The highs and lows of Oracle

An old friend of mine recently started his own YouTube channel where he posts his weekend Super Rugby handicap predictions, as well as a recap of the previous week. Calling himself “The Oracle” he has got off to a great start and after five weeks is well ahead of the bookmakers.

Now the Oracle and I met through sports betting years ago when he worked for a bookmaker who was advertising on a website I had started with a partner. We shared a common interest in spread betting and many a long chat was had on how to make money from sports such as golf and cricket. I recall getting a phone call at 5am once and it was the Oracle telling me he was right about the Proteas losing an early wicket in Australia.

The guy is knowledgeable, but if he has a weakness it is that he gets overconfident. In this week’s recap posting, for example, he speaks of last weekend being an easy one to make money on. He had a great week, but he would do well to remember that but for a Lions penalty after the hooter it would have been a pretty average week with a small profit.

Now don’t get me wrong the Oracle’s confidence is part of his appeal and is part of what makes his videos entertaining.

He doesn’t hold back when having a go at the established rugby sites and is also quick to mock those who set some of the handicaps.

My worry is that he may just be getting a bit too sure of himself and history shows that is not a good thing. I only have to mention the words Jim Furyk or Tiger Woods to him and I have no doubt he will recall some darker times.

My message to the Oracle is to keep on putting up the winners with an air of justifiable confidence. Beware, though, of stepping over the line and believing you are untouchable because, as the saying goes, “pride comes before a fall” and the margins between success and failure in this game are very small.

Brent Graham is a sports betting blogger at

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