SBC podcast

🎧SBC Podcast #62: Jason Trost – CEO of Smarkets & SBK

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I was joined by Jason Trost – the founder and CEO of both the betting exchange, Smarkets and the bookmaker, SBK.

With so many incredibly important topics up for debate in the betting world at the moment, Jason was the perfect guest to explore concepts like affordability checks and their considerable impact on those of us that enjoy betting.

Jason also talked openly and candidly about the reality of running both Smarkets and SBK, trying to do things differently to their (admittedly bigger) competitors, exchange liquidity, commission and much more.

He also outlined how SBK has been setup to offer better odds than many of their rivals and just how it does that, plus his goal to make it appeal to punters looking for a more traditional bookmaking experience.

When it comes to affordability checks, he has some strong opinions on why gambling is being singled out when other ‘sin industries’ are not and why banks should be more involved.

He also rails against the double standards that has seen some bookmakers benefit from operating in offshore jurisdictions, where betting is not legal and the unfair financial advantage that gives them in regulated markets such as the UK.

You can listen to Episode 62 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

Smarkets & SBK Links

As we discuss in the podcast, SBK is a sportsbook app that provides better odds as powered by the Smarkets Betting Exchange. It is regularly top priced on many markets and is increasingly being used by those looking to benefit from better odds. There is an offer in place currently for new SBK customers where you can bet £10 and get £30 in free bets.

Smarkets is a Betting Exchange and a realistic alternative to Betfair for many punters. New customers to Smarkets can enjoy 0% commission for their first 60 days with this offer.

🎧SBC Podcast #61 5 Stages of Profitable Betting: Your Questions Answered!

Posted on by Josh P

After SBC Podcast Episode #59 was so well received on the 5 Stages of Profitable Betting, I made a call for questions so that we could discuss this topic further and in this brand new podcast (Episode 61), myself, Josh and Rowan from SBC answer them!

Whether it be how to get started, bet brokers, bet tracking, using smaller bookmakers or even what sport was most profitable for each of us last year, we tackle all of that and more in this new podcast episode.

Each of you reading this email is at a different stage of your journey betting (just as each of Josh, Rowan and I have different setups) and so this podcast is there to give you more guidance and help on what you need to do wherever you are at!

You can listen to Episode 61 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An In-Depth Chat Answering Your Questions

In this episode Rowan, Josh and answer questions relating to:

  • Our past year of punting – highs, lows and what is working best
  • How to start out following tipsters or using +EV strategies
  • Bet Brokers – logistics, limits, recommendations and accessibility in different jurisdictions
  • Bankroll management at different stages of the betting journey
  • Tracking bets in a varied portfolio
  • How to get the best of the wide range of non-Oddschecker bookmakers

More Help? Here for Every Stage!

To accompany our podcasts, we also reference many SBC Resources that can help further available as a Smart Betting Club member.

Topics like our Bet Broker Guide, Major & Independent Bookmaker Guide, plus of course a full outline on each of the 5 Stages of Profitable Betting and the tipsters/tools to follow during each stage.

Whether this be the best tipsters with Soft Bookmakers (Stage 1 to 3) or the best with Exchange/Sharp Bookmakers (Stages 4 to 5) we can help you every step of the way of your journey.

So why not see what difference SBC can make to your betting with a subscription to our service today.

🎧SBC Podcast #60 Jon Roberts – Professional Bettor & Trader

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by professional football bettor and trader, Jon Roberts.

Jon balances his own work betting professionally with running the ​Predictology football data website​ and is also an innovator when it comes to embracing AI and Automation for bet selection and placement.

In this chat he explains his methodology and strategies for both football betting and trading, the leagues and markets he bets in alongside how he gets on via Bet Brokers and Exchanges.

His love of football betting also shines through via his development of the Predictology football data and betting system website, which has grown to be a very popular resource and for good reason!

Jon has many useful pointers for bettors of all backgrounds – I learnt a lot from this chat and I hope that you do too!

