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This, according to Jason Byrne, is his 13th year on the Edinburgh Fringe but there's nothing unlucky about that.

At last night's sell out gig at the Assembly on the Mound, even the restricted-view seats were being snapped up and the show was half an hour late, while they tried to get everyone in their seats.

The show - the Byrne Supremacy - is very funny, mostly Byrne's varied observations on everything from his childhood foibles to his hatred of Disneyland.

It's witty and funny and the audience lap up every word.

No heckles here, and no danger that Byrne's going to lose his train of thought, even when he's sidetracked in conversation with members of the audience.

Byrne reports bumping into a man in Edinburgh who said "ah just bought a ticket for yer show, ye better be good then...."

But for most of the audience, this is a safe bet.

A guaranteed good night out in a festival full of choices.

Does it mean the comedy wing of the fringe has sold out?

I'm not so sure. For every comic like Ricky Gervais, who play to thousands on the castle esplanade, there's one like Stewart Lee who is staying loyal to the Stand, a venue he's sold out - but could have done many times over.

Many people will balance their one safe choice with something a bit more off the wall.

There's plenty of choice among the free fringe events which ensure your pocket doesn't take a hit, even if your sense of humour does.

And in fairness to people like Byrne, when he first started, he too would have been that unknown comic, relying on word of mouth rather than his radio show to sell tickets.

With the average stand up show costing £10,000 to stage, can you blame anyone trying to make some money?

The comedy sector has grown dramatically on the fringe - but the unique set up means that's not necessarily at the expense of any other sector.

There are just more shows - and hopefully room for everyone, whether that's established comics or avant garde theatre.