Weak as Water

[Dr Pangloss]

Just attempted to place a rather modest wager on Rockhampton Race 5 4 Jackson Hill.

One of our more prominent corporate bookmaking firms refused my paltry wager at SP or fixed odds - I could have the nominated TAB dividend or nothing. I chose the latter.

Needless to say Jackson Hill won returning SP 3.5, but was not favourite.

Suspending the widely advertised Best Odds product (TAB or SP) at a whim is an act of bare faced cynicism. One day they're boasting million dollar bets on Lohnro - the next they won't even take two bob each way.

Thank God BetFair is alive and well.

[Subzero]

Can you tell me how much you wanted to get set for Mr Pangloss. I have been contemplating joining that mob as they often display better odds than the firm that I am with. I bet in three figure amounts but if they are going to refuse my bets then there wouldn't be any point.

Many Thanks Subzero.

[Dr Pangloss]

Subzero

Allow me to first expand on the above for the sake of perspective.

It was not the form of this maiden galloper that attracted my attention but the following tell-tale signs. Simultaenously at the 9 minute mark prior to the official jump amounts of $4,339 and $4,061 were invested on the Vic and NSW TABs respectively on Jackson Hill - the next largest investments of $309 and $637 (on other horses) at this time stood in stark contrast. At the 6 minute mark $3,502 was invested on the Uni TAB on this maiden runner. The official betting fluctuations for Jackson Hill reads 7.0 into 3.5 (a fact I subsequently discovered).

So with red lights flashing and sirens sounding our corporate big note bookmaker elected to shut up shop. They loudly advertise a certain product (Best Odds) but when it suits the product is withdrawn without notice. Such contempt for their clientel should also not go without notice.

I appreciate that a bookie must actively exercise risk management - but not delivering on a basic betting product is hardly an expression of good faith. Let the unwary be warned.

The size of my wager never became an issue - I initially asked for the fixed price (displayed as a shrinking 4.40 on their web site) only to be told nominated TAB odds only thank you very much (to a credit account client of two years standing).

Prices of around 4.00 remained freely available at BetFair at these times.

[kenchar]

Can they actually do this???????

My understanding is that if a bookmaker displays odds he MUST accept a bet at those odds to lose a certain amount. eg $5000.

[Subzero]

Thanks for the response Dr Pangloss.

Kenchar, I think that obligation only applies to when a punter bets on course with an on course bookmaker.I think the corporates are free to do what they please though they risk losing customers as this example shows.

I live in NSW and it is deemed illegal to use Betfair - although no one has yet to be prosecuted I'm hesitant to jump in as yet.

I

[Mr J]

"I live in NSW and it is deemed illegal to use Betfair - although no one has yet to be prosecuted I'm hesitant to jump in as yet."

I live in NSW and the thought has never crossed my mind. It's insanely greedy and appauling. I will never use any TAB unless they have the best price (rarely) where I'll be happy to lighten that big wallet of theirs. Monopoly of an industry at it's worst.

[Dr Pangloss]

Some poetic justice today.

On Bairnsdale Race 2 (3yo Maiden) $9,319 was plonked (Vic TAB) on No.12 Sandy's Joy at the 30 minute mark prior to official jump. Consequently, Sandy's Joy was showing $1.40 whilst No.3 Casa Del Royale (and eventual winner) displayed $5.20.

Our corporate bookie website openers showed Sandy's Joy 1.85 and Casa Del Royale 3.20 - no doubt in response to the TAB figures.

But.......surprise, surprise. At the 15 minute mark $8,421 of the win bet on Sandy's Joy was cancelled on the Vic TAB. It's price ballooned to 8.9 whilst money poured onto Cas Del Royale which shortened on the TAB into 2.40.

Official bookie fluctuations show Cas Del Royale backed from 3.5 into SP 2.00 fav. Sandy's Joy blew like a garden gate and was never sighted. Casa Del Royale led throughout winning easily.

A subtle sting that you won't read about in tomorrows paper.

[kenchar]

As I have stated before there are certain people that can manipulate the tabs and are allowed to do so because of the volume of dollars they turn over everyday.

Let the average joe try and cancel a bet and see what happens.

Read this quick before it is deleted.

It is nearly impossible to know what is happening in this sort of thing because of our so called laws.

If the truth of what really happens in this punting game was ever released to the public all hell would break loose.

[Mark]

They're are too busy trying to bring down the exchanges to bother with what has been highlighted here. Which, after seeing how huge Betfair is in the UK, sponsoring meetings etc, is just not going to happen.