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Stevie Strikes
07 Oct 14 10:21
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Date Joined: 27 Apr 04
| Topic/replies: 1,279 | Blogger: Stevie Strikes's blog
If you are full-time / semi-pro on Betfair, how easy is it to explain to your family and friends what it is you do?

I ask this after reading a thread on General Betting thread ("Betfair for a living... please help"), on which several people describe the impossibility of explaining todays betting (I include trading - it's still betting) to people who's notions of "gambling" are - at best - 15 years out of date, and at worst, wildly prejeudiced.

I've only ever managed to explain to two people, neither of whom are my family.  How about you?
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Report Schalke 04 October 7, 2014 10:31 AM BST
See the amount of people that you have to explain what "laying" something is, does my head in !!
Report Stevie Strikes October 7, 2014 10:34 AM BST
Perfect example, Schalke.  "Their eyes just glaze over" I think was one of the comments I read.
Report Schalke 04 October 7, 2014 10:38 AM BST
Ok, I don't do it for a living anymore, but I did for 2 years ... but even now, you say to people you are doing some betting for a few hours they still say "it's a mugs game" "thats the road to ruin"

aye, maybe if you are an idiot that just goes in te bookies and bets on dogs all day and does 8 team football accys ...

Most people aint got a clue what Betfair really is, or the type of betting that I do to make money, am sick to death even trying to explain to people about the way I bet
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 10:45 AM BST
Years ago, I had the same problem with art. I used to paint race-horses and people would say, straight away like, "Hey, BOOKIES WILL BUY THESE!" Yeah, a real lightbulb moment...one gallery in Glasgow left my paintings behind when an art fair was taking place - there was some sort of inverted snobbery going on as if racing is not a respectable subject. This gallery sold about a dozen non-racing paintings for me, but I never went back. Fookin' doughballs at best.

Bookies? Really? Like they live in a world where the aristocracy and the Queen and Arab sheiks do not exist. Degas and Stubbs and Munnings do not exist, because nobody would want a painting of horses except a BOOOOOOOKIE!!

As for Betfair, the local joiner loves a punt and I was trying to explain Betfair to him and he said, "Stop it - you're doing my head in."
Report scandanavian_haven October 7, 2014 10:46 AM BST
try explaining the Premium charge
Report Stevie Strikes October 7, 2014 10:47 AM BST
s-h, if only!
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 10:52 AM BST
BTW - the joiner was 20 yards away from a bookie and a typical bet for him was : Ayr 3.30 FAV. £50 win.

Why bother?

As Disraeli said, "Never complain, never explain."
Report rogerthebutler October 7, 2014 11:00 AM BST
Don't bother!

People won't understand and if they get even an inkling it's about betting (and you can dress it up as trading if you like) the general public are so ingrained with the notion that gambling equals problem gambling, you'll be getting looks of sympathy-mixed-with-horror and phatic phrases (it's a mugs game' etc).

Just say you're a rent boy - far more easily understood and respectable to the majority of the public! :)
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 11:29 AM BST
Hey...eh...I hope all you hard core degenerate gamblers saw the front page of the Racing Post today because...that is enough to melt a grown man's heart...Love
Report DartsnBooze October 7, 2014 1:50 PM BST
What, this pic? It's a beaut!

https://www.facebook.com/racingpost/photos/a.499138261119.273438.189008416119/10152302218306120/?type=1&relevant_count=1
Report Make my hay October 7, 2014 2:01 PM BST
rogerthebutler  11:00

Just say you're a rent boy - far more easily understood and respectable to the majority of the public!

Laugh
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 2:11 PM BST
That is fookin' horrendous - looks like the poor hoss has been dropped from a B-52.....no, I mean this one...

http://images.racingpost.com/2014/Oct/132058.jpg

TREVE TAKES HER BOW.
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 2:14 PM BST
Alec Head is 90 years old! Shocked
Report Tommy Toes October 7, 2014 2:35 PM BST
That's a great picture Vel. Similarities to the Mighty Zenyatta there.

I noticed on Sunday Treve's antics as she came back to the paddock after the race.

She really knew she'd won.
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 4:02 PM BST
Yep, have to say now she is the greatest filly or mare to ever race in Europe. All the trouble and injuries, conceding the extra weight for age to a filly like Taghrooda. Better than Triptych, All Along, Allez France, Oh So Sharp, etc. The Best.
Report Velasquez October 7, 2014 4:03 PM BST
And better than Zarkava. Grin
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