A Valuable Post…

In a previous post, I mentioned I was thinking about sharing a valuable tip. Well, here it is. I haven’t been this direct in the past, but if you read between the lines of my previous posts, you’ll find some useful insights. I receive quite a lot of emails asking for hints and tips, so I thought I’d share this publicly instead of replying individually. This might even give you some new perspectives to consider.

Many people draw parallels between Betfair trading and the financial markets, attempting to treat them similarly. From what I’ve read about forex and other markets, I can say they are very different, though some concepts do overlap—just not in the ways you might expect!

One major concept in financial trading is understanding time frames and trading windows, and Betfair is no exception. It’s beneficial to have rules, but understanding the reasoning behind your rules can help you identify when they might shift or not apply.

• So, what time frames do you trade on Betfair?
• Do you approach every race the same way?
• Do you start trading at 10 minutes out, 5 minutes out, 1 minute out?
• Why?

Many traders haven’t deeply considered these questions and often trade each race similarly, starting at the same times. Before you continue, I suggest you answer these questions based on what you’re currently doing—even if you’re starting to see my point.

Now, I’ll answer these questions to help you rethink your strategy and possibly instantly improve your results if you implement the insights I’m sharing here.

What time frames do you trade on Betfair?

This depends on several factors. Is the race televised? Is it on Channel 4, At the Races, Racing UK, or Betfair Live Feed? If there’s no coverage, I generally don’t trade because liquidity and market flow don’t pick up until the coverage starts. Without it, exiting a position—whether for a profit or a loss—becomes significantly harder, and market trends won’t have as much financial backing.

Do you trade every race the same way at the time?

Definitely not! I prefer to look for moves of a few ticks earlier on, as the market starts to flow and prices begin moving, typically from 7 to 3 minutes before post time, depending on the time of year and coverage. As post time approaches and the market stabilizes, I shift to a more static style of trading and scalp. The market is most solid at post time, with the highest volume, making it safer to scalp and maximize turnover.

Why?

It all boils down to turnover, money being matched, and the specific circumstances of each race, which often vary. For instance, if a jockey breaks a leg at the track causing a 10-minute delay, it would be trading suicide to get involved any earlier than 5 minutes after post time.

Hopefully, this provides substantial guidance for those still learning. Below is a quick clip of me trading a race yesterday. It’s nothing spectacular, but notice how I change styles even throughout the recorded 5 minutes. It also shows that I don’t always get it right; the spike that disrupted my scalping stakes at the end was unfortunate, so I exited immediately. These things happen, but the point still stands.

Related: Sports Trading Guide on What, How, and Why