🌍⚽Sportsbet.io AFCON 2024 prediction pool discussion thread

[mv1986]

Sponsorship:

I am pleased to announce that Sportsbet.io will be sponsoring us this year as well. Big thanks to them and Steve in particular.

50 mBTC for the end of competition prizes
0.5 or 1 mBTC free bets for round winner, depending on how many players we get. Threshold is 20

Thank you Steve and sportsbet.io for a great sponsorship deal. Even though AFCON matches were very boring 2 years ago I was watching them excitedly as I was challenging for the leadership in the pool. I hope that we can watch more goals in this tournament. I don't have any information about most of the AFC teams. However South Korea are the team that I sympathize the most with the effect of the old Fenerbahçe player Kim Min-jae's playing there.

Same here, appreciate the dedication Sportsbet is showing here, really nice!

@Trofo what is the deadline for the payment, has that been set yet? The first game is the Ivory Coast against Guinea-Bissau?

I'll be straight honest, I have never been following that cup yet, but maybe this is a decent opportunity to change that.

[1714761025]

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[1714761025]

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[1714761025]

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[1714761025]

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[casperBGD]

~snip

Send me tx id over PM and I will send you joining details.

plan to join for sure, and as I understood there is no free lunch for all-timers
just a question, is it possible to have fee deducted from my weekly campaign payment? just for the sake of transaction fee (maybe some more participants from your campaign will join, and you can add all these to one transaction, if they also choose to have deduction from campaign payment)

if not, I will send payment other way, probably on Tron

edit: it is fine to just send pool transaction this week, and rest to send with next week campaign, so that you don't have one more address in transaction , just a bit of paperwork for you

[Trofo]

~snip

Send me tx id over PM and I will send you joining details.

plan to join for sure, and as I understood there is no free lunch for all-timers
just a question, is it possible to have fee deducted from my weekly campaign payment? just for the sake of transaction fee (maybe some more participants from your campaign will join, and you can add all these to one transaction, if they also choose to have deduction from campaign payment)

if not, I will send payment other way, probably on Tron

edit: it is fine to just send pool transaction this week, and rest to send with next week campaign, so that you don't have one more address in transaction , just a bit of paperwork for you

Possible for sure, now that you brought it up it is open for others as well. Please let me know if you want it handled that way.
Tagging some of you that I feel could use this offer

Code:

Saint-loup
Igebotz
notblox1
Harkorede
slaman29

I will deserve the right to pay the rest to your wallets immediately or next week depending on mempool state on Sunday.

[Harkorede]

I will deserve the right to pay the rest to your wallets immediately or next week depending on mempool state on Sunday.

That's a perfect solution imo, and I'm opened to that option.

It shouldn't be an issue for anyone that is on the same sig campaign and wants to participate in this Pool.

[LTU_btc]

Last AFCON was really, really dull. Few goals and just cautious play. Algeria was shit. Egypt was lobbing balls everywhere, Senegal were the best but also just not reckless enough. Watchability is less about talent, more about risk-taking.

Now I remember why I barely watched previous AFCON. Games weren't very exciting and IIRC there was plenty of 0:0 scores and very few having over 2.5 goals.
I still have to find where to watch it, usually AFCON isn't covered well here and remains in shadow of club football. I think it's streamed on worst possible service in my country - Viaplay, so, probably I will have to look for IPTV.
Going to pay on weekend. If fee will be not too crazy will go with BTC, if not, will have to figure out with USDT as I never used it .

[Igebotz]

Last AFCON was really, really dull. Few goals and just cautious play. Algeria was shit. Egypt was lobbing balls everywhere, Senegal were the best but also just not reckless enough. Watchability is less about talent, more about risk-taking.

@Igebotz luck? Personally, AFC is more fun for Southeast Asians like myself. We're physically disadvantaged so we have to be fitter, more running, more recklessness (check out Japan's last WC, they were not lucky, they were harder working and more adventurous, way more watchable). I regularly used to watch qualifiers and even bet, it's really fun, sure less talent but great spirit.

I just mentioned a few of the reasons why most of the North African teams performed poorly in the last edition.

Remember the Suarez handball that cost Ghana a semi-final and a potential world cup winning run in the 2010 World Cup? There were a few unpleasant occurrences like that.

If Benzema, Ozil, Pogba, Mbappe, and others had represented their father's nation, Africa would have had 2-3 world cups by now.

@Trofo you have a good solution but I have a running ticket in USDT if it plays I won't have problem distributing/paying in USDT and settling the Mafia spy notblox1. Ordinals are making BTC the wrong assets to hodl.

[casperBGD]

~snip
Possible for sure, now that you brought it up it is open for others as well. Please let me know if you want it handled that way.

