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Death n Taxes · Posted: Mon Apr 06, 2009 6:37 pm Post subject: Betfair v Bookies

When Betfair first came along it lookes to take the bookmaking industry by storm. The bookies (including the big boys are finally starting to fight back. I thought it would be useful to try and put together a list of reasons to use either.

Betfair

Often better odds(althogh often on the longer priced horses
Ability to lay particularly in running
Won't ban winning punters (not a problem for me)

Bookies (some of these apply to some bookies on some races

No issues of liquidity
Have actual shops to watch racing in
Pay first past the post and amended result
Best Odds guaranteed
Improved place terms (Boyle Sports in Particular)
Back a winner and get a free bet on the next race (Ladbrokes and Bet365)
Bonuses on Multiple bets (lucky 15 etc)
NRNB earlier than Betfair on big races
Thrill of receiving hard cash

For a while a only really used Betfair but am using the bookies more as the offers improve. Case in point was my bet on Comply or Die at the Weekend where Betfair had the better odds but I also used Boylesports to cover 5th and 6th. In the end it didn't matter butwas still sorth doing.

Who to others find they bet with most?
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jennywales · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 4:36 pm Post subject:

Interesting question.

I find that by and large I bet with Betfair - not for in-running or laying off or any of those complicated things but because they let me put on a place only bet - and I think Totesport is the only "bookie" that lets you do this other than Betfair. And for place only betting, the Betfair odds are quite often much better than the 1/4 or 1/5 you get with the commercials if you could back place only and not just e/w.

I really should bet more with Totesport, but I find their site slow and awkward and their offers/place odds by and large poor.

Unless of course I am missing something and the commercials DO allow you to bet place only - but if so, I need new glasses.......

value seeker · Posted: Thu Apr 16, 2009 5:56 pm Post subject:

Only been on betfair about 30 months but wished i would have took the plunge earlier ,the technology scared me as it does most people,lost a few bob earlydoors and still am in some markets but learning all the time ,losing £176 from my account last year atCheltenham ,woke me up big style,score lay on cousin vinny .when the trainer came on before race and didnt pick him as one of his best chances in the bumper ,now have a poster next to the computer saying ,Laying an outsider think twice remember cousin vinny ,stare at it every time wild thought come into my head on easy money laying outsiders.

Tried lots on Betfair ,arbing is quite boring but i can see why people do it ,the lay option which you dont have in bookies is probably the fav part .i still have lots of accounts with bookies but only use them ,when they are the blackprint price .
The one thing i dont miss is going in bookies ,some staff especially i have found ex Stanley staff are extremely rude and are to customer care what hitler was to world piece.
Dont miss the betting shop characters either ,like the guy who will always shout whoever is in front as if they have backed it ,when you know they havent got a pot to piss in or the guy who continually swears if his horse gets beat or the guy who hogs the only copy of the racing post in the shop and then puts his 3x 10p Doubles and a 5p treble .
No betfair fan for life ,i think i am

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TAFKAB · Posted: Fri Apr 24, 2009 1:23 pm Post subject:

Jenny, i think powers have a place only market on most races too.
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glennie1970 · Posted: Sat May 16, 2009 8:47 am Post subject:

what a strange thing Betfair is.

I have been trying to get matched this morning on a horse and I can see large amounts of money being moved from the available to back and available to lay, then the money disappears with out having been matched.

Then you ask for a price just a little higher and the orignal price disappears without having been matched. Perhaps it is a sign of little liquidity but it is like a game of cat and mouse. Weird.

I am only trying to get the last £10 matched as I got the other £15 matched last night lol

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