punters

In this latest episode I was joined by expert racing tipster and professional bettor, Declan Meagher to talk about his 20 years making a living from betting.

Declan combines his own punting on the Betfair exchange, which derives the majority of his income alongside running his Learn Bet Win racing service, which continues to put up some excellent numbers. The focus of a recent in-depth SBC review, its made a 16.9% ROI to fair bookmaker odds over the course of more than 5000 bets since it began in 2014.

We talk about all aspects of his success in finding regular winners both for himself on Betfair and his customers with bookmakers and the challenges this brings. Including how he uses sophisticated modelling and sectional timing to aid racing analysis and find value bets plus the practicalities of getting bets down, staking strategies, responsible tipping practices & working efficiently.

Declan is one of the best racing judges and tipsters out there and it was an absolute pleasure to chat to him and learn more about what makes him so successful.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Paul on Twitter @declanmeagher76
• Learn Bet Win: https://www.learnbetwin.com/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

This episode is the second of our 2 part series exploring concerns about the data that bookmakers collect on those of us who bet with them and what you need to know about this as a smart punter.

Once again I am joined by experienced punter and betting expert, Neel Shah to discuss some of the options available to you as a smart punter including a look at Virtual Private Networks and Servers (also known as VPN's and VPS's) as well as Virtual Machines, Proxifiers and other tools and techniques to consider to protect your information and help you get on.

We also look at how useful mobile phones can be when betting, especially to help 'hide in plain sight' as a winning bettor plus the software that allows you to run your phone screen on your laptop for ease of use.

With trust in big bookmakers running at an all time low and an increase in complaints about accounts closures, delayed withdrawals and just general awful customer service, the more you know about how they operate and how in turn to get your bets on and get paid, the better for you as a smart punter.

If you missed it you can download Part 1, which is episode 45 via the Smart Betting Club podcast feed available on all major podcast directories.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Neel on Twitter @mybettorlife and online at https://mybettorlife.com/
• Contact Brian Coplin (referenced in chat) via Telegram Brianacoplin0
• Mirror your phone screen on your laptop with Vysor https://www.vysor.io/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

The first of a two-part series that focuses on how bookmakers collect data and profile customers.

With stories of withheld winnings, altered odds, intrusive personal checks, closed accounts and voided ante post bets all being reported by punters in the last few weeks alone, it is fair to say that trust and goodwill towards bookmakers is at an all time low.

Unfortunately, we may be at the tip of the iceberg when it comes to their use of your data.

In this episode, I am joined by Neel Shah, an experienced bettor, to talk about:

• Neel’s research into the extensive information that bookmakers collect as soon as you visit their website 
• How bookmakers track your credit history, social media accounts and even whether you prefer Netflix or Disney+
• Evidence of personal and financial data being shared with third parties
• How disguising your activity using basic browser technology has limited benefits
• Suggestions on the banking, deposit and withdrawal options with less ‘friction’

All told it was a fascinating chat that should help to provide some insight into how bookmakers operate and what you need to know as a smart bettor.

Part 2 of this special series looking at VPN's, Virtual Machines and more will be out next week on the Smart Betting Club podcast feed.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Neel on Twitter @mybettorlife and online at https://mybettorlife.com/
• Referenced article on bookmaker data usage: https://justiceforpunters.org/the-benefits-of-a-new-era-of-transparency-and-improved-data-use/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this latest episode I was joined by Matt Bisogno, the founder of the geegeez.co.uk website, racehorse syndicate owner and ex head of the punter-focused Horseracing Bettors Forum.

Matt has a wealth of experience when it comes to knowing what bettors want and need when it comes to the sport of horse racing and he talks about the development and growth in popularity of geegeez.co.uk and the insight it offers those looking for advanced tools to help find winners.

I also take this opportunity to get Matt's take on the horse racing world and why it lags behind when it comes to things like deeper data analysis, something encapsulated by the industries inability to push the concept of sectional timing forward and help it appeal to a new audience.