I am considering this done deal
both options with sending the rest this week or next week are fine with, and it is up to you and network fees what will happen

let's have better AFCON than last season when it was most 0-1 goals games during group stage, and Egypt played 0:0 120 minute matches during kick-out stage
nevertheless, last time I was on podium, so have something to defend here

[Saint-loup]

Possible for sure, now that you brought it up it is open for others as well. Please let me know if you want it handled that way.
Tagging some of you that I feel could use this offer

Code:

Saint-loup
Igebotz
notblox1
Harkorede
slaman29

I will deserve the right to pay the rest to your wallets immediately or next week depending on mempool state on Sunday.

No problem for me, it can be done like that. But if it's too boring for you to handle special cases, I can pay in USDT through Tron instead, fees are usually low on this blockchain.

But if we only choose 1, AFCON please! We want games people watch and I don't think we've got that many Asian timezone peeps (sorry guys, majority haha).

I'm not sure you're right to be honest, there are maybe more Bitcointalk members belonging to the Asian timezone than the African/European one actually, many members come from Indonesia, Philippines, India, East Russia(Russia could join AFC in the coming years btw), Australia, etc, so it's sad Superbru doesn't cover it because it would interest many people IMO, I hope they will do it next year.

[slaman29]

@Trofo yes please that is an excellent option! I was about to even ask someone if they are willing to put sidebet for me for 1 mbtc because min withdraw at SB/LC is 2 mbtc lol

Anyway, I am indeed going to be sad if nobody considers AFC Cup, but I see many people here already do, so I smile with tears jk

The reality is we must go with majority and easy to find. I know betting is easy, watching is also easy for us in Asia, all TV shows it easily for free, but the timezones are way crazy for everyone else. And no easy way to calculate points, so we have to be realistic.

But you guys understand it is 90% the other way around for us, imagine missing almost all the live games, and BSFL deadlines of 1/2am lol

But if we only choose 1, AFCON please! We want games people watch and I don't think we've got that many Asian timezone peeps (sorry guys, majority haha).

I'm not sure you're right to be honest, there are maybe more Bitcointalk members belonging to the Asian timezone than the African/European one actually, many members come from Indonesia, Philippines, India, East Russia(Russia could join AFC in the coming years btw), Australia, etc, so it's sad Superbru doesn't cover it because it would interest many people IMO, I hope they will do it next year.

You're right. I remember meta section showing majority of users here belong from India timezone until Indonesia timezone. I am in Beijing timezone myself, +8 UTC. And I'm quite surprised you know about Russia joining AFC

On the other hand I hate to say this but majority of users from my corner of world aren't 'quality' users. Mostly spammers, signature collecting and bounty chasing. Even in gambling section I have to say I know almost for sure which posters are from my region, and they don't gamble. I don't see them in casino chats, not in pools, no posting bets etc. Not everyone of course, but general impression. I feel ashamed sometimes actually seeing their bad posts and a few words they forgot to machine translate (I can read their language) so I know where they're from.

[Igebotz]

I'm not sure you're right to be honest, there are maybe more Bitcointalk members belonging to the Asian timezone than the African/European one actually, many members come from Indonesia, Philippines, India, East Russia(Russia could join AFC in the coming years btw), Australia, etc, so it's sad Superbru doesn't cover it because it would interest many people IMO, I hope they will do it next year.

On the other hand I hate to say this but majority of users from my corner of world aren't 'quality' users. Mostly spammers, signature collecting and bounty chasing. Even in gambling section I have to say I know almost for sure which posters are from my region, and they don't gamble. I don't see them in casino chats, not in pools, no posting bets etc. Not everyone of course, but general impression. I feel ashamed sometimes actually seeing their bad posts and a few words they forgot to machine translate (I can read their language) so I know where they're from.

You seem to have read my mind, no doubt the Asians are among the most active users here, but how many of them are part of an active pool?  How many of them actually watch football or talk about it? Only a small fraction of Asians watch football, and half of those who do are not members of Bitcointalk. I've been in Asia, so I'm more familiar with the culture. But it unfair to not have the competition on Superbru at least.

Trofo - Girona and ATM ruined my ticket last night, I should have gone with BTS. Deduct from my signature payment if I don't send in USDT before pay day.

[darxiaomi]

Ahhhh i dont know if im gonna take part this time, i remember doing shit in this competition and also doesnt understand the way african teams play it was very dificult to predict the outcomes.

Im gonna think for a few days, and after that i comeback here with my conclusion.

[cryptofrka]

Well, surely, if Asian Cup isn't even on Superbru it complicates things too much.
It was just an idea, considering that the last few Asian Cups were more interesting (football-wise) than AFCON.

