| If you place a 'back' bet with a bookmaker in | | | | profitable edge to your favourite sport |
| the usual way and the bet wins, the bookmaker | | | | before you decide on that all important back |
| will pay out your winnings. If the bet loses | | | | bet. If so, I wish you luck because you have |
| then the bookmaker will keep your stake | | | | done extremely well, but you are very much in |
| money. By taking bets from people in this | | | | the minority. |
| traditional way enables the bookies to make | | | | |
| millions of pounds profit each year. You | | | | The lay bet - typical 'layers' attitude ... |
| become the 'backer'. | | | | |
| | | | There is one very important thing that most |
| A 'layer' is the complete opposite of a | | | | 'backers' and 'layers' are likely to have in |
| 'backer', it's basically the same as playing | | | | common - they both want to make as much money |
| the role of the bookmaker. Since the | | | | as possible in the shortest possible amount |
| introduction of betting exchanges such as | | | | of time. This fact is undoubtedly true, but |
| Betfair, you now have the unique opportunity | | | | with some important differences. The 'layer' |
| to lay bets in the same way as a bookmaker. | | | | will not be expecting to make a killing from |
| If the outcome of the event that you lay bet | | | | just one lay bet, therefore is likely to be |
| does indeed lose, then you get to keep the | | | | more patient and better prepared, safe in the |
| stake money just like the bookmaker. You | | | | knowledge that the Betfair lay bet is readily |
| become the 'layer'. | | | | available. |
| | | | |
| As people say "you don't see a poor bookie | | | | Patience will play a big part in all |
| very often". | | | | successful 'layers', their attitude to risk |
| | | | will be much better adjusted, knowing that |
| Therefore, you might want an answer to this | | | | their profit will come over a period of time |
| question:- | | | | by strictly following a good staking plan, |
| | | | they will only lay bet when their system |
| If you can make money from lay betting in the | | | | indicates a strong lay betting opportunity. |
| same way as a bookie, by being a 'layer', why | | | | |
| would anyone want to be a 'backer'? | | | | Now we all know that it's much more difficult |
| | | | to pick a winner, than it is to pick a loser. |
| Well, it depends on what you expect to | | | | Therefore, unlike the 'backer', the odds are |
| achieve from lay betting, also what your | | | | stacked very much in the 'layers' favour as |
| general betting expectations are. Let me | | | | far as the probability of a successful lay |
| explain ... | | | | bet is concerned. |
| | | | |
| The back bet - typical 'backers' attitude ... | | | | Sometimes, this greatly increased chance of a |
| | | | successful lay bet can lure the inexperienced |
| Someone looking for a 'quick fix', knowing | | | | layer into the trap of thinking that lay |
| that each time they make a back bet the odds | | | | betting is easy. Well it is easy to do, but |
| are stacked firmly against them, they are | | | | you need to make confident lay bets based on |
| lured into 'backing' based purely on a hunch, | | | | sound judgement and analysis, always making |
| or a betting tip, maybe from a mate at work. | | | | sure that you are completely familiar with |
| For handing over a relatively small amount of | | | | the type of event you are lay betting, no lay |
| cash,combined with the exciting prospect of a | | | | betting on whims, or hunches. |
| possible good win looming, the temptation can | | | | |
| be simply too much to resist. | | | | On the other hand, the experienced and clued |
| | | | up 'layer' will have complete confidence in |
| If you enter a bookmaker's premises you will | | | | their selection process, whilst adopting a |
| often observe many 'gamblers' with their | | | | highly disciplined and professional approach |
| lists of lucky numbers, betting tips, hot | | | | to their lay betting. They will never lay bet |
| tips etc, going about the same routine always | | | | with money that is needed for other important |
| used to make their selections. A couple of | | | | things like household bills, only using money |
| minutes before each race, they hurriedly | | | | that is set aside purely for their lay |
| glance through the race card, make their | | | | betting activities. Sticking rigidly to a |
| selection then run to the counter to place | | | | good solid staking plan they will never over |
| their back bet, then invariably watch it | | | | commit themselves. |
| lose. The strange thing is that they follow | | | | |
| this same pattern race after race, day after | | | | If your aim is to be highly successful at lay |
| day, week in week out ' and the bookies love | | | | betting on Betfair, you should be looking to |
| them! | | | | achieve a win rate of around 9 times out of |
| | | | 10. This is realistically achievable. |
| Now, I am not suggesting that every backer | | | | Remember you are looking for losers, not |
| falls into the above categories. Sometimes, | | | | winners. |
| 'backers' will strive to put in the extra | | | | |
| work needed, helping them with their final | | | | I do hope this helps you to decide whether |
| betting selections, by analysing stats, | | | | you are a 'backer' or a 'layer'. Thank you |
| studying form, maybe taking advice, of | | | | very much for reading this article. |
| following good quality betting tips etc. | | | | |
| | | | It will come as no surprise to you that I am |
| If you fall into this category because you | | | | most definitely a 'layer'. |
| have developed your own unique method for | | | | |
| selecting that really hot horse in a race, or | | | | Which one are you? |
| statistics might be your thing, giving you a | | | | |