Further frustration comes in the form of how the industry treats racing bettors and Matt outlines his understanding of how the land lies as per topics like betting restrictions and just why bookmakers struggle in the current 'concessions' climate to lay bets.

As someone who understands the arguments on both sides of the betting coin, he is in a unique position to share insight on this based on his time as chair of the Horseracing Bettors Forum.

Matt is an engaging, articulate guest and this is a must-listen to episode for anyone with an interest in the world of betting on horse racing.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at  https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Matt on Twitter @MattBisogno
• Visit GeeGeez at https://www.geegeez.co.uk/ or on Twitter @geegeez_uk 
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this latest episode I was joined by Paul Krishnamurty to talk about his expertise in the field he is best known for - betting on politics.

With a steady stream of betting markets especially in the UK with its constant changes of leader and of course the never ending drama of the US political scene, there has never been a better time or opportunity to learn more about political betting.

Armed with a degree in politics and a journalism background, Paul first began betting on politics in the early 2000s' and knows what it takes to make a profit from it. Paul was good enough to share insight into his own political betting strategy and approach with some tips and guidance on what to look for and some of the pitfalls to avoid.

We also talk about the importance of reading and understanding the polls, how the political betting markets react to developments and news plus his approach to spreading around risk by placing bets in lesser-known markets.

With the US 2020 election market on Betfair the biggest ever betting event and the 2024 election projected to be greater still, interest in political betting is growing with huge sums of money available to trade on the exchanges. 

For those of you intrigued about betting on politics, especially given the opportunities for getting on in such big exchange-driven markets, Paul is the man to listen to when it comes to these markets.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Paul on Twitter @paulmotty
• Paul's website: https://www.politicalgambler.com/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

The gang goes LIVE!

It’s Everest Day and another time-honoured Group 1 called the Caulfield Cup, but let’s be honest, the feature race will be held at Royal Randwick over six-furlongs.

The boys will go through #TheEverest field runner-by-runner to try to find YOU a winner. Is it as simple as Nature Strip the Champion of the World just wins? Or will Pat find us some value?! Let’s hope so. 

They’ll also find (or try) the winner of the Caulfield Cup.

Give BoomBet a try this Spring Carnival for great odds. https://bit.ly/BoomBet100 Each week you’ll also be able to find The Leg Up Multi with Boom Odds, this is where BoomBet give us some fat odds for BJ and Pat’s best of the week.

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Rob on Twitter @robpizzola
• Betstamp: https://betstamp.app/ 
• The Hammer: https://thehammer.bet/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this latest episode I was joined by professional punter Luke Paton to talk about his 10 years gambling for a living and his popular series of betting tweets.

Luke walks me through his time first of all working at Betfair for 8 years before his jump to a life of pro punting, and how what he bets upon has evolved to his current approach of using the golf in-play markets

With online and shop bets unable to provide the liquidity he needs at his large stakes, Luke now bets heavily in-play on golf, especially towards the end of each tournament where his expertise and experience allows him to cash in.

We also talk about his series of insightful tweets on betting which have caught the imagination of many and his take on the current mess within the betting industry and what he would do to improve it.

Luke was a fantastic guest with much of interest to say about not only the reality of betting for a living but the industry in general. Making this a must-listen episode!

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Luke on Twitter @Golfpunter1
• Luke's website: https://www.propunting.co.uk/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this latest episode, SBC's Rowan Day and Pete Ling explore the world of tipsters and using them to make a profit from your betting - something they both do themselves day-in, day-out.

With the release of the 2 latest SBC Tipster Profit Reports into Horse Racing and Sports Betting, it's an opportune time to talk about our work exploring tipsters, how we find those we recommend and a few example tipsters to boot.

We talk about things like the importance of Return on Capital instead of Return on Investment and why we black mark tipsters that quote unrealistic or unsustainable prices that can kill your betting accounts.

We also chat about the popular golf tipster, Ben Coley and the need to not go overboard on recent form and why so many people are lured in with unrealistic expectations and how bookmakers take advantage of that.

