Betfair - Understanding The Odds

From Biolecture.org

When punters first join the Betfair betting exchange just about the most confusing features will be the way that the odds are displayed. In the UK conventional bookmakers use fractional odds like 6/4, sboarena 2/1, 100/30 or 33/1. On Betfair a decimal odds product is used 2.5, 3.0,4.3 or 34.0.

You can certainly convert fractional odds into decimal 6/4 is 6 divided by 4 giving you 1.5 + your stake which = 1. So 6/4 could be the same as 2.5 around the exchange. If you consider what are the results if you place a wining bet with a bookmaker your supply him with your stake money. He places your bet with the agreed odds, say 4/1. If shipped to you he gives you four times your stake A�40 together with your original investment back. On the exchanges there is a constant actually pay your stake to anyone so needless to say no should be returned.

The odds around the exchanges tend normally to be around 20% above those offered by the bookies. On outsiders with larger odds the difference could be considerably greater. Horses priced at 33/1 or 50/1 by bookmakers are frequently purchased at three figure odds on the exchanges.

Although the chances might be better it has to be offset if your bet or lay is productive you'll have to pay 5% commission. His is generally easily offset through the better prices that you just re getting this isn't always true when betting on short priced horses.

Because Betfair win, i.e. have a 5% commission from either the backer or layer, no matter the result unlike bookmakers they cannot care the frequency of which shipped to you. This means that if you are successful there isn't any danger of getting your account closed.

The betting exchanges are growing in importance all over the world and should you be thinking about horse racing and betting then you definitely really do need to use the internet here and please take a look with the exchanges, especially Betfair.