Big Sporting Events of 2026

2026 is gearing up to be a fantastic year for sport. When you look across all sports, here in the UK, we've just had the Wilder vs Chisora boxing slugfest that in my view lived up to expectations, and was sandwiched between two unmissable racing festivals with March' Cheltenham Festival and just days ago the April Aintree Grand National Festival. It of course also won't be long until the big one is upon us too, by which I'm of course referring to the Fifa World Cup. England will be at least reasonably confident of getting past the group stage where they will take on Croatia, Ghana and Panama in Group L. At time of writing they are in fact 1/50 to qualify from the group, so it's viewed as something of a foregone conclusion.

The World Cup tournament runs from June 11th – July 19th, 2026 and this year features 48 teams, making it the biggest ever World Cup. There's also more Asian team places than ever before and some exciting play certainly comes from that part of the world, with some familiar player names among them as many players feature in top European leagues. Kaoru Mitoma and Takefusa Kubo to name two Japanese players for instance, since Japan is a team many neutrals will be rooting for. Another Asian side, South Korea, will also feature, with many looking forward to seeing Son Heung-min. Australia, Saudi Arabia and Iran are in the mix too. With the current war situation though it's hard to know exactly how events and the World Cup itself will pan out.

Of course, it's not just the sports, it's often how best to bet on them, and this focus on Asian teams bring forth the strategy that different betting markets can highlight different opportunities. As in the use of Asian bookmakers can result in opportunities for arbitrage bettors that may not be available in other territories. asianconnect is a long standing broker that can make this an angle you can pursue. And of course being that they have access to multiple bookmakers, this helps get the best prices with little concernswuth regard to whether you'll be able to place your bet. Accepting Bitcoin, Neteller and more it's easy to get your bet on, whether you're a football fan, love the races, boxing, MMA, tennis, you name it, you can bet on it. A top betting broker with easy withdrawals, and they even have a sign up bonus, so it's definitely a stand out in terms of broker options.

World Cup aside, other Asian sporting events to keep an eye on in 2026 include the 2026 Asian Games in Aichi-Nagoya, Japan (Sept 19th – Oct 4th) since includes both sports and esport and the 2026 Asian Indoor and Martial Arts Games (Nov 28th – Dec 7th). As you can see there's lots to look forward to, sportswise, both at home and away!

Win Big - Using AI to improve your sports betting knowledge!

It's a fast changing world, and if you've opted out of the Internet for the past few years and just now reconnected you wouldn't quite believe the changes that have taken place over that time. The idea for instance that you could tell an artificial intelligence to create a picture or a logo, to produce a video, to write a song, would've been the stuff of fantasy until now, but here it now in 2026 available to all and a potentially valuable tool in all manner of situations, work and otherwise.

It's the data and education angle where there is real potential to make the most of these developments though. Sports like horse racing and football, on the surface can be straight forward but how often will you have heard say someone misinterpret what the offside rule actually is or something relatively straight forward like that. When it ties into betting too, there are a myriad or different bet types and the like in football, and AI can be both a valuable tool in understanding the ins and outs of those, as well as also taking it to the next level and making football predictions, based on the wealth of data 'under the bonnet'. There's many layers to fully understanding and profiting from sports betting, and AI can form a fast track to getting to that place.

That's the beauty of AI, that it can sweep up every piece of relevant data out there, and quickly analyse in it such a way that what would take you hours or even days on end.  It can now be a task carried out with the click of a button or the blink of an eye. So if you're looking to see how one team performs against another team for instance over a given period of time the answer it instantly there for you, goal difference, style of play, anything really. If, in horse racing you're looking for AI Racing Tips based on a selection of horses it can crunch the numbers of their form, the going, the trainers, owners , jockeys and everything else under the sun to let you know whether you're onto a good thing or not.  Getting value in relation to betting odds is key in racing and so if you're ahead of the game in that department it should certainly bode well for your bets.

The world and technology move on at a furious pace, and there are definitely some aspects of AI that we should question. Conversely though, especially where sports analysis is concerned, it's hard to think of a bigger opportunity and tool right now that can really take your bets and strategy to the next level. An opportunity not to be missed, so what better day to start on that journey of learning more than today?

How many horses have won the King George VI Chase three times or more?

Established in February, 1937, the King George VI Chase was named, plainly, in honour of King George VI, who was proclaimed king the previous December, following the abdication of his brother, Edward VIII, and crowned the following May. Run over a practically flat three miles at Kempton Park, traditionally on Boxing Day, the race is now the second most prestigious conditions steeplechase in the British National Hunt calendar, behind only the Cheltenham Gold Cup.

The King George VI Chase has a habit of throwing up multiple winners, with Cheltenham Gold Cup winners Captain Christy, Silver Buck, The Fellow and See More Business just some of the top-class steeplechasers with two victories to their names down the years. Not altogether surprising, winning the race three times, or more, has proved more of an 'ask', even for the best in the business. So far, just three horses have managed to do so.

