Mark,

Shame you weren't able to get the account ready for yesterday - but there is always next week! :wink:

Even for those just wanting to back horses Betfair provides some enormous value - yesterday I was only home for the first few races but I managed to get some great prices:

MR1 Tarcoola Diamond - backed at ave $3.16 (2.20 on TAB, 2.70 Top Fluct)
SR1 Grand City - backed at $4.43 (3.00 TAB, 3.30 TF)

For those wondering how I got 4.43 for Grand City I backed it for significantly more than I wanted at 3.85 then layed the unwanted portion of the bet 10 minutes later for $3.50 which means that my effective return on the portion I kept was $4.43.

I also layed a couple of losers - it is kind of fun watching a race and knowing 9 out of the 10 runners will be winners for you - particularly when the one you have layed is running near last!

Also had a couple of "surebets" where I backed and layed the same runner so I won no matter what the outcome.

I think the future has definitely arrived for the serious punters - although I am sure the mugs will keep the TAB profits flowing for a long time yet! No doubt the TABS/bookies will be trying to force the government to act on this but I really don't see how they can stop it. The sensible thing would be to embrace the new technology and for the TABs to join together to set up a true Australian exchange to tap into the huge potential overseas market - but I cant see that happening - it would require them to move with the times and be competitive!

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"Computers can do that????" - Homer Simpson