We need to start this week with an apology to all those wondering what the screams emanating from Catz library at 4am last Saturday were in aid of. Let us explain: for once it wasn’t two frisky freshers engaged in a debauched romp in the photocopier room. Instead we were guilty of breaching the peace whilst jumping for joy as Ricky Hatton won a unanimous points decision in Vegas to bring home the ‘Bank Job’. However, an abandoned meeting at Ascot and the narrowest of misses on the NFL leaves us just the wrong side of profit.

Celebrity Big Brother has dominated the front pages over the last week, but for punters it is far more than a “socio-anthropological experiment”. While the chattering classes were busy condemning Jade Goody to oblivion, we were piling on Shilpa Shetty to win the competition at odds of around even money. For us there are two simple rules to reality TV betting.

First and foremost, the nation loves an underdog, with Michelle McManus being a prime example of teenage voters being at odds with the judges. Secondly, on the other hand, one can never underestimate the fickleness of the masses. Goody herself was laughed out of the Big Brother house in her first appearance but went to on to become the most successful contestant ever with her earnings topping £8 million since 2002. In summary, when looking for value in reality television betting, always pick someone with a core fan base who will bother to vote, and with character traits that the general public can empathise with. Follow those rules and you should cash in!

This week’s ‘Bank Job’ is a classic FA Cup tie between Birmingham and Reading at St Andrews on Saturday. Although, the Brummies thumped Newcastle last week their priority remains the Championship title and they will be hard-pressed to repeat such a performance. Under the shrewd Steve Coppell, Reading have proved to be a classy outfit this season and we take them to win at odds of around 2/1 (2.9). Stick £10 on to win a score.

The ‘Long Shot’ comes from the home of jumps racing at Cheltenham on Saturday. There are plenty of class horses in the Cotswold Chase but value is to be had with Exotic Dancer who can be backed at 7/1 (8 on Betfair). This quirky horse has fine form, coming third behind the peerless Kauto Star in the King George on Boxing Day and winning the Paddy Power Chase. If he runs to the best of his ability he will take a lot of beating. £4 to win will net you just under thirty quid.

We stay at Cheltenham for the ‘Porters’ Tip’ where a little birdie tells us that Black Jack Ketchum will hack up in the Cleeve Hurdle. 10/11 (1.88) may seem a bit tight for some of you but you should never knock a gift horse in the mouth. Our last £6 goes on this to win.

Joe Powell and Oscar Brodkin

Running total: -£3.30

The Bank Job
Birmingham Vs Reading - Reading to win
Stake: £10

The Long Shot
Cotswold Chase
Exotic Dancer
Stake: £4

The Porters’ Tip
Cleeve Hurdle - Black Jack Ketchum to win.
Stake: £6