So after the challenge of how to find your selection method and when/how to back it we then encounter the issue of how to obtain the best odds.

We have Tab versus Corporate Bookmakers versus Bookmakers versus Betfair.

All perhaps dependent on the price range of the horse/s you back plus your type of betting.

But I'm interested in the idea of approaching bookmakers in the style of 'what can you do for me' to better your competitors.

Has anyone done it or thoughts on what type of offers might be palatable to a bookmaker?

Does it really matter?

If you got a winning system, then you have a winning system.
If you need to rely on an extra point here and an extra point there, then you ain't got nothin'
If you wanna increase your profits, then all you need do is increase your investments.

Of course it matters. At least it does in my opinion.

That extra point here or there...might equal as little or as much as an added 20% extra return on your bet compared to other punters.

Maybe others can afford not to worry about that...well if I can gain that advantage I'm keen to do it.

No offense taken, I'm sorta surprised some punters have so little respect for their money but [in my opinion] it also explains why punters butter up to take unders with the tab every day when backing favourites - compared to a better price that's available elsewhere.

It's a no brainer for me, bit like buying shares on the sharemarket. I want to take the best price available.

If I have to bargain and haggle for it, so be it :-)

Cheers.

But who said my profit was so little that I required it?

I think you've both made an incorrect presumption if that's the case. I'm happy to report a nice profit for the last racing year but that doesn't mean I don't want to improve upon it - without the obvious risk of simply increasing the stake.

Care to refer to your opening post?

never mind I couldn't care less.

Hmmm...I have, I don't get your point or your negativity?

I dont' mind you disagreeing...for that matter either.

Have to agree with Bhagwan that you can get some fabulous prices on Betfair - way above what is being offered elsewhere. Often a genuine 8/1 you can get 12/1 or better.

That said sometimes you will get significantly under if you are not careful. Lay odds can be far too long and small pools may affect placing bets - generally you have to wait until the last one or two minutes to get on with the most 'true' markets. Also you have to be prepared to 'pull' you bet if you cant get the price you are after - and place it elsewhere.

Clearly there are also bookies with Betfair accounts - as these betting exchange markets represent a very convenient way to lay off.

Example from Sandown today -


Race 5 Sandown - Philda - final prices Betfair 4.65 * IAS 3.80.

The Betfair price was 16.67 % higher than totes.

However Betfair final prices can be misleading as they dont represent the range of odds available while the market is 'buidling'.

Race 8 Sandown - Prevaricate - final prices Betfair 16.76 * IAS 14.00.

In this case the Betfair price was 10.40% lower than totes.

The IAS prices are shown for comparison and also they have similar considerations - i.e. the price changes during betting.

For what its worth
I saw a TAB 90.00 winner on Tues 22/7/09 get up & it was 300.00 on Betfair.
That's a 330% difference.

I have seen some huge layoffs on the last 30 secs.

One comes to mind where $30,000 was laid to lose in one bet .
It was a short priced Fav which went from 2.10 to 2.90
In a 6 horse field in a midweek meeting of low importance.
It got snaffled up by the punters remarkably quick.

It fell over.

__________________
Cheers.