spot the bookmaker's Treble Chance Football Pool

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 5:57 am

Here, for the first time in a generation, is your chance to bet intelligently on the UK Football Fixture list.

Bets are on the results of the Saturday Fixtures for the UK Premiership, Championship, League 1 and League 2 combined.

You score:Three points on score draws

Two points on no-score draws

One and a half points on away wins

One point on home winsYou must select TWELVE matches, you may bet in multiples of 100 casino dollars to a maximum of 1,000 casino dollars and your highest score from ANY EIGHT matches counts as your high scores. The player with the highest score wins. For each 100 casino dollars bet, the winner takes 10% of the pot. The remainder, if any, passes to the next highest winner and so on until it's all been distributed.

spot the bookmaker then takes a mere 10% of the winnings as a handling fee before distribution and passes on 90%. Historically the holdback was around 40% if I remember right. I'd need to re-read my book by A P Herbert to be sure though.

Each fixtures list will be published the weekend before the matches, just copy/paste your TWELVE PREDICTIONS into the thread and transfer your casino dollars (between 100 and 1,000) to spot before the first match starts on the Saturday. Payment and predictions are both required for the bet to be valid. Seven day credit terms are only provided for existing customers in good standing.

Good luck everyone! Please note that these rules have been revised to allow bets of differing value as discussed below.

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:00 am

Here are the games for the Forum Garden Treble Chance on Saturday, 15 November 2008

Premier League fixtures

Arsenal v Aston Villa, 15:00

Blackburn v Sunderland, 15:00

Bolton v Liverpool, 12:45

Fulham v Tottenham, 15:00

Man Utd v Stoke, 15:00

Newcastle v Wigan, 15:00

West Brom v Chelsea, 17:30

West Ham v Portsmouth, 15:00

Championship Fixtures

Barnsley v Watford, 15:00

Birmingham v Charlton, 15:00

Bristol City v Nottm Forest, 15:00

Cardiff v Crystal Palace, 15:00

Coventry v Plymouth, 15:00

Derby v Sheff Wed, 15:00

Doncaster v Ipswich, 17:20

Norwich v Swansea, 15:00

QPR v Burnley, 15:00

Sheff Utd v Reading, 15:00

Southampton v Wolverhampton, 15:00

Division One Fixtures

Carlisle v Brighton, 15:00

Colchester v Walsall, 15:00

Crewe v Leyton Orient, 15:00

Hartlepool v MK Dons, 15:00

Hereford v Cheltenham, 15:00

Leeds v Huddersfield, 12:15

Millwall v Stockport, 15:00

Northampton v Oldham, 15:00

Swindon v Leicester, 15:00

Tranmere v Southend, 15:00

Yeovil v Peterborough, 15:00

Division Two Fixtures

Accrington Stanley v Bournemouth, 15:00

Aldershot v Exeter, 15:00

Barnet v Notts County, 15:00

Bury v Grimsby, 15:00

Chester v Morecambe, 15:00

Darlington v Lincoln City, 15:00

Gillingham v Rotherham, 15:00

Luton v Dag & Red, 15:00

Port Vale v Brentford, 15:00

Rochdale v Macclesfield, 15:00

Wycombe v Bradford, 15:00

Carolly · Post by **Carolly** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:01 am

Cant give you any dosh on here sorry Spot but I cant stand Football but sure Kaz and Abbs may come here:D;):driving:

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:08 am

This is the skill thread. Roll up you Reds.

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:09 am

Out of interest, am I allowed to play too?

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:25 am

spot;1053829 wrote: Out of interest, am I allowed to play too?

i cant see why not? you dont know the outcome of matches before they are played any better than the rest of us:D im gonna try reading your op again as im not sure i totally understand,,, dont worry if i cant get it i will ask hubs to help me:D

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:27 am

so.. i just pick twelve matches and thats it,, i dont have to predict wether they will win lose or draw?:-3

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:29 am

kazalala;1053836 wrote: i cant see why not? you dont know the outcome of matches before they are played any better than the rest of us:D im gonna try reading your op again as im not sure i totally understand,,, dont worry if i cant get it i will ask hubs to help me:D

It's a simplified Treble Chance because there's not five million people playing, there's only half a dozen. The permutation patterns and how many lines you're paying for aren't present in the rules I posted. If we get millions of players I'll bring them back.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:30 am

kazalala;1053841 wrote: so.. i just pick twelve matches and thats it,, i dont have to predict wether they will win lose or draw?:-3

have i got this right?

