You've seen them on the telly, you've seen them on-course, shouting the odds and holding wads of notes seemingly effortlessly won from the hapless punters. Are you fed up with fighting what seems a lopsided battle? How about going over to the enemy?

Well, it's doesn't have to be just a pipedream. These days, the closed ranks of the bookies are open to newcomers, so you really could jack in the day job to become an on-course bookie. That's not to say that you could wake up tomorrow morning, decide to be a bookie and be taking bets by the end of the day. There's a formal procedure, and that's what this article sets out to explain: how you go about negotiating your way through all the red tape.

Make no mistake

But let's be absolutely clear from the start though - you'll need money up front, real guts, a good nose and sharp mind to survive long enough in the betting ring jungle to gain the priceless experience that's key if you're to have that wonderful lifestyle and riches you so desire. The grubby hat is optional.

So, where do you start your new life as a racecourse bookmaker? There's a lot more to it these days and, as some aspirants found out when they did their money in 1998 in the immediate wake of changes to who controlled the right to bet at racecourses, there always was. Indeed, you must negotiate lots of fences before a single bet is even struck.

Before donning your new outfit and taking on the ring you must prove to local magistrates that you're a 'right and proper person' to become a bookie. So, no criminal record, and on your application form you need two people to vouch that you are a good guy. And no, that can't be your mum, as the person has to be unrelated. Don't even bother trying to lie about a dodgy criminal past either, as a copy of your application has to be sent to police chiefs and those probing chaps at customs and excise.

Within 14 days of making your application you have to post an application notice in the press, allowing anyone who has an objection to you becoming a gentleman of the turf to stand up and point the finger at you. If all of that proves to be a formality, you then turn up at the prescribed magistrates court and hope your licence is granted - it'll cost you £133, but compared with other outlays it's a snip.

Next you need to apply to be an authorized bookmaker by the National Joint Pitch Council (NJPC). The big stumbling block here for aspirants is you must provide details of 'previous bookmaking experience'. If all your previous is getting a yankee up at the local high street shop or laying a couple you didn't fancy on the exchanges then you would be a lamb to the slaughter. Punters and on-course bookies alike would eat you for breakfast as the inexperienced are ruthlessly preyed upon. You would really want to have volunteered your services to an on-course book for some time already, learning some of the basics before having a pop at being your own boss.

The bookie revolution

Anyway, assuming you meet the NJPC's requirements and hand over a further £120, you'll probably be accepted. As long, that is, as you have £10,000 worth of bond that you can hand over for six months (£5,000 for Silver Ring and 'other' enclosures). You'll also need public liability insurance to the tune of £2 million, though joining your local BPA (Bookmakers' Protection Association) will cover this. At this time you'll have to send in mug shots of yourself and any staff you'll be employing as they too will be registered with the NJPC. You want to pick them carefully, because you're responsible for their actions while in your employ on course.

Assuming all that's sorted, you're ready to bet - just as soon as you've got a pitch. Which brings me to the 1998 revolution. For over a century the right to bet on Britain's racecourses was a well-guarded, self-governed closed shop. To obtain a pitch you had to be born into a bookmaking family and inherit the right to step into your father's shoes or be prepared to sit on the end of a waiting list for the best part of your adult life.

Even then, at the more prestigious meetings the only way bookies in the back row pitches could move up the line to the better positions would be with the demise of one of their higher-placed brethren, and only then if they had no son to leave the family inheritance to. Six years ago it all changed when control of betting rings was transferred from the BPA and National Association of Bookmakers to then-new body the NJPC.

The main impact this had on the betting ring was that bookies could buy and sell their seniority positions, or in effect 'pick number' at racecourses up and down the country. The first pitch auction took place in late 1998, when there was a huge voluntary cull of the old guard from the ring and a swathe of hopefuls bought their way into their places. Many established bookies bought pick numbers they could never have attained in a lifetime the way things had been run, while a lot of the old brigade took the money and ran, or rather, hobbled off to the seaside.

In the first year many of the new firms soon found that betting on the racecourse wasn't the money for old rope it was supposed to be and went bust. Things have settled down these days. The full houses mid-week of those early days of the NJPC have gone and the rings have found their level.

You can buy a low number pick and still bet in pretty good positions mid-week. However, beware - the reason for this is that the business is probably not very brisk, especially in the winter, and will not stand too many books. That's the reason you will be able to bet in someone else's pick position, because they probably don't feel it viable to attend.

Old rope to hang 'emselves

But this isn't always the case. A glance at the fixture list will pinpoint possible clashes where bookmakers have a choice of meetings to attend. Another reason for a bookmaker not attending could just be that they're not that ambitious these days and would rather just turn up and bet in their good pitches on busy weekend and evening meetings.

Pitches are often advertised for sale in the Racing Post or at NJPC auctions. How much one costs is down to the depth of your pocket and what's available - anything from £250 to over £100,000. Premier pitches would be out of reach of most and rarely come up for sale, but middle-pin and lower positions often attract no bids at auction so can be picked up easily and cheaply. But be warned: they're hard to give away for a reason!

Once the proud owner of a pitch or two, you'll need your gear: computer with bookmaking software and accessories and umbrella. You may or may not be able to pick up some second hand stuff, but new you're not going to get much change out of £5,000. Once kitted out, you're off to do battle with some shrewd cookie punters and your fellow bookies. That's when the really hard work begins. Good luck!