TAB review March 24

[dave nz]

The weeks biggest bet on the sportsdesk came unstuck but overall the larger punters had a good 7 days putting their skills against the bookies.

The wager in question was $50,000 at $1.82 on Golden State and Philadelphia keeping their NBA total under 225 points. Staying in the world of basketball and a couple of successful bets from college ball, which is big at this time of the year. We took $25,000 at $1.85 on Washington and Mississippi scoring 149 or less and $16,726 at $1.80 on Alabama and Morehead keeping their total at 130 or less.

Rugby punters, particularly those who bet live, were out in force for round 6 of the Super 14. The Hurricanes were widely expected to beat the Bulls in Wellington but that didn't happen and so a bet of $21,250 at $1.50 on the Canes went astray. There was also a bet of $5,188 at $1.50 in the same direction. However, late in the game one investor was happy to outlay $10,000 at just $1.01 on the Bulls.

The Highlanders were far too good in the second half for the hapless Cheetahs and late in the piece we took a $20,000 wager on the home side at just $1.02. The Waratahs were another side who were expected to win but didn't, being beaten at home in Sydney by the Crusaders. Early in the match we took a $10,000 bet on the Tahs at $1.50.

The game of the round that provided the most talking points was the Chiefs v Blues clash in which the Chiefs scored over 60 points in victory. The biggest wager in what looked to be a tough match to pick was $5,000 at $2.00 on the Chiefs.

Meanwhile across the other side of the world Ireland was wrapping up its first Grand Slam in over 60 years by downing Wales in Cardiff. We held a bet of $10,000 at $1.25 on Ireland winning the title. France absolutely dealt to Italy in Rome and the $6,000 bet at $1.87 on Italy getting a 15 and a half point start, went west.

India completely dominated the opening cricket test in Hamilton, winning comfortably inside the 5 days. There was live betting throughout the game and a couple of successful wagers on India: $20,000 at $1.15 and $10,000 at $1.37.

Other random bets of note last week: $10,000 at $1.57 on Japan to beat Korea in the World Baseball Classic (winner), $10,000 at $1.60 on Celtic to beat Dundee United in Scottish football (loser - game was drawn), $8,900 at $1.57 on Manly to beat the Warriors (loser), and $6,336 at $1.18 on Nadal to beat Nalbandian at Indian Wells (winner).