Bookie says GOP can't lose House, pays bets early

The Washington Times ^ | 10/27/10 | Stephan Dinan

[Califreak]

Saying there's no way Democrats can keep control of the House, Ireland's largest bookie on Wednesday said it has already paid off all bettors who wagered the GOP would capture the chamber.

[Califreak]

This made me laugh this morning.

I hope they're right.

[November 2010]

Uh. Very un-bookie-like. The games not over and he’s paying?

[theDentist]

Apparently he’s never heard of the Republicans (leadership ion particular) pulling defeat from the jaws of an overwhelming victory.

[Califreak]

That’s why I was laughing.

But it did cheer me up anyway.

[a fool in paradise]

Have a pot o’ gold!

[Califreak]

Or Eric Holder, SEIU, ACORN, rampant voter fraud...

[AngelesCrestHighway]

Your bookie knows.......

[The Comedian]

Someone should tell the fine Irish lad about something called The Reichstag Fire, and that a similar group of National Socialists are the incumbents here.

Frowning takes 68 muscles.
Smiling takes 6.
Pulling this trigger takes 2.
I'm lazy.

[Artemis Webb]

“Uh. Very un-bookie-like. The games not over and he’s paying?”

---

Irish Bookie Pays Out Obama Bets Weeks Early
http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=95829729

[theDentist]

That’s for sure!

[Psalm 144]

“Have a pot o’ gold!”

Spend it quickly. It will turn into leaves and acorns overnight.

;-)

[SAJ]

Speaking as a former bookmaker, it's not "unbookielike" at all. When one has some huge number of props that will be settled on a known date in the near future, it is entirely typical (esp. in the UK) to settle run-out wagers early. As many as feasible. Why?

When the crush comes, as it will next Wednesday, the fewer props to settle, the less work and stress for the book.

[November 2010]

Interesting. I’ve never used a bookie or been one, but what you say makes sense.

I still wouldn’t pay on something as prone to error as political projections . . . This guy paid on Scott Brown in Mass. in advance!

[SmokingJoe]

Uh. Very un-bookie-like. The games not over and he’s paying?

Well if I recall correctly, this particular bookie paid early on 0bama's election and Scott Bown’s election as well, and was vindicated on both occasions. Seems like he is a pretty smart bookie to me, just going by previous record.

[man from mars]

Yes, The GOP will vote in droves. I am sure that many Democrats will vote with us some and the Bulk will be Independent voters that have been apposed to many of the policies coming out of Washington.

[SAJ]

In UK bookmaking (not familiar with Ireland, but it's likely similar), it really isn't much of a problem these days if a "lock" prop suddenly unlocks. In some large majority of cases, the punter will have a running account with the book. If the punter has had his account credited with an advance payment on a prop, it's completely straightforward to simply debit the account and put the figures to rights.

You'll see some problems if the punter withdraws from his account the advance payment "winnings", but these problems are really quite minor. The punter WILL make things right with the book, or he'll be blackballed throughout the nation (and, ahem, certain, uh, 'other' events may occur...) and never have another wager accepted, even for cash.

Note that these statements apply only to what I may call "modern" books; oldtime handbooks and racecourse books will only settle after the prop has run, and only deal in straight-up cash.

[Liz]

[SAJ]

Sorry, luv. My heritage is Scots, not Irish.

Now, had that picture been of a bottle of GlenTavis, well...

;^)