Whether you are a seasoned tipster user or completely new to the concept, this podcast should explain plenty on what you need to know to make it work for you - whatever your circumstances.

Discover More:

Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 

• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Winner Odds success stories (as discussed in the pod): https://smartbettingclub.com/blog/real-life-betting-stories-how-one-member-made-e1-01224-last-month-with-this-recommended-tipster/
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this latest episode I had the pleasure of being joined by Daryl Carter - a tipster with a growing reputation thanks to his daily tipping columns as published by gg.co.uk and Betfair which feature his racing analysis and best value bets.

In this interview, Daryl talks about his approach to finding value, the serious amount of work he puts into his analysis and his passion for betting and helping others through his work.

We also get into his long-term tipping record, how he bets himself and the stakes he uses, plus his own struggles getting on and his thoughts on the increasing issue of bookmaker restrictions.

Daryl also touches on his concerns for the sport of racing and where it might be heading as it deals with prize money issues, fixture overloads and affordability checks.

All told its a deep dive into what it takes to be a professional tipster working for some of the biggest names in the industry and the pressure that this brings!

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Find Daryl on Twitter @DarylCarter7
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In today's podcast I was joined by Lee Gray, the head of fraud and compliance with Star Sports for an open and frank discussion on the reality of modern day bookmaking from a layers perspective.

Lee explains in detail the challenges faced by modern day bookmakers as they tackle things like affordability checks, responsible gambling requirements and prevention of fraud and money laundering.

Lee heads a team of 14 people who oversee all of these topics and many more on a daily basis and in this episode he helps explain some of the realities of working at a bookmakers for those of us who wish to know more.

Its a really insightful look at what happens behind the scenes and the standards that Star Sports set, yet also helps outline the challenges of implementing some of the proposed new rules - such as affordability checks and the single customer view concept. 

And just as some bookmakers don't play fair, neither to do some punters and Lee gives me the lowdown on the type of fraud he sees attempted on a daily basis by those looking to take unfair advantage.

So if you want to get a sense of how it works on the other side of the fence from a firm that operates online, in shops and on course, it is an intriguing interview!

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Visit the Star Sports Bookmaker website: https://starsports.bet/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

 In the latest SBC podcast I was joined by Richard Hayler, the Managing Director of the betting dispute organization IBAS to answer questions on his service and the many grievances punters have with bookmakers in the industry at present.

IBAS is one of the best known dispute resolution services operating in the UK and Richard came onto explain how his team helps to overview and adjudicate on the very many types of disputes that take place these days.

We explored the people that make up the adjudication panel, IBAS's funding model, case numbers and how it works from both the customer and bookmaker point of view.

Bookmakers have come in for heavy criticism in recent times especially from punters who feel letdown by the failure to tackle the increase in disputes and problems that arise these days and Richard talks frankly about this from his perspective, including how some of this is outside IBAS's remit and the need for improvement to the processes and system in place currently.

IBAS has also been regularly criticised in terms of their relationship with bookmakers and their funding model and Richard is good enough to tackle all of these concerns head on - including those from punters who have little faith in the current system.

Over this hour long interview, Richard shares plenty of insight into the current setup as per bookmaker disputes and his hopes for what might transpire in the much delayed new gambling legislation, including the potential of a new industry ombudsman.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Visit the IBAS website: https://www.ibas-uk.com/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/
• Justice For Punters resources for betting disputes: https://justiceforpunters.org/

In today's special podcast episode I was joined by my partner-in-crime Tom Brownlee to unpack all of the gory details about what took place last week regarding the bookmaker 10bet and the bets they laid on the golfer Trey Mullinax.

Having tried to move the goalposts on this bet after it won, our campaign forced them to revert back to their original 175/1 pricing just 2 days later and we explore all aspects of the market and what exactly took place. Rumors abound that it cost them up to an extra 1m in liability, so some very sizeable amounts were at play.

