Are You Confident Betting 2YO Horses On Heavy Going?

Every day it's raining. The weatherman calls it precipitation - I call it a pain in the arse!

Over the weekend, Newbury and Doncaster went amiss due to abandonments. The going stick went right up to the handle. 

I'm not sure if it was a blessing or a curse. Do you like betting on very testing going? Betting on my niche of two-year-old horse racing it feels like hard work. It's like donning your wellington boots and literally getting stuck in the mud. The problem with betting on juvenile horse racing is the unknown about so many aspects of these young horses. Sure, you may be convinced on breeding the horse will run on the ground. But until it is proven, we can never be totally sure. 

So should we bet on the testing ground?

I am careful. I always associate soft with big-priced winners. I'm not sure if that is statistically true. However, it always feels that way. It is enough for me to be extra careful with betting on horses at short odds. The trouble with favourite on testing going is that most trainers instruct the jockey to make the most of their experience. This makes perfect logic. But there's a problem with this approach. 

Can you see what it could be?

The trouble with leading or racing prominently when racing on soft going is that many jockeys go a stride too fast. This is a disaster waiting to happen. If they go too fast for conditions the horse, however good, is unlikely to win. In fact, they are likely to tire quickly and fade out of contention. 

When racing on the testing ground it is wise for a trainer to instruct the jockey to sit off the pace. 

I saw a couple of examples of 2yo horses racing a stride too quick at Great Yarmouth. In fact, it was a couple of short-priced favourites. They looked to be going well until the furlong pole when they dropped back like they had been shot. Both finished down the field. I'm confident these horses will show better form on better conditions. 

So I would always be careful when it's raining cats and dogs. 

When betting on favourites you are chancing your luck with a double gamble. Not only winning the race but will the horse be given a poor ride or even go on the going?

A Guide to Surviving Early Season Betting

Are you ready for the Flat turf season 202?

Those preseason nerves, excitement and anticipation transformed to focus on the here and now. 

The two-year-old season started with the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes, just like the good, old days. Testing ground conditions can make the turf even more problematic. 

Those first few weeks, if not months, can be difficult for any age of horse but especially two-year-olds. Considering most early juveniles will be cantering over the winter period the weather can impact on their progress. Also, the going, if running on the turf. It may be a positive if they have soft-ground breeding or a negative if not. Most trainers will not take a chance with a debutante because they want them to have a pleasant introduction. For many, travelling, a change of routine, different environment and hustle and bustle of the racecourse can be a frightening experience. 

But how do we consider betting early season?

I would suggest you take care. The enthusiasm for wanting to bet can be strong (and not always a bad thing). The difficultly being you don't want to look for bets but neither do you want to miss gilt-edge chances. That is the difficulty of guidelines because they need that element of flexibility which says: ''You should bet even when you normally wouldn't''. 

Reasons why you should be careful when betting early season:

1) Even trainers need time to assess the merit of their two-year-old string. Sure, they have older horses to run against and gauge the standard of, perhaps,  their most precocious juvenile. They need a few runners to appreciate their worth. It's a time even the best of the best hold their breath and hope. 

2) Assessing form. Early season form horses can be very deceiving. A horse finishes second and it feels natural to think it has ability. That may be correct or a big mistake. Many of these early form horses will start favourite on their second start and often poor bets with little value. In fact, many will be horrendous bets. Beaten out of sight.

3) Going concerns. As detailed above, these early months can see testing ground conditions on the turf. This makes life difficult on the day and assessing horses when making their second start, which may see them go to race on the all-weather. 

4) Betting on debutantes. Even after years of betting, I am fearful of betting on debutantes. You just never know how they will handle the day. As all the early races are over 5f, a slow start, running awkward on a bend or just very inexperienced may leave you with a mountain to climb. It is a strange fact, but often the best horses have terrible debut runs. I take note of favourites who trail home in last because they often fly next start. 

So what can we look for as positive pointers?

1) Listen to what horse trainers say. All trainers love to get in front of the camera especially when their horses are running well. Mick Channon was buoyant in his view that because Izzer won the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes, they have a decent two-year-old string. It has proven correct with winners and big runs following.

2) Experience counts for a lot. That first start gives a big advantage when opposing debutantes, especially on a turning course. 

3) The intention of the trainer. Trainers are creatures of habit. How do they train their two-year-olds? When do they usually win? You will find that certain trainers never win on debut. Others place their horses to go well on their second start. While most of their chances are price driven. They need to be fancied in the betting. That is true for many but not all. I know trainers who go much better with outsiders than favourites. You simply need to have an understanding of what makes trainers tick. 

