Most bookmakers offer a Top Fluctuations service. Get your bets on before Midday or up to 30 minutes prior to race time and you get the best official price bet.

On the surface, this is fantastic. No worries about a massive plunge on your horse, you can relax, safe in the knowledge that you've secured the top fluc.

BUT, have you ever wondered why bookmakers offer this service? Why would they seemingly give money away? Well, there are several reasons.

1. Accepting bets early at top flucs gives the bookies a chance to frame their markets early. It gives them an indication of where the support is for horses, particularly from syndicates, ratings services and tipping services. It therefore often lowers that horse's price.

2. Top fluctuations are still framed to well over 100% so the bookie never loses because of top flucs.

3. Top fluctuations are designed to entice punters who have no real idea of the realistic winning chances of a horse. It guarantees them the best price on offer.

Plunges occur when there is no early indication of support for a horse. The bookmakers are taken by surprise and crunched Who can forget Iglesia (10/1 into 4/1). It doesn't happen very often, mainly because of top fluctuations.

If you must take top flucs, here are some tips to maximise the price you (and everyone else) gets:

1. Bet with a bookmaker that offers top flucs up to 30 minutes before race time and bet as late as possible.

2. NEVER bet with a bookmaker that charges a commission for top flucs. Remember, you are doing THEM a favour. DARWIN ALL SPORTS, YOU SHOULD BE ASHAMED OF YOURSELVES.

3. There's no such thing as top fluc with the TAB so ideally, don't bet on the tote but if you must, bet as close to race time as you can.

4. Always set the minimum price you are prepared to accept for a horse. That way if the price is not offered, the bet is off.

Value is always the key.

Reenstar,
Another little known point about top flucs is that a fluctuation is the average price of the 2nd 3rd best prices in the ring. If bookie "A" has 9/4, "B" and "C" have 2/1 and the rest have 15/8, 2/1 is the fluc.
The smart bookies can lay their 2/1 money off at 9/4 and win by betting with your money.

Which leads to a point I had forgotten to mention.

To get the best odds available, bet at the track.

VITK