by Dutchy » Mon May 18, 2009 10:38 pm
Bookmakers' turn to bleed in Round 8
PUNTERS hit back with a vengeance after their mauling at the hands of the bagmen in Round 7. Round 8 of the 2009 season is one that will go down as a knockout win to those who like to dabble in the world of football wagering.
Eight favourites saluted, even if a couple of them - Port Adelaide and Sydney - made their fanciers work very hard for their money and another, Hawthorn, began the week as an outsider.
TAB Sportsbet put up $2.05 about the Hawks on Monday and were immediately claimed for $40,000, prompting Gary Davies to declare the initial assessment was wrong.
"Yes, we got that one wrong, and the Hawks were backed for a stack with things getting worse from then on," Davies said.
"I ended up barracking for a couple of our punters, one who had $20,000 on Melbourne at $6 and the other $20,000 on Richmond at $4. Even with us winning those two bets, it was still a filthy weekend."
Related LinksMatch wrap: Hawks hold off Freo
Gerard Daffy of SportsAlive said last weekend's wipe-out for punters was nothing but a distant memory.
"If you took a multi this weekend and got it wrong, then you need to take a good, hard look at yourself," Daffy said.
"What some of the smart ones did was to take the $10 about the Pick 8 early in the week before Hawthorn was backed for a stack and into favouritism against Freo.
"Carlton was the other big shortener once Collingwood's injuries were announced, the Blues being $1.65 into $1.35. And we got claimed for $20,000 on the Swans at $1.30.
"That punter might find it within himself to buy Kieren Jack a drink."
It was a similar tale of woe at Sportingbet Australia, with Michael Sullivan describing it as a very dirty round. "Where do I start? $50,000 on Hawthorn at $1.87, $80,000 on the Dogs at $1.16, $100,000 on Geelong at $1.07, $25,000 on West Coast to get within 22.5, $30,000 on St Kilda at $1.16 and $50,000 on Sydney at $1.30.
"Then there were the multies, with $60,000 at $2.30 on Bulldogs-Lions-Port and St Kilda."
Things weren't any better up north in Darwin, where Sportsbet took a hammering, according to Paul Grant.
"As reported we had Catman II placing $500,000 on the Cats at $1.08 to win $40,000 and another Geelong fancier, but one who is not quite as keen, outlaying $42,000 at $1.06 to win $2520," Grant said.
"You sometimes wonder why they bother. It was a similar story with the Western Bulldogs with Sportsbet taking a bet of $30,000 at $1.18 to win $5400 and $20,000 at $1.17 to win $3400.
"Then there was $10,000 on Brisbane at $1.37, $5000 on Brisbane at $1.92 to win by more than 19.5 and $5000 on Brisbane at $2.25 to win between 1-39 points (final margin was 36).
"But we did get some respite in the Harbour City, when a punter had $150,000 on the Swans to win by more than 22.5."
Eskander Betstar was no different to the rest.
"That goal Kieren Jack kicked to win the goal for Sydney was worth around $500,000 in terms of loss to us."
