How to Bet on the British Open

Fans in Great Britain don't have to place a phone call to someone named "Louie the Hat" to wager on a sporting event. In Great Britain, such wagering is completely legal. If you have traveled to see the British Open, you may legally offset your vacation's cost by spotting a fiver on the chap you know will win because he made everything on the practice green.

Instructions

Difficulty: Easy

1. Understand that betters in Great Britain are called "punters." There are almost as many kinds of bets a punter can place on the Open as there are punters themselves.
2. Decide on the kind of bet you want to make. It is possible to bet one player against the field, or two players against the field, or three and so on.
3. Look at the pairings of players. Find a pairing that looks interesting. Bet one player against the other for just one day's play. That way, whether or not those two are the tournament leaders, you will have a vested interest and be able to follow them enthusiastically.
4. Look at odds quoted in the local newspapers so you know if you're getting reasonable odds when you place your bet. If the odds on Tiger Woods are 3 to 5 and you're quoted 3 to 4 at a one betting shop, you might want to go around the corner to another.
5. Ask the concierge of your hotel for a referral to a betting shop. Since they are legal, he will know the favorites. Some hotels even have them on site.
6. Cash in your ticket if you win. Once you're home, it's a sinking feeling to find a winning ticket that's been through the wash.