Betfair - Understanding The Odds

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

You can simply convert fractional odds into decimal 6/4 is 6 divided by 4 that gives you 1.5 + your stake which = 1. So 6/4 could be the same as 2.5 about the exchange. If you consider what happens when you place a wining bet having a bookmaker your give him your stake money. He places your bet at the agreed odds, say 4/1. If you win he provides you with 4 times your stake A�40 as well as your original investment back. On the exchanges you never actually give over your stake to anyone so obviously no need to be returned.

The odds about the exchanges tend normally to be with 20% greater than those available from the bookies. On outsiders with larger odds the gap can be considerably greater. Horses pricing 33/1 or 50/1 by bookmakers is frequently found at three figure odds around the exchanges.

Although chances could possibly be better it's to be offset that if your bet or lay works you will need to pay 5% commission. His is generally easily offset with the better prices that you just re getting this is simply not always true when betting on short priced horses.

Because Betfair win, sbobet i.e. have a 5% commission from either the backer or layer, no matter the result unlike bookmakers they do not care how frequently you win. This means that if you are successful there is absolutely no danger of experiencing your money closed.

The betting exchanges are growing in importance around the world and should you be interested in horse racing and betting you then do need to use the internet and please take a look in the exchanges, especially Betfair.