Game, Set and Cash

GameSetAndMath

The GOAT
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Have you ever heard of the term "Courtsiding". This refers to a person who is watching
a tennis match live in a court and transmitting the results of each point faster to his
employer (which is usually a sporting data company that indulges in gmabling)
using a phone. Because they could usually convey the results of each point about
5 to 10 seconds faster than it takes to get it officially, the computer program that
uses the data to predict the winner using a model and places bet has much higher
advantage than a casual better who is placing live match bets.

Here is a whole book titled Game, Set and Cash on it.
The funny thing is that technically it is not illegal by any means although the tennis
establishment hates it.
 
I

indepthstats

Interesting. I always wonder how much of a delay there is on Tv or live stat feeds.

I know with soccer you can often see the goals on live betting sites 20-60 seconds before a tv broadcast or live site like flashscore.

I'm guessing it's probably at least that much for a tennis match, maybe even several minutes longer.
 

GameSetAndMath

The GOAT
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indepthstats said:
Interesting. I always wonder how much of a delay there is on Tv or live stat feeds.

I know with soccer you can often see the goals on live betting sites 20-60 seconds before a tv broadcast or live site like flashscore.

I'm guessing it's probably at least that much for a tennis match, maybe even several minutes longer.

Welcome to the board indepthstats. According to the book, it is only 5 to 10 seconds
faster than the official data. But, that is good enough for them to take advantage as
computer programs use these data without any human intervention, processes them,
predict the winner based on preprogrammed models and then places bets if
advantageous as per the odds going on at that moment.

Would you love to work for such companies where you basically get paid to travel
around the world and see matches in person?
 
I

indepthstats

I have also been wondering, is the official data submitted by a scorekeeper or statistician on the court employed by the ATP/WTA? Or is it somehow tied directly into the umpires official scoring of the match?
 

GameSetAndMath

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indepthstats said:
I have also been wondering, is the official data submitted by a scorekeeper or statistician on the court employed by the ATP/WTA? Or is it somehow tied directly into the umpires official scoring of the match?

The official data as far as who wins each point (and consequently, game, set and
match) is directly tied to the Umpire doing something on his gadget.

If you are talking about the stat for winners, unforced errors, aces etc these
are done by separate statisticians. Sometimes, there are multiple such statisticians
one of whom is employed by the tourney and others employed by television
networks.

The "courtsiders" deal purely with who wins each successive point. They
don't care about winners and UFEs.