4) Keep an eye on significant entries. If there is one pointer which helps identify a talented juvenile it is their race entries. Group Horse Daily details all this information for free this season. We work hard to detail the best two-year-old horses in training. You can take a look at previous year's analysis to appreciate how good this information is. It is exceptional. 

My personal opinion is to be careful betting early season. You should enjoy what you are doing and be confident in your ability which comes from hard work or attaching yourself to people who do the work for you. The best bets always stand out. The only exception I would make about chancing your luck is if you have an inkling a big priced horse could win. You need so few of these selections to win to be in profit that I wouldn't let them pass by without a small bet. 

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

Hold Your Horses

It's a common phrase but do you know the meaning?

The phrase is historically related to horse riding, or driving a horse-drawn vehicle. A number of explanations, all unverified, have been offered for the origins of the phrase, dating back to usage in Ancient Greece.

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The Biggest Slots Win Ever!

A 25-year-old software engineer chance $100 at the Excalibur Casino on the Megabucks Machine and won almost $40 million. Wow!

Cynthia Jay Wins $34 Million

January 26th, 2000. It was a very lucky day for cocktail waitress Cynthia Jay. The 37-year-old hit the second largest Megabucks win in history. However, her life took a disastrous turn when just six weeks later she was left paralysed in a car accident which sadly saw her sister lose her life. 

Living For The Day

It's a phrase many live by. That's certainly what 76-year-old retired flight attendant from Vegas who only intended to bet $100 but went to $300. However, those extra dollars did wonders for her bank balance when she won $27 million.  

The Biggest Loser

Far from the biggest loser in financial term but a man many people would love to see lose his shirt rather than his ill-fated workers. Most of the world have heard about Robert Maxwell with his infamous use of workers' pensions. Easy come easy go for the late Maxwell when we went to a casino in Mayfair, London and lost £1.5 million in a matter of minutes when a few spins on the roulette table went wrong. 

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution 

The Oldest Grand National Winners

If there is one race which captures the mind it has to be the Grand National. This April 8^th will be no different from many before but if you want to watch the most famous steeplechase in the world make it all the more tantalising to login to William Hill to bet on the Grand National. 

A testing course of 4 miles 3 ½ furlongs. Forty horses will make the line-up. Two demanding circuits, 30 fences, and run in that saps the energy of all but the winning horse. It's enough to make a young horse feel old. This leads into the fascinating question.

Who is the oldest winner of the Grand National?

Well, we can answer that quite simply but we need to go back into the archives to 1853. In this year a horse called Peter Simple won at the age of 15. This bay gelding was trained and ridden by Tom Oliver in the ownership of Josey Little. He was 9-1, so his seniority didn't deter bettors.

What may surprise readers is that this was Peter Simple's second win of the Grand National. He won in 1849 aged 11 when trained and ridden to victory by Tom Cunningham owned by Finch Mason Jr.

In fact, four other horses have won the Grand National twice: The Duke 1836, 1837, Abd-El-Kader 1850, 1851, The Colonel 1869,1870 & Reynoldstown 1935, 1936.

The only horse to win three races is the legendary Red Rum who proved successful in 1973, 1974 & 1977. Ginger McCain's star was also runner-up on two other occasions.

But back to the old timers who have proven, they can win almost at any age. Peter Simple defied his age because the next oldest horses to win were aged13.

They were:

• 1894 – Why Not 5/1JF
• 1923 – Sergeant Murphy 100/6

So just 3 horses have won aged 13-years and older.

In this modern era, horses aged 12 are not without a fighting chance. In fact, 7 horse have won since 1969.

The most recent trained by Ginger McCain, who made the headlines with Red Rum, but this time it was Amberleigh House in 2004. Ridden by Graham Lee, he was returned at odds of 16/1. This bay son of Buckskin was an exceptional jumper and raced over the National fences at Aintree on 11 occasions (5 in the National) without falling. He made his Grand National debut in 2001 when bought down at the Canal Turn, the 8^th fence.

His second best performance in the National came in 2003 when finishing third behind Monty's Pass.

Looking at this year's entrants, there are a couple of horses that may well run age 12.

Maggio is trained by Patrick Griffin and presently odds of 50/1.

The only other runner who may just sneak into the maximum 40 entrants on the day is Raz De Maree trained by Gavin Cromwell. This son of Shaanmer is priced 40/1.

