SBC Podcast

🎧SBC Podcast #72 – Betting Clever: Horse Racing, Black Market Bookies, Oddschecker Unlimited & Exchanges

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by SBC’s Josh as the Betting Clever podcast returns to tackle a whole host of important topics in the betting world.

With this chat recorded during Cheltenham, betting on horse racing takes centre stage, with some recent news about a black market bookmaker discussed in the wider context of getting money down on a sport beset by problems.

Andy Holding, Oddschecker Unlimited, missing account balances, accusatory emails, a listener question and exchange chat are also on the agenda in an action packed show!

You can listen to Episode 72 now via ​Apple​ / ​Spotify​ / ​Google​ / ​YouTube​ and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

For those of you who would like to access the BETDAQ sign up offer we reference in the show, you can do so ​here​ – please remember, this promotion is available to all listeners, not just SBC Members!

As ever, if you have any topics or areas of the gambling world that you would like us to discuss, please get in touch!

🎧SBC Podcast #71: Andy Holding From Oddschecker on Speed Figures, Punting & Tipping

Posted on by Josh P
In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by Andy Holding, the well known racing expert who tips for Oddschecker and commentates on William Hill Radio.

Andy has been in love with horse racing from an early age and he has put in the hard yards to get to where he is, working in bookmaker shops, crunching numbers and building up a reliable system to beat the bookies.

He is that rarest of beasts – someone in the betting media who not only talks the talk but walks the walk as he became a professional punter at the age of 30 so knows what it takes to win.

Speed figures and sectional timing are central to his edge and this feeds into his betting and tipping alongside his service, Andy Holding Speed Figures (recently reviewed by us at SBC!) where clients can access a plethora of tips, data and resources to help them make their punting pay.

Andy wears many hats and this means that we had plenty of topics to cover. Dealing with losing runs as a tipster, affordability checks and the names of the 4 major bookmakers who lay him a bet are on the agenda – I think there is something for everyone in this chat!

You can listen to Episode 71 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An In-Depth Chat With A Hardened Bettor And Tipster

In this episode, Andy and I discuss:

  • Andy’s grounding in racing (and betting)
  • A mentor who changed everything
  • Time!
  • Going professional and how Andy ‘got in’ at the right time
  • Opportunities that have arrived along the way
  • Speed Figures and how they can provide an objective view of races
  • Market reactions to speed figures and sectionals (and how they are still underestimated)
  • The work that goes behind the scenes at Andy Holding Speed Figures
  • Irish Racing and Andy’s daily podcast
  • Tipping for Andy Holding Speed Figures and Oddschecker (and the differences between the selections)
  • Price contractions
  • Dealing with losing runs as a tipster
  • Andy’s betting activity and how he gets on!
  • The firms that Andy has a relationship with and restrictions that turn punters away
  • Affordability Checks and Andy’s thoughts on the future of horse racing
  • Some tips from Andy for betting at Cheltenham (with some early selections!)
  • General advice for betting on horse racing
  • Andy’s football allegiances!
  • How to find Andy and a special SBC discount

You can find out more about Andy’s work on his website, www.andyholdingspeedfigures.co.uk, by following his work on Oddschecker or by following his service’s Twitter/X account, @figuresAndy .

We recently reviewed Andy’s service in Issue 139 of the SBC Magazine, with detailed proofing and analysis of the tips as published by his Speed Figures service (Spoiler – they are excellent!).

To read this review in full and access an exclusive discount on the cost of joining Andy’s service, you will need a SBC subscription, options for which can be found here.

🎧SBC Podcast #70: Betting Lawyer, Harry Stewart-Moore On Representing Big Punters & The Betting Industry

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by Harry Stewart-Moore, a gambling law specialist who works as Litigator Partner in the Gardner Leader Dispute Resolution team.

You may associate high powered lawyers with corporate bookmakers but Harry is different as he specialises in working for punters against these multi-million pound behemoths.

