Mumbai:
It will rain on June 8 in Mumbai. And, it will be a bountiful monsoon. No, this is not what the weatherman has predicted; instead that's what bookies say. The total rainfall, according to them, will be around 1,500 inches.
The estimate is certainly not scientific, but neither is it a random guess. Atleast that's what bookies in Mumbai have to say.
"Most bookies follow forecasts made by the Colaba Weather Bureau besides keeping an eye on international meteorology charts for overseas travelers provided by BBC and CNN," said sources in betting circles.
"The parameters for betting on monsoon are different from that of a cricket match. Much depends on data put out by meteorology offices across the country," said an insider.
"The bookies' guesswork hinges a lot on which way the wind blows, added another source.
On an informal level, over the years, bookies have grown familiar with humidity in the city, and the placing of bets often depends on humidity levels.
"We safely presume it will not rain if the humidity level is below 68. If it's over 90, we know it's otherwise," said a bookie.
Besides studying data, bookies also pin a bit of faith on what astrologers have to say.
"Some of them are paid a few lakhs to make an accurate forecast of the rains," said sources in the betting circle.
The estimate is certainly not scientific, but neither is it a random guess. Atleast that's what bookies in Mumbai have to say.
"Most bookies follow forecasts made by the Colaba Weather Bureau besides keeping an eye on international meteorology charts for overseas travelers provided by BBC and CNN," said sources in betting circles.
"The parameters for betting on monsoon are different from that of a cricket match. Much depends on data put out by meteorology offices across the country," said an insider.
"The bookies' guesswork hinges a lot on which way the wind blows, added another source.
On an informal level, over the years, bookies have grown familiar with humidity in the city, and the placing of bets often depends on humidity levels.
"We safely presume it will not rain if the humidity level is below 68. If it's over 90, we know it's otherwise," said a bookie.
Besides studying data, bookies also pin a bit of faith on what astrologers have to say.
"Some of them are paid a few lakhs to make an accurate forecast of the rains," said sources in the betting circle.
