Scottish Open Bowls Betting: A pre-Christmas treat for Betfair Live VideoВ fans

With his bleached hair and penchant for crazy somersaults, Greg Harlow is shaking up the world of bowls. And at 10.0 he's our recommendation for the Scottish Open

Bowls is changing and you can watch the revamped, ultra-fast version of the sport for free on Betfair Live Video at the forthcoming Scottish Open. Andrew Clark marks your card...

Christmas really has come early with the return of the Co-Operative Funeralcare Scottish Indoor Open.

The tournament sponsors may lead you to believe this game is for the old and not for the young. Well, you're right! The crowd are all over 60 years of age but when someone plays badly you'll see flares going off and a few riots. Okay, that might be a slight exaggeration but you do see elderly women taking a break from knitting jumpers in the crowd to wave a finger at some unorthodox play.

All the matches are shown on Betfair Live Video and from November 5, the BBC will broadcasting everything live on BBC Interactive and BBC Scotland. Each game lasts around an hour and there will be plenty of betting opportunities in-running.

Don't be put off by Bowls. It's more exciting that Justin Pipe playing Darts and any Scottish Premier League football match. A shot clock has been introduced for the first time where each player has 30 seconds to play their shot. You're probably wondering whether Barry Hearn has taken over Bowls. Well, thankfully not, but I do think it's a great way to speed the game up and make it more appealing to the younger audience and more importantly to all of us betting on each game.

The new generation of Bowls players play an aggressive, no-nonsense game, unlike the generation before them where Bowls was a steady respectful game between two local villages. Although, the fans enjoy the old generation of players such as 74-year-old Willie Wood MBE. In this day and age, the more sensitive approach to Bowls won't get you far.

I'm a huge fan of Greg Harlow, especially after his 'spectacular' cartwheel on the rink after clinching the 2010 World Indoor Championship. He's ranked number one in the world and in this year's Super 8 Series he lies in second place and looks set for a place in the Champions of Champions at the end of year. I thought Harlow would be shorter than 10.09/1 to win The Scottish Open. Back him. 

The only real threat on his side of the draw is Paul Foster, who he should meet in the semi-final on November 9. Ranked second in the world, the Commonwealth gold medallist is playing on his home turf. No doubt the crowd will be doing the Poznan celebration whenever Foster plays and it can be intimidating for his opponent. Foster is currently 10.09/1 to win. I'd recommend backing both players before the tournament starts. They both have easy first round matches and I can't see any sort of a slip-up from either of them.

No one stands out for me on the other side of the draw. I had no idea they played the game in Israel but Boas Markus has come through the qualification rounds to make the trip over. Little is known about Markus, but no matter what sport you play there's always a surprise package in every tournament. At 200.0199/1, it might be worth a couple of quid with a view to trade in round 2 if he advances. You may end up with a healthy green book.