The first of them was Wayward Lad, trained, like the aforementioned Silver Buck, by Michael Dickinson and arguably the best chaser never to have won the Cheltenham Gold Cup. He did, however, win the festive showpiece two years running, in 1982 and 1983, and after a distant, distressed third in 1984, returned to complete his hat-trick in 1985. Next up was the popular grey Desert Orchid, who won four of the five renewals between 1986 and 1990 and finished second to Nupsala in 1987. Last, but by no means least, came the record-breaking Kauto Star, the fourth highest-rated chaser in the history of Timeform, who contested the King George VI Chase six times and was victorious five times between 2006 and 2011. Following his fifth and final win, jockey Ruby Walsh paraded the 11-year-old in front of the stands, to rapturous applause, before weighing in.

19 Year Old Pool Player banks $100,000

There was once a young hustler called Aaron Preston who used to drain the pockets of his rivals in the blink of an eye. His pool-playing skills eventually came to the attention of the gamblers in Amarillo, his home town. They decided to teach him more pool skills and took him on a gambling trip to play pool with the big guns for real money. None of them was left disappointed, especially Aaron himself who pocketed a tidy sum.

As his career progressed, the talented young boy teamed up with legendary Minnesota Fats, and due to their friendship, Aaron was taught a lot about the characteristics of a successful pool player. 



Military Career


However, as soon as the army arrived in Amarillo in 1945, all gambling would cease as the Navy beckoned him, but he never abandoned his passion. The naval air base near Portland was where he landed. Young Preston played some poker, rolled some dice at the local clubs, and played pool when he had spare time. Because of the bets he made and won against fellow gamblers, he had accumulated $100,000 in the bank by the age of 19. Numbers that would even impress real money online casino jokacasino players.

His application for military service in 1948 was examined by high-ranking military officials. Based on the aptitude test, the FBI offered him a job because of his amazing math skills.


After being impressed with Amarillo's pool skills, one of the colonels convinced him to tour military bases with pool exhibitions under the supervision of the entertainment department. This gave him the best of both worlds as he got to play his favourite game and still be in the military. Added to his pool playing, he also had a black market business on the side which included selling Mickey Mouse watches popular among Russian soldiers, gasoline, cigarettes, etc. His military career ended with him being filthy rich. 

Mega Fortune Major Jackpot Win

In just one evening, Fredrik played Vera & John's bingo game at home and won a whopping €269,789! He was playing just €1.25 per spin when he won the Mega Fortune's major jackpot.

Home entertainment with the kids doesn't have to be boring, right? A large helping of good luck fell right into Fredrik's lap after he decided to make the most of it. That sounds like a good bedtime story, doesn't it? When I'm visiting online casino real money wolfwinner and other top casino sites that's certainly what i'm hoping for!

After a long and exhausting day at work, he was just relaxing at home on a Friday evening with the kids, alone. After the kids went to sleep, he decided to play Vera & John for a bit. The 35-year-old winner chose Mega Fortune slot as his first choice, and what a great choice it was. Out of nowhere, €269,789 appeared as a jackpot win.

Initially shocked, it took the lucky slot champion a long time to realize what had actually happened- and even then, he checked his account over and over again to make sure it was true. There's no way you can keep €269,789 to yourself - no matter how hard Fredrik tried. As soon as Mrs Fredrik got home that night, he told her, and she was just as excited as he was.

Fredrik, shared some wise words of advice with us in talking about secrets. A wise tip he offers is to never play more than you can afford at the casino - a good way to maximize your enjoyment!

Is there something in particular that keeps this plucky player returning to Vera & John? In his opinion, it was all about the people. Vera & John impressed him with their professionalism.

The biggest party of your life can happen on a lazy Friday thanks to a jackpot win from Vera & John!

 

Frankie Dettori Magic Seven Video Slot by Playtech

Introduction

Frankie Dettori, a famous Italian jockey in the UK horse racing scene, inspired Playtech to create Frankie Dettori's Magic Seven Slot. This horse racing-themed game has 5 reels and 25 paylines, featuring bonus rounds that allow players to relive Dettori's memorable victories. With a maximum bet of 1250.00 per spin, this game caters to high rollers seeking a chance to win big with a maximum payout of 7777x their bet. This racing slots game certainly appeals to those on the lookout for a casinous usa casinos bonus.

Frankie Dettori's Magic Seven Slot Bonus Features and Free Spins

Frankie Dettori's Magic Seven has two bonus rounds that add excitement to the game. The Free Games Race is the first bonus round, triggered by landing three magic seven symbols anywhere on the reels.

Players then choose one of three horses and the horse's finishing position determines the number of free spins awarded. If the chosen horse wins the race, the player receives 35 free spins, while a last-place finish only awards 10 free spins.

The second bonus feature is the Mega Seven Bonus, activated by landing the racecourse symbol on reels 1 and 5. Players are taken to a racetrack with 20 sections and must choose a section to reveal a prize. Some sections offer cash prizes, while others increase the overall multiplier. Players must avoid the "collect" section, as it ends the Magic Sevens round.

Conclusion

Franki Dettori Magic Seven slot is one of the older slots from Playtech but it is still very popular among online casino players.

