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