Court-side Betting Explained: The Ultimate Advantage, But is it Legal?

When it comes to the world of sports betting there are a few ways to stack the odds so heavily in your favour. Winning is almost guaranteed!

Matched betting and arbitrage are well known ways to make money. Today however we will be looking at another method known as courtside betting or courtsiding.

In this post, we’ll take a look at:

• What court side betting is
• How it fits into the industry
• If court-siding is fair or not
• How courtsiders manage to win
• Courtsiding in football and other sports

And finally, take a sneak peek at some of the things court side betters are using to get an advantage…

What is Courtside Betting?

As the name suggests, court side betting is where an individual or team of people, attend a sporting event to bet ahead of the televised delay.

Naturally, this gives them a huge advantage. Essentially, in most cases, court-siders are just hoovering up all the money left, after an event has happened.

Imagine Federer facing off against Murray. As soon as Murray scores a point, courtsiders swiftly place bets against Federer, capitalizing on a momentary lapse in the odds before they adjust. In horse racing, they seize opportunities by betting against a horse that has already fallen, well before the TV audience even sees it happen. For example: courtsiders wagering on a horse nearing victory in the final furlong while the viewers at home are still seeing the race unfold two furlongs back. This split-second advantage allows courtsiders to consistently outmaneuver traditional bettors.

It’s not hard to see this is an extremely lucrative advantage. This tennis trading strategy is air-tight. However, I don’t expect it comes without its problems. Such as travelling, time away from family, expenses for hotels and entry fees. None of which is refunded if you get caught doing it. Not to mention, the problems you may face with authorities or getting thrown out of different venues or tracks.

Wouldn’t you like to watch some world-class athletes thrash it out, whilst making a fortune?

Is Courtsiding Legal?

So how, exactly, does that fit within the betting industry? As you might expect, the betting industry frowns upon court-side betting.

The two main reasons given for this are that it isn’t fair on those who are betting at home and that it’s just not ethically right, undermining various sports in the process. In fact, in Australia, you could be slapped with a prison sentence of up to ten years, according to the Integrity in Sports Act. In the UK, though, you’re probably safe. The UK Gambling Commission confirm that court-siding is not considered to be an illegal offence.

Ironically, the people that are affected most by this, are not necessarily the ones making the most noise.

The tracks and venues, as well as bookmakers, tend to be the ones most upset about court side betting. Understandably, they have a business to protect. However I can’t help but feel their views are born out of a vested interest, which, in my opinion, isn’t any more ethical than those who do courtside. The racetracks and channels, in particular, don’t like this for similar reasons to the bookmakers. Purely because they want everybody to use their services and pay for their coverage, money talks. I remember being at an event once where a track representative told me they were pushing hard to ban all exchange activity at their track. The bookmakers are no different.

Within tennis, the reasoning appears to be a little bit more genuine…

Is Courtside Betting Fair?

The first thing to say is; of course it’s not. 

Those at the courtside have a formidable edge over the rest of the betting market. However, everybody has a choice to participate.

Courtsiding isn’t particularly secret, especially if you’ve seen the news over the last few years. The only argument I can see for it being unfair, is for those who are at home betting, and are completely unaware that court-siders exist. Of course, that could be countered by saying; “Only fools bet on things they don’t know enough about”. In which circumstances, you can only expect to have your money taken from you. As the saying goes, “A fool and his money is soon parted”.

All things considered, when you look at court-siding and what is required to be a successful court-sider, those who successfully do it probably deserve the money. To me, those who complain about it are generally just bitter it’s not them.

After all, somebody has to be first to market. That person will always have an advantage!

How Courtsiders Win…

Courtsiding has become particularly competitive over the years, as you may expect.

With the huge value of money on offer, everybody wants to be first. Even court-side you’ll find there’s big competition to get bets into the market first. Up to 75 court-siders per match at some of the bigger tournaments. Can you imagine that?!

So, how do they do it and why does it work:

• Real-Time Advantage: Courtsiders attend live events to place bets before the televised delay catches up, giving them a significant edge over those watching from home.
• Quick Reactions: They capitalize on immediate events, like a point won in tennis or a horse falling in a race, to place bets before the odds adjust.
• Teamwork and Communication: Often working in teams, they use radios or other devices to relay information quickly to partners who place the bets.
• Mathematical Models: Successful courtsiders often use mathematical models to determine the true odds, ensuring they make informed bets.
• Stealth and Strategy: They employ various tactics to remain unnoticed, such as blending in with the crowd or using concealed devices.

 

Court Siding Stories

Over the years, I’ve met a few different courtsiders. Some of the stories are just wild…

One particular chap told me how he hunkered up on the final bend of a well-known track, disguised amongst tarpaulin and disused equipment. All so he could communicate via radio, with several others the next day as the horses came romping home. Working amongst a team of 4 on the course, they would all ‘call it’ one after the other. Bets being placed by a 5th user as they did so.

Tennis courtsiding sounds a little more complex. Probably because of the continued efforts to remain unseen amongst the general public. Adapting radios and computer game controllers, sometimes concealed amongst the lining of clothing. It’s big business.

However they do it, you have to credit these guys – they need to know what the ‘true’ price would be anyway. Often running mathematical market models, not the easiest of tasks…

Courtside Betting In Football and Other Sports

Can you courtside (pitch-side) in football and other sports?

Absolutely!

In football for example you can get an edge in the many markets due to the sheer amount of betting markets available on football. Corner markets can be exploited, foul markets, scalping the exchanges can be a very successful strategy if you are able to trade live. When a dangerous free kick is given, there is the chance to quickly back a team and then exit as the market follows in, a team is trailing and misses a clear chance with 10 minutes left…

Although football isn’t talked about as often as other sports, it is definitely a sport where live bettors can make money long-term.

In the sport of boxing for example when there is often advertising in between the rounds. A referee can call a fight and all the money waiting to be matched on Betfair can be cleaned up by the first person to realize the fight is over. In pretty much every sports there is a betting advantage to be had from being there live.

Where Can I Learn Court Siding?

If you wanted to learn court-siding ultimately you will probably need to know somebody already involved. That was willing to pass on their secrets. Whilst they are articles such as this one and blogs that have covered this subject. The complete in and outs of a courtsiding operation are often kept under-wrapped.

This is due to the fact that it is a huge edge in the market.

An edge shared is an edged halved

There is a book available called “Game, Set, Cash” from a former courtsider. Which has some great stories but is not a guide to courtsiding in 2024.

Most people that are actively court-siding or getting a live advantage in 2024 are unlikely to share their secrets. The majority of information shared regarding court-siding is done by those that have retired from it.

Related: Tennis Trading Guide for Betfair’s Exchange