Betting-on-Thames

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

You can scarcely move on the riverbank these days for betting folk. Not so much Mole, Rat and Badger gathering around Toad Hall fending off the Stoats and Ferrets; more the local patriarch, 'Onest John 2E, your friendly local bookie, and his cohort of slick, young(ish) sales and marketing experts.

Who said the nation is finished, washed up, when such entrepreneurship is alive and well in the streets of Pangbourne, Goring and Streatley-on-Thames! David Cameron's rallying call to the enterprise culture at yesterday's CBI bash has clearly fallen on fertile ground: good'on'yer, Farebet and the boys!

J2O will no doubt let us all know when the keenest bets in the market hit the riverbank: eyes down for the numbers...

[Adonis First]

...Saturday was 6/11/10 of course....

[Adonis First]

For what it's worth.........
Some of the problems connected with betting today are related to the inertia of the betting industry when it comes to meeting the changing and developing needs of Punters. Betting exchanges (love 'em or hate 'em, especially one....) provided a step-function of radical change and profitted from the provision of almost complete betting options. No longer does a punter (with them at least) have to pick a winner. He can also profit from picking a LOSER! Unheard of little more than a decade ago.
Likewise In-Running: If we presume that Events, and betting operators are controlled and referreed to high standards (well, in theory...) why CAN'T punters get bets on at ANY time they want to prior to the Result being declared?
I just don't understand the reluctance of bookmakers to provide realistic In-Running facilities. The message is simple....
Provide what the Customer wants and needs, then take a reasonable profit from that service!
Provide the same as Tom, Dick and Harry - and drown in the next Spring Bore.

All of the above is by no means pro-exchange and anti-bookmaker. Take Saturday 7/11/10 for example.... I looked to Betdaq for a bet on the Brazilian F1 race qualifying - the last of the season. Two minutes BEFORE it started, there were NO prices available, either side. It stayed like that for the whole qualifying session! That's poor service - thus an opportunity (it was indeed) for alternative providers who more adequately catered for my wishes.
Same old story really: supply and demand. The consumer demands, and those wishing to profit Provide. Or forego their Profit.
Simple.
Compare the Meerkats.com!

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

Another welcome addition to the throng of betting folk on the river bank was local trader, Sports_Punter, a familiar figure on The Sports Exchange. His blogspot is at http://www.thesportspunter.blogspot.com/. Always feel SP's a reluctant blogger, not convinced of his audience; looks good to me. Spotted having a discreet get-together with 'Onest J2E in the plush surroundings of The Elephant.

[Gordon McIvor Wilson]

Fresh sitings of the river-betting-folk yesterday. 'Onest John 2E, resplendent in magnificent baggy country cap, cords and Barbour was holding court in his local office, the Pang WMC. Also spotted was Matt, head of sales for the new venture, and an unexpected fount of knowledge for your correspondent on matters pharma and biotech, very useful.

The new shop is in the hands of the planners, so come on locals of Pang and Goring: a local walk-in bookie is just what's needed in the town, especially one of the calibre of Farebet, 'Onest John and the boys! I feel a petition coming on.