I hope AFCON turns out good this year, there are too many good players there for it to be so boring.

______________________________

Trofo, count me in of course. I'll send the buy in in some way in the next few days.

[Igebotz]

Well, surely, if Asian Cup isn't even on Superbru it complicates things too much.
It was just an idea, considering that the last few Asian Cups were more interesting (football-wise) than AFCON.

I hope AFCON turns out good this year, there are too many good players there for it to be so boring.

Man Superbru is a business, and they are not going to put a bunch of low-interest tournaments on their website. Nobody who cares about football is watching the match between Iran and Palestine. It will be nothing more than supporters using it as a platform to play politics as usual.

CAF increased the AFCON prize by 40% to $7m

[CLS63]

Depending on Osimhen's performance it wouldn't be a surprise for me if Nigeria progress until the finale this year. I don't think Senegal have the same power from 2 years ago. Especially after Senegal's star Mane left Liverpool his performance declined quite much.

I made my payment in USDT and sent the txid by PM.

[cryptofrka]

Man Superbru is a business, and they are not going to put a bunch of low-interest tournaments on their website. Nobody who cares about football is watching the match between Iran and Palestine. It will be nothing more than supporters using it as a platform to play politics as usual.

CAF increased the AFCON prize by 40% to $7m

Yup, that's why they have A-League, Scottish Premiership, South Africa league and women's Prem. Cause everybody wants to watch Dundee - Motherwell and Swallows - Golden Arrows.

I understand it's not that significant, but top Asian teams can easily go head to head with the top african ones. We don't need to play it, they don't need to have it, but you make it sound like it's way worse than it is.

[Igebotz]

Man Superbru is a business, and they are not going to put a bunch of low-interest tournaments on their website. Nobody who cares about football is watching the match between Iran and Palestine. It will be nothing more than supporters using it as a platform to play politics as usual.

CAF increased the AFCON prize by 40% to $7m

Yup, that's why they have A-League, Scottish Premiership, South Africa league and women's Prem. Cause everybody wants to watch Dundee - Motherwell and Swallows - Golden Arrows.

I understand it's not that significant, but top Asian teams can easily go head to head with the top african ones. We don't need to play it, they don't need to have it, but you make it sound like it's way worse than it is.

Scottish and South Africa league are B class leagues with real fans base. None of the Asian league are on the C level.

South Africa's league is biggest on the continent and one of the biggest in the world, with a greater fans base. Football is not an Asian culture; they are only now starting to feel relevant and are paying outrageous amounts to recruit players and supporters.

Top Asian clubs? Who are they ?

[casperBGD]

Man Superbru is a business
~snip

Yup, that's why they have A-League, Scottish Premiership, South Africa league and women's Prem.

exactly this, because there is probably more fan based money in Women Premier league than in whole Asian leagues combined, with players included
Scottish also, I know almost all clubs in top4 Scottish divisions, and would have hard time to list 10 teams from whole Asia, South Korea and Japan excluded

not sure about South Africa, but it is commonwealth as well, so probably that is the reason (or Superbru founders have some connections there, and that would explain AFCON as well)

[slaman29]

Well, surely, if Asian Cup isn't even on Superbru it complicates things too much.
It was just an idea, considering that the last few Asian Cups were more interesting (football-wise) than AFCON.

Man Superbru is a business, and they are not going to put a bunch of low-interest tournaments on their website. Nobody who cares about football is watching the match between Iran and Palestine.

I agree it doesn't make sense businesswise but many people including myself believe Iran vs Palestine is more interesting than Ghana v Cape Verde, sorry but it may be more commercial but our football is more exciting

You seem to have read my mind, no doubt the Asians are among the most active users here, but how many of them are part of an active pool?  How many of them actually watch football or talk about it? Only a small fraction of Asians watch football, and half of those who do are not members of Bitcointalk. I've been in Asia, so I'm more familiar with the culture. But it unfair to not have the competition on Superbru at least.

Trofo - Girona and ATM ruined my ticket last night, I should have gone with BTS. Deduct from my signature payment if I don't send in USDT before pay day.

Yes, I think I was the only one who 'complained' about timezone issues of promotions in SB and other casinos. All others from my area in general don't contribute. I know I'm gambling minority so I accept it, therefore favor Afcon. At least Africa timezone is couple hours earlier than UK, so I can watch many games.

Asian football is big but excluding South (India, Pakistan etc) and I think middleclass only watch foreign football. Numbers wise though its actually even bigger than many Europe countries.

Last one was so boring though I watched almost all Egypt games but my god, not even Salah can light it up.

