The Sports Bookie Blog

Here’s the latest rundown of stake back betting offers (money back specials) at the top online sportsbooks for English Premier League betting. How these bets work is that instead of just 2 outcomes (win or lose), you also have a chance of getting your stake back as a free bet.

Back with a Bang!

Stoke v Liverpool   -  Sat 5.30pm Setanta
If Fernando Torres scores the last goal in this match then Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on that match.  If Torres plays no part in the match special will revert to last goal scored outside the box. Max Refund E300/£200 per customer. Does not apply to customers whose language of registration is Spanish.

Blues Brothers!

Man United v Chelsea  -  Sun 4pm Sky Sports 1
If Didier Drogba or Nicolas Anelka scores the last goal in the above match then Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on that match. If either player plays no part in the match special will revert to last goal scored outside the box. Own goals do not count. Max Refund E300/£200 per customer. Does not apply to customers whose language of registration is Spanish.

Bet365 Bore Draw Offer

Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.

Have a Ron on Us

Manchester United v Chelsea  -  Premier League, Sunday 4pm
If Ronaldo scores the first or last goal of the game, BoyleSports will refund all losing single bets on this game  Max refund EUR300 or currency equivalent per customer.

Friend or De-Foe

Wigan v Tottenham - Sunday 11th January
After leaving Tottenham for Portsmouth less than a year ago, Jermain Defoe returns to White Hart Lane to join up with boss Harry Redknapp for the third time. If he scores the last goal against Wigan on Sunday, BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet.  Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer. Own goals do not count

Premier League Second Chance Specials

Middlesbrough v Sunderland   -  Saturday, 10 January

If your bet loses and either side comes back from 2-nil down to win the match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL10JAN

Manchester United v Chelsea    -  Sunday, 11 January

If your bet loses and 5 or more goals are scored in this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL11JAN

For detailed cash back betting offers across ALL sports (not just English Premier League football) check out the Money Back Special Bets listing on site at GoonersGuide.com. It’s updated daily so check it out if you’re into betting on horse racing, NFL, snooker, darts, NHL, Basketball golf and other sports.

It’s time to dust off your BetFred Bookmaker Account for the New Year. (Or set up a new account if you haven’t bet with this popular online sportsbook before).

Canny UK bookie Bet Fred is offering all punters the chance to win a “pretty cool football trip” - yep, it’s official I’d like to win this one! Check it out onsite at BetFred.com - Comptition details below.

Win a Fabulous VIP Package to watch Real Madrid v Deportivo at the Bernabeu Stadium on 25th January 2009.

All you have to do is wager £10 between now and 16th January 2009 at BetFred.com and you will be entitled to one prize draw ticket. The more you wager the more chance you have of winning! The winner will be notified on 17th January 2009. Good Luck!

Hotel Information:

Hotel – Husa Paseo del Arte**** - Situated among the famous “Triángulo del Arte” – amidst the most important museums in Madrid, i.e. El Prado Museum, the Thyssen Bornemisza and the Reina Sofía. It offers 260 air-conditioned, state-of-the-art rooms and suites. It has parking, a Mediterranean-inspired restaurant, salons, etc.  Breakfast is served as a buffet. 

Terms and Conditions:

• In order to qualify for one prize draw ticket you will have to wager a £10 or greater single on the Sportsbook with odds over evens.
• This promotion is only applicable to customers who have bet on Sportsbook between 7th January 2009 and 16th January 2009
• The VIP Package is for the Real Madrid v Deportivo de la Coruna match on the 25th January 2009.
• The package includes 2 x tickets for the game, superb seats above the president’s box, travel, 2 nights in 4 star Hotel in the heart of Madrid (see above for Hotel information) and Spending Money.
• Prize Draw finishes on 17th January and the winner will be picked from random from qualifying participants.
• The Winner will be notified on 17th Jan 2009.

For more on BetFred Bookmaker:

>>GoonersGuide to Gambling BetFred Bookmaker Review
>>BookieLabRat.com’s Review of BetFred Sportsbook 

Here’s the latest online sportsbook round-up of stake back betting offers that might just tempt you to place a flutter at a specific bookie on this weekend’s FA Cup Third Round action.

Bruce Almighty!

Tottenham v Wigan  -  Fri 8pm Live on Setanta
If Wigan win this match, Paddy Power will refund all losing single 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets on the match.  Max Refund €300/£200 per customer. Does not apply to customers whose language of registration is Spanish.