In recent years horses aged 9 – 11 years of age have proved best.

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

Shadingfield Lodge (Great Yarmouth Casino)

Well, it is that time again, when the sand in the hourglass sees the last few grain fall to close another Flat turf season. 

Well, nearly...

Myself, Gareth, Danny (and, hopefully, Tony) will be going to Great Yarmouth's final race meeting of 2019. I purchased the annual membership and just about got my monies worth although I won't be purchasing again next year as travelling to America means I'm missing too many days to make it pay. However, it is always good to support the local racecourses and Yarmouth will always be one of my favourites. 

So, we have the 22nd of October in our sights. Dan has booked a room at the Cavendish House Hotel and we have the family room at Nelson Hotel. It costs just £68 for three and breakfast included. You can't get a better deal and I really like the place. It's not exactly the Ritz but it is about two-hundred metres from the Grosvenor Casino. In fact, you can see it from the hotel room. 

Not sure if that is a plus or a minus! 

We are going the evening before the races so the casino will come first. It works well as it seems like two days of fun and it isn't such a tiring day with an early start traveling by train from March (the Fens) to Yarmouth, getting a taxi to the course and then having an hour or so at the hotel before visiting the casino for what could be a long night. Far too much for one long day, so this approach should mean more fun and more energy. Hopefully more winnings. 

To be fair, the casino is just a bit of fun. I don't bet no more than £50 and taking these free match bet and drink vouchers it is a very cheap evening. The food costs next to nothing and you sit in a resplendent room befitting of royalty. Shadingfield Lodge is a listed building originally built by J Cudden ESQ from a design by Morant. It has been noted as a place Edward VIII visited on seven occasions. It was purchased by Lacon Brewery in 1953. 

Here's looking forward to a great evening at the casino and day's racing. 

Photo: Jason Coote

What's the Strangest Bet in History?

Love to bet? 

In this modern age of gambling, almost half of the population love to chance their luck. Whether it's horse racing, football, tennis, a night at the casino or you can't keep away from those online slots. There's one thing you can guarantee - you're not alone!

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I guess, the majority of punters bet on pretty normal stuff. You may find the odd person who specialises in something unusual, exotic or plain wild. They may keep it quiet almost embarrassed by their preoccupation. Let's face it, come 25th December, someone will be looking out of the window to see if it's a white Christmas. Get in! 10/1 winner with a few snowflakes falling from the heavens.

There must have been some very strange bets placed over the years. A population of billions of people on planet Earth. There must have been a number of very, very, very strange bets. 

Searching the internet we found a couple of bets that you may consider very strange if not a little humorous.

A Tattoo Too Far

We can't be sure this particular character won a bet for the most absurd tattoos but he was infamous for all the wrong reasons. This bloke's branding may not have come to our attention but for being arrested. The mugshot showed a man in his early twenties and inked on his forehead were the words: PSYCHO. On one cheek he had a tear and the other a heart. What are the odds of seeing some like that down your street? 

Clever Bet for a Big Guy

Betting isn't always about the fittest, strongest, best athletes. Surely the big, rotund bloke has no chance of winning a race against a young whippersnapper? As we know, the wise man builds his house upon the rocks. Which tells us something very important when gambling. 

The wise, intelligent and cunny often take the spoils. 

The story originated back in 18th century England when local butcher Mr Bullock challenged the Lord of Barrymore to a race. Mr Bullock was a big, big man. In this day and age, he would be considered morbidly obese. He liked his food and enjoyed pies. He was unfit, slow, and looked to have little hope of winning. 

The Earl of Barrymore was fit, ready and eager. He was an athlete. How could he possibly lose? 

Such was his confidence that he placed a huge bet on himself. He was a short-priced favourite. 

To make the challenge fair, Bullock asked for two conditions:

• A 35-metre head start
• He chose the course 

The Earl was so sure he would win, he accepted. No conditions could stop him winning. 

Mr Bullock, the canny soul, chose the race to be held in London with very narrow streets. With his 35-metre lead, his ample size blocked the Earl's path and there was no way he could pass the burly butcher who tormented his opponent by chomping on one of his pork pies as he crossed the winning line. 

Be careful not to gamble with a fat man with a pie. 

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

**KNOW THE BEST HORSES IN TRAINING (BEFORE THEY RACE!)**

Heading To Great Yarmouth Races

There never seems enough time with work, rest and little play. However, that will be changing later this month when a few of us venture to Great Yarmouth for a day at the races. 

