08 April,2011 06:25 AM IST | | J Dey
Punters have moved shop to the Konkan coast and Goa, which will form the hub of the betting syndicate during the tournament; Mumbai favourite to win this year
The picturesque sandy beaches of Goa and the Konkan stretch are no longer a tourist paradise, nor are they a haven for the footloose. As the western coast is fast becoming a paradise for bookies and punters during the Indian Premier League season IV due to kick-off today.
Punters slot Mumbai Indians as favourites to win IPL season IV
Insiders informed that a large number of bookies are headed for the sandy beaches of Goa and Konkan, where they are combining pleasure with business for an estimated Rs 2,000 crore turnover till the semi-final matches. Punters have slotted Mumbai Indians as favourites to win IPL season IV.
An estimated 200-odd bookies are driving to the former Portuguese colony and are likely to remain there till the conclusion of the qualifying matches. Another lot of bookies and punters have headed for Gujarat with their logistics team.
A large number of bookmakers have already booked themselves into luxury hotels along the coastline and some want to spend maximum time in casinos. While the support teams are being housed in shoe-string hotels.
Bookies are expecting brisk business during the IPL matches, as the matches are quick-paced and restricted to 20 overs per innings. Most of the bets will be on 'sessions' (score in two to three overs) rather than the outcome of the match.
Dubai again is expected to be the hub of 'cutting' for bets between Bangladesh, Pakistan and Europe. The major chunk of the money will be exchanged through hawala transactions.
A large number of bookies have already booked themselves into luxury hotels along the coastline and they are likely to remain there till the conclusion of the qualifying matches.
Bookies after assessing the form of players during the recently concluded World Cup have made Mumbai Indians favourites at Rs 4.80.
According to punters, players like MS Dhoni, Suresh Raina, T Dilshan, Virat Kohli, Daniel Vettori and Zaheer Khan are the star players to watch out for in the tournament.
Odds for the opening match
Chennai Super Kings: 73 paise
Kolkata Knight Riders: Rs 1.35
u00a0
Odds for the trophy
Mumbai Indians: Rs 4.80
Royal Challengers Bangalore: Rs 6.45
Chennai Super Kings: Rs 6.80
Kolkata Knight Riders: Rs 6.80
Pune Warriors India: Rs 9.50
Kochi Tuskers Kerela: Rs 11
Delhi Daredevils: Rs 12.10
Deccan Chargers: Rs 12.50
Kings XI Punjab: Rs 15.80
Rajasthan Royals: Rs 17.50
