Movember 2011

There was a time when moustaches ruled the world, when men were men & Ron Burgandy read the news. Sadly, we no longer live in these times, but once a year, we can get a taste of what it must have been like in those glory days when we celebrate Movember. For those of you that aren’t aware (regular readers might remember our Movember 2010 article), every year in November, men from around the world and hopefully not too many ladies, get their mates, work colleagues and anyone else they can rope in to sponsor them to grow some facial hair. It’s all in the name of men’s health problems – these include prostate and testicular cancer. Well, it’s that... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, October 31st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

4 Bets to Watch – Rugby World Cup Quarter Finals 2011

Like much of life, the group stages of the Rugby World Cup are ultimately a waste of time, but thankfully we’re down to the serious business of the tournament now, with three of these ties harder to call than a fiery furnace. 1. Since pushing South Africa all the way in their opening defeat, the Welsh have won three on the bounce for the second time in eight months, giving them every hope of defeating the Irish. However, whilst we believe it will be an extremely close match, we are confident that Ireland will make their first ever semi-final. Back them at 4/5 on Bet365. 2. France have only beaten England once at a World Cup and that was to... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, October 7th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Classic Match – England vs France

World Cup Quarter-Final 19th October 1991. When England step out to face France in Auckland on Saturday, many rugby aficionados will be recalling the last time the two nations met at this stage during a World Cup, back in 1991. In the days leading up to the game, the press built it up as an opportunity for France to seek revenge for their Grand Slam decider defeat seven months prior. As the anthems were played, 18 stone hooker Phillipe Marocco started bawling his eyes out and with emotions running high, it appeared as though a brutal, ferocious 80 minutes was à la carte at the Parc des Princes in Paris and so it proved. England’s pack started their fierce attack... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Thursday, October 6th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Financial Betting

Buy Buy Buy Sell Sell Sell. In the current financial climate, it appears everyone trading stocks and shares is losing money hand over fist. Well it doesn’t have to be that way. Whilst the bowler-hatted buffoons in the city carrying their ironed FT and umbrellas into the office at 6.30am may be taking this country to hell in a handcart, financial betting gives punters the opportunity to exploit these cretins. Betfair’s financial offering is fairly basic. They provide markets on each twenty minute or hour segment of both the FTSE and Wall Street. The bet is a simple one – will the market rise or fall during that time? You can also bet on potential interest rate rises in the... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Sunday, September 25th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Mercury Music Prize 2011

No, us Neither. Good evening music lovers, and welcome to the Mercury Music Prize for the best British album. And although we may share a sponsor with the elite division of English football, the winners are not as predictable. PJ Harvey’s Let England Shake is the bookies’ favourite, (15/8 with Blue Square) and if she does win, she would become the first artist to win the coveted award twice (following her 2001 triumph with ‘Stories from the City, Stories from the Sea’). Elbow are also looking for the double, having won in 2008 with ‘The Seldom Seen Kid.’ ‘Build a Rocket Boys!’ is available at a massive 50/1 with Bet365, even though many critics believe the album is just as... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Tuesday, September 6th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Rugby League Challenge Cup Final 2011

Southerners look away now. What a day to be a Wigan fan. 40,000 are expected in London for their Carnegie Challenge Cup Final against the Leeds Rhinos, whilst anyone left will surely head up earlier to the DW for the lunchtime visit of QPR, where they could see their football team rocket into the Champions League places. One suspects that if any males fancy a pop at the women of Wigan, Saturday may be the day when the ladies are home alone. The Rhinos arrive at Wembley on the back of a disappointing 32-22 defeat at Harlequins in the Super League, in which they lie 6th. The Warriors meanwhile, are sitting pretty at the top of the table and arrive... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Thursday, August 25th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Classic Moment – 1991 World Athletics Championships – 4x400m relay

Akabusi’s finest hour. This weekend sees the start of the World Athletics Championships in Daegu, South Korea, the last major event before the London Olympics. With Charles van Commenee optimistic that we might see some GB success, there could be no better time to look back at one of the finest British moments from a previous Championships. The 1991 World Athletics Championships caught the world at a positive moment. The Berlin Wall had fallen two years previous, freedom was sweeping Europe, and above all, Kris Akabusi was on our television screens. The final event was the 4x400m – it would be Britain against the United States (incidentally three of their four runners were later found to be drug cheats.) After... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Sunday, August 21st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Two to Watch – Republican Presidential Nominee

Who next to make a big mess even worse. Jon M.Huntsman Amidst the various maniacs the Republican party seem keen to inflict on the electorate, one man stands above the fray. Jon Huntsman has been the US Ambassador to China for the past couple of years, and is a fairly conservative type of conservative. However, having been originally nominated for the China gig by Obama, his association with the current President won’t go down too well with a fiercely anti-Obama Republican base. If he does sneak the nomination, expect election debates to be of a far chummier nature than usual. Jon Huntsman is 18 to be the Republican nominee at Betfair. If the current stand-off over debt ends messily for... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Monday, August 1st, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

US OPEN 2011

Failing to see the Woods for the Trees. Cheryl Cole may not have had what it takes to survive in America, but there are a number of Brits aiming to crack the States this weekend. Donald, Westwood, McIlroy – three of the top four favourites for the 2011 US Open are Brits, and that is not to mention the holder, Northern Ireland’s G-Mac. Bethesda may take its name from the ancient Hebrew for ‘House of Kindness’, but when the US Open comes to town tomorrow, don’t expect too much kindness from the Congressional Country Club. Trees galore and wide, testing greens await the combatants, and the major renowned for its high scoring, should be all set to challenge the world’s... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Wednesday, June 15th, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)

Britain’s Got Talent Final 2011

Title proves ironic again For those who think betting on reality tv is glorified guesswork, think again. An in depth-look at previous years contests can give vital clues as to which of our prized national talents will soon be on the triumphant road to international stardom Celebrity Big Brother. In the four years since Britain’s Got Talent first soiled our screens, the final act performing on the night has twice been crowned winner. In the other two years, the winning acts have appeared 9th out of 10 (Diversity, 2009), and 7th out of 10 (George Sampson in 2008.) Performing near the end is a distinct advantage as the voting only opens once all the acts have been on, so don’t... Continue reading...

This entry was posted on Friday, June 3rd, 2011
(Posted in: Articles, General, Oggsblog)