So how did the Books lose?

[ohnonotthat]

% of the amateur action . . . alot (not sure what "alot" translates to but well in excess of half)

% of sharp action ? less than half (tho not enough to compensate for the recreational chalk players)

% of overall action ? Hard to say but [in spite of this article from this bastion of journalistic integrity ] the overall imbalance is not enough in and of itself to cause the ink to go from black to red for the bookmaking community as a whole.

However, a headline that read, " 'books have average weekend in spite of chalks' failure" will sell far less papers than will one reading, " 'books go to the 'dogs"

*

"Mr Hearst, I've been here for a month and despite what you may have heard there is no war !"

"Whatever, whatever, look - you give me the pictures; I'll give [the public] a war".

In other words, never let the facts get in the way of a good story.