Best and Worst Bets

Of all the big bets that I’ve had in my life, some stand out.

Some stand out for the right reasons – big prices, satisfaction, relief. Some stand out for the wrong reasons – big losses or unlucky outcomes.

In this week’s betting blog, I want to tell you my five most satisfying wins and my five most upsetting losses.

Best Wins

1. West Germany – World Cup 1990. My first ever winning bet!

2. Tampa Bay Rays – American League East Division 2008. Backed them at nice big prices and held my nerve.

3. Big Buck’s – World Hurdle 2012. He drifted like a barge pole just before the off. I usually avoid drifters but was glad I took the very generous 5-6.

4. Goran Ivanisevic – Wimbledon 2001. Well I wasn’t on him at the triple-figure prices before the off, but there was a sense of destiny that year and I followed my heart.

5. Kansas City Chiefs – AFC West Division 2010. It was tough going against the much-vaunted San Diego Padres but this was a very satisfying win.

Worst Losses

1. San Francisco 49ers – NFC Conference 2012. Ahh, San Fran… You did me proud winning the division and then knocking off the New Orleans Saints at home. But then you faltered against the Giants. This was a painful one – and I ended up staying up to watch it.

2. Druids Johnno – Greyhound Derby 1990. I backed him at big prices ante-post. He smashed his way to the final, went off long odds-on and then never turned up. I was 10 at the time and this was a lot of money!

3. John Cena – Wrestlemania 2012. I backed him at 8-11 to beat The Rock but The Rock prevailed in front of his home fans. What d’ya mean it’s fake???

4. Gary Anderson – PDC World Darts 2011. It sounds like a bad-beat story but he should have won! His averages throughout the tournament were far higher than Adrian Lewis’, but he just couldn’t get it done in the final.

5. Carl Petterson – US Masters 2012. This was a losing bet and the guy didn’t even get to the tournament. All he had to do was win the week before. Then he’d have won his entry and (I’m sure of this) would have won The Masters. Instead he finished 2nd, missed the tournament and The Masters was won by a guy I didn’t have A PENNY on. Aghh…