Now I preface my reply with the knowing comment that my record of football betting isn't the finest, but . . .
I don't agree with this proposition at all. That isn't the position. The actual position is the person took £72k and gave up the chance of £178k more for what is a pretty unique even money bet from here on in.
I only accept taking the money makes sense if the person concerned is in desperate need of money. Otherwise, he's bottled it. He's already bottled £19k for the sake of one game. The offer wouldn't have reduced to the same extent had we lost.
I think the offer will only get better the longer the season goes on, even if we lost a couple. Only if it genuinely looked like we were going badly wrong would it be the right decision and then it should not be made before mid-April.
This isn't a game of Deal of no Deal. The situation is totally different.
The other point I'd make is about this being an opportunity that will not be repeated. He's given up his best chance of making serious money for the sake of paying off the mortgage and a holiday in Spain. That's not something anyone is taking into account but is the main issue for me. If you've got an even money chance at £250k, you don't bottle it for 29% of the bet.
If you're that kind of person, you shouldn't be putting the bet on in the first place.
