New Bag Men!

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New Bag Men!

In my time in the betting ring I’ve sometimes been amazed at how ego affects people’s betting, that’s on both sides of the fence. Punters who would barge into the ring on a wet Wednesday back in the day and call a £5000 - £2000 over to a bookmaker he’d know would probably struggle with a wager that size. When he was halved he’d say he wanted it all or nothing then waste no time with the usual abuse ‘Call yourself a bookmaker’ of ‘Fiddler’ while that 5/2 had vanished so he had to settle for £4500 - £2000 in one go rather than take what was offered in the first place.

Likewise, there’d be bookmakers who couldn’t care less what a lively punter thought of them, halving or just bluffing their business if it didn’t suit. Others would take a bet they couldn’t afford to take out of pride then end up stuck with a liability that might wipe them out for the day or more than likely have to hedge in the ring shorter, but better that than be called a wanker. There were several who were called ‘good bookies’ by those wanting to get on though often it wasn’t long before they were skint or out of business bookies.

Recently, it has been terrific to see the life come back to the racecourse, bigger individual punters have cottoned on that the value lies in the betting ring, especially on the horses at the front of the market. It’s certainly not unknown for a bookmaker with an opinion to go a tick or two over the exchanges to get a short one in his book. There have also been what some of us describe as ‘bag man’ having it on for person or persons unknown to the bookmaker taking the bets, some of it appears to be very warm business and other not so, but if the bag man has a few clients they layer doesn’t know wheat from the chaff which is tricky when deciding what to do when offered a lump.

I have been approached a few times recently to get involved, sticking on for people that can’t get on elsewhere. I’m all for it and quite fancy getting into the cut and thrust of getting money on, more money going into the ring has to be a good thing for the on-course market though I’ve yet to take anyone up on their offer, it’s certainly not a no, just not yet.

There have been a few new faces appearing on course that are evidently having a go at being bag men. That’s all good but I do have a bit of advice for them, especially those having price sensitive warm money on which has led even the strongest of layers to be a little wary of it. There was an incident I witnessed recently concerning bag man punter who looked like he’d been out shopping at a country sports emporium dressing to look the part though was conspicuously a fish out of water when it came to having a bet. He asked for a single wager out of all proportion to the quiet afternoon market then when cut back pulled up a couple of grand wrapped in monkeys, apparently green as grass but of course that might have been the double bluff.

What I would suggest to new stickers on in the ring is to try and be as inconspicuous as possible. Do your research, work out the bigger bookmakers that probably won’t hedge your bet then bet to a size that isn’t going to make them jump too much, spread it quietly around the ring, always take the bet you are offered and stay under the radar, much better that than charge in all guns blazing, see you on the turf!

As a footnote, if you are a successful punter struggling to get on, can’t get to the races or don’t fancy employing someone to stick on for you here's a reminder that there’s Matchbook Betting Exchange with Bet £20 GET £30 Offer to consider. They also offer a brokerage service.

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