You can listen to Episode 60 now via ​Apple​ / ​Spotify​ / ​Google​ / ​YouTube​ and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An in-depth chat with a global football expert

In this episode, Jon and I discuss:

  • Jon’s working life and how he derives his income
  • Getting into betting & trading and a famous Grand National winner!
  • Data, numbers and Jon’s first foray into modelling
  • ‘Flying under the radar’ and adapting to get bets down
  • Jon’s process and the markets that he concentrates on
  • Model-led betting vs pre-match betting vs trading
  • Liquidity and betting markets for football around the world
  • How dynamics differ in certain leagues
  • Predictology, how it works and how it benefits subscribers
  • Automation and using software to place bets without human input
  • Using member feedback to improve tools
  • Why Jon likes betting at odds-on!
  • Placing bets in multiples and the advantages of this approach
  • Cashing/trading out and why Jon does this less than most of his counterparts
  • Data vs ‘The Eye Test’ and the advantages/disadvantages of both approaches
  • xG and its limitations
  • Bet brokers, sharp bookmakers and two services that Jon uses
  • Cryptocurrencies and how they are impacting the betting landscape
  • AI Football Tips and Jon’s partnership with SBC!
  • Future plans

Jon is a fountain of knowledge and it was fascinating to learn about his processes and how he makes his betting pay. This chat was one of my most enjoyable to date – I hope you get as much from it as I did!

Learn More About Jon’s Work

If you would like to learn more about Jon’s work, you can visit the ​Predictology website​ or follow them on social media ​@PredictologyBet​.

Jon has also partnered with SBC to provide a Premium Service, AI Football Tips. To read about that, please visit the ​service’s SBC sales page​.

🎧Getting On With Sharp Bookmakers & Brokers: A Chat With Top Tipster, Skeeve

Posted on by Josh P

With our new 5 Stages of Profitable Betting, Bet Broker Guide and Exchange & Sharp Bookmaker Tipster resources all proving to be very popular, we have enlisted help from our community to provide further practical advice about maximising returns and accessing the very best platforms to place bets.

Earlier in August, this SBC Member article was penned, providing an introduction to using Bot Software to place personal bets or follow tipsters effectively on exchanges.

Skeeve Chat

To learn more about betting with Sharp Bookmakers, SBC, Editor Pete recently discussed this with the tipster, Skeeve, who has been making a profit for himself and his followers using the likes of Pinnacle for several years.

You can listen to this in full via the audio link below, where Pete and Skeeve talked about:

  • Waiting for team news and tipping in the hour before kick-off
  • Liquidity and price sensitivity
  • Skeeve’s fair odds policy and how it is central to his operation
  • Quoting Pinnacle prices and bettering those odds with soft bookmakers, exchanges and even in shops!
  • Beating the market with both advised prices and at the closing line
  • Skeeve’s record by different metrics & his own tissues’ accuracy

Betting & Tipping Via Sharp Bookmakers With Skeeve

 

Skeeve is an expert of lower league football, with a profitable record stretching back 17 years. A veteran of the SBC Hall of Fame, Skeeve discussed his process in detail in SBC Podcast Episode #16.

He has also written for us in the past, with this guide giving punters of all stripes some pointers about what to do (or not to do!) if you want to make betting pay.

New Service Tier & SBC Discounts

Skeeve is unashamedly setup for the bigger punters out there – those of you at perhaps Stage 4 or 5 of your betting journey. This is why most of Skeeve’s members stake quite heavily, making the 75 Euro monthly fee well worth their investment.

To make the service more affordable for a wider audience, Skeeve has now introduced a second tier at half the price, with the only difference being that tips are released slightly later.

With this service being profitable at the Pinnacle closing line there is still plenty of value to be had with this new tier.

In addition, SBC Members can get sizeable discounts with a 250 Euro saving on core packages (down from 750 Euro per season) and a 50 Euro saving on the new ‘half price tier’ available.

This means that with SBC Membership, you could save more than an the cost of annual subscription with this discount alone!

