Superstar status awaits a TAB Sportsbet customer who is one win away from becoming a genius after taking a long-range multi-bet. TAB Sportsbet's Glenn Munsie said the bet, placed back in March, involved Barcelona winning the Champions League, the Los Angeles Lakers taking out the NBA crown, Pittsburgh Penguins winning the NHL and the New York Yankees winning baseball's World Series. So far the first three legs have all saluted, and now the wait is on until October to see if the Yankees take the World Series. For just a $50 outlay the punter stands to collect $114,750.
Meanwhile, one of TAB Sportsbet larger customers has had a winning week by investing heavily on some short-priced favourites.
"They started with $250,000 at $1.06 on Pakistan in the Twenty20 Cricket against Ireland then followed up with $140,000 at $1.08 on Spain against Iraq in the soccer and landed a tidy profit of $26,200," Munsie said.
Bombers away
Alan Eskander's Betstar.com.au hopes Essendon fall victim to Melbourne tonight after a sustained plunge on the Bombers.
"The Bombers have been the biggest go of the split round," Eskander said. "We took a bet of $7500 giving 19½ start, $6000 at -20½ and another $3000 lobbed at -21½. They've been $1.36 in to $1.31 in head-to-head betting while the Dees are friendless, easing from $3.25 to $3.65."
Sydney host Collingwood tomorrow night, with Eskander saying the Swans have been easing favourites, out from $1.88 to $1.94 with the Pies rock solid at $1.90.
"It's no secret that the Pies have the wood on the Swans, and having won their past three matches leading into the split round, it's hard to see them slipping up here," Eskander said.
Support for Blues
Betting on the reduced round of the NRL might be quiet but Sportingbet Australia chief executive Michael Sullivan expects wagering on the second State of Origin next Wednesday night to be fast and furious. "The Blues may have been beaten last year but it was only by two points in Sydney," said Sullivan, who is tipping the support to come for NSW. "They grow an extra leg at home, and the $2.25 to win seems like pretty good odds for a side desperate to tie up the series."
Sullivan said there had been solid early money around for the Maroons at $1.67, including a bet of $10,000, but punters were holding off backing the Blues.
"Punters are still concerned about the Blues' injuries, with Jennings already out and doubts still over a couple of others," he said. "I would expect the money to arrive for the Blues if the others pass their fitness tests."
Australia firm
Australia have firmed in to $1.68 from an opening $1.80 to win the upcoming Ashes series with Centrebet. Spokesman Neil Evans said England, playing at home, had blown from an opening $2.85 out to $3.35. "The biggest bet is $35,000 on the Aussies at $1.80 but the money is still coming in from both here and the UK for them to win the series," Evans said. "But the same confidence isn't there yet for Australia to win the first Test in Cardiff. They are quoted at $2.15 with the Poms at $3.60 and the draw at $2.95."
Plunge for Nadal
Rafael Nadal may still be under an injury cloud for Wimbledon but that hasn't stopped a fan plunging on him to win the tournament. Munsie said the TAB Sportsbet punter had wagered $30,000 on the Spaniard at $6.50.
Meanwhile, Sullivan said Sportingbet Australia punters were keen on Roger Federer, while Australian Samantha Stosur has shortened in the women's market.
Tiger domination
Tiger Woods, at $3, dominates betting on the US Open and commands a remarkable 30 per cent of money invested with TAB Sportsbet in the winner market. Munsie said US Masters winner Angel Cabrera was well backed at big odds with bets of $1400 and $1000 at $51. (Credit: Fairfax)
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