I must admit that things have not quite gone according to plan over the last couple of months and as I tap out my first CitiGaming column of the year I am forced to acknowledge that I have lost a bit of betting shape over the holidays.

Having had a very solid 2011 the plan was to rest up and wait for Super Rugby to begin but in December I discovered that the boys on the Goodforthegame website were punting the Heineken Cup and other European Rugby competitions. Now following their advice on the handicaps would more than likely have led to a profit but I decided to try my hand at spread betting and found myself sucked into the try scorer shirt markets where the quotes were much lower than what I was used to seeing.

Perhaps the worst thing that happened to me was that I enjoyed some early success and with thoughts of making a packet during my “off season” I got stuck in. Needless to say the tide turned and having won enough money to cover the kids Christmas presents and more I promptly gave it all back between Boxing Day and New Year. The right thing to do at that point would have been to close up shop but of course I came out firing instead and while it has not been a disaster I am down for January and have sent many a swear word in the direction of Northern Hemisphere rugby and in particular their refs.

The good news is that when you read this there will be exactly 4 weeks and 1 day until Super Rugby gets going. It is the highlight of a World Cupless year for me and I have taken an early position on the Blues to win at 9/1 (into 7/1 now) as well as the Force to finish last at 3/1. It promises to be a punting marathon of note and frankly I cannot wait.

There is of course loads for sports bettors to look forward to in 2012 with the English Premier League and UEFA Champions League ongoing, the PSL returning from slumber in February and majors season starting at Augusta in April.

Whatever you bet on in 2012 I wish you good fortune and for those who reckon the end of the world is coming, hey you can have a bet on that as well.

This article was written for the CitiGaming supplement of the Citizen Newspaper and was first published on the 26th of January 2012.

Brent Graham is a blogger on www.goodforthegame.co.za and to get on his free weekly e-mail list just send a message to brent@goodforthegame.co.za titled “Best Bets”.