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.
14 thoughts on “A Valuable Post…”
and what do you think about people outside the UK trading completely blind? 🙂
Thanks Crann, very useful..
Petar
I tried BF’s live feed but it was like 5 second delay, online feeds not much better dont know how fast are TV feeds, however there is a shimmer of hope I heard the new Betdaq feed starts at 5 min and you dont even need to bet on the market only have some money on your account so I could give it another try 🙂
Hey, no not at all!! you still have betfair live feed and you can get the channels online. plus there is comentary on radio channels online you can hear when they are loading etc….
Its a couple of seconds at worst for me…. i dont know if being abroad is any worse… but even so you dont need to the second pictures do you. They are helpful even if behind… you just dont want to be trading the wrong time frame is my point, there is no money there otherwise
Hi Caan
Thanks for this post, tips and video.
Regarding the video. May i ask why you didnt get into the fav? Its seems that you where trying to get in the top and bottom of the range of teh 2md and 2rd horse. Thats what you always do?
Thanks
Regards
Thanks Caan, a really interesting read. I’ve read somewhere else that the time frames are crucial to their trading. Thanks again for sharing this info, I’m sure to most people it will be of great use.
Hi Caan.
Thank’s for sharing that mate. One of my biggest problems when I first started the pre-race trading was entering the market way too early, just for the sake of it, before any real moves had developed. As you say, this can quickly put you in the red zone. So it makes sense to hold fire and only enter the market when you have a reason or clear indication of what is happening/about to happen.
The TFF seminars have been a great help in my trading journey and I’ll be endeavouring to put a few examples up of my own trading on my blog during July.
Cheers – Dave.
Hi dan, sometimes I trade the fav too it’s all relative. Just I feel more comfortable at them prices
Hi Caan,
Great video, just one thing, could you please tell me how you get those small blue lines down the side on the geek that represent last traded price. I can’t seem to find them anywhere in settings and they look a really useful tool.
Thanks in advance
Hey anon … You can set this by right clicking on the ladder interface ont selecting chart width, it’s one of the earlier settings so I think it’s under options
Hi Caan
I’m just going through your blog and am up to 3rd July 2013. You sometimes include a video showing yourself trading a theme (as at 3/7/13) but I can never find it. Have they been deleted or where are they?
Regards
Terry (ps I’ve purchased your book and video pack)
Hi Terry, there was a software update which seems to have made them disapear, if you tell me which post i will look at getting it re added… they are all on youtube
Thanks Caan but I’ve got plenty of others (of your’s) to look at so I will press on mate.