Best online bookmaker.

rabbitinlights

Hello, Ive been reading this forum for a while and im trying to learn as much as I can about horseracing, Obviously I love the betting part, but I want to learn more about reading the form etc. What's the best online bookmaker, one that has a bit more information than the likes of paddypower without giving crap odds.


Sean.

masterK

If you are planning on betting online then exchanges are the way to go. It's rare that the odds would be worse on an exchange than with a bookmaker. The only real advantage of bookmakers over exchanges are for multiple bets, but for single bets Betfair is a much better option than any of the online bookmakers.

If you are intent on opening accounts with the bookmakers, have a look for thos e that run free bet offers. I know Paddy Power, VC Bet and Skybet definitely do. My advise is open accounts with all bookies that offer free bets, when you have used them lodge whatever balance you have left and open a Betfair account (who will top up your balance with €30 after you have made €30 worth of bets).

rabbitinlights

Im gonna sound pretty stupid here, Whats the difference between and Exchange and a bookmaker?

Also the only deal ive found is on VCbet, which you get back half of what your first bet is? do you have any links to these other deals?

Sean.

20LEgend

Try this one, should have what your looking for.....

http://www.free-money.co.uk/

masterK

The main difference is with an exchange you are betting against other people and not a bookmaker. Therefore it is possible for you to both lay (offer odds to others, back a horse to lose) as a bookmaker would or to back a horse (as you normally would). Generally speaking the odds available to back on an exchange are 10-20% better than available with bookmakers.

Have a look at http://www.betfair.com for more information on exchange, everything is explained in the help sections. When you get an understanding of exchanges have a go at http://www.playbetfair.com , it's an exchange where you only use play money. It's the best way of learning how they work. If you require any more information just search in google, there are many sites that discuss bookmakers and exchanges.

digiman

Boylesports match your first bet with a free one up to E25. They will then give you the average of your next 10 bets as a free bet, again up to E25. The only thing about the free bet is that you do not get back your stake in the winnings so it is sort of pointless using your free bet on something that is less than evens. I like using boylesports to be honest. Used gamebookers for a while but would rather boylesports.
A while ago if you put on a E50 bet on gamebookers they would give you a free premeirship jersey, but i think that this offer might have finished.

CiaranC

Unless theyve got their act together evry recently, id avoid boylesports online. I had no end of trouble with them.

Havent just left Paddy Power, I have opened an account with them for the first time and find them really good.

rabbitinlights

Ok, Ive joined Betfair and Im trying to get the hang of it, its very different than say paddypower etc. One thing that still confuse's me is the fact that you can change your odds? you can change a 10.5 to a 20? Why would you choose 10.5 instead of 20?

Also, I can only use the Internet to check winners or watch text commentary while Im in work, Does betfair do either of these? I cant seem to see anything like that. I have been using paddypowers text commentary up untill now.

Thanks
Sean.

Crumbs

rabbitinlights wrote:

Ok, Ive joined Betfair and Im trying to get the hang of it, its very different than say paddypower etc. One thing that still confuse's me is the fact that you can change your odds? you can change a 10.5 to a 20? Why would you choose 10.5 instead of 20?

10.5 is the best odds available at that moment. You can change that to a higher amount to "request" that someone give you your preferred odds instead but you risk no one offering those odds and so you won't get any bet matched at all.

If you think the odds will get bigger, request bigger odds but if you think the odds will shorten, take what's there at the time. It's all about supply and demand.

Also, I can only use the Internet to check winners or watch text commentary while Im in work, Does betfair do either of these? I cant seem to see anything like that. I have been using paddypowers text commentary up untill now.

Betfair don't do any commentaries or results service. Stick to whatever you're using now. Some sites have a bet and watch facility and someone here mentioned that Boylesports do a one-month trial where you can watch the races without betting. There may also be a way to get a stream of live broadcasts over the web but I've never checked that out. Others here might know more about it?

20LEgend

Racingposts text commentary is probably the best. Its quick and gives more detail the the Paddypower one.

rabbitinlights

Thanks a million lad's for your help so far, just one more thing, Why in some races are not all the horse's in the listings? Like Black Falcon @ 2pm in Sailsbury today? (on betfair)


S.

digiman

I know I said earlier that I would reccomend Boylesports, but recently I have noticed that their slight has been very slow, I hope that they sort this out as its really annoying, but otherwise a pretty good website

conb07

i am warnng ye to stay clear of boylesoprts....i have just canceled my account after a year of betting with them they completely f*cked me over a €20 bet after i giving them a healty profit over the last few months....the website regulary gives trouble like not being able to deposit money listen/watch races etc......it was so fustrating not being able to back a winner at cheltenham five min before the race because website was giving me trouble AGAIN!!...

i am going to try bet365 as it is regulary mentioned as the best around...i'd advise you to do the same,their website does look pretty impressive, allowing you to stream the big matches/races that you bet on...
oh and you can bet on gaa aswell so no reason not to join them

convert

Please don't drag up old threads.

Closed.