The entry of sports betting in the Kenyan scene awakened a craze never seen before. Everyone – young men and women, old men and women – trooped to cyber cafes or newsstands to get a piece of this large cake of luck.
I was a bit reluctant, yet deep down in me, I knew luck course through my veins at regular intervals. Upon registering an account at one betting site, I quickly embarked on a losing spree, which I think had never before been seen in the history of gambling.
As a campus student, there was always some loose change. Having no clue where the money came from, I often tried to recoup the money I had spent by minimizing greed. That’s when I discovered that one can bet the number of goals in a match, either as over something or under something.
Armed with this knowledge, I exclusively dedicated my bets to the number of goals. Based on my analysis, I would decide that a team facing relegation, and towards the end of the season will at least try not to concede more than two goals.
That’s when I encountered Harry Kane. Tottenham was playing Aston Villa on a Monday. Aston Villa was at home and trying to avoid being relegated. I placed a bet of under 2.5 goals. Harry Kane scored in the second minute and added his second ten minutes later.
I lost interest in that game. There was no amount of ‘kazaing’ that would shift fate in my way. The game ended with four goals scored – three for Tottenham Hotspurs.
Then I discovered that you would bet player to either score or not to score. On the days I placed Harry Kane to score, he didn’t. On those I predicted he wouldn’t, he did. Sometimes, just to piss me off, Kane hobbled off the field before the hour mark, effectively ruining my bet.
I decided to risk less and with more money. I foraged for ways in which I could win money with least pressure and I discovered that one can bet the scores within five-minute intervals. Though the odds were awfully uninspiring, I took a plunge, often betting that the game will still be a draw after five minutes.
Harry Kane ni nani? He waited for me to place a bet and the ninja went on to score within that five minutes. In addition to losing a thousand shillings, I completely lost respect for Harry Kane. Up to this day, I do not rate him as a world class striker. He scores by luck, not talent.
However, I credit him for making me stop gambling. Nowadays I wonder how people manage to think that luck is better than working your ass off. You are only contributing to the coffers of bookmakers in the hope that you will strike it big.
#hivisasaoriginal