No New Years Resolution!

Southampton v Man Utd  -  Sun 4pm Live on Setanta
If this match finishes in a draw, Paddy Power will refund all losing single 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets on the match.   Max Refund €300/£200 per customer. Does not apply to customers whose language of registration is Spanish.

Sweet FA

All FA Cup ties Fri 2nd Jan - Mon 5th Jan 2009
Back any team to win the FA Cup outright and if they are knocked out of the competition this weekend, BetFred will refund your stake as a free bet. Free bets will be credited by 3pm on Tuesday 6th January 2009. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer.

ALL Football (e.g. FA Cup 3rd Round…)

Bet365 Bore Draw Offer…Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.

Don’t Hit the Bar!

All Football Markets - e.g this week’s FA Cup Third Round or La Liga Action. Place a five-fold or upwards on ANY football markets and if you have only ONE losing selection VCBet will refund your stake as a free bet. Max refund £100 or currency equivalent.

Buy One Get One Free! 

Place a WINCAST bet on Tottenham v Wigan and, win or lose, Victor Chandler will give you a WINCAST FREE BET to the same stake on Preston v Liverpool!  Max free bet £25 (€25) per person. Free bets available from 11am Saturday. Void bets do not qualify for this offer.

Here’s the latest round-up of stake back betting and free bet offers at the top online sportsbooks we rate and recommend for English Football bets.

For Ste’s a Jolly Good Fellow  -  Arsenal v Liverpool  -  Sun 4pm SS1
Boylesports will refund all losing single bets on the match if Steven Gerrard scores the first or last goal of this game. Max Refund E300 or currency equivalent per customer.

A Christmas Carol 

Arsenal v Liverpool Sunday 21st December, 4pm
If Robin van Persie scores the last goal in the Arsenal v Liverpool game on Sunday, BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer. Own goals do not count.

Everton v Chelsea Monday 22nd December, 8pm
If Tim Cahill scores the last goal in the Everton v Chelsea game on Monday, BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer. Own goals do not count.

Escape Claus!  -  Arsenal v Liverpool  -  Sun 4pm SS1
If either team leads at half time and fails to win, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles.. Max Refund E300/£200 per customer.

Premier League Second Chance Specials  

Arsenal v Liverpool  - Sunday, 21 December
If your bet loses and a penalty kick (a direct free kick from the penalty mark) is awarded during the first half of this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL21DEC

Everton v Chelsea  - Monday, 22 December
If your bet loses and any player scores a hatrick (3 goals) in this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL22DEC

Bet365 Bore Draw Offer

Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.

Here’s the latest round-up of sportsbook money back specials on this week’s English premier League football betting. (And one on Barca-Real Madrid).

These little bookie promos pay our surprisingly often so check them out before you decide where to place your weekend bets. 

White Hart Drain

Tottenham v Man Utd  -  Saturday 5:30pm Live on Setanta

If the Tottenham v Man Utd game finishes 0-0, BetFred will refund all losing win single first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet.Maximum refund is £100 (or currency equiv) per customer.

Hot Coles

Chelsea v West Ham  -  Sunday 4pm Live on SS1

If the Tottenham v Man Utd game finishes 0-0, BetFred will refund all losing win single first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet.Maximum refund is £100 (or currency equiv) per customer.

A White Hart-breaker!

Tottenham v Man Utd  -  Sat 5.30pm Setanta
If Dimitar Berbatov scores the last goal in this game Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on this match.  Max Refund €300/£200 per customer.

Another Fine Messi

Barcelona v Real Madrid  -  Sat 9pm SS1
If Messi scores the last goal of the above match then Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast single bets on this match.   Max Refund €300/£200 per customer.

Premier League Second Chance Special

Middlesbrough v Arsenal  - Saturday, 13 December

If your bet loses and Robin Van Persie scores a goal in the match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL13DEC

Premier League Second Chance Special

Portsmouth v Newcastle United  - Sunday, 14 December

If your bet loses and either side comes back from 2-nil down to win the match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL14DEC

1st Scorer 2nd Chance

All Premier League Games

Place a 1st goal scorer bet and if your player fails to score the 1st goal but scores at any other time in the match, Victor Chandler will refund your stake as a free bet on any future match. Max refund £100 (€120) per person per match.

Bet365 Bore Draw Offer

Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.

>>For the latest sportsbook reviews of these online bookmakers check out BookieLabRat.com or GoonersGuide.com. 