Jockeys, horse racing owners and high-rolling punters – Harry has a history of dealing with litigation in all of these fields, often representing David against Goliath.

Giving him unique insight into the workings of disputes between bookmakers and punters, with extensive experience of dealing with regulators and other industry bodies too.

You can listen to Episode 70 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club

An In-Depth Chat With An Experienced Industry litigator

In this episode, Harry and I discuss:

  • Harry’s father’s impact on his career choice (& love of gambling!)
  • Gambling and what Harry has learnt working with successful gamblers
  • Cases, clients and the life of a gambling lawyer
  • The increase in punter vs. bookmaker disputes and the possible reasons for this
  • The most common issues that Harry deals with
  • The lengths that bookmakers will go to to avoid paying liabilities
  • The anatomy of a gambling dispute case
  • AML & other regulatory checks and how bookmakers weaponise them
  • The Gambling Commission
  • The National Lottery & the Gambling Commission’s attitude towards it
  • The regulatory future in the UK & the growth of the black market
  • Criminal elements’ hold on certain gambling jurisdictions
  • The law and how it relates to black market betting
  • The White Paper and Harry’s take on ‘frictionless’ affordability checks
  • How issues with law and regulation keep reappearing
  • The competitive advantage that major firms have when dealing with onerous checks and regulation
  • IBAS, eCogra and how dispute resolution services just aren’t working
  • Bookmaker Terms and Conditions and how some are drafted to shaft punters
  • How treating ‘skilled’ and casino/fixed odds betting differently could well help with regulation and dealing with problem gambling
  • How to access Harry’s legal expertise!

I can’t think of a previous guest who was as unique as Harry and it was fascinating to learn about his work and some of the cases he has been involved in.

If you would like to interact with Harry, you can do so on Twitter/X by following him @HarryStewartMo1 or by using the contact details provided on this page.

For anyone looking for legal support in the gambling dispute arena he is no doubt the man to go to!

Enjoy!

🎧SBC Podcast #69: Exclusive Interview With Matchbook & Social Media Affiliate Danger Revealed

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by SBC’s Josh as the Betting Clever podcast returns to tackle a whole host of important topics in the betting world, including an in-depth chat with Matchbook on the rise of their betting exchange.

As a follow-up to this article from Sunday on Matchbook’s growth, we were joined by Head of Exchange, Ronan McDonagh to talk about how and why their betting volume has grown and their plans to take it even further. We also get into topics such as affordability checks and the possibility of a Matchbook SP to compete with Betfair SP!

Its an action packed episode as we also explore a very important topic on the dangers posed by popular social media tipsters (some of whom you might follow!) and the questions posed by their affiliate relationship with several large bookmaking firms.

We also get into booming tipsters, an intriguing new free SBC service on extending the life of your bookmaker accounts, golf betting frustration and bet brokers!

You can listen to Episode 69 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

 

If you would like to learn more about Matchbook and access the 150 day introductory offer then click here for our analysis and the relevant sign-up links.

As ever, if you have any topics or areas of the gambling world that you would like us to discuss, please get in touch!

Enjoy!

🎧SBC Podcast #68: Pre-Event & In-Play Golf Edges ⛳

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I was joined by some returning guests who I last hosted on SBC Podcast #25 over 2 years ago.

Duncan and Neil Campbell are the sibling duo whose expertise makes up ​Golf Betting Club​, the fantastic tipping service that has been going strong since its inception in 2020.

2 years is a long time in the golf world so I had lots of new things to talk to the Campbells about! Tours, markets and media coverage are all quite different from our last chat in 2021 so we covered lots of new ground.

Tipping ‘etiquette’, exotic markets, finding value in play and odds availability were some of the other topics that we focussed on.

With ‘GBC’ and SBC sharing a philosophy when it comes to betting, we have ‘partnered up’ for 2024. We love the way that GBC do things, think their in-play angle is a really strong USP and are delighted to welcome them to our ​Premium Tipster Stable​.