While not every player may enjoy horse racing themes, Frankie Dettori's Magic Seven offers a variety of bonus features that cater to players who enjoy such themes. With a maximum win of 150,000 coins and 35 free spins up for grabs, this game is worth a try for those who can handle the variance.

Gary Neville Profile

Though the modern full-back is an attacking dynamo, often a converted winger, Manchester United legend Gary Neville was different. Though he could spring forward and lead attacks, Neville was often a supporting figure, offering long-term teammate David Beckham a reliable presence behind him as he funnelled forward.

In exactly 400 league games for United, and many more in Europe and in cups, as well as 85 caps for England, Neville secured his reputation as one of the steadiest, most consistent full-backs in the world and, for a time, was rated as among the best anywhere in the planet.

What made Gary Neville so special?

An engine that never ran out mixed with a massive consistency and fearlessness in the tackle, Neville was a major part of the United teams of the 1990s who were so successful. Through his career, Neville always showed excellent positional sense and always looked more than capable of competing with any player. His lack of pace (relatively) paired with mediocre crossing was never a holdback, though, as United found ways to utilise his excellent defensive covering and tactical brain to their advantage.

As one of the ‘Class of 92’, Neville became a symbol of the rebirth of United under Sir Alex Ferguson, and was a key face of the Ferguson era until his retirement in 2011.

What does Gary Neville do now?

A business owner and owner of a football club, Salford City, Neville also spends much of his time on TV as a pundit for Sky Sports. He endured a swift spell in management, taking over at Valencia C.F. in Spain before lasting only half a season.

Neville, though, has become a frequent voice on everything from matters of social change in football to topics involving ownership, governance, and finance within the game, becoming a leading voice within English football on various topics.

Alan Shearer Profile

As one of the best goalscorers in English football history, Alan Shearer deserves his name in the pantheon of legendary English football players. He is the all-time top goalscorer within the Premier League (since it was rebranded), and was once the world record transfer fee holder when he signed for Newcastle United in 1996.

A Premier League winner with Blackburn Rovers, Shearer represented Southampton, Blackburn, and Newcastle with immense distinction, as well as winning 63 caps for his country between 1992 and 2000. A true North-East legend.

What made Alan Shearer so special?

Whether it’s the volleyed goals, the bullet headers, the stunning winners, or the big-game contributions, Shearer is remembered for all of the right reasons. He’s a world-class goalscorer with a long history in the game, but arguably what made him so special was his loyalty to boyhood club Newcastle.

The Geordie stuck around at Newcastle for ten years, despite being among the best players in the world for much of that duration. His time at Newcastle was one which seen Shearer stick around even during periods of poor play, awful finishes, and general incompetence. Despite that, he stayed loyal to the team of his dreams.

For that, Shearer deserves immense credit for being someone who never gave in to win trophies with the biggest clubs. Despite never lifting a trophy with Newcastle, his goals will be remembered forever; so much so that his disastrous managerial spell is quickly forgotten about!

What does Alan Shearer do now?

Today, Shearer is a respected football pundit who regularly appears on BBC’s Match of the Day punditry coverage. He’s been around the punditry game for close to a decade, becoming a common sight for English national team games and major international events, making him a regular sight for English football fans to see on their TVs.

Grand National 2025

 

The 2025 renewal of the Grand National, run on April 5, 2025, on good to soft going, was the second since the maximum field size was reduced to 34 from 40 runners for safety reasons. The result of the race was overshadowed by the collapse on the run-in, shortly after the final fence, of the 13-year-old Celebre d'Allen, the oldest horse in the race. Having appeared to be recovering the following day, he suddenly deteriorated and died on the Monday evening, with a post-mortem examination revealing a severe respiratory infection, known as pleuropneumonia, which not been present in the blood sample taken on the day of the race.

That tragic course of events aside, the reduction in the maximum field size did little to reduce the spectacle of the Grand National. The well-fancied trio of Perceval Legallois, Stumptown and Intense Raffles all failed to complete the course, but 16 horses did and a dozen or so of them were still firmly in contention on the turn for home. The eventual winner, Nick Rockett, trained by Willie Mullins and ridden by his son, Patrick, led narrowly over the second-last fence, but was soon challenged, on either side, by stable companions I Am Maximus, Moonella Cocooner and Grangeclare West. A mistake at the final fence effectively put paid to the chance of the latter, while Moonella Cocooner weakened inside the final furlong, leaving Nick Rockett and I Am Maximus to fight out the finish. Both has been popular with punters before the race, and those taking advantage of free bet offers on FreeBetsUK and the like.

The 2024 winner, and second-favourite, I Am Maximus, who was 8lb higher in the weights than when victorious, continued to press the winner all the way to the line, but could find no extra in the closing stages and was eventually beaten 2½ lengths. Grangeclare West finished an honourable third, a further head away, thereby giving Willie Mullins 1-2-3 in the race. Indeed, favourite Iroko, trained by Oliver Greenall and Josh Guerrerio, stayed on to finish fourth, just ahead of another Mullins-trained runner, Meetingofthewaters. Nevertheless, still managed to saddle five of the first seven home, with Appreciate It – who was brought down at the fence before Becher's Brook on the second circuit – the only one of his six entries who failed to be involved in the buisness end of his race.

