The Political Punter

Author's site

www.politicalbetting.com

Jacket text for The Political Punter

Who's going to win the next UK general election? Who's going to be the next US president? The next president of France? You probably have an opinion, but are you willing to put money on it?

In this unique new book Mike Smithson, the man behind politicalbetting.com, takes a detailed look at the world of political gambling. From the basics of how and where to gamble to the characteristics of the main markets and the forms of betting available.

The hard fact that usually only the bookmakers win in the end and the gamblers usually lose applies to the body of all punters, but it is clear that over time the performance of some punters is greater than others and those with good political skills and an understanding of how betting markets operate can and do make money.

The objective of this book is to assist readers to become part of that group and to enjoy themselves at the same time! The latter is an important element. For many the great satisfaction of betting on political outcomes is not just the money but the pleasure of being proved right. Anybody can have an opinion about a political outcome. The gambler has put money behind it and winning is a way of validating your judgment.

For those who already bet on political matters the book includes a number of case histories where it is hoped that the lessons of the past might be helpful for the future. The explanations of the mechanics of different forms of betting and a wide range of betting options should also make you feel more confident to try new things.

For non-gamblers with a keen interest in politics the book will provide enough background to allow you to dabble a bit and to get a better feel about possible political outcomes by understanding how those who are backing their opinions with cash are actually thinking.

For people who gamble and would like to know more about political betting the book will provide an information platform so that you can be more confident about risking your money in a new arena.

Covering everything from the basic mechanics of the betting process, through the critical decision making processes required to make those bets and the best places to look for information, this is a must-read for anyone wanting to take a punt on politics.

Chapter headings for The Political Punter

Preface
Introduction

Political Betting -An Overview
Choosing the Right Betting Vehicle
Betting Tactics - UK General Election
Betting Tactics - Other Major Markets
Betting Tactics - Following the Betting
Betting Tactics - Following the Polls
The Process of Betting - The Key Decisions That Have to be Taken
Ten Tips for Profitable Political Betting

Appendices

About Mike Smithson

Mike Smithson is the founder of the highly regarded blog, www.politicalbetting.com For 13 years, he was a journalist with BBC News, and was part of the team in the mid-1970s that handled the first Broadcasting of Parliament experiment. This was followed by regular stints at Westminster. In 1977, Mike ousted Denis McShane (who went on to become a Labour Foreign Office Minister), as National Executive member for the UK's Radio and TV journalists at the National Union of Journalists. Mike was a founder member of the Liberal Democrats and stood for Parliament at the 1992 General Election. He was elected twice as a County Councillor in Bedfordshire and has also been a Borough Councillor in Bedford. For the last fifteen years, he has worked as a university fundraiser and was the Director of Development at the LSE, Cambridge, and Oxford universities - and now has the same role at the University of York. In April 2007, he moves to the Open University.

More about Mike Smithson

Reviews for The Political Punter

"Mike Smithson is the God of Political Betting. His disciples scan his website every day hoping for a juicy morsel from the Great Man. This book brings political betting to the masses. Maybe even betting virgins like me will be able to benefit from it."
- Iain Dale