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