Skeeve has proven himself as the lower league football expert with over 17 years’ worth of tips. I hope that you enjoy our chat and (as his SBC HoF title indicates) his service is well worth a look too!

🎧SBC Podcast #59 (Part 1): 5 Stages of Profitable Betting

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I have something a little different for you.

Instead of interviewing a ‘traditional’ guest, I was joined by two of my SBC colleagues, Rowan and Josh, to discuss our new resource – The 5 Stages of Profitable Betting.

(The 5 stages takes you from beginner through to expert and all points on the ‘betting journey’ from using regular bookies to exchanges and sharp bookies/brokers)

Many betting podcasts (including ours) focus on interesting stories, guests’ opinions or in-depth discussions about services. Whilst I love making (and listening) to this content, what we have here is practical advice for bettors of all levels, with our personal experiences referenced at every stage.

We start off with advice for new bettors and progress through to (inevitable) account restrictions, using sharp bookmakers, increasing volume and so much more.

Whatever stage of betting you are at – beginner through to hardened pro – we hope that there is something inside for you!

Please be aware that there is a Part 2, where we discuss specific tipsters for each stage. To access this content, you will require a SBC Membership.

You can listen to Episode 59 (Part 1) now via Apple /Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An in-depth chat about how to maximise your profit

In this episode Rowan, Josh and I discuss:

  • Our first tipster experiences and how we started out
  • Understanding how risk appetite, time, account availability and your own mentality will affect which services are best for you
  • Getting to know yourself as a bettor
  • Betting banks, research and setting yourself up for success
  • Recording results and different ways to measure tipster services
  • Drawdown analysis and why it can help put losing runs into context
  • Sports markets and how they are different
  • Starting out
  • Bookmaker accounts – ‘dos and don’ts’
  • Tipsters – what to look for and what to avoid
  • Diversifying, building and more advanced betting
  • Managing bookmaker accounts when restrictions bite
  • The different types of betting mediums, from soft and sharp bookmakers through to exchanges and shops
  • The challenges of betting in higher volumes with lower ROIs
  • Adapting over time and the challenges that this presents

This was an enjoyable podcast to record and we hope that you get something from what we discussed! ‘The 5 Stages of Profitable Betting’ is introduced on this page with more detail about what is inside the site for members.

Part 2 – Discover the services we recommend

The good news is that we have also recorded a Part Two, where we go into more depth and share specific services that are suitable at each stage.

This includes some of the tipsters we have either followed in the past or do so at the moment. We talk about why we chose them, how best to use them and which stage(s) they are suitable for.

​You can only listen to Part 2 as a fully paid up SBC member. Sign-up here!

🎧SBC Podcast #57 : Johnny Dineen on punting, bookmaking, media work and much more!

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by someone who has done it all. Bookmaking, professional punting, media work… two Silver medals at 2023’s SBC Awards – welcome to the world of Johnny Dineen!

Johnny has received many plaudits for his ‘​Upping The Ante​‘ podcast along with his partner David Jennings, making him a household name in UK & Irish racing media.

But this is just a tiny fragment of the story. Johnny is also a full-time punter, a former bookmaker and someone with decades of experience in the betting world.

Having opinions and backing them is a common theme with Johnny and we talk about everything from punting (and laying) horses, the state of the betting industry and his work with the media. This chat was one of the most informative yet so sit back and enjoy a chat with a true racing expert!

You can listen to Episode 57 now via ​Apple​ / ​Spotify​ / ​Google​ / ​YouTube​ and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An in depth chat with a true racing expert

In this episode Johnny and I discuss:

  • A changing betting environment and how Johnny has adapted
  • Getting on and the range of methods that a pro punter can employ to get money down
  • Johnny’s selection process and how discussing horses with other judges helps his decision making
  • Favourites, long-shots and how the shape of the market can decide whether Johnny ‘pulls the trigger’
  • Backing vs. laying and how Johnny learnt to trade from both sides of the fence
  • The journey from clerking to going it alone as a bookmaker
  • ‘Kamikaze bookmaking’ and standing out from the crowd
  • How Betfair changed everything
  • Johnny’s transition from being a layer to a backer
  • The publics’ perception of gambling & gamblers
  • Bad behaviour and shoddy service from modern bookmakers
  • The black market and how affordability checks may well change how we bet
  • ‘Upping The Ante’ and Johnny’s other media work
  • Social media and dealing with criticism
  • Plans for the future

Johnny was knowledgeable, funny and has an excellent gambling philosophy, making this podcast a must listen for anyone interested in ‘the game’.