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 6:54 am

kazalala;1053845 wrote: have i got this right?

Yes, that's right.

spot the bookmaker will announce the full results after the last game finishes and recommends all clients to check his arithmetic.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:42 am

Blackburn v Sunderland, 15:00

Fulham v Tottenham, 15:00

Newcastle v Wigan, 15:00

Sheff Utd v Reading, 15:00

QPR v Burnley, 15:00

Birmingham v Charlton, 15:00

Bristol City v Nottm Forest, 15:00

Tranmere v Southend, 15:00

Millwall v Stockport, 15:00

Port Vale v Brentford, 15:00

Bury v Grimsby, 15:00

Darlington v Lincoln City, 15:00

CARLA · Post by **CARLA** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 7:50 am

As much as I like a good pool $1,000 of my casino money is a lot. You need to lower the stakes a bit some user don't have $1,000 in their casino money.

I will be back when I check the stats in Vegas baby on some of these teams. :wah:

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 11, 2008 11:01 pm

CARLA;1053973 wrote: As much as I like a good pool $1,000 of my casino money is a lot. You need to lower the stakes a bit some user don't have $1,000 in their casino money.

I will be back when I check the stats in Vegas baby on some of these teams. :wah:

I'm investigating how to run a pool where there's a single winner takes all but the entry fee can differ. I'm not sure that it can be done.

The alternative would be to split the winnings and players could bet in multiples of 100 casino dollars up to 1000. If the winner only bet, say, 400 casino dollars then they could only take 4/10ths of the pot and the rest would pass down to the next highest player, and so on.

That would work. Would that meet the need, Carla? Is it easy enough to understand and is it fair enough?

I'll run it that way and we'll see if people get used to the idea.

So - revised rule - players MUST select twelve teams and MAY bet in multiples of 100 casino dollars to a maximum of 1,000 casino dollars. Each 100 casino dollars bet entitles the winner to 10% of the pot, the remainder passing to the next highest winner and so on until it's all been distributed.

I've edited the opening post to reflect the new rule.

The initial 10% bookmaker commission from the pot before distribution starts still applies.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Wed Nov 12, 2008 3:50 am

OK im not sure i totally understand that (i have a terrible aversion to math) but i know you will make sure its done proper and fair so,,, i have put up my list and i will place $500 on it:D

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 1:28 pm

Have i won:-2:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 15, 2008 10:51 pm

The entire world's a horribly cruel place and I don't like anyone. Yes.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 4:19 am

spot;1059384 wrote: The entire world's a horribly cruel place and I don't like anyone. Yes.

does that mean i won:-3 seeing as this venture in to football pools didnt really take off Spot and i was the only one entering, im happy if you declare it void:D

Post by **spot** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:01 am

Well yes, you won. You put the money in the pot, you won the pot, you took the pot home. Now be quiet or I'll charge you my 10% handling fee!

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sun Nov 16, 2008 5:02 am

spot;1059502 wrote: Well yes, you won. You put the money in the pot, you won the pot, you took the pot home. Now be quiet or I'll charge you my 10% handling fee!

told you i didnt fully understand it:yh_rotfl

Post by **spot** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:02 am

Okay, here's the official result of spot the bookmaker's Treble Chance Football Pool for 15th November 2008.

There was one entrant, Kaz. Thank you Kaz.

There were 5 score-draws and one no-score draw.

Kaz got 3 of the 5 score draws and her total points came to 16.5 out of a maximum possible 20.

16.5 points was the highest scored by all contestants and nobody else equalled it, which means Kaz scooped half the pool with her 500 casino dollar entry. That's 250 casino dollars.