We talk a little about that in this chat, alongside everything touched on above and so much more.

You can listen to Episode 68 now via ​Apple​ / ​Spotify​ / ​Google​ / ​YouTube​ and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An In=Depth Chat With Hardened Golf Punters

In this episode, Duncan, Neil and I discuss:

  • Duncan & Neil’s dynamic, how they balance betting & tipping with other work and managing time with such an all-consuming business
  • Watching tournaments to find value and keep abreast of player performance
  • Getting on, exchanges and the challenges of backing value once you have found it
  • Place terms, the timing of bets and balancing value with attainability for members
  • Tipsters betting on Mondays and how GBC’s approach is different with ‘Best’, ‘Tracked’ and ‘Minimum’ prices all provided for their subscribers
  • Betting in-play and why the Campbells often prefer it over pre-tournament action
  • Exotic markets, 3-balls and the edges available outside of the core markets
  • How player profiling can help with in-play betting, especially for those players consistently disrespected by the markets
  • Reflecting on performance, planned improvements and changes in the golf betting markets
  • LIV, The PGA Tour, The DPWT and how the politics of golf may well offer up betting opportunities
  • Statistics, popular metrics and how the Campbells have their own approaches to assessing players, especially when they play on different tours
  • Pre-event vs. in play & using the first round to gauge whether a player makes the shortlist
  • Variance, losing runs and dealing with this (as both tipsters and punters)
  • Where to find GBC and how to access their content (much of which is free!)
  • Predictions for 2024 and beyond

It is great to speak to tipsters who take so much care in how and when they release tips, with attainability at the forefront of their mind with every message they send out.

This chimes with our ethos at the SBC and with so much else on offer, I can recommend following Golf Betting Club on social media (​@golfbettingclub​) or visiting ​their website​ if you have an interest in the sport (and betting on it!).

You can also learn more about ‘GBC’ on ​their SBC page​, with sign up options for SBC members (and non-members) available at the bottom of the page.

Enjoy!

⛳2024 Golf Betting: Watch Our 4 Golf Strategies Play Out LIVE In January⛳

Posted on by Josh P

Golf has been our main focus over the festive and New Year period, with a detailed 28-page report release being accompanied by a special podcast, where Tom Brownlee from Bookie Bashing joined Rowan, Josh and I to discuss how we bet on golf using Weekly Golf Value and the Bookie Bashing Golf Tracker.

To follow up, we will each be posting all of our golf selections in the month of January (with a possible extension if this goes well!).

There will be no after timing here! Once tournaments have started on Thursday, we will reveal our selections on social media and in this blog post, with the odds we have taken for both win and each-way bets detailed for anyone who wants to see our strategies play out in real time.

It’s going to be less about bragging about winners (or sulking about losers!) and more about outlining how each of the 4 us take a slightly different approach to golf betting based on our preferences, time and of course bookmakers or exchanges available.

For all of this week’s bets, just scroll down!

 

Our Bets For The Dubai Desert Classic & The American Express

As discussed in our podcast, we all employ slightly different strategies using the tracker and the other facets of the Bookie Bashing service to arrive at our selections.
This week we have two tournaments with both the Farmers Insurance (PGA) and Ras Al Khaimah (DP World). Here is who we have each selected:



 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

🎧SBC Podcast #67: How To Profit From Golf Betting in 2024!⛳

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I was joined by Tom Brownlee from Bookie Bashing and SBC’s very own Rowan and Josh to discuss everything golf betting for 2024

The great thing about assembling a ‘panel’ like this is that we all do things in our own way, we all have different levels of experience and we all have circumstances that dictate how we can bet.

This includes 2 strategies for betting each way (with bookmakers) and for the first time – betting to win (on exchanges mainly) and how each of us do this.