Becoming A Professional Gambler

After reading several professional gambler books these last few months, it seems the world and his wife (or husband) want to be a professional gambler. It is an ambition held by many punters who see it as an easy route to wealth. Let’s face it, who wants the daily grind of the 9 – 5 when you can watch racing at the sports bar, drinking endless pints and finish a good afternoon’s work with a meal for one.

So much for the James Bond life-style. I wonderif 007 ever treated himself to a curry after a bit of espionage?

Have you got what it takes to be a professional gambler?

What does it take? Can you simply transition from your everyday punter to someone who makes a living based on their skill to outwit the layers? In truth, this must be the route for many a professional gambler.

If only you could see the competition. Appreciate the level of skill needed to set yourself apart. It may well be such a daunting prospect that you simply give up trying before you dig yourself in a hole. We are all mere mortals. Within reason homo sapien is pretty much the same when you take your average bystander hoping, praying or confident they are somehow that little bit better.

I remember watching a bloke who specialise in buying and selling antiques. He had a niche. He said: ‘It’s not about being the best, just a little better than most!’

That’s a fair measure of ability.

From what I have seen, most horse racing punters are lazy beasts. More ploddish than some old gelding ambling around Exeter on a cold, winter’s morning. It’s not going to happen if you lack the passion to win. You need an inquisitive mind. You have to be confident in yourself that you have what it takes.

A stronger mind than most.

When I see a punter saying they bet on this, that and the other, the alarm bells starts ringing. You want to be something akin to the compendium of games. There’s a problem with that thought. If you haven’t worked it out, then that’s another red flag which you wave over your naive head.

Where are you going to find all that time to be the master of everything?

The clock on my wall has 24-hours. I sleep 8 hours. I’m wasting time like its going out of fashion distracted by YouTube and social media. I used to really love Jeremy Kyle. That’s not a quote from me, it’s one from Dave Nevison when he decided to work from home rather than work like a professional gambler and get on course. He loved a bit of Trisha too. However, he didn’t like his horse racing results too much.

How long can you focus without tiring?

What happens when you have a losing run?

How do you cope with the pressure of the daily grind?

Unless you have a niche you may as well give up now.

To be a professional gambler you need to be able to replicate how you work in both assessment and process. Why is this important you may ask? Because you need to be able to measure how you work on every level and be able to make small adjustments to hone your skills. This is no easy endeavour. Most punters are so haphazard in their thinking and working that they will never understand this key point. In fact, they will be so far from this level they won’t even understand the whole premise.

Unless you wholly understand what you are doing someone else will and they will be taking your money with a smile on their face. They will be enjoying their life with the price of your misery. They will glory in your failure. There only disappointment will be the day you run out of money.

It all sounds very harsh.

‘This isn’t the world I want to be living!’

Beef up.

That’s what I say.

Because if you don’t fight every aspect of disappointment with an equal measure of motivation to learn more you are doomed.

I don’t say these things to put you off just to brace yourself for the hurricane if you think you will be sitting on a deck chair on the beach. If you are skilful enough you may well be doing that. But if you are a newbie to the gambling ranks you will need to be the exception to the rule.

The reality of being a professional gambler is harsh.

It is built on a foundation of hard work, concrete mind and emotions.

As the quote goes: ‘You don’t know what you don’t know.’

That’s what I’m fearing for you.

Richard Wilk: Whale Hunter

I first learned about Richard Wilk watching Louis Theroux’s Gambling In Las Vegas, broadcast back in 2007 on BBC 2. This 60-minute episode followed a run of very successful documentaries from Theroux. Often hard-hitting subjects. He has the knack of getting the best answers from even those who keep their cards close to their chest. This was the case with Rich Wilk who worked at the Las Vegas Hilton. His job to find high-rolling gamblers known as whale who bet large sums of money.

Wilk finds whales (friends, acquaintances and others probably through marketing) to bring big money gamblers to lose even bigger at the casino.

Here we meet his friend Allan Erlick known as ‘The Mattress King’ because he owns one of the largest mattress manufacturing businesses in Canada. Such is their connection that Allan is godfather to Wilk’s daughter. It’s an odd relationship where friendship comes first and business second although watching the programme you have to think it’s actually the reverse. It’s not all bad news for ‘The Mattress King’ as he gets the biggest penthouse suite in the hotel for three days and nights as a complimentary gesture. It comes with its own butler. Allan jokes that the only downside is walking the vast distance from the bedroom to have breakfast each morning. In addition, Wilk’s secures $3K in free bets although this only comes when Allan has lost $50K, after a good start on day one on the roulette, (we didn’t see the losses) and then a disaster of a session on the slots which saw him lose about $70K. He smiles at Louis when he wins $5K on the slots as if saying: ‘See, you can win big money.’ While Theroux stares back bemused as if saying: ‘Yes, but you’ve lost over $100K.’