If you would like to know more about Johnny and read his thoughts then ​his Twitter profile​ is a good place to start.

Enjoy!

​

🎧SBC Podcast #56 ⛳: Stanley from Tour Tips on golf data, statistics and betting on tours from around the world 💻

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by golf betting and data expert Stanley, the co-founder of a service that we have tracked for some time, .

Many sports are now utilising data to measure performance and this has inevitably become a key feature of betting analysis too.

Stanley and his team were at the forefront of using statistics to bet on golf, with their cutting-edge site being established over 20 years ago. Since inception, Tour-Tips have innovated to find new metrics to assess golfers, with their databases covering 14 tours from across the world.

Their methodology is working. Tour-Tips’ tips, which are provided each week, have yielded over £64,000 profit for those staking at £20 per point and an SBC report from 2021 highlighted an exceptional record on the PGA Tour, alongside a remarkably consistent overall performance.

We talk about this methodology, the golf betting landscape and so much more in a chat that I am sure has something for everyone!

You can listen to Episode 56 now via / / / and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An in-depth chat with a golf data expert

In this episode, Stanley and I discuss:

  • Tour-Tips.com, why the site was built and how their resources provide an edge
  • Stanley’s mysterious partners!
  • The metrics that are underestimated (and overestimated) in the golf betting markets
  • Why data for prediction (& betting) is different from data for retrospective analysis of performance
  • Providing analysis and data for fourteen tours
  • Weather, tee times and other variables that need consideration before placing golf bets
  • The relative strength of different tours
  • Stanley’s preferences for betting on different tours
  • LIV Golf and how it differs from ‘traditional’ circuits such as the PGA & DPWT
  • Working with external data companies and bookmakers
  • The future of golf betting and how data & technology may well change markets
  • Tour-Tips.com’s tipping record and why Stanley is careful to wait for liquidity before releasing selections

Stanley was an interesting and informative guest and whether you are a golf betting novice or a hardened pro, I am sure that you will learn something from this expert of the field.

Learn More

To learn more about Tour Tips, you can visit , which hosts their databases, analytics and free tips.

Options for registration are also available for you to view, with some enhanced features (including Betfair Odds Tracking and In-Play tools) available for paying subscribers.

SBC members can read a detailed report about Tour Tips’ performance in SBC 126, which is available for download in the magazine back catalogue page. This service’s excellent record and longevity make it an SBC favourite and we continue to track and report back on performance in our regular Tipster Profit Reports.

​

🎧SBC Podcast #55: 🐴 Andrew Mount – Racing author, broadcaster, tipster, ex pro-punter/odds compiler & massive Scoop 6 winner

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by Andrew Mount, the well-respected horse racing punter, author and tipster who currently produces content for various outlets, including gg.co.uk and Sportslens.

Andrew has a wealth of experience in the industry – bookmaking, odds compilation, pro-punting, writing, journalism and tipping – he’s done it all! Including hitting the jackpot several times on the Tote Scoop 6 and making a small fortune.

It is impossible to listen to Andrew and not learn something along the way. This chat covered so many areas of interest and I thoroughly enjoyed it – I’m sure that you will too!