This issue is about more than just one bet and one bookmaking firm as it also speaks to the failure of regulation of the industry and the need for a stronger, more resourced ombudsman of some kind. It raises questions for the likes of the Gambling Commission, IBAS, The BGC and even Oddschecker.

We also talk about the impact of this behaviour on the black market and ask if punters can't trust the regulated industry, what is to stop them betting with unlicensed firms through the likes of Whatsapp, Slack or Telegram?

All told its a very deep dive into the issues in the industry at present - all of which were brought to the fore once again by how 10bet handled the bets they took on Trey Mullinax.

If you enjoy today's episode and this podcast series, please be sure to leave a review wherever you download your podcasts.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Explore the Bookie Bashing service at bookiebashing.net
• Check out the golf service we run with Bookie Bashing: https://smartbettingclub.com/weekly-golf-value/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/
• Justice For Punters resources for betting disputes: https://justiceforpunters.org/

Mark has adapted and evolved his betting over the years to continually eke out a living as a punter and he shares how he does this in the modern era both with bookmakers and exchanges.

Beginning life as a punter in the late 80s, we talk about his introductions to the industry, his early years running an advisory service and why since 2008 he has been fully focused on his own personal betting and living off its rewards.

Targeting races that others avoid due to complexity, he outlines the work he puts in to find value, why he specializes more and more these days and his frustration that so much about what is published in the betting world is not correct.

We also get onto the mathematics that prove 'inside information' is a red herring these days and how he gets bets on both in today's challenging market and historically when he employed someone to do this for him.

Mark is extremely generous with not only his time but insight and expertise in this detailed conversation and it was a real pleasure to sit back and learn from one of the very best punters of the past few decades.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this episode of the SBC Podcast, I was joined by the head of strategy at Matchbook - Jesse May, to talk about the Matchbook betting exchange.

We explore all aspects of Matchbook from the challenges of generating liquidity and operating in the competitive betting exchange marketplace through to some of the most popular and best value markets on site currently - including Football, NFL and Horse Racing.

Jesse also tackles my questions on why Matchbook had their license suspended for 7 months in 2020 and he also outlined the changes that have taken place since then and why punters can now trust them as a safe and secure place to bet.

We also get into commission structures, affordability checks and how they are navigating the current betting landscape plus their desire to make Matchbook the place to visit for smart betting content - as witnessed by some of the excellent podcast and video content they publish.

Outside of Matchbook, Jesse also shares stories based on his 30 years working in betting including his time as a poker player and commentator on Late Night Poker!

Discover More:

• Visit the Matchbook exchange: https://www.matchbook.com/
• Matchbooks excellent 'Insight' section: https://insights.matchbook.com/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

In this special episode I was joined by experienced bettor, Rowan Day to discuss the results from his tipster portfolio as achieved over the past 12 months.

Rowan writes the weekly Bet Diary blog on making a profit from tipsters and to summarize performance he pens this annual report on just how much he has made from his betting.

Once again it was another successful year with a strong profit achieved and Rowan outlines some of the best performing tipster services, who they are and why and how he follows them in.

For those of you keen to build your own tipster portfolio, he shares his thoughts on how best to approach this and how to choose tipsters that suit you, your budget, experience and bookmakers available. We also get into the topic of bookmaker restrictions and how he gets around that with a few tips for account longevity and using the exchanges.

It's an ideal podcast for those of you interested in making money via tipsters and the experience Rowan can share on his success over the years doing exactly this.

Discover More:

• Read Rowan's Bet Diary each week for free at https://smartbettingclub.com/bet-diary/
• Read Rowan's Bet Diary Annual Report https://smartbettingclub.com/bet-diary-annual-report/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

An interview with betting professional, Paul Chandler-Burns on his many years working in the betting industry and his profitable angle following the Racing Post's Tom Segal and his Pricewise tipping column.

