state of origin 2008 betting big puntersA well known punter is looking to cash in a huge $1.2 million if Queensland can win the State of Origin 2008 opening game tonight.

The well-known punter placed $700,000 on Queensland on Sunday at $1.74 with interstate bookie Matt Tripp. He said the bet was one of the biggest sports bet of its kind with millions more expected to be wagered on the Origin encounter around the country.

TAB Sportsbet will hold more than $3million by the time kick-off rolls around at ANZ Stadium with NSW attracting more money on Tuesday than their Queensland rivals for the first time since markets opened.

Queensland were $1.65 with the Blues $2.20. Tripp will be the worst hit should Queensland take out the first game.

“It will be a nervous 80 minutes, the bet is definitely right up there with one of the biggest we’ve written on a sporting event,” Tripp said. “The punter is not a newcomer. He’s one of the biggest in the country.”

Other interstate bookies are expected to brace for a flurry of money on the Maroons given the confidence shown in the six-figure bet with Tripp.

TAB Sportsbet’s Glenn Munsie said money was at one stage running in favour of the Maroons at three to one before the unexpected swing to the Blues.

“Today has been the first time NSW is attracting more interest. We’ve had one punter outlay $10,000 on the NSW win at $2.20, $10,000 with the 2.5 point start at $1.90 and $5000 on a Blues’ half-time/full-time double at $3.75,” Munsie said.

More than $300,000 had been bet on the game by Tuesday night with Munsie expecting that figure to swell to more than $3 million by start time.

“One of the most popular options is the first try-scorer and we’re expecting to be writing 100 tickets a minute leading up to the game,” Munsie said.

By ricky

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