Bookmakers going decimal for horse racing

Nulty

Its hardly a surprise that this has been announced what with the exchanges being around for so long. I dont know if they are thinking about doing it for all markets or just racing.

Its the norm in France and Australia as far as I know so we'd just be catching up as it were.

Anyone feel like its taking away from the 'tradition' or is there anyone that sentimental about the industry?

pizzor

yer i live in aus atm and its the norm here, http://www.tab.com.au/Racing/Default.aspx?State=1 is the tote here and all decimals

Gillington

I lived in Oz last year and found that decimals in the TAB just didnt have the same feel to them for some reason it felt weird! It'll take a small bit of getting used to.I know I back footy in decimals but horses I like to keep to fractions when I back them.

Nulty

AFAIK the trial period will begin in the uk (dont know about Ireland, assuming "all for one....") in March. could be the first Cheltenham festival with decimal odds. Or they might just test it out on Ludlow or something like that.

Anyone with the Racing Post could fill us all in....

/waiting for goddo......

thesandeman

Heard that earlier. Dont like it. It kinda takes the fun out and makes it too business like. Cant really imagine the on course bookies shouting out '3.275 THE FIELD'.

Devastator

Anyone see the report on sly sports news about this today? I caught it at just before 12 and their expert gave totally wrong advice on how the decimals work! :eek:

Mellor

I imagine that people will be confused by it at first.
A lot of people in Oz have trouble with it, and this that 5.00 is 5/1 (and claim the bookies don't give their stake back)

pizzor

5.00 = 4/1 in decimals and 5/2 = 3.5 u add one on to the fraction equation

Nulty

Mellor wrote: »

I imagine that people will be confused by it at first.
A lot of people in Oz have trouble with it, and this that 5.00 is 5/1 (and claim the bookies don't give their stake back)

Thats exactly what I thought when I was over there 2 years ago. Figured it out when joining Betfair on my return:pac:

callaway92

pizzor wrote: »

5.00 = 4/1 in decimals and 5/2 = 3.5 u add one on to the fraction equation

this makes no sense. 5.00 = 4/1 and 3.50 = 5/2???? must be a mistake there

Woddle

Your stake equals 1 so thats added to the decimal, so 4/1 is 4+(1, your stake)=5(your full return)

wb

It's simple lads - just take away one.

Vurnon San Benito

To entice younger gamblers

That's what they say anyway

Mellor

callaway92 wrote: »

this makes no sense. 5.00 = 4/1 and 3.50 = 5/2???? must be a mistake there

You take away one, so;

5.00 becomes 4/1
3.5 becomes 2.5/1 or 5/2

thesandeman

wb wrote: »

It's simple lads - just take away one.

I know its work for you Wayne so it doesnt make much difference but what do you think of the idea if you are on the track? I think the buzz with bookies shouting the odds etc makes the day out. It would put me off looking at boards saying 3.0, 9.5, 4.33 etc which I presume they would have to do.

wb

thesandeman wrote: »

I know its work for you Wayne so it doesnt make much difference but what do you think of the idea if you are on the track? I think the buzz with bookies shouting the odds etc makes the day out. It would put me off looking at boards saying 3.0, 9.5, 4.33 etc which I presume they would have to do.

Yeah, it would take away from tradition - I'll agree with that.

I've two minds on it really. If we are to attract people to the sport, we need to make it a hell of a lot simpler. I was up at Leopardstown with some friends over the Christmas and they found it all boggling.

For someone that's used to it, they would immediately know that 6/4 is better than 11/8 for example, but if you've never been racing, you end up trying do divide numbers in your head and it's all a bit off putting.

I don't think it's a decisive factor in getting people going racing but the biggest complaint from my mates was that they couldn't figure it all out and there was no handout etc on the way in explaining it all.

On the other side of the coin, I love the betting ring and the craic and this is already been diminished in recent years - and decimal odds will take away from it further when the lads call the prices. I was sad to see that last of the chawlk boards go some time back for example and now it's all electronic.

I've two minds on it to be honest.

Kod-box

should just put the price up in both formats.