In default of any other players, Kaz can have the remainder of the pool as well. That's not in the rules, that's my reaction to unexpected circumstances.

I'd be grateful if there were at least a dozen entries for spot the bookmaker's Treble Chance Football Pool for 22nd November 2008 please, or I might just give my impression of a berserking bookmaker and you'd none of you want that to happen.

Post by **spot** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:05 am

Here are the games for the Forum Garden Treble Chance on Saturday, 22nd November 2008

Premier League fixtures

Aston Villa v Man Utd, 17:30

Chelsea v Newcastle, 15:00

Liverpool v Fulham, 15:00

Man City v Arsenal, 15:00

Middlesbrough v Bolton, 15:00

Portsmouth v Hull, 15:00

Stoke v West Brom, 15:00

Championship fixtures

Burnley v Doncaster, 15:00

Charlton v Sheff Utd, 15:00

Crystal Palace v Bristol City, 15:00

Ipswich v Derby, 15:00

Nottm Forest v Norwich, 17:20

Plymouth v Cardiff, 12:45

Preston v Barnsley, 15:00

Reading v Southampton, 15:00

Sheff Wed v Coventry, 15:00

Watford v QPR, 15:00

Wolverhampton v Blackpool, 15:00

League One fixtures

Brighton v Huddersfield, 15:00

Bristol Rovers v Swindon, 15:00

Carlisle v Cheltenham, 15:00

Crewe v Stockport, 15:00

Hereford v Northampton, 15:00

Leeds United v Hartlepool, 15:00

Leyton Orient v Millwall, 15:00

Peterborough v Colchester, 15:00

Scunthorpe v Leicester, 15:00

Southend v Oldham, 15:00

Walsall v MK Dons, 15:00

Yeovil v Tranmere, 15:00

League Two fixtures

Barnet v Macclesfield, 15:00

Brentford v Darlington, 15:00

Bury v Gillingham, 15:00

Chester v Aldershot, 15:00

Chesterfield v Accrington Stanley, 15:00

Dag & Red v Notts County, 15:00

Lincoln City v Shrewsbury, 15:00

Morecambe v Exeter, 15:00

Rochdale v Luton, 15:00

Rotherham v Bradford, 15:00

Wycombe v Port Vale, 15:00

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:12 am

spot;1060289 wrote: Here are the games for the Forum Garden Treble Chance on Saturday, 22nd November 2008

Premier League fixtures

Aston Villa v Man Utd, 17:30

Chelsea v Newcastle, 15:00

Liverpool v Fulham, 15:00

Man City v Arsenal, 15:00

Middlesbrough v Bolton, 15:00

Portsmouth v Hull, 15:00

Stoke v West Brom, 15:00

Championship fixtures

Burnley v Doncaster, 15:00

Charlton v Sheff Utd, 15:00

Crystal Palace v Bristol City, 15:00

Ipswich v Derby, 15:00

Nottm Forest v Norwich, 17:20

Plymouth v Cardiff, 12:45

Preston v Barnsley, 15:00

Reading v Southampton, 15:00

Sheff Wed v Coventry, 15:00

Watford v QPR, 15:00

Wolverhampton v Blackpool, 15:00

League One fixtures

Brighton v Huddersfield, 15:00

Bristol Rovers v Swindon, 15:00

Carlisle v Cheltenham, 15:00

Crewe v Stockport, 15:00

Hereford v Northampton, 15:00

Leeds United v Hartlepool, 15:00

Leyton Orient v Millwall, 15:00

Peterborough v Colchester, 15:00

Scunthorpe v Leicester, 15:00

Southend v Oldham, 15:00

Walsall v MK Dons, 15:00

Yeovil v Tranmere, 15:00

League Two fixtures

Barnet v Macclesfield, 15:00

Brentford v Darlington, 15:00

Bury v Gillingham, 15:00

Chester v Aldershot, 15:00

Chesterfield v Accrington Stanley, 15:00

Dag & Red v Notts County, 15:00

Lincoln City v Shrewsbury, 15:00

Morecambe v Exeter, 15:00

Rochdale v Luton, 15:00

Rotherham v Bradford, 15:00

Wycombe v Port Vale, 15:00

Thanks Spot:D I'll have that $500 on again please;)

