"Uncle Andrew, I'd like to try betting on a football lottery too," Ronald said, pretending to know nothing. "Can you help me buy it?"
In the UK, the legal age for purchasing lottery tickets is 18. Ronald was still six months shy of his 18th birthday.
In the UK, you can get married at 16, drink alcohol and get a driver's license at 17, but you must be 18 to buy a lottery ticket. So, if Ronald wanted to bet now, he could only do so through Andrew Turner.
Andrew put down his newspaper, smiling like a seasoned betting expert, "Betting on football, we call it 'spinach' in our lingo, and there's a lot to it! To tell you the truth, I've been into this since I was eighteen. While others earned pocket money to buy food, drinks, or even to chase girls, I spent all my earnings on 'spinach'!"
Whoa~
Uncle, if you've been betting for over 20 years, how come you only have 1,000 pounds of secret stash left? Ronald chuckled inwardly.
Andrew continued, "Betting, you see, requires you to understand football. You need to research the historical performance of the two teams, their technical stats, star players, whether their tactics counter each other, and whether any key players are injured—you have to consider many factors! This is very professional stuff! You've never done this before, so if you really want to bet, I suggest you follow an old hand like me."
Andrew proudly said, "If my 1,000 pounds bet wins, I'll earn... at least 181 pounds!"
What amazing odds...
But then again, everyone expects Southampton to crush Northampton, so naturally, Southampton's odds are low.
If you want to make a big move, you have to bet against the trend.
Moreover, Ronald already knew the outcome of the match.
Ronald asked, "Uncle Andrew, I don't really understand football, but from the odds, it seems like betting on Northampton to win would earn more, right?"
"Hahaha!" Andrew laughed loudly, "Betting on Northampton to win? Ron, just by saying that, you've shown that you really don't know anything! What kind of team is Northampton? No forwards, no midfield, no defense! Their goalkeeper is such a butterfingers, he could throw the ball into his own net! How on earth could Northampton beat our Southampton? Ron, don't be fooled by the high odds—if you bet based on that, you'll lose your money for sure!"
"My advice is to bet on Southampton winning by 3 goals or more. The odds aren't high, but it's a safe bet! That's how I've managed not to lose money over the years—by playing it safe!"
Ronald smiled innocently, "It's my first time betting, so I want to go with my gut."
Andrew shrugged, "Alright—how do you want to bet?"
Ronald leaned in to look at the betting options on Andrew's phone, "I want to place a treble bet: Southampton leading at halftime, Northampton winning overall, and the final score being Southampton 0:3 Northampton. This way, the combined odds would be 378 to 1."
Andrew immediately shook his head, "Ron! You're such a rookie! No, no! Your bet is self-contradictory, you can't possibly win! If you bet on Southampton leading at halftime, then the final score absolutely can't be Southampton 0:3 Northampton! Absolutely, absolutely, absolutely impossible! This is basic betting knowledge!"
Ronald insisted, "Uncle Andrew, I have a strong feeling about this. Please help me place the bet."
Andrew said angrily, "Betting is about experience and technique! What good is a feeling? Ron, take my advice and change your bet. Why not make some small, sure money instead?"
Ronald smiled, "Uncle Andrew, I know what I'm doing, so don't worry about it."
Andrew sighed helplessly, "Alright then, it's your money, not mine. I can't stop you. Once you lose, you'll realize what happens when you don't listen to professionals—how much do you want to bet? A pound? Five pounds? It can't be less than a pound."
Ronald calmly said, "Let's bet... 12,000 pounds."
This was all the money in Ronald's bank account, which was also his rent and living expenses for the next six months in Southampton!
With combined odds of 378 to 1, if Ronald won, his 12,000 pounds would turn into 453,600 pounds!
Even after taxes, he would walk away with over 400,000 pounds!
This would be a huge win!
When Andrew heard that Ronald wanted to bet 12,000 pounds, he nearly fell off the sofa.
"How much?! Ron, are you joking?"
"No, Uncle Andrew, I'm serious."
"But you're throwing your money away!"
"Yes, I don't know anything about this. I'm just going with my gut feeling," Ronald said with a grin. "And since the betting company allows such a bet, theoretically, it's possible."
Andrew frowned, "Ron, you're crazy! The betting company preys on rookies like you! Watching you throw away so much money makes me feel bad for you! If you win with this combination, I'll call you big brother!"
Whoa!
Like father, like daughter!
Why do both of you love making these bets?
This is no joke!
If I win, Sophie might have to call me uncle!
How are we supposed to keep pretending to be a couple after that?
Ronald quickly said, "Uncle Andrew, if I lose, it's on me. But if I win, I'll give you three thousand pounds as a commission."
Andrew sighed, "Alright, you really have money to burn! You know you're throwing away twelve thousand pounds, but you still want to bet."
Ronald laughed, "Uncle Andrew, the match is about to start, right? I'll transfer the money to you now.
Please help me place the bet as soon as possible."
He took out his phone and transferred all his rent and living expenses to Andrew.
Ding!
£12,000 instantly reached Andrew's account.
Andrew looked at the balance on his phone and couldn't help but ask again, "Ron, are you sure you want to place this bet?"
Ronald nodded confidently, "Yes."
"young people really are foolish with their money," Andrew muttered to himself as he placed Ronald's entire £12,000 bet exactly as instructed.
After completing the bet, Andrew said with a hint of schadenfreude, "Trust me, this money is as good as gone."
Ronald smiled but said nothing.
Andrew turned on the TV and switched to the local sports channel.
The match between Southampton and Northampton began.
Southampton's team was far superior to Northampton's in every aspect.
Southampton dominated the game, leaving Northampton struggling to keep up.
Five minutes into the game, Southampton's star striker, David Connolly, received a cross from a teammate and smoothly scored with a beautiful instep shot!
Andrew pumped his fist in excitement, "Aha! Go Saints! 1-0! Ron, your prediction of a 0-3 scoreline is wrong! Even if Northampton turns it around in the second half, it won't matter! It's a shame, but your money is already gone!"
Ronald feigned disappointment, "Oh no, it does seem that way."
But in reality, Ronald was overjoyed inside!
The match was unfolding exactly as he remembered!
Just like in his memory, Connolly scored in the 5th minute of the first half!
According to his memory, the score at halftime would be 1-0, but the real shocker would come in the second half!
A twist so surprising that it would not only change the first half's outcome but also leave all the bettors utterly stunned!
end.