When you’re new to online betting, it can be difficult to know what to make of some of the phrases and acronyms you encounter on social media platforms like Twitter. One of the more popular Twitter hashtags associated with sports betting is #140ML, and it’s used to refer to odds expressed in terms of a pound (or euro, or dollar) of face value.
Is #140ML a hoax, a meaningless hashtag, or is it something more? Let’s take a closer look.
What Is Odds Expressed As A Pound?
A popularly used unit of measurement among online gamblers is the pound. It is a mixture of symbols: the British pound contains 23 cents, while the euro is made up of 7.5 cents. A dollar is the most popular unit in the United States, but all of these are used extensively in online gambling.
This being said, it is not the best unit of measurement when it comes to comparing odds. The odds of each successive game are usually set in relation to two main factors: money and score difference. The former is objective and depends mostly on the supply and demand for a particular game, while the latter is more subjective and is dependent on the quality of the teams competing in the match.
This is why money-back bets are so popular. The bookmaker offering the bet guarantees that, if the final score of the game is within the specified margin of victory, the bettor will get their money back. It’s essentially insurance against losing a bet.
How Does 140 ML Work?
Odds expressed in terms of a pound are usually used in conjunction with money-back bonuses. Bookmakers will sometimes offer enhanced odds or special bonuses for certain matches, which their customers may use to their advantage. For instance, the lines may have set a price of 2.30 for a Liverpool v Man Utd Premier League match, but will give £2.50 (2.30 x 1.40 = £2.50) if you bet with them and the final score is a Liverpool victory.
In the UK, the way the betting industry works is that there is a Premier League season, followed by a Football League season, before the knockout competitions. If you want to bet on a Premier League match, you will first need to open an account with a bookmaker. After you have done that, you will have the choice of either placing your bet at the ‘top of the pile’ (or the ‘head of the queue’) or getting a ‘special’ offer. The first option is normally best, as the top of the pile gets to place their bets first, which means their odds stay the same (or increase) till the end of the game. The special offers usually relate to matches that are televised, which is why most sports betting takes place online nowadays.
Is 140 ML A Hoax?
It’s always important to look at how a hashtag like #140ML began, as it can provide some vital context about its meaning. The UK betting exchanges that use pound odds do not publicize the exact figure, but the Daily Telegraph reported that the odds of a Manchester United win in their Premier League match against Liverpool was 4.0 (4.0 x 1.0 = 4.0).
Given that an incredible amount of money was on the line in that particular match, with £30 million on the spread (Manchester United to win – Liverpool), it would be quite surprising if the bookmaker did not use a more sophisticated set of odds. Perhaps they even used fractional odds, similar to those found in the Asian markets, where betting is common and matches are tighter. A common misconception is that oddsmalls and fractional odds are only found in Asian markets; while they are available throughout the world, they are more common in places like India and Pakistan, where matches are frequently settled through arbitration.
Is 140 ML Just A Hoax?
When it comes to the betting industry, a number of stories emerge that don’t add up. Take the ‘Asian favourite’ trope for example. If you follow the money, it’s quite clear that the overwhelming majority of the action is being taken from Asia, with many Chinese and Indian nationals flocking to places like Malaysia and the Philippines to bet on the games they love. There are numerous stories of foreign bookmakers operating from special addresses in London, which are effectively secret hangouts for Asian bookmakers. The reality is that the Asian community is highly active and engaged in the British betting scene, and for good reason – the odds are often extremely attractive.
Why Are The Asian Markets So Popular?
Odds given for football matches around the world are set in relation to two factors: money and score difference. It comes as no great surprise that the Asian markets, with their aggressive betting and penchant for backing successful teams, are at the forefront of this burgeoning industry. It takes a lot of courage to put your money where your mouth is and back a team that you think has a slim chance of winning. In recent years, this has become even more dangerous, with more and more individuals and establishments backing the wrong team. Perhaps this is what lead to the tragic events of recent weeks, where individuals have put their money where their mouth is and suffered heavily for it.
With this in mind, it’s important not to be reckless when placing bets. The sportsbooks will happily take your money and, in some instances, will happily take your bet if the game ends in a draw. If you think that a certain team is bound to lose, it may be best to refrain from betting on them, or at least take a more modest stake. This won’t always be possible, of course, but it’s always something to think about.
What Does The Future Of 140 ML Look Like?
With more and more people realizing the pitfalls of betting big, it’s perhaps no great surprise that the attraction of smaller margins has emerged as a popular trend. If you follow the money, it’s quite clear that the Asian markets have led the way in this respect. The Philippines will be hosting the 2020 Fifa Women’s World Cup, and one of the attractions will be the bettors who have shunned the big margins in favour of shorter-priced wagers. If you want to take a punt on who will win the cup, you will be better positioned to do so and, perhaps, have some fun doing it too.
In the meantime, it will be fascinating to see how social media platforms like Twitter continue to evolve and change, especially when it comes to gaming and betting, as new users join daily and familiar hashtags like #140ML are often used to signify something different in today’s world of wagering.”