It's a superb location being on the Norfolk coast. Plenty of hotels, historic pier, fun fair, greyhound racing & racecourse - even a couple of casinos for those who love the spin of the roulette wheel. Talking of casinos, take a look at this bgo bonus and promo code. I've always enjoyed a little bit of flutter and a win is even sweeter than the rock on sale down Regent Street.  

One thing to note, Yarmouth is a favourites course. In fact, so many jollies win at this track you need to take note of the horse at the head of the betting. Since the straight mile has been upgraded the quality of horse has risen quite significantly. Well, definitely larger fields. To be fair, this venue always had a reputation for quality thoroughbreds. Hardly surprising when the likes of Sir Henry Cecil frequented the course in the good, old days. A true gentleman, who took the time to chat with everyday racegoers who remember and cherish his words. 

These days, a new breed of trainer walk the turf. Remember the late Michael Jarvis? His once assistant trainer, Roger Varian, is now a leading light and I keep my eyes open for his two-year-old debutantes. Few of his better juveniles win at big odds but a winner is a winner.  

Taking a look at Varian's better juveniles, I've got a couple worthy of your time. Whether they will appear at Yarmouth is another thing but here goes. 

Farnham 

This bay filly is a daughter of Farrh out of an Irish-bred dam called Purple Tiger - who never raced. However, Farham is no slouch which a 110,000 Guinea sales tag details. This May foal is owned by Clipper Logistics who are no stranger to good horses. They had done well with Soldier's Call, a two-year-old trained by Archie Watson. In addition, to a decent pedigree, Farnham has been given a Lowther Stakes (Group 2) entry. This is one of two entrants for the trainer. The other horse Yourtimeisnow ran a cracking race on debut at Newmarket when third, beaten less than one length. This indicates the judgement of Varian and why you may be wise to put Farnham in your mythical notebook. 

Here to a lovely day at Yarmouth races.

Photo: Jason Coote

It's Like Having John Gosden on Speed Dial

The 2021 Flat turf season has finished.

I have been following horse racing since 1988. A love of horse racing inspired by my father and the wisdom of my twin brother who found our niche. 

Tony wasn't interested in simply taking a brief look at a race card and making a bet. 

He dug deeper than anyone within the sphere of two-year-old horse racing and the first person in the world to research the significance of pattern race entries specific to juvenile horses. In fact, it was acknowledged by Nick Mordin's column in The Weekender many moons ago, who was literally startled by this data in pinpointing the best unraced and lightly raced two-year-old colts and fillies in training. Group entries have changed their format over the years but still a major part of our analysis. How do you think we manage to keep ahead of the game? 

As mentioned in my marketing talk:

 ''It's like having John Gosden on speed dial...''

Thanks, John. 

You are welcome to join our free mailing list at Group Horse which details 10 Dark Horses throughout the year. This inside information will be an eye-opener for many readers. It may well be the first glimpse into a deeper understand which goes beyond the surface structure the bookmakers and general pundits may want you to believe.   

Every piece of true knowledge that has worth in pounds, shillings and pence. It's hard fought. 

That is why, in future, it will literally have a price on its head. If you want something of value it most definitely has a price. Else, you'd go to Hatton Garden, pick up a ten carat diamond ring for the misses...and walk out the door without paying. Mmmmmmmm, I wonder why that doesn't happen! 

All this information doesn't grow on trees. I know as you read these words you may think easy come easy go. Yeah...right. So, you're a plumber, well come round mine and fix this leaking tap and I'll say thank you in ten different languages but don't expect a penny from me. 

I've got this really colourful language that I'm just dying to tell you... 

Even these words take time. The understanding and expertise behind each word took years to appreciate. You might think how can these words be worth anything. But, as usual, for many, you're wrong.

When you read these words they encompass a depth of understanding. They have an air of confidence. 

You bet they bloody do...

I asked the question the other day about the big gambler at the casino asking: How do you view your gambling?

It's an interesting question. 

To many gamblers, it might be the most uninteresting question ever written on planet Earth. If that is your answer, I would suggest you should stop betting at once! (That is said with tongue in cheek because it really doesn't concern me what anyone does). Your win, your loss. Roll a dice. 

Think about this question.

What separates you from other

 gamblers? 

Everyone kind of has their own way of doing things, hey. You only have to watch someone playing darts to notice their throw is unique to them. How many ways can you throw a dart? If I said 7.125 billion you'd think it's quite a number. The population of planet Earth. Yes, I know babies, the very old or people with disability may not be able to throw a dart, but you get what I'm trying to say.