While some dream of having a white Christmas, I’d much prefer a warm, but not hot, sunny day. Let’s go for 24 to 28 degrees C with no wind - just right for a leisurely stroll along the beach after a no doubt enormous Christmas feast. (Sounds unlikely? Check out Kapiti Coast New Zealand on Google Earth and you’ll see why it sounds THE plan…’cos that’s where I’ll be!)

Anyway, for those of you in the UK, bookmakers like Paddy Power and Ladbrokes are apparently “scurrying to cut odds on it as temperatures dip across the United Kingdom”.

On Wednesday, The Guardian reported that some bookmakers feared they would lose £1 million if the odds weren’t changed. The newspaper said Ladbrokes slashed the odds of having a snow-piled Christmas in London from 7-to-1 to 11-to-4 and 3-to-1. As this blog was posted the odds were at 5/1, so we think this report is pretty much bollocks - just hype to get you to have a flutter on the coolest of betting markets, so to speak.

Check out the cool White Christmas betting interactive map onsite at Ladbrokes (left). It’s got lots of facts and figures and suggests that the bookies should not really be sweating it too hard…

Christmas Day snow? - Here’s Laddies definition of what it would take to be deemed “snowing at Christmas (in this instance in your postcode)”: A snowflake, sleet or a snow grain must be officially* have been recorded to have fallen within your postcode area (1st two digits) during the 24 hours of Christmas Day. Parts of any postcode +250 metres above mean sea level do not count for this bet. Lying snow, hail or ice pellets do not count for this bet. *British Weather Services will verify all bets.

Here’s what our favourite Irish bookie had to say:

Paddy Power’s Cold Comfort - White Christmas Betting

If Paddy’s great-great-great-grandfather was unfortunate to be offering odds on ye Olde White Christmas down in ye Olde Betting Shoppe way back in the early half of the 18th Century, then more than likely the family would be something less risky - like shark fishing or grenade juggling - these days. That’s because - after an uncharacteristic bout of research - we discovered that according to the Met Office, the heyday for White Christmases was between 1550 and 1850 when the Northern Hemisphere “was in the grip of a ‘Little Ice Age’” which is like the a normal ice age, but with cuter woolly mammoths. After the recent spell of cold weather, could banking on a White Christmas in London @ 4/1 be an Ice little earner?

White Christmas Betting*
New York     6 - 4 
Dublin           3 - 1 
London         4 - 1

For more on the online sportsbooks in this blog post check out the following:
>>Review of Ladbrokes Bookmaker
>>Review of Paddy Power Bookmaker

Here’s a round-up of the latest special betting offers at online sportsbooks for this weekend’s English Premier League football. These offers pay out surprizingly often, and there’s nothing like a little added betting insurance as three possible outcomes from your bet (win, loss or stake-back) is far better than just two!

To take advantage of these offers we recommend you have active sportsbook accounts with a good range of bookmakers so you can pick and choose where to place your bets. For detailed reviews and ratings on each online sportsbook, visit BookieLabRat.com or GoonersGuide.com.

Demolit10n Derby  -  Man City v Man Utd - Sunday 30th November

If Robinho or Wayne Rooney score the last goal of the game in the Manchester Derby on Sunday, BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet.
Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer.

Le Incredible Sulks  -  Chelsea v Arsenal - Sunday 30th November

If Nicolas Anelka or William Gallas score the last goal of the game in the Chelsea v Arsenal game on Sunday, BetFred will refund all losing first/last goalscorer, correct score and scorecast bets as a free bet. Maximum refund is £100 (or your currency equivalent) per customer.

Sunday Saver   -  Man City v Man Utd  and Chelsea v Arsenal 

If a goal is scored in second half injury time in the Chelsea v Arsenal Premier League match on Sunday, BoyleSports will refund all losing single first/last/anytime goal scorer, correct score and scorecast bets on BOTH Man City v Man Utd AND Chelsea v Arsenal matches. Maximum refund €300 or currency equivalent per customer.

Don’t Hit the Bar!  -  All Football Markets

Place a five-fold or upwards on ANY football markets and if you have only ONE losing selection VCBet will refund your stake as a free bet. Max refund £100 or currency equivalent.

C-Red-it Card!

Man City v Man Utd - Sun 1.30pm SS1
Chelsea v Arsenal - Sun 4pm SS1

If any player is shown a red card in either match Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match. Max refund €300/£200 per customer.

