I Thought I'd Initiate A Debate...

BrianH

BrianH

At the Start
Joined
May 3, 2003
Messages
6,108
Location
Banstead, Surrey
I was somewhat taken aback to come across the following ante-post betting market:

Extinct

Giant Panda - 5/6.....Evs.....11/10
Mountain Gorilla - 10/3.....10/3.....11/4
Polar Bear - 4/1.....5/1.....5/1
Bengal Tiger - 8.....8.....15/2
Orang-Utan - 8/1.....7.....15/2
Leatherback Turtle - 14/1.....10/1.....20/1
Asian Elephant - 33/1.....33/1.....33/1
Hyacinth Macaw - 40/1.....50/1.....50/1

The firms whose odds are shown above, and who are, as far as I know, the only ones betting on it, are Bet365, Skybet and Stan James.
 
That's bad taste isn't it? I thought it wasn't the done thing to take bets on 'negative events'? A few years ago I lost count of the number of punters who each year tried to place a bet on it being the Queen Mothers last and each time they were told we don't take bets on things like that. Same goes for the chap who wanted a price on Michael Jacksons suicide.

Greedy feckers.
 
Presumably it's got to do with the winner of ITV's current "Extinct" series? Although I'm not sure how exactly a species wins that.
 
I would lay 'Giant Panda' at 11/10 - apparently they all have the horn these days, and numbers are on the up.
 
Oh that's a relief! I didn't know about the ITV programme - so the winner will be the one with the most phone-in votes I guess. A sort of zoological X-Factor.
 
Originally posted by Grasshopper@Dec 14 2006, 10:57 AM
I would lay 'Giant Panda' at 11/10 - apparently they all have the horn these days, and numbers are on the up.
Click to expand...
Numbers, presumably, not being the only thing?
 
Logic I'm afraid Brian. How could you ever settle a bet on genuine extinctions? It would be ripe for disputed sightings/ proof, animals in captivity, and ultimately who declares an extinction, only fo a Do Do to turn up from nowhere, and claim he wants paying out on the Giant Panda
 
With enough money, you could pay local people to go and shoot the last Siberian tigers or whatever, and guarantee your fancy won. It'd be nice to think that any money went towards their conservation - ha, ha, some bloody hope.

San Diego Zoo has an excellent panda breeding programme, as I guess have others (China, for a start!). Their lovely little girl, Su Lin, is just over a year old and I take a look at her on the zoo's live stream most days. It's a darn good life - eat bamboo, sleep, eat bamboo, sleep, eat...
 
Giant Pandas are in no danger of extinction, they are very well protected in China nowadays. In 2005 15 baby pandas were born to 11 captive females at China`s Wolong Nature Reserve. A decade ago at least half of them would have died in infancy, but new care and feeding techniques have dramatically improved survival rates. China have also banned logging in natural forests, so their natural habitat is preserved.
 
The jist of the programmes is that each animal will be given a slot for viewers to vote for their favourite and proceeds going to WWF (not wrestling). It was up for discussion on talk sport the other day and their betting guru reckons it will be close between the Giant panda and the Polar bears.
 
Originally posted by tetley@Dec 14 2006, 02:45 PM
It was up for discussion on talk sport the other day and their betting guru reckons it will be close between the Giant panda and the Polar bears.
Click to expand...
Well, I certainly wouldn't back the leatherback turtle - no pace when it's needed.
 
But stamina in spades, Brian...

Yes, Grasshopper - remember seeing a film with a young Dick van Dyke a-singin' an' a-dancin' like a madman to that! (Thinks... surely Grasshopper is FAR too young to remember, too?) :brows:
 
Krizon, the movie in question should be compulsory viewing in my opinion - regardless of age.

I did try and develop the automated hair-cutting machine myself, but the results were inconsistent at best, and I was ultimately warned-off from every fairground from Penge to Peterhead.
 
Originally posted by Griffin@Dec 14 2006, 10:38 AM
That's bad taste isn't it? I thought it wasn't the done thing to take bets on 'negative events'? .........
Click to expand...
Over many years, there was a 'book' in the various Soho watering holes I frequented regarding which of the 'regulars' would die next. Racing journalist and heroic drinker Jeffrey Bernard was usually shortest odds, due to the state of his lungs and esp his liver and pancreas. He made quite a lot of money over the years taking bets at the bar of the French or the Coach, on himself to pop his clogs. He outlived most of his peers and in fact delivered some hilarious eulogies at his fellow punters' memorial services
 
Back
Top