Sport is made for betting

Aussies were cruising after having Sri Lanka at 8/107 chasing 240 to win.Taylor and Malinga have been tonking the average Aussie attack all around the MCG, now they only need 25 runs off nine overs. All comes down to wickets now and captain Michael Clarke doesn't have anything up his sleeve....

Spain leading Scotland 2-0 after 55mins, you'd think there was no chance of the best team in the world giving up that lead against a relative minnow like the Scots.... £166k matched at 1.01 is a lot of money sweating a result now that Scotland have scored two goals to equalise. And just as I post this, Spain have again taken the lead, but there's still plenty of time on the clock. Belgium scored twice in the closing minutes to come from behind against 10-men Austria, and looked like they pinched the game 4-3... but someone forgot to tell Austria, who scored in injury time to level it up at 4-4. That's a lot of cash at short odds down the drain. Short-odds layers are grinners once again.

Rafa Nadal, superhero. Well, a few punters might not be thinking that tonight. del Potro, having not won a set against the top three players before in abotu 8 matches, led by a set and a break, before Nadal fought back to a set all. Nadal then led 3-0 in the final set with two breaks. And that's when the money buyers would have stepped in. £421k at 1.01. OUCH! (Image shows percentage view, not prices)

Aston Villa, fourth on the Premier League table, leading 2-0 with five minutes to go against relegation candidate and poor travellers Stoke. Easy money at 1.01? Think again. Stoke hit back with two late goals and the money buyers were shafted! 51k matched at that price, plus amounts at long odds-on in correct score, under 2.5 goals and under 3.5 goals. Money-buying gets you nowhere, just ask all those out-of-work bankers! You're much better off trading a couple of ticks on a dropping price like under 2.5 goals or the draw while it's level. At least if it does go against you, you have a chance to get out (unless there were already two goals in the 2.5 goal market). Always consider the upside & downside....

Punters thinking they were getting free money late in the game between Everton and Aston Villa yesterday were sadly mistaken. Betfair summary of the last two minutes Villa lead 2-1, one minute of stoppage time to go: • Villa trade at 1.04 (1-25) • Draw trades at 26 (25-1) Everton equalise and there's less than a minute of stoppage time to go: • Draw trades at 1.01 (1-100) for over £124,000 • £14 is traded on Villa at odds of 440 (439-1) Ashley Young scores last-gasp goal And that wasn't the only one. In Spanish, two matches ended up drawn 3-3 after one team (Osasuna vs Valladolid and Getafe vs Villarreal) went 3-0 ahead. Haven't seen the figures yet but there would have to be carnage at 1.01 or 1.02 there too. It's never over 'til it's over and there is no such thing as 'free money'! If you've backed the team that was leading, never be afraid to lay some of it off at a very short price. It will cost you hardly anything, and will maintain your sanity!