be in any particular order.

No 1. Only a few years ago two young good looking lads, were looking at the up and comming Golf Event the British open, they played a lot of golf them selves, and were good judges they had a short list of 10 players and even with so many selections there over all price for the group was 9/2.
Whilst trying to find a reason for reducing the list. one asked the other what price a Hole in One for the tournament.
Without a moment to think of a well thought out reply. the second came up with 33/1 to 50/1.
For what seemed like ages the two looked at each other it was clear that they had hit on a possible ground breaking coup.
Within that time they had both simultaneously realized the enormity of what they had discovered.
Paul was the first to speak
How much money have we got, it wasnt a great deal as our intrepid Gamblers were on a bad role at present.
The next thing they did was settle down for some serious stats seeking. how far shall we go back
10 years will do. ok and we take our time and come up with a price for a hole in one at the forth comming OPEN.
The next morning 12 hours later the two met again and both asked the same question.

What price a Hole in one at the forth comming OPEN

Paul pushed his offer writen on a golf score card, towards John who did the same.
50% Evens was the shortest quote and 40% 6/4 the largest.
Come on John we are about to win a fortune,
Over the next 2 weeks and before the open. comenced the two went all over the place from betting shop to betting shop.
Making the same request What price a Hole in one at the OPEN.
The first offer they received was from a lone independant, well known for his brashness he had built a name for being brave, but was no mug, his father and grand father had been Bookmakers before him and in his own mind no one knew more about Gambling Odds than him.
HOLE IN ONE you must have more money then scence.
100/1 I will lay you.
The boys didnt wish to act exited however it must have felt like Alec “Wheelbarrow” Paterson did in South Africa when he found Gold lying on top of the ground. at Pilgrims Creek.
In fact John carter did a double twist and instead of smashing the counter with the cash he had, he asked if he could have a small double the British open and the USA Open. at the same odds.
The Bookmaker was now laughing like a Cheshire cat,
I am not sure but wouldnt be surprised if at that moment the passage
“You must be Having a Laugh” was spawned.
When the Lad came out of the shop with a well writen betting slip clearly indicating that the wager was
for a Hole in One an ACE. in Golfing terms, to be recorded at the British Open.

Un like “Wheelbarrow, Patterson who was a Blabber Mouth, who went into the nearest Inn or Bar and told any one who wished to listen. what he had found Gold.

The two Gamblers kept this secret to them selves.
In the very next shop they went to they were pole axed when the little Jewish, Propriotor. said without looking up from his desk. It is 66/1.
placing a £50 on the corectly worded Ticket (Receipt) the Bookmaker called them over and said.

You have not writen the name of the Player you wish to select.

So in two shops no more than a mile away they had witnessed the difference of Bookmakers not knowing the odds that they were offering. or the danger of unclear terms.
What they had discovered was a play with words.
the odds for a Hole in One at a Tournement was no more than 6/4. and the odds for one player named to score a Hole in One was anything from 50/1 upwards.
By allowing the Bookmaker to trap himself, by laying the odds for the one named person. but writing the wager as if for any player.
Back at there Hotel and with a multitude of Slips. with prices averaging 60/1 the trap was set.

Will we get paid was the next question they asked each other. and that was one that would test the honesty and fairness of many Bookmakers all over the UK.
at the same time making John and Paul. became known as the “HOLE IN ONE GANG, toasted in many golf clubs the country through.
In the Hotels and meeting places were the Bookmakers trade organisation were to meet however it was a matter of finding out how they could get out of paying this glorious, Wager.

It is fair to say that there winnings over all was a £1,000.000 and changed the whole concept of High Street Betting shops they would never again be so un prepared in fact a request for a Hole in One bet would in future receive the F Word. at best and at worse., removal from the shop. by the arse of your pants.

Number Two. Ringers.

Cubone.