does it? they can stipulate all they want, i simply go by my experience in using the product, beats hands down anything else I have encountered.

& I hate to bring this old chestnut up but seriously how long does one get 'best tote/sp, best whatever' once ones account is regularly getting topped up with the bookies money?

whats the use of these betting products when they only let you on for a pittance or eventually show you the door?

its all a gimmick imho

well, ok you have a valid point there but that is a different argument isn't it? as far as my betting is concerned my maximum bet is $100 usually and only very occasionally $200 so I don't think they'd be looking too closely at me, mind you I do have a lot of bets.

dont think it is a different argument as it not 'best of whatever' if they wont let you on

to use your own words from recent thread - 'smoke & mirrors' - nothing new here.

party if you insist on continually contradicting yourself it becomes difficult to enter any sensible and rational discussion.

Syallbus, sorry if you missed the twist, my original post was a comparison overall of BFSP (on its own) v BOB or best tote as available at the lower end of the market, namely opening favs. my research shows very little difference and in fact a slight advantage best tote after commissions are taken into account. This contradicts claims that BF has 20% better odds, now it might have 20% better odds v individual totes when you take ALL results into consideration but not when you compare it to the BOB or Best tote (as available) especially at the lower end.

Now, when it comes to betting @ BF SP but stipulating a minimum price that you will accept, that's a different story. e.g. say you want $100 on a nag but your minimum price you state at say $3, ok you might get more than that but if the max available is $2.90c, then its a no bet and you get your money back, (just explaining that for those that don't know it's available) as you can place your bet b4 racing and know that you will either be on at value or get your money back I consider that an excellent product.

So sorry, I don't think I'm contradicting myself there??

And Stugs, again I don't agree, WHEN they close your account then best tote is not available at that point, in the meantime it is available, so I say its a different argument ;still.

Interesting argument fellas.

It is horses for courses, it all depends on the price range and the type of odds you're backing.
Party is correct about BFSP in many cases, as many of you may be aware, many bookies are laying off on Betfair on the first two favourites at the last minute distorting what would have been a very nice SP price.
I met one bookie two weeks ago who does just that.
What happens is he lays off a lot of money right down to below bookie ring prices, because his average price is higher.
That's why we see many odd prices below bookie SP.

However with minimum price stipulations, Betfair is a fantastic revolution in my opinion.
It doesn't look quite so fantastic in the raw figures because of the above paragraph, nor does the questionable 20% bear much reality because of liquidity at the longer end.

However on firmers in the ring on track here's a quick workout....

Bookie SP -55.65 units or -11.57%
NSWTAB +15.30 units or +3.18%
UNiTAB +21.70 units or +4.51%
STAB +37.20 units or +7.73%
Best Tote +64.70 units or +13.45%
Top Fluctuation +100.75 units or +20.95%
Betfair SP +123.92 units or +25.76%

BFSP beats top fluctuation and even more so with a minimum price stipulation, you can get on up to the jump (unlike Top Fluc) and they won't limit your account to pennies.

In effect one is able to get on Top Fluctuation up to the jump (hypothetically).
Where else in the racing world is this allowed ;)

nice stuff Chrome, is that ALL firmers all prices or opening favs only?

also am I correct that although the comparison is intertesting you couldn't actually back @ Top Fluc because in most cases the bet has to be on 40 minutes b4 the race, and of course you would only know what you were backing a few minutes b4 the off?

That's all firmers, all prices.

That's my point Party, you couldn't actually bet Top Fluctuation with the bookie because they cut you off if you win, and close Top Fluctuation well before betting really begins.
But taking BFSP with a price stipulation is the equivalent, and you can get on up to the jump.

Completely incorrect.

This is where it started..........partypooper
Member Join Date: Jan 1970
Location: Western Australia
Posts: 2,400

is Betfair a Myth?(without prejudice)

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WITHOUT PREJUDICE


I've suspected the worst for a while, but now I'm convinced its a case of "Smoke and Mirrors"

here is the comparison for the last 13 days from my returns from a place system that I've run for 5 years +

Its the best tote that I ACTUALLY got, -V- the best price that I COULD HAVE GOT from BF (not accounting for commission)

Best Tote.....................................BFAIR
19.54 ...................... 18.25
18.6 ...................... 18.15
12.14 ...................... 12.04
9.1......................... 8.6
19.91 ...................... 19.26
12.6....................... 12.01
22.30..................... . 21.42
21.9....................... 22.04
8 ......................... 8.47
17.4 ....................... 17.9
19.10 ........................ 18.78
19......................... 19.81
19.30........................ 17.88

218.89 ...................... 214.61


just wanna warn fellow punters for most of us its NOT what its cracked up to be, when it comes to the actual horses that you back you'd be far better off getting BOB/Best Tote/sp,/ Best tote/ Country Best in that order, (all in my substantiated opinion.

12 replies and not one mention from anyone that BF "never advertised the 20% better claim."

OK
I'm sorry, must have been imagining things I suppose.
Mea culpa and all that.

Cheers