And it is this ease that has attracted vast numbers of people to take a punt on becoming an author.

FORBES: Self-Publishing's Place On The Hype Cycle

He runs a number of funds that allow patient investors to take a punt on a basket of ideas that may produce a long-term pay-off.

ECONOMIST: Crazy-talking boffins

Eventually the temptation to take a punt on property becomes overwhelming.

ECONOMIST: Bricks and slaughter

And there could be retailing of equity stakes - that is, aimed at the small-scale investor wanting to take a punt on a small-scale company with a big idea.

BBC: Life Sciences laboratory worker

It is acceptable to take a punt on a promising youngster on a tour - as is the case with Adil Rashid - but not on a 34-year-old whose form, on last inspection, had deserted him.

BBC: Jonathan Agnew column