Pope

Cowell is turning it into a new reality show.

We don't have all the runners yet but Ann Widdecombe is favourite on the highstreet.

Pope Idol

Psalm Off between the bottom 2

With the loser being condemned to hell

harsh, a stretch in purgatory will do

mentors = John Bishop, Charlotte Church, Diane Parish

..and Miranda

Had a whisper for Harry Redknapp

If they add Dom Jolly to the market i will probably tip him 

Jimmy Savile would  have been a shoo-in

Would be very funny if the new one was Pope Sicola

Betfair: "Thanks for the suggestion, however we will not consider offering markets until the pope officially stands down at the end of the month."

they hope to have the new pope in by Easter

Wonder why Betfair decides to wait, whats the point?

Guessing it will that nice looking fellow Bertone...  You know "Peter the Roman".

Feb 13, 2013 -- 6:54PM, Horangi. wrote:

Wonder why Betfair decides to wait, whats the point?Guessing it will that nice looking fellow Bertone...  You know "Peter the Roman".

I don't know why and can only guess.  I have been successful in getting decisions but I am rarely successful in gaining credible explanations for those decisions.  Somebody could ask, I guess, but I don't plan to hit my head against that particular brick wall. I also have no great desire to devote the time to study that market.

i suppose, like sir alex ferguson, somebody may persuade the pope to carry on.

then we would have a meerkat where people are waiting for somebody to die to facilitate
payment, which would be somewhat tasteless.

Well it would be simple to put a time limit in the rules e.g. bets void if no new pope by the end of June, or something. But I am finding more and more that there is no sense in any of Betfair's recent behaviour regarding the set up of markets, or anything else for that matter.

Exactly just have a simple time stipulation.  Anywho whatever, taken my business elsewhere on this one.

The Irish firm have no shame. Just noticed this:

If the cardinals elect the First Black Pope, we will refund all losing bets on the Next Pope market.

PP also have Richard Dawkins listed at 666/1

Widdecombe quoted?

Cardinal Keith O'Brien now a non-runner apparently.

Market up.  1/5 odds a place 1,2,3 anyone?

my candidate is not in the list, they should put more names, I guess the election will be a huge surprise, with the winner paying more than 100

I'll lay you at least 1000/20 anyone you get Betfair to put on the list, oooyes.

I asked betfair to put Hong Kong Cardinal John Tong Hon, but until now nothing.
Also Im wondering if they are going to open other markets like papal name and nationality

Good call re Papal name and nationality - particularly the latter.

Lot of media chatter about an African or Latin American winner but I see a conservative/reactive electorate with a massively strong European block-vote so I'd be very surprised to see a non-European elected - think the Europeans will support one candidate after a bit of horse trading.

It's a good time to suggest additions.  The blue book is about to dip below 100%.  This suggests one of two things, either the winner is not listed or, horror on horrors, layers are getting carried away........ but that's never happened before has it?