Do The Maths! Big win dividends on cards
Punters are reminded that the exciting coupling rule change will commence with the Arlington meeting tomorrow.
In a sweeping rule change, TAB will do away with couplings in Pick 6 bets on South African races. The move is effective from Monday and the general consensus is that it is set to boost payouts and re-energise the bet.
The drag effect of large couplings, particularly in centres like Port Elizabeth and Kimberley, have often frustrated punters with reduced dividends paid. Punters may find the 20 to 1 shot in the Gavin Smith coupling, but the fact that the winner is coupled with three other runners, and often the favourite, means that there is little reward.
Jackpot couplings were done away with on 1 November 2010, and interest and payouts subsequently soared. The Pick 6 is expected to attract similar renewed interest
“It’s a bold, and in some quarters, controversial step, but after much debate and consultation with a cross section of punters over several months, we believe it’s the right move,” said Phumelela’s Sports Betting Executive Vee Moodley.
“Unavoidably, the Pick 6 has gone a bit stale over the years and the combination of couplings, fractional betting and, in more recent times, the first-timer rule has also diminished the bet’s appeal in terms of delivering mega payouts,” added Moodley.
Leading owner and top TAB customer Greg Blank said he wished the couplings rule had been dropped sooner. “This will separate the men from the boys,” he commented.
While the bracketing of horses trained by the same trainer in the Pick 6 is falling away, TAB will retain the first-timer rule for the time being. Into the future, however, it is intended to drop this rule as well, which will bring the Pick 6 into line with international rules and enable overseas totes to commingle into TAB Pick 6 pools on South African racing.