In fact, every time Theroux uses the elevator he ask guests ‘Are you winning?’ I think one bloke said he was but all the others seemed to be losing tens of thousands if not more. It was, unsurprisingly, a catalogue of losses.

Theroux said: ‘Las Vegas wasn’t built on winners!’

Rich Wilk talked about the business of being a broker for the casino a position which clearly paid well. You’d have to imagine he was collecting 10% of any losses if not substantially more. What’s worse for the punters (unlike betting in the UK) they have to pay tax on their winnings. Allan said about his $5K win, that it was worth $3.5K after taxes. With the house cut it must be impossible to win gambling in Las Vegas. Especially too, when the roulette is double zero compare to the United Kingdom.

Wilk’s said he has one or two whales commit suicide. It would seem most of the big players were addicted to gambling. If not, like another patron Martha Ogman, who had lost $4M on the slots, she just ‘loved playing so much why would I stop?’

Gambling In Las Vegas is a fascinating venture into the realities of gambling often to excess. ‘No one wants to see a gambler lose their house’, one of the floors managers says. You kind of get the feeling they wouldn’t be bothered either way.

As Allan leaves the Hilton a limousine awaits. He looks a little subdued saying bye to Louis and his friend Rich. After three days and heavy losses, it’s time to go back to Canada minus at least $160,000.

Gambling In Las Vegas is one place you really don’t want to bet.

Roy Keane Profile

Tough-tackling midfielders might be something of a bygone relic, but Roy Keane was more than a ball-winner. The Manchester United legend was the definition of a midfield driving force. Though goals were never his currency, Keane was an elite all-rounder who could compete with the best players of his generation.

Coming through at Cobh Ramblers, Keane soon signed for Nottingham Forest before arriving at Nottingham Forest. Over a 3-year spell, he established himself as an elite midfielder before joining Manchester United, staying there until 2005 before joining boyhood heroes Celtic.

What made Roy Keane so special?

Keane was a midfielder who had a habit of scoring big goals, but also tended to be a major outlet for avoiding pressure. His ability to hold onto the ball and progress it up the pitch was sublime. So was his ability to compete and to fill in for teammates as they made their way up the pitch.

The ultimate competitor, Keane was the perfect example of a midfielder who could do a bit of everything. While he tended to play with specialists, Keane could fill in any position in the United midfield. Added to that, he carried an indomitable spirit and a desire to win in every opportunity, no matter how difficult, showed best when he played a key role in taking United to the 1999 UEFA Champions League Final.

What does Roy Keane do now?

Having had several spells in coaching and in management, Keane today is mostly seen as a witheringly acerbic pundit who has no problem insulting former teammates, colleagues, and fellow professionals. Aside from the insulting terms, though, Keane is a respected analyst with a clear eye for what works and what does not – when you peel back the hyperbole, there is an inspiring, engaging professional waiting.

Wild Horses by High 5 Games

The Wild Horses video slot by High 5 Games displays a 5x3 layout and offers a 96% return to the player. The variance of this slot is considered average when compared to other High 5 Games games, especially since there are a lot of features to enjoy.   

This online slot is distinguished by its coin variance when playing Wild Horses. There is plenty of wiggle room for players of all types with 0.4 as the minimum and 400 as the maximum. There's nothing like a maximum coin win of 800,000 to sweeten things up too if the symbols land in your favour. 

Wild Horses Slot Bonus Features

It's enough to play Wild Horses slot machine just for its big old coin payout, but it's not the only reason. With the activated wilds feature, you can expect a tan, brown or white-and-brown horse to appear on reel five as a wild. 

If the horse has a matching colour, all other matching horses will turn wild, resulting in bigger winning combinations and higher payouts. The bonus game can be triggered by landing three feather scatters on the reels. 

On the second reel, the horses become wild at the beginning during these spins. The more wilds you land, the higher your wins. 

Verdict 

In Wild Horses, you can let your wild side run wild - and this picturesque setting is just the right place to get your gallop started. From snowy white ponies to black beauties, this slot has plenty to excite players with.  

You can boost your winnings with the wild feature, and even more with the shiny gold jackpot symbol. With plenty to spin for and bonus rounds to increase your payouts, you'll be entertained for hours with this exciting video slot by high 5 games.

All Is Fair in Love, War & Gambling

I wonder if you remember Ron Pollard?

Sadly, he passed away in 2015, aged 89. If his name sounds familiar then you may remember reading his quotes in newspapers, often related to gambling, because his role as an odds-maker and PR Director made him a star turn at Ladbroke’s.

Pollard’s biography Odds & Sods: My Life in the Betting Business, published by Hodder & Staughton in 1991 is a superb read. In fact, for insight and revelations about the bookmaking industry it is one of the best books I have ever read. There are many humorous stories including one about the 1982 Miss World Competition.

This is where Pollard uttered those insightful words: ‘You’ve got to make a living, son, and so you have. All is fair in love, war and gambling.’

He’d bet £300 on Miss Dominican Republic at odds of 16/1 to win £5000.

