Olympic World Sports

[PerpetualCzech]

Am pleased to announce that despite my claims that I was not brought to Jamaica to be an oddsmaker, that exactly the position Spiro has offered me and I have accepted. He'll be still doing all the North American sports and I'll be in charge of doing World Sports (soccer, tennis, motor racing etc.) We'll split the duties for the time being as I ease into the position.

I'm just beginning to comprehend the huge amount of work ahead to follow everything out there and probably won't be able to sign on here as often as I'd like to so sorry ahead of time if I miss any questions directed to me. If anyone wants to get in touch with me feel free to e-mail me at jansuch@thegreek.com.

One thing I would like to start when I'm smoothly running is a mailing list for those interested in World Sports so I can periodically let everyone know current happenings and new stuff. Let me know if you think that would be popular and if you'd like to be on the list.

Cheers, PC

[Segundo]

I would like to be on the list, especially if you will announce what events you plan on dealing in the upcoming week(s) or so. Sort of give me a head start to know what to look for.

[greg]

what does that type of gig pay.

[Shawn]

PC...

What are your plans for soccer? If you'd rather e-mail me back hit me at shawnino@hotmail.com.

Thanks,
Shawn

[PerpetualCzech]

Segundo,

Thanks for the opinion, when I get it going I'll make a posting here to invite all those interested to send me their e-mail addresses.

greg,

Sorry, I'm uncomfortable talking about that kind of stuff publicly or to someone I've never met. Hope you don't mind.

Shawn,

I've got a million things I'm thinking about, some which may work and some which may not, but I'll have to get a little more organized before I can answer your question properly. Among the more significant things are:

- doing away with the 3-way bet offers and posting a goal line (e.g. Rangers -0.5 -130, Celtic +0.5 +100) I know this is one step short of an Asian line but it'll take a while to change our software to accomodate the 1/4 lines.

- an over/under number for every game (maybe not possible at first, but as many as I can manage)

- props, props, and more props. This will DEFINITELY take a while to develop!

[AussieVamp2]

Geez, Dark Lords of the Empire plotting already (Ray, get Chewie to fire up the Falcon, seems your suspicions were correct)

Notice the Russian league listed, Shawn, so there you go

A question there though, suddenly things like the Norwegian 2nd and Finnish 1st appeared briefly, then disappeared......

and yes, PC, keeping track of all this IS a lot of work

[AussieVamp2]

the half goal thing interesting, not sure everyone will always be in favor, however, having the option always would be good

however, seems that Canbet is now offering less and less of these, wonder what the reason is?

[PerpetualCzech]

That's interesting, I really thought goal lines would be hands down preferred over the 3-way line since it's really not that different from an Asian line (which I also thought was far more popular) Any other opinions on this?

Scandinavian Lower Divisions will be back soon.

[alec]

PC,

Can you share your plans for tennis, please. Anything close to Tipsport in terms of the number of tournaments covered?

On soccer. Will Olympic offer promotion bets on regular basis? At least for Eurocups.

[ShiftySheik]

PC, You are right about soccer half goal lines, it's a much better bet for the player. I'd certainly pay more attention to soccer if you get rid of the 3 way betting. AV2, You can bet "Tie Game" anywhere, but very few books let you bet +0.5 goal.

[PerpetualCzech]

alec,

Yes, actually I will probably set my measuring stick up against the Czech books regarding soccer ... I would love to be as varied as they are in tennis and if I get up to their level I will be happy.

[AussieVamp2]

Sheik,

I will beg to differ on the half goal line being 'better for the player'

in some cases it might be. Read my post on the topic. Now, if they were 1.90 type lines, perhaps a different story, but if the same market as the 3-ways, then the problem becomes pretty obvious.

Having the choice, however, is good.

[DrunkenGoon]

PC - Please add me to that mailing list... amovilea@sentex.net

May all your bets be winners

[Shawn]

AV2...

Agreed. What i can't figure out is that whenever I talk with europeans, they invariably dislike handicap lines at 1.90 when given the choice between that and 3-ways at the typical 110%-112%.

To each his own...chachun a son gout.

[boris]

I can give you a simple answer for that Shawn....

Asian and North American players have always been dealt lines, with both sides arounf the 1.90 mark. So much so, that the actual result of the game doesn't necessarily matter, it's all down to the points.

The Aussie/Euro punter has been brought up focussing on the actual result, and having the option of backing one team at the short price - eg $1.40, or the outsider at a decent price, say $5.50 with a draw in between.

I personally prefer to have all my bets on outsiders, it's easier to win that way IF you know your stuff. It's very rare I go lower than -130 (1.77) for a straight-out bet. My latest love, tennis, sees the average price I take at about 2.50. I'd much rather splash out my cash knowing that if I'm right, I will recieve more than I laid out as profit, and that's without taking multis/parlays. Aussies/Euros aren't accustomed to a no result bet (push) either. You put the cash up, you either win or lose.

It's the way people have learned the game. Having worked for an Aussie bookmaker, I can tell you that from local clients, 90% of their interest was on the result betting (for AFL/NRL or even NFL/NBA). With Asian or North American clientele, it was the reverse, most of them had no idea what the 'moneyline' even was.

Not saying either side is wrong or right, I just prefer my system where I don't have to be right over 50% of the time to make a profit.

So in soccer to be honest, if given the option, I'd rather bet half-ball without the confusing (or messy) quarters, so that I can have a match at 1.60 0:1/2 2.30 (in which case I'd only take the +), rather than 3/4 ball, and the possibility of winning/losing half, or if I did win, I'd only be getting 1.90 or so.