BETTING SYSTEMS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23107, 5 February 1937, Page 14

BETTING SYSTEMS

TO THE EDITOR

Sir, —Mr Samnon has done me the credit of admitting that common sense and the figures he quotes show that the favourite will always pay better on the single totalisator for a win. I thank him for the reference to common sense, but would suggest that his figures are somewhat astray if he expects them to prove that the favourite that runs second pays better on the place machine. Thu dividends quoted by him for Saturday include the return to its backers of only one favourite, and those who were fortunate, or unfortunate, enough to be on that horse secured a profit of _3s on an investment of 20s, Let me just take Mr Samson’s figures as he quotes them and give in each case the order of favouritism of the horses that paid the dividends. Commencing from the first race on Saturday, the fifth favourite paid £2 2s 6d for second on the place machine, second favourite £1 IBs, first favourite £1 3s, second favourite £2 6s 6d, sixth favourite £2 8s fid, sixteenth favourite £9 6s. fourth favourite £3 Is. and third favourite £2 17s. I ask you. Sir, could the single totalisator do worse for seconds? And since Mr Samson admits that the favourite will pay better on the straightout system for first, why not adopt it in the public’s interests? I am afraid that Mr Samson is judging the win-and-place system on the results it achieves in Auckland, Wellington, and Christchurch, where attendances run into tens of thousands at every meeting. In such centres his system is admirable. but he should not overlook a fact that must have impressed itself upon him in his capacity as an owner, that both the Forbury Park and Wmgatui meetings are not rated first class in the Dominion. What is good for the Auckland. Wellington, and Christchurch geese is not necessarily good for the Dunedin gander. As for his marvelling that I should bother to go to races. I can assure him that I still have faith m my own luck and in the information that I can frequently extract from such “ heads as I know.— I am, etc.. Small Punter No. 3.