Who Won?

by “Mad Marty” Wilson

As I approach my 100th day without drinking, I am raring to go. My preparation for this year’s World Series of Poker has been to pack in drinking and get myself completely focused. After reaching a final table at last year’s World Series in my first event, I decided to myself, “I like this game!” And the money came in handy too. It bought me two season tickets for Manchester United and what a season it’s been cheering on my team.

Recently we were in Old Trafford for the Man. United v. Liverpool game, and I decided to ring a betting exchange to get a quote on Man. United to win by a score of 4-0 or 4-1. They told me that they only quote prices for scores up to 3-3. However, added I could back “any unquoted score” at 17.5 to 1.

Immediately I knew this must be overpriced, as there was a great chance that Man. United could score four or more goals. So I rang my trusted friend Julian Gardner who is also a big Man. United fan. Julian is such a big fan that he refuses to attend poker tournaments during the football season if they clash with Man. United fixtures. It’s lucky for Julian that the WSOP is held during summer term. Julian and I often share opinions on the game, but on this particular day his mobile phone was switched off.

Desperate for a bet I rang Neil Channing and asked him if I could get a bet on. Neil asked me what it was I wanted. I replied that I wanted £200 at 17.5 to 1 for any unquoted score in the Man. U. v Liverpool game and Neil said, “I’ll get that bet away for you.” Katharine and I took our seats in the stands only to watch Liverpool devour Manchester United by 4-1.

I was absolutely devastated by the result. But when the score got to 3-1 I suddenly realised if Liverpool scored again my bet was up. So when Liverpool got the fourth goal I turned to Katharine and high-fived her in the middle of the Man. United end. You should have seen the looks I got. It’s difficult, as even though United lost I ended up winning £3,500.

I don’t know who had the worst beat that day, Julian Gardner for turning off his phone, or Neil Channing for answering his. I do wish Neil all the success in his new venture with Black Belt Poker. I feel stupid telling him this, but it’s not the first time that coloured belts have been used, as I have heard that they also use the same grading system of belts in judo. I dare say somebody will alert him to it.

The last time I had a fluke like that bet was on June 20, 2000. I strolled into a Tote betting shop in Wolverhampton and on the board every day when the European football championships were on, there was a manager’s special. The manager’s special is a bet that the manager thinks up himself to create a little interest and hope to take £10 or £15 from his regular punters.

On this day England were playing Romania and the manager’s special on the board was England to get a penalty and score from it at 11-1 or Romania to have a penalty and score from it also at 11-1. I knew that this price should probably be 5-1 or 6-1, but it’s never 11-1. So I had £100 on each. And then I thought sod it, I’ll have a £100 double as well.

Now wouldn’t you know that the manager just happened to be on his lunch break at the time I made the bet, and the manager’s assistant had absolutely no idea about gambling. She saw the £300 on the bottom of the betting slip and threw it in the drawer.

Later that night I was sitting in the British Legion Club in Bridgnorth watching the game with a pint of Banks’ Mild and my good friend Dave Brooks.
I had explained to Dave about the penalties and ended up agreeing to give him half of the bet. After 23 minutes, Chivu picked up a ball on the left side of the penalty area and his cross looped up with Nigel Martin’s head and into the net and England was down 1-0.

Then just before half-time Chivu fouled Paul Ince in the penalty box and England was awarded a penalty. Alan Shearer stepped up to take the spot kick and sent the Romanian goalie the wrong way for a vital equaliser to half-time. I had already gone twelve hundred in front. With three minutes left to play the score was 2-2 when Neville conceded a penalty by fouling Moldovan on the right.
And lo and behold, Ganea sent Nigel Martin the wrong way, giving Romania a 3-2 win. You could have heard a pin drop in the British Legion, but I was bouncing with joy as I was about to collect half of a £16,000 payout on a complete fluke. On a manager’s special. I had to explain to the fans in the British Legion that I wasn’t anti-English, just that I got a bet up on the penalties. Sometimes even when your side loses, you can still be a winner. Just don’t celebrate too much.

Mad Marty Wilson is a professional gambler and poker consultant for Matchroom Sport.