Don’t break betting rules

One of the things I have tried to implement this year was not to bet when I cannot watch a game or when I am in a situation where the game may detract from my enjoyment of another event.

On Saturday I broke both rules and paid the price.

The action got going early with the Blues versus the Force in Auckland and I managed to make a few rands on the game, thanks to a Blues’ secondhalf rally. I then fancied the Chiefs to hammer the Bulls and wanted to place a spread bet high on Chiefs try scorers’ shirt numbers which, if you are a regular reader of this column, you will know is my favourite bet.

The problem was I was taking my son to a rugby coaching clinic and would not be able to watch the game. Strictly speaking, I should not have bet on the match.

But I couldn’t resist and bought Chiefs shirt numbers at 70. Even before I left the house I regretted it as the Bulls were dominating proceedings. With no tries in the first half, I decided to close my bets for a big loss. At least I could enjoy watching my son play some sevens rugby without constantly staring at my phone.

After the clinic, about 120 kids and parents were being bussed to Emirates Airline Park for the Lions versus Sharks game. It was set to be a great evening and I knew that betting on the game would put me under pressure which, depending on which way the bets went, could effect my enjoyment of the trip. Once again, I broke my own rule and went high on match and Lions shirt numbers at 72 and 46 respectively.

I should have known it wasn’t my day when we arrived and our ticket numbers did not exist, or rather they did, but were hidden under an advertising board. Fortunately there was space and we all managed to find a chair to watch the game. It was clear that I was in trouble from the moment the Sharks number three scored the opening try and while others enjoyed an exciting game, I was cursing a big dent in my spread betting balance.

We had a great day but I would have enjoyed it more if I had simply stuck to my own betting rules.

Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at To get on his free weekly e-mail list, just send a message to

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