In-Play Betting at Betfair allows clever punters the opportunity to take advantage of the wildly fluctuating odds on offer at any live sporting event. Sport around the world, especially racing, can be very unpredictable at times, and there have been some remarkable in-play betting moments on Betfair, where the amazing odds available resulted in punters experiencing incredible wins.
Below you will find some examples of how In-Play Betting can reward clever punters.
LAST HORSE STANDING
One of the most remarkable horse races in history took place in Southwell, England in January 2002. The favourite Family Business, ridden by champion jockey Tony McCoy, fell early on, with five horses still in the race, prompting one Betfair punter to lay Family Business at odds of $1000 to win.
That price was snapped up by several Betfair customers when, unbelievably, all the other horses failed to finish, and McCoy remounted and rode unchallenged to the line.
COMEBACK KINGS
Quite simply, it was the most incredible comeback in cricket history. After tearing apart South Africa’s attack to score a world record 4-434 in the one-day international at Johannesburg, Australia was priced at $1.01 – the lowest possible odds – to win.
Betfair punters piled in with almost $2.5million on the Aussies at that price. However, the odds quickly changed as Herschelle Gibbs spearheaded the South African recovery with 175 off 111 balls. Johan Van der Wath and Mark Boucher kept up the momentum until, with one wicket and three balls remaining, South Africa – priced at $1.3 – needed two runs to win. Makhaya Ntini nudged Brett Lee for a single, then Boucher smashed the next delivery for four to seal a barely believable victory.
EIGHT MAD MINUTES
Australia’s opening match of the 2006 World Cup in Germany was memorable for Socceroos’ fans and Betfair punters alike. Before the kick-off against Japan in Kaiserslautern, the Socceroos were available at $2.6 to win on Betfair.
When the Japanese took the lead in the 27th minute, that price went out to $5.9. As the match went on, and the score remained the same, Australia was available for as much as $70. But when Tim Cahill equalized in the 84th minute, Australia came in to $8.4. When he scored again five minutes later, the Socceroos were $1.05, and when John Aloisi bagged a third, no price was offered.
THE $200 CHAMP
With two holes remaining in the 2006 US Open, Australia’s Geoff Ogilvy was backed at $200 on Betfair to win the tournament. While Ogilvy kept his head on the 18th to post the clubhouse lead of +5, the Betfair prices fluctuated wildly as leaders Phil Mickleson and Colin Montgomerie both imploded on the final hole.
Priced at $1.34 going down the 18th, Montgomerie somehow snatched defeat from the jaws of victory, scoring a double bogey. Minutes later, Mickleson – priced at just $1.06 before the last hole – did exactly the same. His double bogey handed rank outsider Ogilvy the title.
CITY SLICKERS
Not only did Manchester City trail Tottenham 3-0 at half-time in the teams’ FA Cup clash in February 2004, the Blues also only had 10 men on the field after a player was sent off. With their cup dream seemingly over, the Blues were available at $400 on Betfair to land an unlikely victory, while more than $500,000 was matched on Spurs to win at $1.01.
However, all the Tottenham backers were left out of pocket as City produced an astonishing second-half comeback to win 4-3.
BACK FROM THE DEAD
The 2005 Champions League Final between Liverpool and AC Milan appeared to be all but over at half-time, after the Italians raced into an early 3-0 lead. Odds of $100 were available on Betfair on the match being drawn at fulltime, and a few confident – or very shrewd – punters snapped them up.
Remarkably, Liverpool hit back with three second-half goals to tie the game at 3-3 after 90 minutes before going on to win on penalties.
Join Betfair Today
With over a million customers around the world Betfair is fast becoming the number one choice for serious punters, and if you are betting at your local TAB and don't have a Betfair account, then you are losing money and taking poor value. Join Betfair for free here.
Betfair User Guide
You too could become one of these lucky in-play punters and for more information on how you can start betting online at Betfair today, then please visit our Betfair User Guide page.
See below for more information on betting online at Betfair.
Opening an account at Betfair
Backing a Selection at Betfair
Laying a Selection at Betfair
Understanding Betfair Terms
Betfair vs TAB
Betfair odds average around 20% better than the 3 Australian TABs, and if you continue to bet at your local tote then you are losing money on every bet, by accepting poor value.
