Search results
Bookies Hand Signals. Tic Tac is an old bookmaking term where hand gestures would be used to translate odds/prices around the betting ring. The signals for the bets are all coordinated by hand gestures and often the guys calling the odds would wear white gloves to allow them to stand out a little more and also make the movements easier to see.
Tic-tac (also tick-tack and non-hyphenated variants) is a traditional method of signs used by bookmakers to communicate the odds of certain horses. Until the turn of the 21st century it was a very common sight on racecourses in the UK, but with the advent of mobile technology it is now seldom seen. In 1999, only three practitioners were noted ...
- The Origins of Tic-Tac
- The Function of Tic-Tac
- Common Tic-Tac Signals
- The Role of Tic-Tac in Betting
- The Decline of Tic-Tac
- Conclusion
Tic-tac has a long history, dating back to the late 19th century. In a 1937 interview, Charles Adamson, a retired bookmaker from Ashford, Middlesex, claimed that he and his brother Jack invented the Tic-tac system in 1888. They created it to communicate quickly and clearly across the noisy racecourses.
Tic-tac hand signals were used for several purposes: 1. Setting Odds:Bookmakers signaled the odds they were offering on a horse. 2. Adjusting Bets:They could quickly change the odds based on incoming bets. 3. Relaying Information:Bookmakers, often working in teams, used the signals to share important information like large bets or changes in odds. ...
Bookmakers wore bright white gloves to make their hand movements more visible. Here are some common Tic-tac signals and their meanings: 1. Odds of 9/4 (“top of the head”):Both hands touching the top of the head. 2. Odds of 2/1 (“bottle”):Right hand touches the nose. 3. Odds of 10/1 (“cockle” or “net”):Fists together with the right-hand thumb protru...
Tic-tac allowed bookmakers to keep their odds consistent with competitors, preventing punters from exploiting differences. If one bookmaker received a large bet, they could signal others to adjust their odds accordingly.
With mobile technology, the need for hand signals has decreased. By 1999, only a few practitioners, such as Micky ‘Hokey’ Stuart, Billie Brown, and Rocky Roberts, were still using Tic-tac on southern UK tracks. Despite this decline, many of the terms and some signals remain in use today, preserving a link to the past.
Tic-tac hand signals are a unique part of British horse racing history. While modern technology has reduced their use, the signals and the terms associated with them remain an interesting aspect of the sport’s heritage. Understanding Tic-tac offers a glimpse into the traditional methods bookmakers used to manage their bets and maintain fair play on...
Jul 6, 2019 · a waiter at the Dorchester Hotel in London before becoming a bookmaker, then moving on to be a tic-tac man – the elaborate art of touching the head and using hand signals to denote a horse’s odds. McCririck’s journalistic career took off on The Sporting Life, which he worked for from 1972 to 1984, winning two British Press awards.
Oct 15, 2015 · Tic-tac men also play a part in actioning trades between rival bookmakers. Do Bookmakers Still use Tic-Tac Men? Much as everybody loves the theatre and entertainment value of multiple Tic-tacs in ...
The Sign Language For On-Course Bookmakers. Also known as Tic-Tac, Tick-Tack and other variations on a similar theme, Tic Tac is the manual sign language used by on-course bookmakers to communicate the odds. Though something of a dying art nowadays, it was very common in the early days of both dog and horse racing, with the Tic Tac men often ...
People also ask
How many bookmakers still use tic tac?
How do Tic Tac men communicate with bookmakers?
What is Tic Tac betting?
What does Tic Tac mean?
Who advocated Tic Tac?
What is a tic tac man?
Check out the hand gestures still in use by tic tac men today—you may recognize a few next time you head to a race with a tic tac professional on standby. Here they are in order of difficulty: Right fist above left fist: odds are 50-1. Arms crossed, hands flat against chest: odds are 33-1. Both hands on face: odds are 5-2.
