The wide range of betting options for Commonwealth Games

What are the odds? Will it rain, will an athlete trip and fall or will a flag hit the deck at the opening ceremony? Photo: Photosport.nz

Talk about betting on two raindrops racing down a wall.

An Australian gambling agency has set odds of A$2.20 that rain will "dampen the mood" at the Commonwealth Games opening ceremony.

Sportsbet have extended that to A$81 that a "thunderous downpour" will force the event to be cancelled.

Just to clarify, the email was sent on April 3, not April 1.

Showers caused by the aftermath of tropical cyclone Iris are set to continue this week, according to the Bureau of Meteorology. As much as 10mm of rain is forecast when the Games open tomorrow. Most showers are expected in the evening alongside south-easterly winds.

Fans planning to take an umbrella might need to exercise care. They are allowed inside venues, but cannot be put up in the stands.

Those in open air seats could face a dousing.

Games chairman Peter Beattie said he was "nervous as hell" about the weather.

In addition, Sportsbet have offered opening ceremony books on athletes tripping and falling, and whether flags will be dropped.

All eyes will be on the athletes as they parade around the Carrara Stadium with A$5 on offer for one of them to stumble over, and $12 for a national ensign to hit the track "accidentally".

Bookies often 'cap' the max bets on these minor markets to prevent spot fixing.

The odds extend to the television audience - A$2.50 is offered that the event will be the highest rating Australian show of 2018.

"The odds of rain are short, it's really touch and go, but thankfully the chances of the event being cancelled are massive,'' Sportsbet communications manager Will Byrne said.

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