Bookies' odds to go decimal.

[Black_Apalachi]

Heard this a few days ago on the radio. They are going to have a trial run with horse racing odds. It's supposed to make horse racing more appealing to younger people.

Personally I hate the idea and I can't imagine the horse racing community to be too over the moon with it either so I really can't see the trial being very successful. Even if it went ahead, what about other sports? They all use the fractions system and most of them are popular with younger people.

If anyone cares, what do you think?

This is an article that explains things pretty well:
http://www.independent.co.uk/sport/r...e-1858700.html

[adaym]

It's an Americanism but it makes everything easier.

[Black_Apalachi]

Things are easy though lol.

[N!ck]

Well I'm used to using BetFair so I'm more used decimal odds anyway.

It is easier for instantly comparable odds though. For instance, if you had odds of 11-4 and 17-6 you wouldn't know which was more without doing some arithmetic (unless you were a hardcore gambler and automatically knew of course). In decimal odds these are 3.75 and 3.83, so you can instantly see which is better.

They worked some out wrong in that article BTW.

[Black_Apalachi]

Fair enough, that makes sense I guess. John McCririck is gonna have a hissy fit though lol.

[Smits]

I understand the fractions more.

[brandon]

I don't bet on Horses but I like the idea of decimals taking over. I bet online and I'm always changing to decimal. Simple minded that way

[Geraint]

It is easier. Like someone said 11/4 or 17/6 is difficult. I'd know which one is better but you'd be there working out when decimal is much easier. They're modernising horse racing massively. They've got like 10 things to go through.

[Black_Apalachi]

I don't get why it's just horse racing though. Everyone is perfectly happy with the fractions in all the other sports. Also dunno why the government would want to encourage younger people to gamble? :S

[Geraint]

because whoever the horse racing people are obviously see that a change is needed as less people are betting and watching or w/e. they're trying to get more people involved and watching it. personally, i'd rather watch paint dry.