Middlesbrough v Bolton, 15:00

Portsmouth v Hull, 15:00

Stoke v West Brom, 15:00

Ipswich v Derby, 15:00

Preston v Barnsley, 15:00

Wolverhampton v Blackpool, 15.00

Carlisle v Cheltenham, 15:00

Crewe v Stockport, 15:00

Scunthorpe v Leicester, 15:00

Lincoln City v Shrewsbury, 15:00

Rochdale v Luton, 15:00

Rotherham v Bradford, 15:00

Post by **spot** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:16 am

Roll up, get your cash down while the thread's still running. It's a pool, it's lovely.

Post by **spot** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:20 am

Kaz, purely out of interest how on earth did you manage to get three of the five score draws? That's unbelievably good predicting on your part. Anyone would think you'd been following football since birth.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Mon Nov 17, 2008 4:23 am

spot;1060296 wrote: Kaz, purely out of interest how on earth did you manage to get three of the five score draws? That's unbelievably good predicting on your part. Anyone would think you'd been following football since birth.

i do like football spot, and i did work in youth football for quite a while,,, but to be totally honest i dint even look at tables or past scores nope not a bit of research at all:yh_rotfl

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:31 am

How did i do this week spot:D do i owe you owt?

Post by **spot** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:43 am

I almost hesitate to say this but you've been playing with yourself again, haven't you.

Post by **spot** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 4:51 am

The result of the Treble Chance Football Pool for 22nd November 2008 is as follows.

There were 7 score draws and 6 no score draws.

The maximum possible line was 23 points.

One competitor entered and scored 12 points including a single score draw.

The pool amounted to 500 casino dollars

Winner: Kazalala, 500 casino dollars.

Congratulations on your repeated skilful selection, kaz!

Spot the bookmaker looks forward to even more business on the Treble Chance in future weeks.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sun Nov 23, 2008 5:15 am

spot;1067029 wrote: I almost hesitate to say this but you've been playing with yourself again, haven't you.

:yh_rotfl:yh_rotfl well i cant help it if no one else will play with me :sneaky:

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Mon Nov 24, 2008 2:32 am

jimbo;1067660 wrote: that my friend is why your a sunderland fan :yh_rotfl:yh_rotflx 100

:p:p

Post by **spot** » Tue Nov 25, 2008 2:42 am

Here are the games for the Forum Garden Treble Chance on Saturday, Saturday, 29 November 2008

Premier League

Aston Villa v Fulham

Middlesbrough v Newcastle

Stoke v Hull

Sunderland v Bolton

Wigan v West Brom

The FA Cup

Bournemouth v Blyth Spartans, R2

Bradford v Leyton Orient, R2

Eastwood Town v Wycombe, R2

Fleetwood Town v Hartlepool, R2

Forest Green v Rochdale, R2

Gillingham v Stockport, R2

Grays Athletic v Carlisle, R1

Kidderminster v Curzon Ashton, R2

Leicester v Dag & Red, R2

Millwall v Aldershot, R2

Morecambe v Cheltenham, R2

Peterborough v Tranmere, R2

Scunthorpe v Alfreton Town, R2

Southend v Luton, R2

Torquay v Oxford Utd, R2

Championship

Burnley v Derby

Charlton v Southampton

Crystal Palace v QPR

Ipswich v Sheff Utd

Nottm Forest v Barnsley

Plymouth v Blackpool

Preston v Bristol City

Sheff Wed v Norwich

Watford v Doncaster

Wolverhampton v Birmingham

League One

Northampton v Colchester

Walsall v Swindon

League Two

Accrington Stanley v Bury

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:21 am

Now is the final hour for placing your bets on this pristine pool. Join in, it's fun, it's crunchy, it's cheap.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:34 am

spot;1071781 wrote: Now is the final hour for placing your bets on this pristine pool. Join in, it's fun, it's crunchy, it's cheap.

oops i forgot all about this! should i bother???

