Betfair - Understanding The Odds

When punters first join the Betfair betting exchange one of the most confusing features may be the manner in which the possibilities displayed. In the UK conventional bookmakers use fractional odds including 6/4, 2/1, 100/30 or sbobet 33/1. On Betfair a decimal odds system is used 2.5, 3.0,4.3 or 34.0.

You can readily convert fractional odds into decimal 6/4 is 6 divided by 4 giving you 1.5 + your stake which = 1. So 6/4 may be the same as 2.5 on the exchange. If you consider what are the results whenever you place a wining bet using a bookmaker your give him your stake money. He places your bet at the agreed odds, say 4/1. If shipped to you he will give you 4 times your stake A�40 plus your original investment back. On the exchanges you never actually pay your stake to anyone so needless to say no should be returned.

The odds about the exchanges tend an average of to be around 20% greater than those provided by the bookies. On outsiders with larger odds the gap can be considerably greater. Horses priced at 33/1 or 50/1 by bookmakers are frequently found at three figure odds on the exchanges.

Although the odds could possibly be better it has to get offset that when your bet or lay is prosperous you will have to pay 5% commission. His is generally easily offset by the better prices that you just re getting this is not always true when betting on short priced horses.

Because Betfair win, i.e. please take a 5% commission from either the backer or layer, no matter what result unlike bookmakers they don't care how often you win. This means that when you are successful there is no danger of experiencing your bank account closed.

The betting exchanges are growing in importance worldwide and if you're considering horse racing and betting then you certainly really do need to use the internet here and have a look in the exchanges, especially Betfair.