Data usage warning

[parbynat]

This is the first line of the email i just received from Betfair.
This e-mail is an early warning about your recent levels of live Exchange market data usage. Live Exchange market data is for betting purposes only.
I am aware of overusing practice mode but this has me a bit confused.
In previous months I have placed many bets in practice mode per hour, but never more than 1000. Also during this time I have been gathering a bit of data
Recently I have been gathering more data than usual on soccer matches whilst placing only a few bets in practice mode.
As for my live account, it is always funded and I usually place a couple of bets a week.
I don't understand why I have been flagged up on their system.
Can anyone see something I cant?
Thanks

[sa7med]

This is the first line of the email i just received from Betfair.
This e-mail is an early warning about your recent levels of live Exchange market data usage. Live Exchange market data is for betting purposes only.
I am aware of overusing practice mode but this has me a bit confused.
In previous months I have placed many bets in practice mode per hour, but never more than 1000. Also during this time I have been gathering a bit of data
Recently I have been gathering more data than usual on soccer matches whilst placing only a few bets in practice mode.
As for my live account, it is always funded and I usually place a couple of bets a week.
I don't understand why I have been flagged up on their system.
Can anyone see something I cant?
Thanks

Probably you've breached some benchmark they've set

[parbynat]

I have spoke to them via online chat.
They are saying my usage is consistant with a commercial user.
I think its bananas, I work for a living so only use Bet Angel in my spare time.
It's as if my system is up and running all the time and sucking juice out of their servers 24/7

[ShaunWhite]

In previous months I have placed many bets in practice mode per hour, but never more than 1000. Also during this time I have been gathering a bit of data
Recently I have been gathering more data than usual on soccer matches whilst placing only a few bets in practice mode.
As for my live account, it is always funded and I usually place a couple of bets a week.

There's no such thing as placing bets in practice mode, they're simulated bets.

A 'couple of bets a week' isn't going to generate enough commission to make you a user worth having and to them you're clearly a liability rather than an asset.

[spreadbetting]

A commercial user to them is someone who uses their data excessively compared to the amount of comms they generate. Either start betting properly or start placing more than 'lip service' bets or be prepared to have your account frozen, no one likes freeloaders.

[parbynat]

Shaun, Spreadbetting,
I haven't looked at my lifetime profit/loss with betfair on both the sportsbook and the exchange but i would guess that over the years they wish they had more liabilities and freeloaders like me.
I just thought it was a bit unjust.
I would understand if I never placed bets and just sat there grabbing data, it was a bit of data in my free time.
obviously I'll have to change the way i do things.

[sa7med]

I suggest you do some arbing/matched betting to get some money going through the system

[Derek27]

...i would guess that over the years they wish they had more liabilities and freeloaders like me.

Why? Or did you mean less?

[parbynat]

Maybe I'll look into that Sa7med

[ShaunWhite]

Are you running more than 1 simultaneous connection? Practice mode and live?

The commercial use algorithm BF use is quite complex, it's not just commission it's also about behavior, but for very obvious reasons they're guarded about exactly what they're looking for. How much commission have you generated in the last 3 months? Would it cover the cost of servicing you? Last summer even some very successful HFT traders were cautioned so they're very much on top of managing excessive server load.

[parbynat]

I only run 1 instance at a time.
I have no idea how much commision I have paid and how that compares to the cost of servicing me as you say.
I have always bet around £5-£20 a week.
I know its buttons for some of you guys but like most I'm just trying to find something that I would be confident in upping the stakes in.

[spreadbetting]

Shaun, Spreadbetting,
I haven't looked at my lifetime profit/loss with betfair on both the sportsbook and the exchange but i would guess that over the years they wish they had more liabilities and freeloaders like me.
I just thought it was a bit unjust.
I would understand if I never placed bets and just sat there grabbing data, it was a bit of data in my free time.
obviously I'll have to change the way i do things.

Doesn't matter what you've done in the past , sadly Betfair have no loyalties to the people that have helped put them in the position they are now. All pen pushers and data analysts running Betfair these days looking to save or grab that extra buck.

[spreadbetting]

I only run 1 instance at a time.
I have no idea how much commision I have paid and how that compares to the cost of servicing me as you say.
I have always bet around £5-£20 a week.
I know its buttons for some of you guys but like most I'm just trying to find something that I would be confident in upping the stakes in.

To them that's possibly £1 a week in comms, are you polling or using streaming? Polling put a big strain on their servers if you do lots of markets when people poll the markets and there's little activity wthin the market especially as the real activity starts close to the off.

[parbynat]

Yep. No compassion when there's money involved.

[ShaunWhite]

All pen pushers and data analysts running Betfair these days looking to save or grab that extra buck.

Cutting basic comm to 2% had to be paid for somehow and it's an expensive job running an exchange this size with the breadth of sports & depth of markets they have on offer. They can't offer everyone unlimitted bandwidth at these prices so I'm all for them pruning out the deadwood from time to time.