Starting out as a racing trader prior to the introduction of Betfair, Paul built up enough experience and connections to then go full time as a professional punter for several years and he talked me through what he bet upon and the challenges and rewards this brought. This time as a full-time bettor saw him take advantage of edges in football ante-post markets, entertainment and reality TV betting markets (and the inside information that so often flowed in them) as well as golf and horse racing.

These days, Paul combines his unique work as an entertainer on cruise ships with betting on horse racing where he uses the Pricewise column and tips from Tom Segal as a starting point and guide to find excellent value in many of the big racing meetings and events.

By filtering through the bets Tom puts up, he is able to make a good return in these highly liquid markets - including via the Free SBC service 'Pricewise with PCB' which has made in excess of 12% ROI since it began last year.

Paul also discusses his usage of independent bookmakers, including a few that happily will lay a bet on sports like horse racing and the convenience they bring.

All told its fascinating insight into a lifetime working in the betting world, the importance of evolving what you bet on as the industry changes and profitable angles to take advantage of in the modern betting world.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Read more on the 'Pricewise with PCB' tipping service he runs: https://smartbettingclub.com/pricewise-with-pcb-free/
• Explore the results from Pricewise with PCB': https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1bogUpiu9AVWi5C7xISdCxUinV_72m4zPglnMo-2EzjE/edit#gid=1201730245
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

 An in-depth discussion with expert racing tipster, Richard Hutchinson on his approach to finding big priced winners via his service - Hanbury Racing.
Richard's tipping service began in 2020, after he won £188,000 after being victorious in the Tote Ten To Follow competition - giving him the platform to start a new life finding winners for a living.
His speciality is finding overlooked horses at big prices for each way value with regular winners over the past 2 years at prices like 66/1 and even 100/1. Richard explains his process behind how he finds these horses and just why he prefers this approach to betting at short odds. 

We get into the challenges that betting to a high odds/low strike-rate approach brings and the mindset required to make it work. This episode is the perfect companion to the detailed review of Richard's Hanbury Racing service recently published by us at the Smart Betting Club.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Explore Hanbury Racing at https://megatipsters.co.uk/hanbury-racing-tips/
• Enjoy a 25% discount on the cost of any Hanbury Racing subscription with a SBC membership
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

A chat with racing expert, Quentin Franks on his 10 years working as a full time professional punter on the sport.

Working 15 hour days and up at the crack of drawn each day, Quentin was good enough to share about what goes on behind the scenes as a pro punter and the reality of betting for a living.

As well as some of the things he looks for in a value bet and the tools he used to study horses, Quentin also discussed some of the smaller, independent bookmakers he often uses to get bets on and why more punters need to consider them. Quentin names a couple of them he uses and why they welcome his business plus also his thoughts on the racing scene in general and his fears for it in the long-term.

We also explore his long-running tipping service which is now in its 8th year and which has generated a 15% long-term ROI from several thousands of bets.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Follow Quentin on Twitter @QuentinFranks14
• Quentin's racing service is at https://bettinggods.com/betting-gods-tipsters/quentin-franks-racing/
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/

A chat with Andrew Woodman, a senior parliamentary assistant working in Westminster and somebody acutely involved in the ongoing discussions around the forthcoming gambling law changes in the UK.

Alongside his work in Politics, Andrew is also a keen bettor and racing enthusiast, so is extremely well placed to pass comment on all the topics of interest, from affordability limits to the black market and the reputation of bookmakers.

Andrew also shares his insight into the concept he and the MP he works for, Andrew Bridgen have been promoting as a solution to affordability checks -the Single Customer Wallet and why its preferred to other suggestions that have been doing the rounds.

Andrew also was happy to put forward his predictions on what he thinks will unfold in the UK gambling space and the impact on both bookmakers and punters alike.

Discover More:

• Learn more on the Smart Betting Club and how we help winning bettors at https://smartbettingclub.com/ 
• Podcast feedback - contact SBC on twitter @sbcinfo
• Read more about each SBC Podcast episode: https://smartbettingclub.com/the-smart-betting-club-podcast/