Manchester City v Manchester United - Sunday, 30 November

If your bet loses and a penalty kick (a direct free kick from the penalty mark) is awarded during the first half of this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL30NOV1

Chelsea v Arsenal  - Sunday, 30 November

If your bet loses and Emmanuel Adebayor scores the first goal of the match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)…enter the promotional code: EPL30NOV2

Bet365 Bore Draw Offer

Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.

Here’s a quick summary of the bookie offers available on EPL football betting this weekend (1-3 November 2008). For the full listing of all Stake-back betting specials across all sports at the top online bookmakers check out the ”Bookie Cash Backs & Specials” page at GoonersGuide.com. (It’s updated daily).

When Harry Met Scally!

Tottenham v Liverpool - Sat. 5.30pm Setanta

If Steven Gerrard or Jamie Carragher score the last goal, Paddy Power will refund all losing 1st/last goalscorer, correct score & scorecast singles on the match.  Max Refund E300/£200 per customer. If  either player plays no part in the match the special will revert to if the last goal is scored from outside the box.

Perfect Ten

Premier League 1 November - 3 November

If the last goal of the game in any of the following games is scored by a player wearing the number 10, Boyle Sports will refund all losing single first/last/anytime goal scorer bets on that particular match. Max refund €300 or currency equivalent.

Everton Fulham                          Chelsea v Sunderland
Man Utd v Hull                            Middlesbro v West Ham
Portsmouth v Wigan                   Stoke v Arsenal
West Brom v Blackburn              Tottenham v Liverpool
Bolton v Man City                       Newcastle v Aston Villa

1st Scorer 2nd Chance

All Premier League Games: Place a 1st goal scorer bet and if your player fails to score the 1st goal but scores at any other time in the match, Victor Chandler will refund your stake as a free bet on any future match. Max refund £100 (€120) per person per match.

Premier League Second Chance Special

Portsmouth v Wigan Athletic - Saturday, 01 November

If your bet loses and 5 or more goals are scored in this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)

Premier League Second Chance Special

Bolton Wanderers v Manchester City - Monday, 02 November

If your bet loses and any player scores a hatrick (3 goals) in this match, Canbet will refund your bet (Correct Score Only).  Maximum bonus is £50 (€65)

Bet365 Bore Draw Offer

Place a pre-match correct score, double result or scorecast bet on ANY FOOTBALL MATCH and Bet365 will refund losing stakes if the match finishes 0-0.
Premier League Picks Contest

Are you a better football tipster than Victor Chandler?  Predict the correct score for the following four matches (played on Saturday 1st November 2008).

Chelsea v Sunderland
Man Utd v Hull
Stoke v Arsenal
Tottenham v Liverpool

You receive a mythical £1 on each correct score you choose. If your prediction is correct your mythical £1 will be settled at the VC Bet price on that correct score. Every one who Beats Victor’s total points score from the four matches wins a £5 free bet and if you are the tipster with the largest overall return you win a £500 free bet. 

Here are the latest betting picks for the best action this week on US sports. It’s from the team at Bodog online sportsbook.

It’s like being a kid in a candy store. Everywhere you turn, there’s a game being played: NFL, college football, the MLB playoffs, hockey, NASCAR’s Chase for the Cup – and there’s more where that came from. We’re here this and every week to highlight the biggest games and the best betting opportunities on the sports calendar.

These are the Top 5 games of the week (all times Eastern):

1. NFL: Indianapolis at Green Bay (Sunday, 4:15 p.m.)

Bettors can look forward to an impressive display of offense from both teams in this matchup. The Colts (3-2 SU and ATS) are coming off their best game of the season and second payday in a row, a 31-3 dismantling of the sterling Baltimore Ravens defense. QB Peyton Manning said it felt like the first game of the regular season; he even found Marvin Harrison in the end zone twice. Packers QB Aaron Rodgers was also sharp in last week’s 27-17 win over Seattle to lift Green Bay to 3-3 SU and ATS.

The Packers are 1.5-point underdogs at home; this will be the fourth time in five games that Green Bay has gotten points. The Colts have been favored in all five of their contests.

2. NCAAF: No. 12 Missouri at No. 1 Texas (Saturday, 8:00 p.m.)

This Big 12 battle looks a lot different now than it did even a week ago. Texas upset the Sooners (-7) in the Red River Shootout to take the top spot in the polls. Missouri lost its first game of the year to Oklahoma State (+14) and fell from No. 2 in the polls; now the Tigers have to assume the underdog role for the first time this season. We’ll see two Heisman QB candidates go at it; Chase Daniel and Colt McCoy have 33 touchdown throws and just seven interceptions between them. Missouri is on an 8-0 ATS streak in away games, but Texas is 6-0 ATS this year.