You can listen to Episode 55 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An in-depth chat with one of the leading horse racing voices

In this episode, Andrew and I discuss:

  • Andrew’s introduction to gambling on horses and how he learnt about the intricacies of the sport.
  • The rocky road that led to his work in the industry.
  • Prolific writing and authoring his ground-breaking Trend Horses books
  • Odds compilation, working for bookmakers and a scary job interview with Paddy Power!
  • How clerking on course taught Andrew to look at betting differently.
  • Betfair’s revolutionary effect on the industry and how Andrew made in-running betting pay.
  • Systems betting and how tracking software can reduce a punter’s workload considerably.
  • How high volume betting can be beneficial for getting money down.
  • Winning the Scoop6 on multiple occasions.
  • How the Tote’s new management are reviving the pari-mutuel system with some ground-breaking innovations.
  • Adapting to the industry landscape to get bets down.
  • Worries about the future of the horse racing industry (and gambling as a whole)
  • Andrew’s profitable record and how the markets react to his selections.

Andrew was a fascinating guest and we could have talked for hours as he has so much to share!

You can find out more about his work by reading his regular columns on both gg.co.uk and Sportlens. Andrew is also active on social media at @TrendHorses.

Finally – an SBC review of Andrew and his GG.co.uk Tipping Column is now in the works!

​

🎧SBC Podcast #54: 🎾James from Tennis Pilot on his service’s edge, building an AI system, bookmakers and more!

Posted on by Josh P

In the latest SBC Podcast I am joined by James, one half of the brains behind the recently reviewed tennis tipping service, Tennis Pilot.

English and Philosophy & Theology degrees at Oxford University may not be typical starting points for successful tipping services, but a shared love of tennis drove James and his partner Nicholas to bet using their combined expertise.

7 years, nearly 7,000 bets and a freshly built AI system later, we talk about the partners’ journey to success in a fascinating chat.

You can listen to Episode 54 now via Apple / Spotify / Google / YouTube and all other major podcast directories (search Smart Betting Club)

An in-depth chat with one of this service’s ‘Co-Pilots’

In this episode, James and I discuss:

  • Tennis Pilot’s inception, how the service has developed and what James and Nicholas have learnt along the way
  • Balancing working full-time with running a successful tipping service
  • Value – what is it and why is it so hard to identify?
  • Statistics and the different biases that can lead bookmakers to price matches incorrectly
  • How specialisation can provide an instant advantage over the market
  • Variables that help James to find expected value in matches
  • James’s masters thesis and building a machine-learning tennis betting system from scratch
  • Where to bet on tennis and the viability of different bookmakers and exchanges
  • Tennis Pilot’s 17% ROI from nearly 7,000 bets

Learn more

To learn more about Tennis Pilot, you can visit their website here or follow them on Twitter @TennisPilot.

In addition, we have recently published an in-depth review into the service’s performance that is available with a paid SBC membership.

Here, we go through Tennis Pilot’s 7 year betting record, assessing nearly 7,000 bets using our usual range of metrics including odds availability, performance in different markets, drawdown analysis and progressive reinvestment strategies (alongside many more!).

SBC Discounts

You can trial Tennis Pilot free for one month by visiting their website and following the link on their homepage.

Secondly, SBC Members can get a 25% discount on all of Tennis Pilot’s subscription options, saving you between £35 and £60 depending on the package that you choose.

This equates to up to 56% of your annual SBC subscription – another smart deal for our betting club!

​Join SBC Today to read the full Tennis Pilot review and access this discount​

Talking Tipsters – Listen to this betting podcast interview with SBC

Posted on by Peter Ling

For those of you keen to learn more on the Smart Betting Club and the concept of using tipsters for profit, then make sure you listen to the recent betting podcast interview I recorded with Alex Vella from Trademate Sports.

During the interview, Alex and I discussed the tipster industry, how SBC verifies, measures and ranks tipsters plus an outline of what kind of ROI you can expect to make betting on sports long-term.

Clocking in at just over 50 minutes long, it’s a great opportunity to learn more about the independent work of the Smart Betting Club, our analytical role exploring the tipster market and the central goal of the SBC service – helping our members make money betting.

Those of you interested in listening to it, can do so now for free via Apple podcasts, Podbean or Spotify.

Best Regards

Peter Ling

Smart Betting Club Owner and Founder