In 1982, Ron was invited onto a show hosted by Michael Aspell and Danny Baker called the Six O'Clock Shows. It was a behind-the-scenes look at Miss World. The advantage Pollard had over other bookmakers was that he made the odds and the other bookmakers followed suit. So he told a little white lie when pricing Miss Dominican Republic at bigger odds because he was convinced she was the favourite to win. He asked Ladbroke’s staff to keep him informed of the betting just in case someone tried to scupper his plans.

Ron needed to get close to have a good sighting of the girls to make his book. This was made all the more difficult as Eric and Julia Morley, who run the competition, didn’t want him anywhere near them. In fact they had declared war on him after 1979s competition made headline news in the Daily Star. The Morley’s were worried betting would turn their ‘pride and joy’ into a cattle market. In fact, she was determined to stop him.

Unfortunately, she was too late.

Rather humorously, he had been jogging with the girls in Hyde Park, and had the tapes to prove it. Also, when the girls were invited to the Variety Club lunch he disguised himself as a waiter to see the contestants in their national costumes. However, he failed to see the swimsuit parade. He was assisted by the Daily Mail’s photographer who said nothing to dissuade him from Miss Dominican Republic.

However, there had been a tremendous amount of money for Miss Trinidad and Tobago whose odds were cut from 12/1 to 5/4 favourite. In fact, Ladbrokes stood to lose £500,000 is she won the competition.

When the big day arrived and judging was over, it was revealed that Miss Dominican Republic had won!

Ron Pollard punched the air with excitement, he had won £5,000. The money was good but in truth it was as much about ego, simply being right.

Professional Gamblers: Focus

We all need to focus to see the wood for the trees.

Focus is simply selective attention in action.

In a world of distractions, it seems that we all struggle to focus. You check your email and half an hour later you are looking at kitten on Tiktok. Nothing wrong with losing focus you say. However, I’m sure if someone watched our every move throughout the day and detailed how much time we waste doing something and nothing it would be startling.

Where did all the time go?

Clearly focus is important to our productivity. Perhaps you have mastered focus. You may have trained yourself. I’ve noticed how motivational speakers or internet gurus will often drop in a swear word into their conversation. You know why they do that, hey? Because it catches your attention.

When gambling, you need to focus. It’s hardly surprising hey. Let’s face it, very few people can focus for hours on end like a machine. In fact, your average adult can only focus for 15 – 20 minutes at a time.

So what does this tell us?

The mind is better at focusing in small chunks. When gambling on my niche of two-year-old horse racing, the best way to direct my attention and focus to a high level is achieved by routine. There will be times each day when it is important to focus and get the job at hand completed. Here are a few routines I employ:

• Quickly scanning the race cards the evening before to familiarise myself

• Later that evening thoroughly go through each two-year-old race on the card

• Make notes and detail shortlisted horses

• Half an hour before each race I go to my quiet room, wearing my headphones, focus on the betting, especially the last ten minutes before the race start.

The time spent on these tasks is broken in to 20 minute intervals with 10 minute breaks in between.

It is important to understand when you need to focus and not. This can help train the mind so you can quickly go from one perspective to another. If you try to focus on everything you will burnout and it is only productive to make those crucial aspects of work imperative. There isn’t a need to focus on everything because it isn’t productive or possible. In fact, you won’t get as much work completed by doubling your focus time in one sitting.

Part of focus is enjoying your subject matter. That’s why most people who are very good at their work enjoy it with a passion. It has to come from the heart. That’s why most get rich quick scheme fail because it is all about the money.

I find it works well to have a specific room to go to when you wish to focus because this helps reinforce the action.

It is good to keep a journal and simply write a few notes about your day and how you feel you focused. This will help measure the success and failure of your working process and method.

The Early Days of Ladbrokes Bookmaker

In 1961 the Betting and Gaming Act saw betting shops appear in the high streets. Before this time the only place a legal cash bet could take place was on course. Bookmakers were allowed telephone clients but this was based on credit. Ladbrokes had this working relationship, not surprisingly, with many punters from the gentry or incredibly wealthy clients. Betting shops allowed punters to place a bet legally. Before, it was was a time of backstreet bookmakers often related to criminals and illegal.

It’s interesting to consider those early years. Reading Ron Pollard’s fascinating book about him working for Ladbrokes as an odds-maker as well as the PR Director these were difficult times. He worked with Ladbrokes from 1962 and remembered how on a number of occasions, in that first decade, they had such liabilities that they were on the verge of bankruptcy. He told of times where they pushed football betting odds to the extreme in what was akin to a price war with William Hill which cost both companies dear. It was madness but that’s how things worked in those formative years. He also detailed how Ladbrokes made a killing by looking beyond typical win bets and accas for alternative betting mediums such politics and general elections. This proved to be a master move and not only helped gain money but global promotion for the company. One occasions they placed so much hope and money on Labour winning the general election that a loss would have seen the firm the brink of financial disaster. Pollard said he felt so unsettled by the whole situation that he called his mother and said he was contemplating ending it all. Thankfully, all was OK.

It is probably too easy to think of giant companies and consider their business history has always followed a straight path and been a bed of roses. In actual fact this is far from the truth. There have been many ups and downs as there will be in the future although it is very unlikely such a company would find itself with serious concern due to diversifying and investing as Ladbrokes did in property, hotels and other businesses across the globe.