We covered the various options for different levels of bettor in our latest Special Report on Golf Betting and in this pod, we ‘add some meat to the bone’, with practical tips, insight and experiences that can help you.

You can listen to Episode 67 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An In-Depth Chat With Hardened Golf Punters

In this episode, Tom, Rowan, Josh and I discuss:

  • ‘Cliff golfers’ – those who have cost us the most but who we dare not leave off our shortlists!
  • How we bet on golf, including shops, online soft bookmakers, exchanges and even Fantasy Golf
  • How the Bookie Bashing Golf Tracker works
  • Odds ranges, ‘sweet spots’ and which bands of odds can deliver massive profits from places
  • Timing, bookmaker profiling and when we bet to balance every consideration
  • Lesser known bookmakers and exploring firms not on the Oddschecker grid
  • Win only betting – why the tracker finds value (if it does!)
  • Quirks in the data between different tours
  • Drawdowns, tempering expectations and finding strategies that match individual risk appetites

You can learn more about the Bookie Bashing Golf Tracker by clicking ​here and the service we run together, where we share weekly tips using the powerful algorithm is profiled here.

As ever, if you have any questions, comments or feedback please get in touch via the normal channels!

⛳2024 Golf Betting Report: Winning with Bookies And/Or Exchanges!⛳

Posted on by Josh P

Maybe it was a birdie? Maybe it was an eagle? It may well have even been an albatross!

Some type of flying creature has just dropped off our latest special report and to round off 2023, golf betting is on the agenda.

Best of all, it covers all angles from each way betting with ‘soft’ bookmakers through to a unique win betting strategy you can use on the betting exchanges.

Report: Covering all angles – Bookies & Exchanges

This 28 page special contains all of the usual data and analytics that we use to assess tipster services but our commentary here is a bit different as self-selection is an option here alongside ‘traditional’ tips.

Therefore, we investigate several different angles that can broadly be split into three categories, depending on how you want to bet:

1. Following a curated set of each-way golf selections for every PGA, DPWT & LIV tournament, with around 8 players per tournament accompanied by advised prices, place terms, bookmaker options and stakes

2. Choosing your own list of players, the ways that you can ‘narrow down the field’ and some pointers for getting the very best value when building your each-way portfolio.

3. Win only betting for those of you who want to utilise the exchanges to get the very best value without the need for bookmaker accounts. IDEAL if closed or limited by ‘soft’ bookmakers

Our Personal Experiences

As numbers 2 & 3 above are a little harder to track, we have incorporated our very own experiences and betting records into this report to help build up a picture of how the team at SBC make our profits betting on golf.

Rowan (of Bet Diary fame) wrote the report, adding in his preferences for using this service throughout, Pete’s win only strategy is covered in depth and Josh also adds some notes as he has started to incorporate some of these strategies into his betting too.

Sign up to read: 2024 will be better than ever!

To read this report (and all of our other detailed publications) you will need a SBC Membership.

Moving into 2024, we have more on offer than ever, with bespoke support, video guides, members only podcasts and automation available to members, complementing the work we have done in 2023 on The 5 Stages of Profitable Betting and Exchange & Sharp Bookmaker Tipsters.​

Our membership plans and pricing can be viewed here and if you are unsure about whether SBC is for you, please remember that we offer a cast-iron money back guarantee so you can try us out with no long-term commitment!

🎧SBC Podcast #66: Chris Poole On His Career in the Betting Industry, ‘After Timing’ and Tales from the Inside!

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by Chris Poole, the Head Of Trading for Bet Victor and an essential X (Twitter) follow as he has a quite unique account, calling out the worst betting related boasting!

Chris has a wealth of experience, working his way up the bookmaking industry career ladder via multiple firms before settling into his current role with Bet Victor in Gibraltar.

Despite initially specialising on horse racing trading, Chris now oversees all of Bet Victor’s sports business, with over people 60 working in his team.

