Saturday 17-03-03 PaddyPower and I are Parting Ways

Paddypower and I are parting ways. It’s sad to say, it did seem to be a blossoming romance, but unfortunately things were not well in paradise.
It all came to a head on Tuesday night. Previously Paddypower (hereafter known as PP) had falsely reported goals, or stopped reporting on games altogether, which was annoying but manageable. Tuesday night, though, things were different. Brighton were playing at home to Newcastle, and it was a top-of-the-table clash. Since I lived in Brighton for ten years, and have worked there for nearly twenty, I was not only financially but emotionally invested in the game. Mum and Dad were also at the game, since they have season tickets, along with quite a few friends I work with. Yes, I had a small wager (70p) on the game, in Brighton’s favour.
TW & I decided to start watching Apple Tree Yard, the recent BBC drama, since we’d recorded it and heard some good things about it. I had the PP website up on the laptop to follow along with the score.
The drama on the telly was pretty good, but I noticed that Brighton went 1-0 up after about 15 minutes. I double-checked it with flashscore.com, and it was confirmed, Brighton were ahead. I settled back and watched the telly, and kept one eye on the score. Half-time came and went with no change, Brighton were still winning. Then 60 minutes, then 70, and then 80 minutes, and things were static at 1-0. I was getting a little jittery, if Brighton won that would mean that they were clear at the top of the table. But Paddypower reassured me, the score was still 1-0 and everything was right with the world. And besides, I was focused on the story unfolding in Apple Tree Yard. Full-time was announced, and the score was 1-0. Excellent! I informed TW, Brighton are top of the table, they won!
I checked my winnings, but they hadn’t been awarded yet. No worries, that happens sometimes, it takes them some time to pay out. So I waited. And waited. And nothing. Hmm, I thought, maybe the game went to extra time. That happens sometimes, Paddypower stop showing the in-play score before the end of the match if it’s gone over 90 minutes. So I checked on flashscore.com, and they advised that the game had finished, but the score was 1-2 to Newcastle. What?
I checked with the BBC, they advised the same thing. Newcastle had won. PP had stopped updating their website at some point and missed the goals in the 81st and 89th minute. So I’d missed out on £1.78 as well as Brighton going clear at the top of the table, and happy family and friends the next day. Gutted. I did contact them on Twitter, they “apologised for the inconvenience”. Well, that isn’t enough, I’m sorry to say; they messed up. I mean, they’ve taken my cash, but they aren’t showing me the actual real scores, and for that reason I’m done.
I’ve still got a couple of pounds with Paddypower, but once those are gone, I won’t be refilling my account. It won’t be any great loss to PP I’m sure; I'm not a high-roller by any means, but if they don’t have reliable systems, then I don’t want to bet with them any more. It’s a shame; like I said, it was fun while it lasted, but if they can’t get the important stuff right, then there are plenty of other sites I can spend my money at.

TTFN…

Wednesday 16-10-26 Paddy II

Last night I placed a number of bets on a few football games. I didn't think I did that well, but looking at my account, I did okay. With PaddyPower the minimum withdrawal amount is £10, I think, and my aim is to stay above that, or reach that, so that I can take my cash out when I want.
Currently I am floating slightly below that, I'm above £9 but not quite at the £10 mark. So I chose a few (what looked to be) low risk wagers last night to try and boost my pot.
The first bet of the night was on Motherwell U20s to win against Ross County U20s. I know, I didn't realise you could bet on the Scottish Under 20 league either. Motherwell were favourite to win at 11/10, but there was no score for ages. Then there was an own goal at 60 mins by Ross County, and Motherwell went ahead. The cash out value had jumped to 15p, so I took it and that was the first win of the night. It was a good choice, because Ross County scored again, but at the right end, and the match ended 1-1.
I also bet on Aswan FC to beat El Entag El Harby, at 21/10. Aswan went ahead after 28 minutes and again I cashed out to take 18p on a 10p bet. Again, that was lucky because thanks to a penalty in the last few minutes of the game it ended in a draw. I feel an affinity with Egyptian football because I did live in Cairo for several months back when I was 20.
Trapani (Italy Serie B) were good to me, but Deportivo Espanol (Argentinian Primera B Metro) weren't. Altrincham (English National League North) unfortunately lost against Bradford Park Avenue but Hitchin Town (English Souther Premier League) won away to King's Lynn, netting me 27p.
The bet I am proudest of though is backing Leeds against Norwich, in the English Football League Cup. I put 15p on Leeds to progress to the next round, at evens. Norwich went ahead but Leeds fought back and the game ended in a draw. Then in extra time each team scored again, meaning that the game went to penalties. Leeds finally triumphed, and I had an extra 15p, in addition to my original stake of 15p.

Overall I placed nine bets worth £1.03 and my returns were £1.18. I know it's small potatoes to most people, but it keeps me interested.

Upcoming bets are: Man City to progress to the next round in the EFL Cup against Man Utd (evens), especially after how badly Man U performed against Chelsea last Saturday, and England to win the seccond test against Bangladesh (4/5), which starts on Friday. I have also, for some inexplicable reason, put some money on InterMilan to beat Torino this evening at odds of 10/11. If those all come in then I shall be at £9.86, and close to that £10 target...

Tuesday 15-05-10 Birthday Celebrations

So today was our youngest's birthday; she was seven years old. She was awake early, as usual, she came up the stairs to our room in the eaves at 06:30. I was awake as normal, so I wished her Happy Birthday loudly and woke TW up quickly. She opened her presents and seemed to be happy with them, which was a good thing. For breakfast TW had brought in pains au chocolat, and I think it was that which sent me into a tizzy. I didn't make tea, I didn't take a cheque into Brighton to pay into the bank, I was unfocused at work. Never mind though, I got through it.
Getting home I discovered that the Youngest's godfather was visiting; I did know he was coming but had forgotten. It was great to see him again and the girls doted on him, so his visit was a good thing.

I had a little flutter on Rising Pune Supergiants today and only narrowly lost; Dhoni got run out in the final over. I'm sure that they would have won if that hasn't happened. As a result I bet on West Ham against Man Utd at 2-1, a two-fingered salute against the betting powers that be. I child have cashed out early for an easy but small win, but then shortly after half-time Man U equalised. They actually went 2-1 up and I was ready to resign myself to my loser fate. But then West Ham came back and won 3-2, and so I clawed back £1.29. A nice end to the day.
TTFN.