Ladbrokes best punter.

[GeorgeJ]

Petski

May I ask why you bother with bookmakers at all, as from your posts and those of others it seems they often won’t lay a decent bet at the price ostensibly on offer, and anyone who makes a profit is likely to have his or her account closed. What is wrong with Betfair?

I can’t remember when I last bet with a bookmaker, because almost invariably the Betfair price, even after commission, is better, and there is none of this refusing to take bets, closing accounts because one is too successful, etc.

I used to think that Betfair was all right for the likes of me – a relatively low stakes punter – but probably not for those who need to place much larger sums. But the most interesting interview with Alan Potts for which Cavelino Rampante kindly posted a link suggests he now largely uses Betfair, and he is certainly placing much larger bets than me – in the £400 to £700 range.

So unless you are staking so much that you can’t get matched on Betfair, why bother with bookmakers? Do you or other members see ANY advantage in them?

[petski]

I specialise in low grade handicap races, following certain horses that look like they have been plotted up. The trouble with Betfair is there is not enough liquidity in the morning, so for arguments sake if a horse is 12/1 with a bookmaker first thing you are unlikely to be able to get anymore than £20 on Betfair, and if the horse has been plotted up, then 10 minutes before the race the chances are it will be trading at half those odds.

[Drone]

Quite agree George

Other than when scanning Oddschecker to see what Laddies are short/long on I find bookmakers an irrelevance these days

I can understand those who enjoy the social interaction of the LBO using those to bet but can’t understand why anyone betting at home would choose their phone/internet alternatives rather than use Betfair.

…though I still do have numerous dormant credit accounts, just in case the Exchange bubble bursts. Cakes and eating it.

Petski’s tale is a familiar one. If you’re going to use bookies solely to nick best prices then my advice would be to open as many accounts as possible (not deposit accounts) throw in a few small mug bets at SP from time to time, and don’t be greedy and try to take the best price in one hand; if say three books are equal best, then split stakes between them or be prepared to take a little at unders.

Admittedly this is old advice as from what I’ve read on TRF and elsewhere in recent years has led me to the conclusion the majority of bookmakers are less inclined to lay decent bets to decent punters than in days of yore

That was then this is now. Thanks Big Blue

Edit: Yes morning liquidity is pretty poor Petski, but it’s a lucky man who can get whole stake on at exotic odds. The patient drip-drip method of placing a succession of tenners and scores can work either at an offer or by leaving an order, and as I mentioned above if you can get some on at ‘best price’ then be prepared to top up at ‘under price’ secure in the knowledge that overall you still have a ‘value’ bet.

That said it is the afternoon live market that gets 90% of my business and do realise that for those with other commitments this may be difficult.

[GeorgeJ]

Petski

Obviously we all prefer the highest price we can get for our selections, but from your example I wonder if strike rate, rather than price, is really the problem.

[Author]

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