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https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/technology-34401381
William Hill investing in VR headsets for the 'betting shop of the future'
Could you imagine getting handed 'your headset' for the 3 o'clock that some manky jaikey ba5tard had been wearing for the previous half hour?
I used to pmsl at the thought of half a dozen cream cookie denizens all nodding away as they vied for track position before vigourously nodding away in a driving finish.
Also can you imagine if you were a faller from your big white plastic horse and hit the carpet only to spill the local hardman's complimentary coffee which resulted in you getting your head kicked in (including headset).
William Hill investing in VR headsets for the 'betting shop of the future'
Could you imagine getting handed 'your headset' for the 3 o'clock that some manky jaikey ba5tard had been wearing for the previous half hour?
I used to pmsl at the thought of half a dozen cream cookie denizens all nodding away as they vied for track position before vigourously nodding away in a driving finish.
Also can you imagine if you were a faller from your big white plastic horse and hit the carpet only to spill the local hardman's complimentary coffee which resulted in you getting your head kicked in (including headset).
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Reminds me of a betting shop true story -
A middle-aged man used to prance up and down along front of the betting shop counter as though he was on a hobby horse while his horses were running (he didn't have a whip action as both hands always stayed firmly in his trouser pockets). I think he had Aspergers tbf. It didn't bother him that people were trying to get past him to get bets on, he would sometimes "pull-up" briefly to let somebody past and then just resume "riding" again afterwards. The manager put up with this as it was generally agreed to be a fine source of entertainment and the fella only had a couple of early-race bets each day before leaving. Nobody knew his actual name but he was known in the shop as either 'Armless, Lester or 'Armless Lester!
Something changed though and he started to stay for more races. The manager eventually lost his rag and told him he had to sit while his horses were running. He decided to perch on a high bar stool and wrap his own legs tightly around the tall legs of the stool (hands still firmly in pockets). Now when he rode a vigorous finish on the stool it would often edge forwards and/or wobble, he would bob his head forwards if it was looking like a really close one.
A couple of days into this new riding regime and his horse was in a particularly close finish, the inevitable happened, his head-bobbing motion resulted in the stool toppling forwards and with no hands to save him, his knees were the first point of contact with the hard tiled floor, followed very closely and very loudly by his chin.
There was blood everywhere and he was motionless for what seemed like a good few minutes. When the cashier eventually helped him to his feet all he could say was "Did I win?" (He didn't!). He left with his chin literally hanging off his face, pouring blood and looking like he needed about 40 stitches.
He never returned.
A middle-aged man used to prance up and down along front of the betting shop counter as though he was on a hobby horse while his horses were running (he didn't have a whip action as both hands always stayed firmly in his trouser pockets). I think he had Aspergers tbf. It didn't bother him that people were trying to get past him to get bets on, he would sometimes "pull-up" briefly to let somebody past and then just resume "riding" again afterwards. The manager put up with this as it was generally agreed to be a fine source of entertainment and the fella only had a couple of early-race bets each day before leaving. Nobody knew his actual name but he was known in the shop as either 'Armless, Lester or 'Armless Lester!
Something changed though and he started to stay for more races. The manager eventually lost his rag and told him he had to sit while his horses were running. He decided to perch on a high bar stool and wrap his own legs tightly around the tall legs of the stool (hands still firmly in pockets). Now when he rode a vigorous finish on the stool it would often edge forwards and/or wobble, he would bob his head forwards if it was looking like a really close one.
A couple of days into this new riding regime and his horse was in a particularly close finish, the inevitable happened, his head-bobbing motion resulted in the stool toppling forwards and with no hands to save him, his knees were the first point of contact with the hard tiled floor, followed very closely and very loudly by his chin.
There was blood everywhere and he was motionless for what seemed like a good few minutes. When the cashier eventually helped him to his feet all he could say was "Did I win?" (He didn't!). He left with his chin literally hanging off his face, pouring blood and looking like he needed about 40 stitches.
He never returned.
Good story The Management!
The funniest thing I ever saw was in a Lads in Earls Court which was in a basement.
There was this bloke, Jimmy I think he was called. A right know all, had an opinion on everything, was always right. Used to bully the counter staff especially if they were a youngster.
One day there was a loud crash at the top of the stairs, don't know if he was pushed or tripped, and Jimmy came cartwheeling down the stairs like a stunt man in a kung fu movie, closely followed by his wig.
And like the fella in your story, I never saw him agian.
The funniest thing I ever saw was in a Lads in Earls Court which was in a basement.
There was this bloke, Jimmy I think he was called. A right know all, had an opinion on everything, was always right. Used to bully the counter staff especially if they were a youngster.
One day there was a loud crash at the top of the stairs, don't know if he was pushed or tripped, and Jimmy came cartwheeling down the stairs like a stunt man in a kung fu movie, closely followed by his wig.
And like the fella in your story, I never saw him agian.
Virtual Reality headsets were recently added to the basket of goods used by the government to measure inflation, so it's not just Hills who think they are the future.
Struggling to see it myself but I'm usually wrong.
Struggling to see it myself but I'm usually wrong.
May 21, 2025 -- 7:37PM, leif wrote:
The Cardboard ones were a hoot!
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