Champions on Leidesestraat

[Smith2]

I'd always thought that Dutch gambling laws meant that you couldn't bet outside casinos, which aren't my thing, so I was surprised to notice a betting shop last time I was in the Dam. It was a bit more primitive than the outlets of Ladbrokes or William Hill I'd noticed in Belgium – no Racing Post (though their website, which I looked up later, says they've got one somewhere), just very badly copied form sheets with very little information. Still, it was the real thing, along with the trotting races from France and somewhere more exotic – Lithuania, I think. Betting seems to be on the British Tote, and though I couldn't quite work out the abbreviations on the forms, either the employee or the other punters would have helped me put on the reverse exacta I was thinking of doing (and was happy not to have done, as I had the 12/1 winner and a faller).

I'd always taken a break from the horses before when in Mokum – yes, I could bet over the net and probably watch some of the races on a Device, but it's not the same. And there are other things to be getting on with. But now that I know the bookie is there, I suspect I'll be looking in at least for the odd race. Has anyone else been there? They do sports betting as well, and I'm pretty sure they're free from those damned FOBTs.

[Smith2]

I had a feeling I might be on my own here. Perhaps I'll use this thread for my racing tips of the day. One winner yesterday at 14/1, unfortunately only one leg of a Lucky 15 that wasn't.

[Smith2]

OK, might as well get started. Vintage Star in the Welsh Grand National today, each way. Best price currently 14/1. Paddy Power pay on the first five places of this 20-runner handicap, but they don't offer that price at the moment.

[ThePooch]

I don't really play the ponies, I'm more of a poker and blackjack guy, sorry.

Cheers

[Smith2]

Vintage Star came sixth, fact fans. Still, I didn't really care, as it was part of a Lucky 15 that had no other redeeming qualities, and at the last minute I had a single e/w bet on One in a Milan, on the grounds that it liked a slog. It duly managed to secure fourth place, and at 50/1 a quarter of the odds isn't bad.

Yes, I know it's dull. But you don't have to open the thread if you don't want to read it, and I'm enjoying the quiet.

[Smith2]

So today I fancy horses trained by Keith Reveley and Venetia Williams at Doncaster, as well what seems to be an overpriced Nicky Henderson horse. The question is which ones to combine in which bets. So off to the bookies to brood and watch.

In the old days, when one could smoke tobacco in betting shops, there were several where I could go to inhale the aroma of something rather more pleasant than tobacco. All gone, alas.

[matty223]

i noticed that myself in November almost went in to check it out

[Mike93]

I had a nice little winner on Correct score in Chelsea game.

[evergrey1968]

The only time I ever won betting on something was when I put a tenner on Lordi to win the Eurovision Song Contest, was a nice little earner !