OUR Meet The Team series gets inside the minds of some of WLB's brightest stars with their favourite resources, valuable insight and greatest memories of betting shared, with Gerry Taylor (@thefurlongpole) up next.
When did you first start betting? Can you remember your first bet?
I’m old enough to remember that your football bet on a Saturday had to be minimum trebles.
The Red Rum Grand Nationals were mesmerising as a young lad, I was involved in some of the sweepstakes in my street.
What sports or leagues do you focus and bet on?
Football – I like to specialise on the Scottish leagues as I feel there is more juice in the prices in the lower leagues.
Horse Racing – my passion and preference is the jumps, though I’ve grown to like the flat a bit more in the recent years.
What sites or sources do you use to follow them?
Oh various. Club info and highlights on Twitter are beneficial on the Scottish Leagues. I also like to take on board bits and pieces from my direct messages, and try to filter out any bias.
I use the AtTheRaces tracker to alert me of eye-catchers I have noted, or horses that fit a trainers profile for any appropriate future races.
What are your favourite websites for research?
Soccerway, Soccerbase, WhoScored and Football Data when focussing on the football.
With regards to racing, the Racing Post site and I also use the AtTheRaces.
What stats do you consider the most important?
In football, current form, xG and all the shots and detailed data that is now readily available.
In horse racing, if you spot an excellent apprentice, claiming 7lbs, there can be money to be made in the short term latching on to him or her. It’s an important edge if they are almost as good as their peers.
Are there any stats or trends you feel are irrelevant?
Historical head-to-heads, I feel have limited relevance.
Punters sometimes (including myself) seem to overreact to speculation that teams having players missing, especially recently with COVID. Most teams can still ultimately field a strong XI.
What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learnt betting?
Fun accas or multiples are fine for small stakes, but over the years it’s easier to profit by keeping things simple.
The more time you put in to research, the more success follows. Luck is the place where preparation meets opportunity.
Why is value important in betting?
If you know a league, and are expecting a team to open up at 4/9 and they are initially priced at 10/11, bet accordingly. They might not all win, but ultimately you can dine out on that kind of value.
Have you any advice for punters looking to try and find an edge?
- Specialise on a league.
- Be selective, don’t have loads of bets every day.
- Follow shrewdies, take advice.
- Try and go against the grain occasionally, swim against the tide.
- Sometimes crazy big priced bets do win.
What’s your biggest betting win and how do you spend it?
I had my first proper big bet when an excellent Everton side found themselves up against imposters in the Cup Winners Cup final in Rapid Vienna. It bought my first car.
Do you review your bets and track your winners/losers?
Yes, I try and repeat the trick with winners, analyse the losers. The profit or loss is crucial to track and monitor regularly.
How do you cope with losing bets?
I realise that all bets can’t win. As long as I’m doing the right thing, using a staking plan and getting the value price then long term all should be good.
Win or lose – I like getting out in the fresh air, kicking a ball or walks with my Spotify tunes.
What’s the best thing about betting?
It’s obviously nice to win yourself money. Recently, wins when you know others have backed your opinion and tailed your selections are very satisfying when they come in.
I especially love 100/1+ winners, don’t we all I hear you say!
