Reality TV Betting Guide

Since the emergence of Big Brother back in the year 2000, reality television has been increasingly popular, with this show being followed by other popular series’ such Love Island, I’m a Celebrity and The Only Way is Essex.

It didn’t take long for the bookies to figure out that not only did people like watching reality TV, they also wanted to bet on who would win each competition, with betting odds available on the first ever Big Brother series and an increasing number of markets were made available for later versions.

TV betting has now become a huge market for bookmakers and there’s nearly always something TV-related to bet on. I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here has been a popular ITV series for several years and there’s the opportunity to bet on Overall Winner, King of the Jungle, Queen of the Jungle, Top Three Finish and Next Celebrity to be Evicted.

When it comes to Love Island betting, viewers love to place a few side bets on the winning male, female and overall couple. You can also bet on the next contestants to leave the island which is usually down to a public vote.

Another popular TV betting show is X Factor, where the betting markets open as soon as the first auditions start to be shown. You can bet on the X Factor winner from the moment that you see them appear on this ITV programme, while the betting really hots up once we know which acts are through to the live finals phase.

There is also betting available on Strictly Come Dancing, the BBC dancing show where a celebrity is partnered with a professional dancer. You can bet on the Winner market throughout the series and the odds frequently change according to how many points each couple receive from the judges.

Reality TV betting tends to be seasonal according to what shows are appearing on our screens at the moment. Dancing On Ice is similar to Strictly Come Dancing and viewers can bet on the outcome here, while there is also betting available for events like the Eurovision Song Contest which retains a strange popularity despite the songs being poor quality.

Many successful TV betting punters actually study the latest opinion polls and try to get an idea of the voting before going ahead with their wagers. It’s good to try and gain an edge over the bookies where possible.

Money Talks - Inside the World of Sports Betting

It looks like sports betting is a whole different animal Stateside

Red or Black?

The very idea of putting it all on the line like this would give me heart failure!!

Horse Racing Saying and Quotes

A horse is dangerous at both ends and uncomfortable in the middle -Ian Fleming

A good jockey doesn't need orders and a bad jockey couldn't carry them out anyway; so it's best not to give them any - Lester Piggott

My horse's jockey was hitting the horse. The horse turns around and says "Why are you hitting me, there is nobody behind us - Henny Youngman

When you are on a great horse, you have the best seat you will ever have - Sir Winston Churchill

Any money I put on a horse is a sort of insurance policy to prevent it from winning - Frank Richardson

That was the first time I saw a horse start from a kneeling position - Henny Youngman

Fabian Ruiz set for summer showdown

When you have clubs the stature of Real Madrid and Liverpool fighting over you, it must feel pretty good. That’s what former Real Betis and current Napoli midfielder Fabian Ruiz must be feeling. The 24-year-old has been one of the most impressive midfielders in Europe for the last 18 months, and has continued his tremendous form in Naples this year.

Now, though, it looks like that he could make a move to a new team entirely. Both Real Madrid and Liverpool are looking to try and make a deal happen. For Liverpool, he would offer a creative edge in midfield that has been lacking at times despite a tremendous 2019-20 campaign. For Madrid, he could join the likes of Marco Asensio and create a new-look midfield in Spain.

For the player, though, the news that Napoli have seemingly dropped their asking price down to around the £50m mark will see many clubs vying for his signature. Players of his poise and precision with the ball are rare indeed. His strong output from midfield, too, with numerous goals and assist, makes him a very intriguing young footballer.

The 24-year-old has played 18 months in Italy, and has gone up a new level since his early days at Betis. Now, he looks like he could be the symbol of a new generation of talent either at Anfield or the Santiago Bernabeu. Both clubs are interested in a new creative midfielder, and Ruiz would suit the style of both clubs perfectly.

His versatile nature means that he can play in numerous positions and roles in midfield, making him an absolutely tremendous asset for any club. If he is to move in the summer, then, a move to one of the major clubs in Europe will happen entirely.