But, let's say, how do you, personally, select a ''winning'' horse?

I've had this conversation with my good friend Eric Winner. Yes, he is the bloke who runs a website of a similar name. 

I know lots of very interesting people with many, varied, sometimes inspiring approaches to gambling. I listen, learn, steal...the best bits. 

I could tell you 10 pieces of information and guarantee 

you made money gambling 

The thing is, it seems easy to say. Easy to read. But that information wasn't easy to find. It took thousands of hours to learn. I could say something to you. You may accept what I say, take it or leave, or even think what does that bozo know.

I've had people do all those things. It is the reason why I don't say much to most people about my betting. I'm not being funny, but when it comes to two-year-old horse racing I can confidently say I know more than you. It's a fact. It's like going to the doctors and trying to explain to him how the heart works. 

The thing that makes me smile is that I am a generous person and have given a few gems of wisdom away for free but people disregard them because of a multitude of reasons. Basically, it boils down to people thinking:

• You simply can't beat the bookmakers. 
• Wrong. 
• You can't know anything I don't know. 
• Wrong. 
• Or they think the world is flat. 
• Wrong. 

I often assess people in how many ways they can be wrong. If you meet a wrong 'un. I'm not being funny but save your breath or if you have enough for one last sentence, tell them to...

''GO LOVE THEMSELF''   

I had originally detailed F*** O**

I rarely swear in conversation. It has much more impact on the page and gets the message across in a nice, succinct form. 

If you want to be successful at anything you need to know that little bit more than most. That little bit more may put you 80% ahead of the game. That's why it pays to specialise. Know your niche. Who the hell knows everything? What is everything? Why would you want to know everything? 

Chop off your head, replace it with an old monitor and have a smilie screensaver as your face, a brain strapped to your back in the shape of a modified, but old, desktop PC. The downside is that you won't get a joke! 

You don't need to know everything, bloody thing.

I don't care how hot it is in Cuba because I live in a Fenland town. The weather's always like four seasons in a day. You need to have confidence in something that works. Even if you have a strange affliction about knowing things that shouldn't even register in a sensible mind you still have just 24 hrs in a day to process all this gunk. 

Best to work in an efficient, relaxed, if you can, manner.

Find your niche. 

This post was going to mention the Brocklesby Conditions Stakes... but I think the wisdom of this post may benefit you more.   

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given 

When Lady Luck Catches Your Eye

An interesting topic of conversation. 

You know why people have a fascination with gambling? 

Because they think it's easy money. 

I can tell you now if you honestly think you are going to win at gambling by sheer, blind luck then you are correct, it can happen. 

People looking at websites such as Online Casino Deutschland for all the latest free bets, spins and bonuses. They are like the majority of gamblers hoping they will hit the jackpot. 

We've all seen people winning the lottery. Sure, there is some lucky bloke round the corner from your old grans who needed a larger cheque because they couldn't fit all those zeros. 

The old dear who walked into Tesco's and got a scratch card and won a million as she was tucking into a pie. 

Have you ever seen lady luck? Do you know what she looks like, what she wears or her favourite perfume? 

I have this image in mind. She has the style of Coco Channel, her perfume comes from one of those giant bottles you only see in boutique stores. Perfect hair with a flash of purple in the front (pictured, Lady Luck at Great Yarmouth Casino). Without question, she is a beautiful lady. If she brushes past you while buying a scratch card from W H Smiths you will notice that look, touch and sweet, heavenly smell. She is fleeting like willow the wisp, often brushing past one to favour another with a smile on her face. She turns those waiting in line to green-eyed monsters while those she touches feel like a million dollars even if they only get three bells come up on the fruit machine. 

While she is in your presence she is a queen. As she walks past with her head held high, she's a bitch. 

Lady luck will visit everyone at some point in their life. She is only surpassed by skill or knowledge but even then she may make someone a fortune without a moment's thought.

The next time you are about to place a bet, buy a scratch card or play at the casino, stop for a moment, look around and see if she is waiting in the wings. If she comes closer, place a bet because this may be your lucky day. 

She is waiting for you...

Photo: Pixabay free for commercial use and no attribution but given

He won £10,000 at the casino. Why stop betting?

It's interesting to watch others gamble. To appreciate their understanding, philosophy & methodology.

