ALISTAIR DARLING PRE-BUDGET SPEECH BETTING TIPS

Everybody knows it doesn't get much more exciting than a Pre-Budget speech from the Chancellor of the Exchequer. What better way to make the excitement and scintillating thrills go just that little bit further by placing a few punts on how you expect Monsieur Alistair Darling to perform. Popular Irish bookmaker Paddy Power has issued some extremely enticing odds that are sure to have armchair economists and politicians falling all over themselves in gleeful anticipation. INCOME TAXBookmakers are favouring an income tax reduction and one of the surest betting lines of the evening will be the relaxation of employer's national insurance contributions. The tax reduction is listed at 4/5 and the insurance adjustment is an extremely short 2/5. Keep your eyes peeled on Darling's water glass, as one sip of the glass pays 9/4 and two sips or more pays out at a solid 2/1. No water sippage equals an evens bet. LENGTH OF SPEECHThe length of the speech is also up for consideration with an under 45 minute performance paying a solid 2/1. If the speech lasts between 45 and 55 minutes then you're looking at a 5/4 payday. Any more than 55 minutes is a 7/4 payout. Alistair's tie color is also subject to heavy speculation with his past track record including pink and purple, anything is possible. The current tie color favourite is pink, listed at 3/1 while pale blue is 7/2. Red and purple are 4/1 and 6/1 respectively and the odds lengthen as the colors get darker. If you think Darling will throw a curve ball, an open collar/no tie combination is 66/1, a cravate is 100/1 and a bow tie will pay out at a massive 250/1.