(1) Do business ONLY with reputable & trusted promoters and bookmakers with the best fixed odds. (For example, in Nigeria this will be; Full, ½, ¼ payments only. Avoid promoters offering 1/10 payment for whatever reason).

(2) If you bet big, apply to be a collector or affiliate of the promoter or bookmaker. This is because, unlike ordinary football pools investors, collectors receive commissions on the total amount submitted for their bets. Affiliates also receive commissions from all their genuine referrals.

(3) If you know that you are hypertensive or you easily get excited or discouraged, my advice is that you desist from watching live matches that you have placed bets on! The reason is because many goals seem to be scored in the last few minutes of matches, especially in time added on by the referee. Just imagine your 3-draw accumulator at 0-0, 1-1, 1-1, with 3 minutes to go and the final result turning out to be 0-1, 1-1, 2-1! Strange things could happen to your blood pressure. BEWARE!

(4) Join a very good FORUM, especially one that is not only FREE, but also totally dedicated to the beautiful game of FOOTBALL. There will usually be a thread for FOOTBALL BETTING/FOOTBALL POOLS there where you can share ideas with other football pools investors. You will get cool tips and you may even grab betting systems for ‘free’ from other members.

(5) Don’t get carried away and fool yourself that you will always win because you’ve just bought a ‘foolproof’ football betting system for US$400.00 / N60, 000!

No matter what anybody tells you, ‘gambling is a game of chance’ …pure & simple.

(6) If you have a serious gambling issue with a promoter or bookmaker, his agent, or collector, and you feel that it looks like a case of fraud, you should immediately lodge a report with the appropriate body. If you are in Nigeria, you should either make a report at the nearest police station, challenge the promoter’s gambling license renewal at the State Internal Revenue Board, contact the Economic & Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) or if you can afford it, seek sound legal advice.

Remember that you must have ALL your facts handy or else you may end up being accused of ‘wasting police time’!

(7) Get other football pools investors in your area together and form a FOOTBALL POOLS INVESTORS’ UNION. When you do this, you all can then fight for your right together. “United We Stand, Divided We Fall”. Remember?

 “By the way, don’t prostitutes have a labour union in Nigeria?” …I’m only asking!

PASSING SHOTS:

 (1) No organization, anywhere in the world, can guarantee Football Pools betting winnings.

 (2) All transactions between any organization and Football Pools stakers shall be; on mutual trust, in good faith, and binding in honour only.