I was surprised to read that along the way they invested in managing Aintree to protect the Grand National which was pretty close to disappearing. Also, they purchased Lingfield and many greyhound tracks. They invested in many enterprises which are often forgotten or perhaps viewed less objectively.

It was also interesting to read how Ladbrokes had a brilliant casino business in the 1970s then they encountered problems with The Playboy Club over the acquisition of clients. This was back in the day when rich sheikhs frequented London and literally spent millions in a night. Sadly, the road to riches for both companies fell foul of the law and both casinos lost their licences.

Cyril Stein was one of the movers and shakers in helping create the Ladbrokes we know today and he was a brilliant businessman.

Today Ladbrokes is worth £2.9 billion. It’s a long way from those small beginning when the company was purchased in 1956 for £100,000. Amazingly it was owed £105,000 so in effect the company cost no money to purchase.

Ron Pollards biography is a brilliant read.

Tomorrow Could Be The Best Gambling Day Of Your Life

I guess we all know it.

Deep in our heart and mind we know it.

If we ask ourselves the question it slowly reveals itself, a seed of imagination which leads to a secret garden.

So many of us are stuck inside an invisible cage. We can’t see the bars. The path ahead is clear. The opportunities unlimited.

A phenomenal day, a step away.

Sadly, we just don’t open that door.

I don’t know why.

Even your pet cat scratches it with curiosity.

Imagine how beautiful the view is from outside.

For so many, we never open that door. We don’t put our ear to it, listening to hear what’s happening on the other side. We don’t dare to kick it open in fear there may be a monster waiting the other side. In truth, the monster is sitting next to us in that comfy chair, both looking ahead without hope.

A beautiful experience left behind.

It’s a good reason to ask ourselves a question: What would the best day of your life look like? Where would you go? What would you do? What would you think? How would you feel? At the end of that day, as you rest in a different comfy chair, you think about your day.

The day is yours. But it’s not given.

Don’t let this day of days slip by. Make it happen. Plan what you want to do because it makes you happy, excites you like never before, and fills your heart with joy and anticipation.

How would my perfect day look?

It would be a beautiful summer’s day.

I’d wake up at the Pier Hotel in Gorleston, the Sunrise Suit. The window open all night listening to the crash of waves. The sweetest smell of honeysuckle fills the room.

Dressed in my new suit, shoes shining like a horse chestnut, Panama hat and dash of after shave from Floris, London. Walking down stairs and entering the breakfast room, I have tea and smoked herrings.

Outside I hear the beep of a car horn. I pick up my Racing Post, pat my pocket full of cash, say ‘thank you’ and walk outside to be greeted by a chauffeur driven white Rolls-Royce Silver Cloud III

The journey to the course is slow and meandering. In the distance I see Nelson’s Monument, the smell of the North sea and old leather fills my senses with a comforting quiet. I watch the world go by as people enjoy their day…

I heard an old bloke say: ‘That man looks like he’s having the best day of his life…’

Why don’t you join me?

There’s never been a better day.

Big Deal: Do You Remember Robbie Box?

Back in the 80s there was a real buzz about Big Deal.

I’m sure many gamblers remember this TV program that appeared on our screens from 1984 – 1986 starring Ray Brooks, Sharon Duce and Lisa Geoghan. In fact, it had an excellent cast and a fine production by the BBC.

The theme music was on point, performed by Buck’s Fizz member Bobby G.

It was created by Geoff McQueen and written by David Crane. It was released as a comedy-drama but it really captured the lifestyle of a gambler and Robbie Box was a character many would-be professional gamblers could associate.

I looked forward to watching the three series with my Dad.

The storyline followed the ups and downs of small-time London gambler Robbie Box and his long-suffering girlfriend Jan Oliver.

His addiction to poker made for an incredible watch.

The three series of 10 episodes each started on the 14^th October 1984. I would have been 14-year-old at the time and had aspirations of being a gambler myself and I know Dad would have loved to have given up his business to bet for a living.

Each episode lasted for 50 minutes.

The start, finish and end was something to be savoured and I loved every minute and couldn’t wait for the next instalment.

The last episode in series 3 titled: ‘Innocent, OK’ was a fitting end to a superb drama. Ray Brooks has a long and varied profile as a brilliant actor from the Ken Loach directed Cathy Come Home to the voice of Mr Benn.

I think Big Deal was one of his most enjoyable roles he played, the cast seemed very much like a family.

It was a sad day when the series ended and disappointing that the BBC only released series 1 on DVD (2006).

Luckily, some kind soul keeps putting all three series on YouTube. The picture quality isn’t great, but when Bobby G starts to sing: ‘Gone are the dreams. You had them so very long. Now you’re having a run…’

It’s a good day.

Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle

The Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle is a Grade 2 hurdle race run over 2 miles at Kempton Park in late February. As the title implies, the race is restricted to horses aged four years – or, in other words, aged three years at the start of the current season – who, by definition, are racing in their first season under National Hunt rules. Inaugurated, as the Tote Placepot Hurdle, in 1965, the race was elevated to Grade 2 from Listed status in 1991 and renamed to its current title three years later.