Alongside this, Chris has recently started a weekly Twitter ‘Spaces’ chat with the professional punter (and former SBC Podcast guest!), Johnny Dineen.

It was brilliant to get Chris onto the show to provide different perspectives from many of our previous guests as his job relates to stopping winners rather than finding them! I really enjoyed this chat and I am sure that you will too!

You can listen to Episode 66 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An In-Depth Chat with an Experienced Industry Insider!

In this episode, Chris and I discuss:

  • The birth of ‘After timing Ansell’ on Twitter, the issues that it caused and Chris’s current social media activity
  • 26 years working in the industry, being a ‘dinosaur’ and starting out cashiering for an independent bookmaker
  • Progressing through the ranks to work for Boylesports, Paddy Power and Bet Victor
  • Moving to Gibraltar and adapting into a trading role
  • Chris’s early wins and how his grandparents influenced his love for ‘the game’
  • Early bookmaking experiences laying bets (and trying to arb!) on ‘The Crazy Gang’, sports days and Frank Bruno!
  • How Chris never has a ‘typical’ day in his current role
  • Personal betting in trading rooms
  • Football, horse racing and which sports make up the majority of Bet Victor’s trading each day
  • Surprising growth markets
  • Affordability Checks, proposed legislation and Chris’s reflections on how we have moved from the ‘wild west’ to the current day
  • Sorting the ‘shrewd’ bets from guesses, Twitter tipsters or other ‘momentum’ gambles
  • A scary multiple bet with three double figure selections that nearly cost Chris’s firm dearly
  • Minimum Bet Liability, Bet Victor’s attempt to launch their version of it and why it didn’t work when the big syndicates started to pick off prices
  • Best Odds Guaranteed and the issues it causes for traders
  • Chris’s foray into broadcasting alongside Johnny Dineen in their weekly X (Twitter) spaces horse racing chat, ‘The Morning Line’
  • The lessons that gambling can teach you and how it can help you in all areas of your life

Chris was a funny, engaging and knowledgeable guest and it was great to pick the brains of somebody with such a different perspective on the industry.

If you would like to hear more from Chris then you can follow him on social media @ChrisPoole___ and this is the perfect place to find ‘The Morning Line’ every Saturday morning.

Enjoy!

🎥 Practical Demonstration of ‘Hall of Fame’ Pinnacle Odds Dropping Service 🎥

Posted on by Josh P

Last week saw the release of the first review from SBC Magazine Issue #137 as we introduced Chasing Steamers to our members.

Using AI to scrape Pinnacle odds drops, this service provides thousands of monthly bets that can be backed at value prices with soft bookmakers.

We used it extensively as part of our review process and found it to be very good, especially for those of you at Stages 1, 2 or 3 of your profitable betting journey and looking to build a bank.

Video Resource

To accompany our 18 page review, Josh and I recorded a practical 1 hour video explainer last week, a clip of which you can watch by clicking play below:

video preview​

In the full 1 hour video, we talk about:

  • How the service works and who can make use of it
  • Our usage of it and the real life profits made.
  • Bookmakers and how to squeeze the most out of accounts by using less obvious ones!
  • Mistakes we made and tips to make the service more sustainable
  • How to get on selections (with live practical examples)
  • Recording results in an automatically updated personalised Google sheet
  • Conclusions about who it is for, how sustainable it is and things you need to consider before signing up

Sign Up For The Video & Detailed Report

Our detailed 18 page written report and one hour practical video explainer can be accessed immediately with paid SBC Membership.

Best of all, you can also enjoy a 15% discount on ALL Chasing Steamers subscriptions as an SBC member. Saving up to as much as £82.50 on a 12 month package with the service

Detailed reports, practical advice, member only content and considerable discounts are all examples of how we will help SBC Members assess this service but the benefits of membership don’t end there.

​This page discusses everything that you can access with full SBC Membership – I would love for you to join us!