3. NCAAF: No. 11 Ohio State at No. 17 Michigan State (Saturday, 3:30 p.m.)

Ohio State’s offense is stuck in neutral. The Buckeyes are 1-5 ATS (6-1 SU), and so is the over as the team makes the midseason transition from Todd Boeckman to Terrelle Pryor at quarterback. Pryor and Beanie Wells are keeping the ball on the ground for OSU, which also keeps the scoring down. Ohio State won the past five meetings with the Spartans straight up, although MSU cashed in last year as a 17-point road dog in a 24-17 loss.

4. MLB: ALCS Game 4; Tampa Bay at Boston (Tuesday, 7:30 p.m.)

There will be more important games later in the week as we get closer to eliminating one of these two excellent AL East teams. For now, we’ll deal with Tuesday’s pivotal Game 4; Tampa Bay has a 2-1 series lead after beating up on Jon Lester in Monday’s 9-1 victory at Fenway. The Rays were +175 in that one; they’ll be road dogs again on Tuesday with Andy Sonnanstine taking on Tim Wakefield. Tampa Bay is 5-2 in these playoffs (2-1 as the underdog) with a profit of 2.74 units.

5. Boxing: Kelly Pavlik vs. Bernard Hopkins (Saturday, 11:00 p.m.)

There’s no strap on the line for this bout, and it takes place on the same day as the UFC 89 show. But Pavlik-Hopkins is the marquee fight of the weekend. Pavilk is undefeated at 34-0 and gaining so much fan support that he’s a –350 favorite over the 43-year-old Hopkins. His last fight was a split-decision loss in April to Joe Calzaghe. This is actually a catch-weight fight at 170 pounds and not a light-heavyweight bout as some reports suggest. Hopkins has been fighting in this weight range for the past two years; Pavlik was 159 pounds when he knocked out Gary Lockett in June.

Honorable Mentions

NFL: New Orleans at Carolina (Sunday, 1:00 p.m.)
NCAAF: No. 23 Vanderbilt at No. 9 Georgia (Saturday, 12:30 p.m.)
NHL: Boston at Montreal (Wednesday, 7:30 p.m.)
NASCAR: 2008 TUMS QuikPak 500 at Martinsville Speedway (Sunday, 1 p.m.)
MMA: Michael Bisping vs. Chris Leben, UFC 89 (Saturday night in Birmingham, England; main card via tape delay at 9:00 p.m. on Spike TV)

To get your bets on NFL, NCAAF, MLB, and Boxing visit Bodog Sport

For more about Bodog Sportsbook (BodogLife.com) check out the latest reviews online:

>>BookieLabRat.com Review of Bodog Sportsbook
>>GoonersGuide.com Bodog Sport Review and Rating

>>Compare Bodog to other top US-friendly online sportsbooks here

BetFair Celebrates 2 Millionth Customer!

A Swedish man became Betfair’s two-millionth customer after he placed a small bet in favor of John McCain’s White House bid, the eight-year-old online betting company announced today.

Betfair, who reached the one-million mark almost two years ago, rewarded the 59-year-old with a V.I.P. weekend for two in London.

“In a year when we won a Queen’s Award for International Trade, it is fitting that Betfair’s two-millionth account comes from outside the U.K.,” said David Yu, chief executive of Betfair, in a prepared statement. “Our international customers are already an essential part of our business, and they are growing larger in number every day.”

If you rate yourself as a fairly savvy bettor and are prepared to do your homework to make some betting profits - isn’t it time you joined Betfair Betting Exchange?…

Check out the latest views and reviews on BetFair Betting exchange:

>>Betfair Review at GoonersGuide.com
>>BetFair Review at BookieLabRat.com

PS: Betting Exchanges let you offer your own odds to other punters. You can also accept odds offered by other bettors. No bookies are involved - the odds are offered by punters (like you) and the Exchange charges commission for facilitating the traded bet. A straight win single bet is called a “back” bet. You can also place “lay” bets (betting that an outcome will not occur)… and you can often trade bets while a game is in play.

>>Compare the top 2 Betting Exchanges here at BookieLabRat.com.