Despite the obvious differences between the right-handed, flat hurdles course at Kempton and the New Course at Cheltenham, which is left-handed, undulating and features just two flights of hurdles in the final three-quarters of a mile, the Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle is considered a key trial for the Grade 1 Triumph Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival. The most recent winner of both races was Zarkandar, trained by Paul Nicholls, in 2011. Indeed, more recent winners of the Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle have a less-than-stellar record in the Triumph Hurdle. Since 2011, eight have attempted the double, but none of them has troubled the judge at Cheltenham, despite being well fancied more often than not.

Nicky Henderson, who saddled Katarino (1999), Punjabi (2007), Binocular (2008), Soldatino (2010) and Fusil Raffles (2019), and Alan King, who saddled Trouble at Bay (2004), Penzance (2005), Master Blueyes (2017), Redicean (2018) and Tritonic (2021), are jointly the most successful handlers in the history of the Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle with five winners apiece. Looking ahead to the 2023 renewal of the Adonis Juvenile Novices' Hurdle, scheduled 1:50pm on Saturday, Februrary 25, punters may like to note that seven of the last ten starting price favourites have won.

Have you watched Louis Theroux: Gambling In Las Vegas?

 Even though it dates back to 2007, that episode stuck in my mind for many reasons. It was a surreal experience to see a selection of gamblers basically lose their cash. In fact, ironically, the only person who seemed to win was Louis Theroux. I’m sure you can remember Alan the Canadian high-roller and multi millionaire ‘The Mattress Man’ who couldn’t lose his money fast enough, at one point playing two high-limit slots at the same time. The man who sold mattresses for a living said: ‘I think in a lifetime, everyone’s a loser.’

Without doubt, The Mattress Man was a bit of a loser. A Whale, as they call big gamblers, and by the end of the program he was feeling blue. In fact, there are online articles which suggest he went through his cash and now a taxi driver.

But what are high-limit slots?

For those, like myself, who have no idea what limit is a high limit. I’m having flashbacks to Louis chatting with Dr Martha Ogman, a retired dentist who lost millions on the slots. She seemed to think it was humorous spending her son’s inheritance and spoke in glowing terms about the casino who paid for her husband’s funeral and wake.

I needed to investigate high-limit slots and learn more.

I headed straight to the YouTube channel Raja Slots, who have 63.4K subscribers. The video titled: $5,000 Spins! Must See High Limit Slots (Over 15 Jackpots). Those words were printed in caps lock but it was too heavy on the eyes.

The video has 251K views.

If you ever wanted to know how long it takes to lose $250,000 then the video lasts 24:09. I’m not sure who the gentleman is playing the slot but his accent has a southern drawl which reminds me of a character from the Simpson’s cartoon. I can’t remember the name. [Moe from Moe’s Tavern.]

I couldn’t help but imagine one of Moe Szylak’s most relatable quotes: ‘Hey Homer. I could hear your pathetic rationalizing through the door.’

The slot was at the Cosmopolitan, Las Vegas.

The man playing, let’s call him Moe, seemed emotionless and relaxed about gambling such a vast sum of money [$250,000]. It was clearly a stunt to get people watching the video. I questioned if it was real. I couldn’t help but wonder where the money had come from. Whose pocket? The whole situation seemed surreal. In a world where children are starving to death it made for an uneasy watch. I thought, thank the Lord that’s not my money tripping the light fantastic. I had vision of Hunter Thompson’s Fear & Loathing in Las Vegas.

Didn’t he blow his brains out?’

The man showed a number of $50,000 vouchers which he pushed into the slot to give credits. He started off at a $1,000 a spin to ‘warm it up a little’. Then after ten spins he started on the big money a $5,000 a spin.

Looking at the YouTube transcript it was ‘50 spins at $5,000 a spin’.

Playing the Black Widow slot.

The money went down much too fast and by the time the $250,000 had been spent the total ‘winnings’ were about $49,000. So, a loss of $201,000 in just under 25-minutes. The biggest of the ‘15 Jackpots!!!!’ was $15,750.

I loved the way a Jackpot was quickly sent to Snapchat. Social media is clearly king in the world of slots.

Another win of $15,250.

Another win of $10,500.

A few smaller wins.

I was left thinking what really is it all about.

In truth, this was probably a fraction of the money lost by the Mattress Man or Dr Martha Ogman.

It’s only money, hey.

Unless you are betting with a skill based knowledge rather than fixed odds you are guaranteed to lose. Gambling needs to be questioned when you bet $250,000 for fun, entertainment or the glorification of the spin of a reel.

I remember Louis Theroux being in a lift with a couple heading back to their room after a night at the casino.

He asked: ‘How did you get on?’

Reply: ‘I lost twenty!’

Therous: ‘Twenty dollars?’

‘No, twenty thousand.’

I’m sure every casino goer left the casino to the soundtrack of Kenny Roger’s ringing in their ears.

The Gambler.