Perhaps most gamblers don't even consider this point. For many, gambling is just something you do: pastime, hobby, fun, buzz... It can be any number of things. Some psychologists may even say that really people gamble because they want to lose. 

''Although, I guess some people consciously think ''who gives a f***'' 

We've all seen people betting like that. Bizarre.

Each to their own. Only a fool limits others. I could watch some random bloke in the bookmakers, bet in hand, and think ''what does he know?'' 

But what does he know? 

The truth of the matter is unless you know really know someone they may be the best or worst gambler in the world. Although it is part of the human condition to make inferences, it doesn't pay to think you know others. 

It pays for each individual to question, reflect and learn from what they do in all aspects of life including gambling. With self-reflection, we have an opportunity to learn. I would rather learn from my mistakes, even more, others. Why? 

Because they are usually less costly for us, personally, and help keep us on the right path which may lead to success. 

I went to Grosvenor casino at Great Yarmouth on Friday night. I went with my two brothers. It is a social evening rather than going to take them to the cleaners. For anyone who knows anything about gambling at fixed odds, it would be a stupid exclamation. Do you think you can beat fixed odds? The casino rake will slowly, slowly, slowly...take its profit (your loss). 

The only way you can win betting at the casino or any fixed odds is to get lucky, stick your winnings in your pocket, and go home. If you go to the casino once a month with that approach you may even win money. If you get lucky. 

I don't bet much money at the casino. I bet on the roulette. A single number and corner. If the single/corner number comes up it pays 43-2. In that sense, if I get lucky, my little bit of luck pays 43 x £5 = £215. If that coincidence comes early in the evening it's a good day. I put the money in my pocket, or at least my stake, and conclude, with a smile: ''You won't be winning anything from me tonight.'' 

There was a bloke at the casino with his wife, playing roulette. She was standing by watching proceedings. He didn't look like he had two five pence to rub together. But as I have said, it doesn't pay to limit others. For all I know, he may have been the richest man in the room. The staff knew his name, so he was clearly a regular. 

''He was betting £300 a spin. He bet wide and far across the table with £5 chips. Plenty of stacks of chips on single numbers''

I like watching people bet. Why? Because I know about betting from a professional perspective. I never bet for fun on my speciality of two-year-old horse racing. I bet because like a professional stockbroker - it's business. Every gambler in life, unless it is illegal or insider trading of some kind, is the same. Don't be fooled into thinking one gamble is different from another. The only difference is the person and their understanding, knowledge, professionalism, insight...or lack of it. The best gambler, investor, call him what you may, wins. 

I bet at the casino for ''fun'' but even then I try to play with some logic. I don't even like saying I bet for ''fun'' even at the casino but it is one of the few exceptions to my rigid rules. Principles, guidelines, foundations to your gambling knowledge are the key to success. 

''I don't like losing'' 

I definitely don't bet to lose. I can take a small loss at the casino because I do class it slightly different being more sociable (still hate saying those words). Thankfully, I am winning. Truth.

But back to this bloke... 

He wasn't doing too well, then hit on a winning streak. Number nine was hot and he got lucky a good few times. After a couple of hours, he cashed his money to £100 chips and had probably four or five grand. 

Not bad. 

However, my question, thoughts, understanding, wasn't to do with the amount of money won.  

What went through my mind was: ''How do you view your gambling?'' 

He was clearly a regular at the casino. He mentioned the day before he won £10,000. Did he regard himself as a pro gambler? You know what I'm thinking, hey? Or you should do if you have any understanding of gambling. 

Fixed odds. It is the equivalent of betting at a table and the banker has horns sticking out of his head, a ruddy complexion, and the room feels rather warm. In fact, you just placed a bet against the devil himself. No f****** wonder he's smiling. 

Fix odds. How can you win long term? Infrequent bets. Perhaps. Cheating. You can win cheating. You need that in your armoury of skills (especially at the casino). 

''But the security is tighter than Uri Geller's underpants''

You won't get out the door with a bent spoon from the restaurant. 

Good luck to all gamblers. I love to see a winner. Only a loser wants to see someone lose! But if you bet too regular at the casino I would fear that one evening that devil will steal what once looked to be a burgeoning purse. 

When betting it pays to stop and consider whether your bet is based on skill. 

I mean you wouldn't want to play chess against a world champion unless you knew better or fancied you had the odds in your favour? Skill is an asset which you can use to win. Fixed odds like to wave their magic wand with the illusion that you can beat the book. It is the hardest, strongest, most confident, ruthless opponent, you will ever meet.   

Long term you will lose.

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