A cautionary tale - unattended rule execution

[jimibt]

All,

Just wanted to raise an issue that being a newbie automation guy has caused me a great deal of grief. I created a small automation rule that runs towards the end of the race and places £10 back bets on the lowest placed runner when the odds are below 1.15. This had yielded a few pounds over many races and seemed like a good little addition to the toolbox. However, yesterday disaster struck on the 17:45 race at Thurles. I had left the bot running unattended and this race went into play, then got suspended as per normal - HOWEVER, there was a dispute over the winner and as a result, the race had gone back into play (this is what betfair confirmed to me). As a result, my bot continued to place £10 back bets on a runner called Can't Wait. It continued to do this until my account was down to £3.19 (when it could place no more bets).

I only discovered this later in the evening and was in shock. I soon realised what had happened and removed the rule (even tho it could no longer run).

What I've learned from this is that a market that was in-play and then suspended can indeed go back in-play with static odds (in this case, Can't Wait) which re-trigger the rule. Luckily, the betfair account didn't have a huge bankroll in place as I'm 100% certain that it would have matched every single bet til it was empty too. Of course this is an edge case, but one that I thought I should flag up in case others should encounter a similar issue.

As an aside, Can't Wait was demoted from 1st place to 2nd; had it remained the winner, I would of course have been quids in, but that isn't the point, just wanted to point out the dangers of badly written rules and unattended execution.

Cheers from a slightly battered but recovering scots eejit
jim

[LinusP]

I have been caught out by this a few times, its worth noting that this happens at least once per event and sometimes more often during the summer.

[Dallas]

Sorry to hear of your recent loss if its any conciliation there is many times when you will encounter unexpected losses as well as wins not just with automation but trading in general, from local internet issues to probelms with BF.

This recent thread is a perfect example of how the norm can suddendly go pear shaped
viewtopic.php?f=5&t=11643

Its worth noting that its comon that makets will be turned back in-play after being suspened if there is a close photo finish - this can result in upto several mins of additional activity centring around just 2 runners so can cause havoc with automations.

When using automation to protect yourself from most of these situations there is usually a few things you can add as a fail safe and Peter often highlights this during his Bet Angel video's

A few things you may be able to add into the rule you where using is
Limit the number of Triggers
Matched bets condition
Place bets triggered condition
matched bets amounts condition (amount of back bets matched is less than £X.XX)

You could use one or more of these depending on what else you where doing either IR or Pre-race but each on there own will add some form of protection for you

[jimibt]

LinusP - I've added this little *oversight* on my part to the lessons learnt in life chapter of the unwritten novel (should be a fairly short chapter compared to the Mistakes I keep repeating chapter)

have a great BH
jim

[jimibt]

Dallas - I am normally fairly methodical and disciplined, but this little mishap has instilled in me a deeper sense of the need to spend 90% of my efforts on preparing for the unexpected.

Thanks for those few tips regards limiting the damage, I'll be adding ALL of those in some shape or form to any rules that have an adhoc placement such as my disaster rule

Have a great easter weekend
jim

[Crazyskier]

Dallas - I am normally fairly methodical and disciplined, but this little mishap has instilled in me a deeper sense of the need to spend 90% of my efforts on preparing for the unexpected.

Thanks for those few tips regards limiting the damage, I'll be adding ALL of those in some shape or form to any rules that have an adhoc placement such as my disaster rule

Have a great easter weekend
jim

Thanks for the heads-up Jim. Happy Easter to you too and all the other Christians out there!

[jimibt]

Dallas - I am normally fairly methodical and disciplined, but this little mishap has instilled in me a deeper sense of the need to spend 90% of my efforts on preparing for the unexpected.

Thanks for those few tips regards limiting the damage, I'll be adding ALL of those in some shape or form to any rules that have an adhoc placement such as my disaster rule

Have a great easter weekend
jim

Thanks for the heads-up Jim. Happy Easter to you too and all the other Christians out there!

... and all believers of any faith and well intentioned atheists such as myself

Have a great weekend
jim

[Crazyskier]

Have a great easter weekend
jim

Thanks for the heads-up Jim. Happy Easter to you too and all the other Christians out there!

... and all believers of any faith and well intentioned atheists such as myself

Have a great weekend
jim

Haha! Yes indeed, though Easter is the celebration of the rock being rolled back from the tomb, prior to Christ's resurrection just over 2000 years ago, of course.