IT is financially unsound to bet on something you know little about as I found to my cost last weekend when backing Scotland to beat England in the Five Nations.
The bet involved receiving a 14-point start for the Scots but rosy hopes of a return on the investment at half-time disappeared in a glorious six-minute spell for England in the second half.
Salt was rubbed into the financial wound when the English proceeded to run up a score not equalled since 1907 against France. If you're going to get something wrong, there's nothing like really doing it in style.
Inured to the slings and arrows of betting misfortune, it was not difficult to appreciate that we were watching a very good England team in action with former captain, Will Carling, clearly relishing the playing duties minus the leadership responsibilities.
From a nationalistic point of view, the result of the game in Cardiff on the same day was cause for a smile but begged the inevitable question as to why the money was not placed on the Irish, who have such a fine record away to Wales.
After all, the odds were much the same - even a trifle better - by obtaining a 14-point advantage on the Irish. Two factors mitigated against this wager: putting your money where your heart lies and watching the action unfold on television.
Too many times has the hard-earned disappeared on a green shirt and the only lure I have ever really seen to television is being able to watch live sporting action on it. Knowing that I could flick between Twickenham and Elland Road - the latter venue failed increasingly to figure as a dreadfully dour game between Leeds United and Arsenal unfolded - the money went on Scotland.