[buwaytress]

@slaman29 @Igetbotz I just felt I had to comment haha. I speak of Southeast Asia, only because that's where I'm from and most familiar with. I agree with Slam I lived/worked for years in South Asia (India, PK, Afghan, Sri Lanka) and cricket is 100 times bigger there than football. They play games in cricket stadiums and hockey stadiums, and even now the Indian league is struggling with attendances. These guys who do watch football don't play it, and support European teams.

In defence of AFC football:

Yes
Football quality and commercial value in Southeast Asia is probably among the worst in the world. No one plays professionally, salaries are often below minimum wage and development is bottom priority. In my state, literacy is at a record high 50%, we still have more than half the population only reachable by river or air, health is shit, so you get where financial priorities are (not sports).

Yes
Most people outside of Even in the biggest football nation of Indonesia, where you have probably 20 big teams, they will only dream of a regional appearance to meet the bigwigs of East Asia and Middle East in AFC Cup, so of course you'll never hear about these teams. Also because AFC (to include Australasia) is the lowest-funded of all the football associations, they simply don't broadcast internationally.

However, I have to disagree about passion and fan base @Igetboz

Scottish and South Africa league are B class leagues with real fans base. None of the Asian league are on the C level.

South Africa's league is biggest on the continent and one of the biggest in the world, with a greater fans base. Football is not an Asian culture; they are only now starting to feel relevant and are paying outrageous amounts to recruit players and supporters.

I'm from Borneo, where there are 3 countries, and football is probably the worst quality but I grew up watching football every week with my family (yes, even mom and sisters but mainly with dad, granddad, classmates). Our city only had 150k people but stadium capacity of 10k was filled beyond belief every match, even though we were shit. In 1999 we got to our only cup final played abroad against Brunei. But everyone who could afford it took planes or even 3-day ferry trips to see it. That night, we lost, but I remember the entire game. 100% local lads who never left the country vs a squad who had import European players. The stadium was filled, people were camping outside, riot police were busy all night, the match ended and everyone was just brawling with police haha.

Later in life, I understood these were the ultras. And Southeast Asian ultras have been around since at least the 1970s, this is when most nations became independent. You have to understand that 10 nations in SEA all warred with each other for centuries, before they all warred against Europe and US (as colonial powers). Unlike the Second World War, our civil wars etc wasn't fought too long ago. Our parents went to war, most of us in my generation have decorated war vets as uncles and dads. So when we play football with each other, so much rivalry and national pride was at stake.

You lived in Southeast Asia @Igebotz, I'm surprised you didn't experience our ultras. Indonesia has the "best" -- Malaysia and Thailand,has pretty loud contingents who travel.

Malaysia-India 2 months ago: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxdN3QyjrYI
Bali United (Indonesia), I had the pleasure attending a game in 2014 but this is a recent video: https://www.youtube.com/shorts/_KfwWusE9Rw

I realise Youtube has so few videos but you have to really be there. The electric, the noise, the smell of sweat and piss haha.

All this for teams who know they will never see fame on the international stage. Indonesia has been for years the most dangerous football scene in the world (yes, even beating our friends in South America).

Watch this one, Jakarta's most famous ultras: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4gprXc_gBmg. They are so rabid they collect fees from members and are their club's main sponsors! These even have women ultras, and are playing in 2nd division! These are not "Real fan base" enough for you?

I know Algerian and Morocco ultras are the best (I love their chants too) but these are guys who will regularly see good regional and international football, with pretty good coverage. I really think you're doing Asian football a disservice. Yes it's low quality. Yes even the pitches are like cow farms when it rains. Yes it's shit.

But fan culture and passion? You have to recognise football in our unknown corner of the world is at least as big and passionate as in Europe.

[Igebotz]

exactly this, because there is probably more fan based money in Women Premier league than in whole Asian leagues combined, with players included
Scottish also, I know almost all clubs in top4 Scottish divisions, and would have hard time to list 10 teams from whole Asia, South Korea and Japan excluded

not sure about South Africa, but it is commonwealth as well, so probably that is the reason (or Superbru founders have some connections there, and that would explain AFCON as well)

Comparing the Scottish and South African leagues to some random Asian leagues is a heinous crime. With a gun to my head, I can name more than ten Scottish and South African clubs, along with their star players and upcoming fixtures. The same cannot be said for the most popular Asian league (China).

I agree it doesn't make sense businesswise but many people including myself believe Iran vs Palestine is more interesting than Ghana v Cape Verde, sorry but it may be more commercial but our football is more exciting

Only South Korea and Japan can compete with Cape Verde, and for the record, Cape Verde is one of Africa's worst football nations.

Edit: buwatress I will reply you shortly, didn't see your post. I'm driving.