Hi Goobs,
Lots of the stuff you said on here I totally agree with .I am a traditional backer/layer and cant see any value in trading .But if you want to make things pay (Not trading) then try In Running with the help of a TPD account .Also get good at race-reading and brush up on your form study .Dont depend on too much automation and make sure you have the best software (BA) .
This works for me but it is hard work .But good luck.
Regards
Tico
I don't get it
Far too complicated for the average punter, I've tried, in the past, to get people onboard and that was before PC charges came into force ruined their 'word of mouth' referrals. Most punters I know have heard of the PC expert fees etc of 40%, even the standard commission puts them off.
Plus most racing/dog markets are dead if you want a punt in advance of the off time with maybe a £5 displayed as available at decent odds so even a waste for arbers. Lots of punters just go in at lunchtime and whack on bets for the day, be pointless doing that on Betfair and regular punters don't want to be sat at a PC all afternoon.
Hopefully someone will come along with something new to rejuvenate peer to peer betting but ain't gonna be Betfair and I do think the best days for Horse racing and the dogs are well gone just as pubs have fallen out of fashion.
I had always put it down to the advertising machine but James and others here got me thinking more about the casual punter's perspective and the answer now seems simpler: an exchange is a tad more complicated to use than a bookmaker. The UI, commission/fees, odds fluctuation, not to mention limited or non-existent acca betting which is huge for most casuals. Those in it for the thrill are put off because the relative ease of using a bookie is far more conducive to their ends. The advertising is just following the money from the public it can influence, so it's principally a consequence and not a cause. Amazing how a little discussion can wake up the brain cells sometimes.