Punter places unlucky $40,000 bet
By GREER McDONALD - Stuff
Last updated 14:46 16/06/2010
An unlucky punter is no doubt ruing a last minute decision to drop a whopping $40,000 on Slovakia to beat the All Whites - just one minute before betting closed.
The internet bet, placed in the 87th minute, was made as Slovakia was paying just $1.02 for the win.The punter would have taken home a profit of just $800 had the bet came through.
However a 93rd minute goal by Winston Reid saw the All Whites draw even.
TAB bookmaker Mark Stafford said this morning's match was the most popular game of the tournament, so far.
"The expectation was that Slovakia would win that."
Live bidding goes right up until "a few minutes before the end of the game," said Stafford.
The TAB was about to shut the bidding when the last-minute, large-scale bid came through.
He said at the same time the unlucky bidder placed the bet, the odds for a draw were $11.
Around 65 percent of all TAB bets placed on the game backed the All Whites to win, while around 15 percent backed Slovakia and 20 percent went for the draw.
Mr Stafford said betting on the Fifa World Cup was "really popular".
"It's forced the other sports off the back pages," he said.
"It's their [the All Whites'] turn to shine."
He said free-to-air live television and extra choices in commentary meant Kiwis were eager to watch the games.
"We're a good gauge - people like watching their money go around."
This morning's result hasn't changed the All Whites chances of qualifying through to the next round though according to the TAB, still paying $9.
Meanwhile Slovakia's odd have been pushed out from $2.20 to $3.50 to get through to the next round.
http://www.stuff.co.nz/dominion-post/national/3818978/Punter-places-unlucky-40-000-bet