:-3

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:45 am

kazalala;1071805 wrote: oops i forgot all about this! should i bother???

:-3

If you want me to run it tomorrow you'd better bet on it today. Ideally you might bring a dozen other posters in as well. You won both the previous weeks, you might as well go for a hat-trick.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 7:55 am

:yh_sigh ok

Middlesbrough v Newcastle

Sunderland v Bolton

Wigan v West Brom

Kidderminster v Curzon Ashton, R2

Gillingham v Stockport, R2

Scunthorpe v Alfreton Town, R2

Southend v Luton, R2

Grays Athletic v Carlisle, R1

Nottm Forest v Barnsley

Preston v Bristol City

Watford v Doncaster

Walsall v Swindon

Post by **spot** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:04 am

Thank you kazzy-no-friends. Where are all the others?

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Nov 29, 2008 8:07 am

spot;1071847 wrote: Thank you kazzy-no-friends. Where are all the others?

OI! speak for yourself you:yh_rotfl dunno where all the others are,,, im getting used to rattling around on me own :wah: blimey look at the time ,,, gotta take Shiela for her walk,,, see ye later spot -the- lonely- bookie:D

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 2:51 am

I've found it :guitarist:guitarist

Kaz can you briefly explain to me what we are supposed to do please :wah:

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:18 am

SuzyB;1075747 wrote: I've found it :guitarist:guitarist

Kaz can you briefly explain to me what we are supposed to do please :wah:

erm:-3:yh_rotfl im not quite sure how it realy works,,, you get points for score draws, non score draws, home wins and away wins,, think th draws give you more points, I usually click the quote button on spots latest list of fixtures, then copy and paste the ons i want to my reply, I just usually guesss to be honest but you could take a proper look at the games past results league tables etc. and make an edeucated guess:yh_rotfl pick twelve teams, i have been betting $500:D

Post by **spot** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:19 am

Is it possible that my opening post lacks clarity somehow?

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:22 am

spot;1075761 wrote: Is it possible that my opening post lacks clarity somehow?

Spot my bet on the x factor thread is the first bet I personally have ever made, i'm a virgin to all this :wah:

It confused me when Kaz listed the teams without putting next to them win, draw, lose or whatever, but just to try and appease you my dear, I shall go back and look at OP. :guitarist

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:26 am

Looked through thread and still none the wiser, do I pm you with what time I think will win, draw or lose?

Post by **spot** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:31 am

SuzyB;1075766 wrote: Looked through thread and still none the wiser, do I pm you with what time I think will win, draw or lose?

You must select TWELVE matches, your highest score from ANY EIGHT matches counts as your high scores. The player with the highest score wins.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:32 am

SuzyB;1075766 wrote: Looked through thread and still none the wiser, do I pm you with what time I think will win, draw or lose?

I dont think you have to say exactly who wins loses or draws,,, juts pick twelve teams and spot wil add up your points:D

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 3:58 am

kazalala;1075770 wrote: I dont think you have to say exactly who wins loses or draws,,, juts pick twelve teams and spot wil add up your points:D

Oh right, can you pm me your phone number please x

SuzyB · Post by **SuzyB** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 4:25 am

Got it

yh_rotfl

Is it too late to put my bet in?

Post by **spot** » Wed Dec 03, 2008 5:49 am

SuzyB;1075816 wrote: Got it

yh_rotfl

Is it too late to put my bet in?

Gosh no - any time up until kickoff. That's on Saturday afternoon.

kazalala · Post by **kazalala** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 6:26 am

Hey spot hope you dont mind me asking you a question here:-3 I bought a book called Nation by Terry Pratcher for my Nephew, he is coming up to 12 years old, is it suitable?

Post by **spot** » Sat Dec 06, 2008 8:39 am

kazalala;1078576 wrote: Hey spot hope you dont mind me asking you a question here:-3 I bought a book called Nation by Terry Pratcher for my Nephew, he is coming up to 12 years old, is it suitable?

Completely. There are few people more satisfying to read than Terry Pratchett, your nephew's exactly the right age for the plot and he can send it to me when he's finished.