BE very Prepared for the big one

[Alpha322]

I could see why Betfair do not void bets (Open Trades) when their system crashes, think about it as far as they are concerened you have placed a bet on their exchange and it was matched. You cannot say to a high street bookmaker who has had to close the shop for a half hour or something you couldnt barge in there and say oi my bet is on but your closing, i want me doh back, just be Careful trading the markets at Cheltenham, the markets will be like Tar am sure most of you know that, it will force you to use bigger stakes and the 10 tick swing trade wont exisist unless a favourite bucks and runs away from the start. I tend to approach it like peter, Day 1 see whats going on in Practice mode, day 2 Stake build, day 3 go for it but with stakes i can accept using, but have back up Betdaq or a bookmaker online account if you get caught in what i call a Crash lay, log in to your bookmaker and back the same horse at the best price you can get on at, that has saved me on a couple of occasions, my 365 account is always up on the other screen with sitting funds, Betfair has a tendancy of API failure at Cheltenham, if you get caught with a back bet hope to the almighty trader that you can lay it away on Betdaq. The moral of this post is be prepared have back up,

Have a great Cheltenham

[steven1976]

For people using small stakes it can be very boring Cheltenham and hardly worth while in my view. I think the hype can be misleading. Make sure you stay in your comfort zone and dont get carried away with the big numbers. Each tick is still worth the same it is on any other market

[andyfuller]

Each tick is still worth the same it is on any other market

Well said - I can't say I was ever the fan of the big meetings. I always preferred lesser quality meetings as they were the bread and butter of my trading that I did day in day out and knew inside out. The big meetings come up only a few times a year and whilst the potential to use bigger stakes is there, there is also the issue that it is a self fulfilling prophecy in that you need to use bigger stakes to make it worth while but that lead to the market choking up with ever bigger stakes.

For the seasoned trader I feel they have much much more of an importance than they do for the newer/smaller traders. But the hype around such meetings can mean the newer/smaller trader places far to much emphasis on them.

Good luck to everyone but be aware that such markets come around so rarely they are very hard to get good at so if you don't have a spectacular week just move on to the sellers next week as as has been said a tick is still worth the same if it is a Grade 1 or a Seller!

[marko236]

" be very prepared for the big one " this heading had me reaching for my chasity belt!

[LinusP]

If I was a newbie I think time is better spent taking advantage of some of the great bookmaker offers that come about this week. You can easily build up a healthy bank with minimal risk.

But then I know most people such as myself started matchbetting before moving on to trading due to losing accounts...

[The dog of ry]

" be very prepared for the big one " this heading had me reaching for my chasity belt!

Just wiggle your toes!

[Wyndon]

Cheltenham is the highlight of my year. Trading takes second place to the spectacle of seeing some of the finest horses in the world compete. Having said that, I have strategies which will enable me to bet purely as a punter.

[ragortue]

I have strategies which will enable me to bet purely as a punter.

Tough one to pull off but GL with it.

[Groovyelms]

Have to say was lucky to have yesterday off, did'nt really bother trading chelt as I don't have anything like enough money to make it interestng.. but the racing was good, thought the gold cup was a gr8 win for a smaller trainer. groovy