You bet your life

Human Race | Centenarian scores | John Dawson

Briton Alec Holden received a big birthday present from his personal bookie. The year Holden turned 90, he placed a bet with bookmaker William Hill that he would reach his 100th birthday. Hill even gave him longshot odds: 250-1 that Holden would die before April 24 of this year. He made it and his bet—and longevity—won him 25,000 pounds (over $50,000). "When we started taking these bets, 100 years old seemed to be an almost mythical landmark and we were prepared to offer massive odds," a spokesman for the oddsmaker told the BBC. "But these age wagers are starting to cost us a fortune and from now on we are going to push out the age to 110." Holden credits his longevity and health to daily porridge, chess, and, he says, "remembering to keep breathing."

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May 12, 2007, Vol. 22, No. 17

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